July 25, 2012 — In recognition of outstanding professional stature and exemplary career contributions, Martin Henry Ritchie has been presented with the 2012 Distinguished Alumni Award from the University of Virginia's Curry School of Education Foundation.

Ritchie is a professor of counselor education in the University of Toledo's Judith Herb College of Education and chair of its Department of School Psychology, Legal Specialties and Counselor Education.

He received a master's of education degree in 1974 and a doctorate of education degree in counselor education in 1978, both from the Curry School. As a student in the doctoral program, he successfully lobbied the Virginia General Assembly for the first counselor licensing law in the U.S.

Ritchie is the immediate past chair of the board of directors of the Council for Accreditation of Counseling and Related Educational Program. "Martin is known throughout the counseling profession as a dedicated, thoughtful and committed counselor educator," said Carol L. Bobby, CACREP president and CEO. "I can vouch that Martin is a consummate professional. His frankness, ability to think through difficult political situations and his willingness to put his beliefs on the line are all hallmarks of his tenure on the board."

Martin helped establish a professional association for counselors in Australia in 1978. He is a past president of the International Association of Marriage and Family Counselors (a division of the American Counseling Association), which he co-founded in 1985. He has also served as president of the Ohio Counseling Association, the Ohio Association for Counselor Education and Supervision, and the Northwest Ohio Counseling Association.

Among his many local, state and national honors, he was named a Fellow of the American Counseling Association in 2011. He co-wrote the book, "The Accountable School Counselor," now in its second edition, and his research has been published in over 50 journal articles and book chapters. He is a past editor of Counselor Education and Supervision, the flagship journal for counselor education.

The Curry School Foundation Distinguished Alumni Award recognizes alumni who have made considerable professional contributions in their chosen career. Ritchie will receive his award at a Curry School of Education dinner on Oct. 25.