Mary Elizabeth Kurz - 2010
Prior to assuming the position of general counsel for North Carolina State University in 1996, Mary Beth served as vice chancellor and general counsel of the Texas A&M University System (1994-96); general counsel and vice president for legal affairs at Michigan State University (1987-1994); legal counsel at the University of Montana (1982- 1987); assistant attorney general for the State of Maryland, assigned principally to represent the University of Maryland and other state colleges and universities (1975-1982); assistant legislative officer to the governor of Maryland (1974- 1975); assistant attorney general for the State of Maryland, Criminal Division (1972-74); and clerked for the Chief Judge of the Court of Special Appeals of Maryland (1971-1972).
She graduated magna cum laude with a bachelor’s degree from Marywood College (Pennsylvania) in 1966 and her J.D. with honors from the University of Maryland School of Law in 1971.
Mary Beth was an active member of NACUA since joining in 1989. She served as its President from 1992-1993 and on the Board of Directors from 1989-1995. In 2002, she received the Association’s Distinguished Service Award for giving extraordinary service both to NACUA and to institutions of higher learning over an extended period of time, whether in legal or other capacities.
She also served as a moderator, discussion leader and speaker at numerous NACUA CLE workshops and annual conferences. She chaired several NACUA committees including the Committee on Honors and Awards, Committee on Nomination and Elections, Committee on Continuing Legal Education, and Committee on Program for Annual Conference. She was also an active member on the Committee on Finance and Audit, Committee on Membership and Member Services, Committee on Publications, and Committee on Arrangements for the Annual Conference.
Mary Beth is a warm and caring individual who would go the extra mile to help others. Her active leadership has also led to many of her associate counsels becoming involved in NACUA service. She is an excellent mentor to attorneys involved in higher education law and is an unfailing proponent of NACUA as an invaluable support to their practices and opportunity for career enrichment. For most of Mary Beth’s life in NACUA, reaching out to help others required much telephone time and meeting attendance, all of which she gave willingly and expertly. She is one of the attorneys at the core of the pre-NACUANET network and was of immeasurable value to NACUA attorneys for decades.
NACUA is pleased to recognize Mary Elizabeth Kurz as a Life Member of the Association in recognition of her outstanding service and her sustained and substantial contributions to NACUA and the field of higher education law.