2008 Recipient

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Frequency: 
Annual
Where presented : 
Exemplar Award Dinner
Year: 
2008
Recipient(s) name: 
Kenneth C. Frazier
Recipient title: 
President of Global Human Health
Recipient organization: 
Merck & Co., Inc.
Recipient organization city: 
Kenilworth
Recipient organization state: 
New Jersey
Reason for selection of recipient(s): 

Kenneth C. Frazier has long served as a champion of equal justice and as a leader for pro bono assistance, commitment to diversity and contributions to the legal aid community. As president of Global Human Health at Merck & Co., Inc., Frazier’s leadership and dedication to the legal aid and public defense community sets the standard for corporate America. His work in the equal justice arena has included representing death row inmate Bo Cochran, who spent 15 years on death row before being acquitted in 1996 and with his membership and action on the Ethics Resource Center, the Council of the American Law Institute and as a member and immediate past chair of the NLADA Corporate Advisory Committee. As chair, Frazier was instrumental in building support among the corporate community for NLADA’s programmatic initiatives.

In October 2004, the Association of Corporate Counsel (ACC) presented Frazier with its 2004 Excellence in Corporate Practice Award, which recognizes achievements in legal advocacy and counseling, service to the legal profession, public
service and civic and community contributions. In February 2003, the Pro Bono Institute, awarded Frazier its Laurie D. Zelon Award for extraordinary achievement by an individual in pro bono and public service. In May 2003, Frazier was the
recipient of the Distinguished Alumni Award by Pennsylvania State University, the highest honor the University bestows on graduates whose professional achievements, personal qualities and community involvement exemplifies the goals of Penn State. And, in 2001, Frazier received the Alumni Fellow Award, the most prestigious award given by the Alumni Association to those recognized as leaders in their professional fields who are committed to sharing their knowledge and expertise with the University community.

Frazier joined Merck & Co., Inc. in 1992 as vice president, general counsel and secretary of the Astra Merck Group. Prior to Merck, he was a partner with the Philadelphia firm of Drinker Biddle & Reath LLP. He was elected vice president
of public affairs in 1994 and, in 1997, assumed the additional responsibilities of assistant general counsel. Frazier was promoted to vice president and deputy general counsel in January 1999. In December 1999, he assumed the position of
senior vice president and general counsel overseeing Merck's legal and public affairs functions and The Merck Company Foundation. In November 2006, he was promoted to executive vice president and general counsel. He was appointed
executive vice president and president of Merck’s Global Human Health in August 2007. Frazier is a member of the Council of the American Law Institute, the American Bar Association and the Council on Foreign Relations. He sits on
the Boards of Ithaka Harbors, Inc. (a non-profit information technology organization), Cornerstone Christian Academy and the Ethics Resource Center.