Hausers Receive Law School Association Award for Service to Legal Profession and Law School

Gustave M. and Rita E. Hauser have received the 1998 Harvard Law School Association Award (HLSA).

The HLSA Award, the highest honor given by the Association, recognizes sustained or extraordinary service to the legal profession and the Law School as well as contributions to the public welfare that exemplify the values of Harvard Law School.

Law School Dean Robert Clark and HLSA President Charles Brock presented the HLSA Award to the Hausers during the HLSA meeting at the School's Worldwide Alumni Congress in Rome, Italy, last month.

The Hausers are the second recipients of the award this year. Former U.S. Attorney General Elliott Richardson received the award during Class Day festivities at the School on June 3.

Previous HLSA Award recipients include Archibald Cox, Harvard Law School Professor Emeritus and former Watergate Special Prosecutor, and Mary Robinson, former President of the Republic of Ireland.

The Hausers, a couple that met and married when they were at Harvard Law School in the 1950s, gave the School in 1993 what was then the largest cash gift ever donated to a law school -- $13 million. In recognition of the gift, the Law School's classroom and faculty office building, which opened for use in 1994, was named Hauser Hall.

Gustave Hauser, chairman and CEO of Hauser Communications Inc., is a pioneer of the modern cable television industry who is responsible for developing many innovations such as the MTV Music Television and Nickelodeon television networks, pay-per-view, and other advanced interactive services. Hauser Communications is a private investment and operating company in cable television, international satellite, and other electronic communications.

He received a LL.B. from Harvard Law School in 1953, and also received LL.M. degrees from New York University Law School in 1957 and the University of Paris, France in 1958.

Rita Hauser completed her first year of studies at the Harvard Law School in 1956. Upon her marriage, she transferred to New York University Law School where she received her LL.B. in 1959. She also earned a French law degree (licence en droit) at the University of Paris Law Faculty in 1958 and a Doctorat d'universite in Political Economy from the University of Strasbourg, France in 1955.

She practiced law as a Senior Partner of the New York law firm of Stroock & Stroock & Lavan, specializing in international legal matters. Now Counsel to the firm, she is engaged in philanthropic activities as President of The Hauser Foundation. She is Chair of the International Peace Academy, which deals with multinational peacekeeping functions, and is also a member of the Board of the Council on Foreign Relations, The Aspen Institute, and the New York Philharmonic Symphony Society, among other organizations. She served as U.S. Representative to the U.N. Commission on Human Rights and as an American delegate to numerous international conferences.

The HLSA citation to Gustave Hauser states: "Business leader, cable television pioneer, international communications visionary, and philanthropist; at Harvard Law School you formed a lifelong partnership with your wife, Rita, and your magnificent gifts to the Law School and the University will benefit countless generations of Harvard men and women."

The HLSA citation to Rita Hauser states: "International jurist, distinguished public servant, champion of peace and human rights, and philanthropist; at Harvard Law School you formed a lifelong partnership with your husband, Gustave, and your magnificent gifts to the Law School and the University will benefit countless generations of Harvard women and men."