Three prominent Delawareans were honored with the University of Delaware Medal of Distinction at a ceremony Dec. 12 on the campus.

Medals were awarded to Joshua W. Martin III, senior counsel with Potter, Anderson and Corroon LLP and former Delaware Superior Court judge; Cynthia Primo Martin, founder and board chair of Quintin E. Primo Jr. Lecture Series and Trustees of Color, former University trustee and UD alumna; and Delaware State Sen. David B. McBride, president pro tempore of the Delaware Senate and a UD alumnus.

The Medal of Distinction in the highest non-academic award bestowed by the University’s Board of Trustees. It recognizes individuals who have made humanitarian, cultural, intellectual or scientific contributions to society; who have achieved noteworthy professional success; or who have given significant service to the University, community, state or region.

The presentation of the medals was made by Board Chairman John Cochran and President Dennis Assanis.

Joshua Martin

Joshua Martin has served as a Delaware Superior Court judge, as a member and chair of the Delaware Public Service Commission, as chair of the Delaware Economic and Financial Advisory Council and as a member of the Delaware Expenditure Review Committee and the Council on Development Finance.

The Board of Trustees resolution notes that he “has long been a respected and recognized leader in the business and legal community” and that he “has been a champion of diversity in every facet of his service to the Delaware community, as reflected in membership and leadership roles in numerous boards related to education and business.”

For a PDF of the complete resolution, click here.

Cynthia Primo Martin

Hailed as “a recognized leader in the local and global communities as a change agent for inclusion of women and people of color,” Cynthia Primo Martin was recognized in the resolution as “a trailblazer in diversity strategies, human rights and justice” evidenced by “her founding of the Trustees of Color initiative to ensure Delaware’s nonprofit boards are inclusive of people of color; and the establishment of the Quinton E. Primo Jr. Lecture Series, which brought national and global human rights leaders to Delaware to discuss issues of race and reconciliation.”

The resolution also noted “her insight, passion and perseverance” in her service on several boards, including on UD’s Board of Trustees from 2001-13.

She earned her bachelor’s and master’s degrees at the University of Delaware.

For a PDF of the complete resolution, click here.

David McBride

A member of the Delaware General Assembly since 1978, David McBride has chaired several legislative committees and currently serves as president pro tempore of the state Senate.

The resolution cited his service in the U.S. Air Force from 1960-69, noting that as a legislator he has supported military veteran initiatives. After his military service, he earned bachelor’s and master’s degrees in civil engineering at the University of Delaware.

In the General Assembly, he has promoted public health issues, including the Clean Indoor Act, the Nurse Practice Act and legislation establishing telephone service for the hearing and speech impaired. As the current chair of the Senate Environmental, Natural Resources and Energy Committee, he has focused on energy and environmental issues.

Calling McBride “a proud University of Delaware alumnus,” the resolution said he “has brought honor and distinction to the ranks of the University’s alumni.”

For a PDF of the complete resolution, click here.