The Columbia Alumni Association (CAA) of Chile has recognized the lawyer Alfredo Etechberry with its Outstanding Alumnus Award 2022, which is awarded annually to a person whose career and professional achievements reflect University values and have made a significant contribution to Chilean society.
The recognition was presented by alumnus and CAA Chile board member Manuel Blanco (LLM’96) to Etcheberry – who studied a Columbia Master's degree in Comparative Law in 1955 – during the CAA Chile’s annual end-of-the-year celebration, held at the beginning of December in the courtyard of Hotel Cumbres Lastarria in Santiago.
“The soul of Columbia University is nourished by the great issues of public and private interest that affect global society, which it addresses through an international and diverse body of faculty and students whose common denominator is academic and professional excellence,” Blanco said during his presentation, noting that Etcheberry embodies those university values.
An expert in penal law, Etcheberry continues to practice law at the age of 91. He has participated directly or indirectly in many of the most significant cases in Chile during the second half of the twentieth century, noted Blanco.
But the awardee’s long career is not limited to private practice, Blanco added. Besides being a university professor since 1956 and having published several books and articles on penal law, he has also worked as a public servant, including as Chilean Ambassador to the Diplomatic Conference on the Establishment of an International Criminal Court; as advisor to the Presidential Advisory Council against Conflicts of Interest, Influence Peddling and Corruption (Engel Commission) to design and propose an institutional framework to regulate business and political activities; and as chair of the First Chilean Committee of the Draft Latin American Standard Penal Code.
He is also an active member of the Bar Association, where he has served as a counselor and president, as well as of several international lawyer associations.
“In summary, there is no doubt that Mr. Alfredo Etcheberry faithfully represents what our association seeks to recognize with this award,” Blanco said in closing. “Throughout his extensive and varied professional and academic life, he has made a significant contribution to society in the most diverse areas of national endeavor.”
Etcheberry then thanked the CAA Chile for the recognition, and reminisced on his time in New York and at Columbia, naming several of his colleagues and professors that had a significant impact on his academic and professional life.
The mission of the Columbia Alumni Association (CAA) is to allow the members of the University’s worldwide alumni community to strengthen their bonds of fellowship; to sustain the connection between them and the University; to act as a means through which they can contribute their collective knowledge and perspective to the life of the University; and to develop from their ranks effective and responsive leadership.
Use this link to see the photo album of the event.
