College of Mount Saint Vincent Honors Distinguished Alumni
10/26/2005
The University of Mount Saint Vincent honored Gail Vance Civille, `65 and Judge Judith Hard, `79 with the Ad Laudem Dei award at a reception held on October 18, 2005 on the College’s Riverdale campus.
The Ad Laudem Dei award recognizes alumnae/i of distinguished achievement whose professional lives are of national significance and illustrate that service is not only an activity but also an approach to the responsibilities of work. Awards are given each year in one or more of the following areas: Economics, Business and Government; Medicine and Science; and Arts, Humanities, Religion and Education.
Gail Vance Civille graduated from the University of Mount Saint Vincent in 1965 with a degree in chemistry. She is the founder and president of Sensory Spectrum Inc., and is known and respected as a leader in the fields of sensory evaluation and consumer product research. When presenting Ms. Civille the award, President Charles L Flynn Jr. described her twenty-five years of experience in sensory evaluation as “comprehensively wide-ranging—research and development, methodology, analysis, marketing. [She has] developed reference materials, scientific protocols, and sound analytical tools that have transformed the global industry of sensory evaluation into a rigorous and important science.” Ms. Civille serves as an advisor to business leaders in numerous industries, including food and beverage, pharmaceuticals and fabrics and is also an accomplished author and educator in the study of sensory evaluation.
The Honorable Judge Judith A. Hard, Class of 1979, has served on New York State Court of Claims since 2002. Judge Hard has held positions with the New York State Senate and Assembly, serving as a Legislative Analyst, and counsel to the Senate Minority Leader. From 1995 to 1998, Judge Hard served as Assistant Counsel and later First Deputy Counsel to Governor Pataki. Immediately prior to her appointment to the bench she served as Executive Deputy Commissioner of the New York State Department of Tax and Finance. At the awards ceremony, President Flynn commended Judge Hard’s intellect, judgment, temperament, character and experience, “qualities that have led [her] to the life of learning and service, which exemplify the mission to which the Sisters of Charity dedicated [the] college: Teach Me Goodness, Discipline, and Knowledge.”