A law executive who helped draft the nations first mediation program for the U.S. District Court will be honored by his alma mater, West Virginia University, this weekend.

Alvin L.A.L.Emch will receive the Eberly College of Arts and Sciences annual Certificate of Achievement at a 2 p.m. ceremony Saturday (Feb. 5) in the Mountainlair Ballrooms. Students who have achieved outstanding academic records will also be recognized.

In 1987, Emch, along with then-Chief U.S. District Court Judge Robert Maxwell, planned, organized and implemented the first district-wide mediation program in a U.S. District Courta program that continues to operate.

Emch, a 1969 WVU Eberly College of Arts and Sciences graduate with degrees in English and history, is chief executive officer of the West Virginia law firm Jackson Kelly, PLLC . He earned a law degree from the University of Virginia, and had practiced at Jackson Kelly for 27 years, before being named its CEO in 2002.

A U .S. Air Force veteran of Vietnam and the Persian Gulf wars, Emch also served more than 20 years in the West Virginia Air National Guard.

Emch is being honored for hislife-long dedicationto learning, civic involvement and public service, said Eberlys Interim Dean Rudolph P. Almasy.

“It’s a privilege to be able to salute a graduate of Mr. Emch’s status,Almasy said,and to acknowledge how he has worked for the state of West Virginia while remaining connected to West Virginia University.

Students who are majors or pre-majors in the Eberly College, hold a cumulative grade- point average of 3.5 or higher, and have earned at least 45 credit hours will also receive certificates of achievement during Saturdays event.