Editor's note: This story originally appeared in the summer 2024 issue of ASU Thrive magazine.

Fifty years ago, ASU alumni Ruth McGregor and Mark Kerrigan completed their degrees. Celebrating this achievement with ASU, they share the university’s impact on their lives and how their programs set them up for their career milestones, including McGregor serving as Chief Justice of the Arizona Supreme Court and Kerrigan working in the White House Office of Management and Budget.

Ruth McGregor

Degree 

’74 JD from the ASU College of Law

Major career milestone

Justice on the Arizona Supreme Court from 1998 until 2009; Chief justice, 2005–09

Favorite ASU memory

“I think my fondest memory might be studying for our first semester exams,” McGregor says. “We all felt so much that we were in it together.”

McGregor was in the fifth class of the ASU College of Law. Being part of the law school in its beginning stages meant she was helping create a path for future students.

McGregor’s grandniece, Jacqueline Cochrane, graduates in May 2024 with her Juris Doctor, exactly 50 years after her grandaunt. Afterward, Cochrane will be moving to Dallas to pursue a career in personal injury law.

Mark Kerrigan

Degree

’74 BS in political science

Major career milestones

Worked at the White House Office of Management and Budget, appointee to the Department of Energy

Favorite ASU memory

“When I had the opportunity to be president of the student body, that was really a tremendous year for me,” Kerrigan says. “We testified before the state legislature, traveled and raised money for the university. And it was just a fantastic experience.” 

Kerrigan has fond memories of his time at ASU, calling it his happy place and says today, ASU stands better than ever.

Story by Damian Goacher, a junior majoring in journalism and mass communication.