Nearly 300 alumni, faculty, students and friends of Detroit Mercy gathered April 28 to honor seven alumni of University of Detroit, Mercy College of Detroit and University of Detroit Mercy. One alumnus from each college or school was chosen to receive the award for their success in their chosen field and their work in the community. We will share with you videos of each awardee’s comments over the next week or so; we hope you find them as inspiring as we do.
Charles R. Rutherford ’53 ’57 — School of Law
President, Michigan Supreme Court Historical Society, Retired Of Counsel, Dykema Gossett, PLLC
In addition to being an engineer licensed to practice in Michigan, Rutherford has been an intellectual property and commercial attorney for 60 years. His engineering expertise, which he shared as an instructor in Detroit Mercy’s College of Engineering & Science, factored into his success as a patent attorney primarily focused on the mechanical, hydraulic, electrical, medical and general engineering fields. He was the senior member of Dykema Gossett P.L.L.C.’s Intellectual Property Law Group when he retired.
In 1984, he retired from the United States Air Force, Judge Advocate General Department with the rank of colonel. He has served the community with organizations like the Metropolitan Youth Symphony and the Rotary Club. Since 2015, he has been president of the Michigan Supreme Court Historical Society, which collects and preserves documents, records and memorabilia pertinent to Michigan’s highest court.
