Janet Gay Horvath ’00 Receives 2015 Outstanding Young Alumna Award
Janet Gay Horvath '00 poses for a
photo after receiving her award.June 8, 2015 (Notre Dame, Ind.)—The Outstanding Young Alumna Award, awarded annually by the Alumnae Association of Saint Mary’s College, Notre Dame, IN, honors an alumna who exhibits leadership not only in her personal and professional accomplishments, but also in her involvement with the Alumnae Association and/or the College. A candidate for this award would have graduated from this Catholic liberal arts women’s college within the last 15 years.
This year’s recipient is Janet Gay Horvath ’00 of Rolling Prairie, IN. The recipient was announced Saturday, June 6, at the Reunion Banquet held on campus.
Since graduating from Saint Mary’s with a bachelor’s degree in business administration with a concentration in marketing, Horvath completed law school at Indiana University. She then joined Jones Obenchain as an associate and has been a partner there since 2009. According to her award citation, having distinguished herself as a knowledgeable and efficient legal practitioner, Horvath became a member of the firm’s executive committee and has served as the human resources chair for the past five years. Most recently, she has served as chair of the marketing committee as well. In 2013, Horvath was selected as one of Sassy Magazine’s Women to Watch. She was also awarded the 2012 YWCA of Northern Indiana Woman to Watch Award and was a Michiana Region Forty Under 40 award recipient in 2009.
The award citation goes on to say that Horvath’s dedication to her community has led her to several volunteer positions with organizations she holds dear. She is a past president of The Junior League of South Bend and remains active in the organization, last year serving as the endowment chair of the fundraising council. Horvath also serves as a director of the Scholarship Foundation of Saint Joseph County. Her passion for music led to a position as a board member of the Fischoff National Chamber Music Association. Growing up, Horvath was active in 4-H and most recently served that organization as the keynote speaker of the 2014 LaPorte County 10-year 4-H Recognition Breakfast.
A respected mentor in her profession as well as her volunteer work, Horvath inspires her colleagues and now Saint Mary’s students as adjunct professor of business law. She is also active in the South Bend Alumnae Club, including as a past board member and president of the club. She remains a dedicated member of the Saint Mary’s community.
Horvath is a wife and mother to two preschool-aged boys. She delights in her sons’ school activities. In nominating her for this award, colleague and friend Minnie P. Gunterman referenced Saint Mary’s commitment to educating students to make a difference in the world, saying, “I believe Janet does that in each area of her life, keeping in mind and practice the core values of learning, community, faith/spirituality, and justice.”
About Saint Mary’s College: Saint Mary’s College, Notre Dame, Ind., is a four-year, Catholic, residential, women’s liberal arts college offering five bachelor’s degrees and more than 30 major areas of study, such as business, nursing, art, chemistry, and social work. In the fall of 2015 Saint Mary’s College will begin to offer two graduate degrees: a Master of Science and a Doctorate. All programs that fall under these degrees are co-educational and include a Master of Science in Data Science, a Master of Science in Speech Language Pathology, and a Doctorate of Nursing Practice. Founded in 1844 by the Sisters of the Holy Cross, Saint Mary’s College seeks, according to its mission statement, to educate students, develop their talents, and prepare them to make a difference in the world. Saint Mary’s College ranks among the top 100 Best National Liberal Arts Colleges for 2015 published by U.S. News & World Report.
Contact for News Media: Gwen O’Brien, director of media relations, Saint Mary’s College, gobrien@saintmarys.edu (574) 284-4579