The 2026 individual inductees are John Fischer ’01, Jamie Friye ’03 and Dennis Gorman, posthumously.
John Fischer ‘01 is a respected attorney with substantial legal counsel and criminal trial experience, skillful negotiation techniques, and the ability to render sound legal assessments. He serves as Acting Assistant General Counsel with the Illinois Department of Natural Resources. Fischer’s areas of service and expertise represent the breadth and depth of his legal prestige. He serves as Assistant General Counsel and senior legal advisor for all administrative, litigation, and operational functions of the Department of Natural Resources and as agency legal counsel and/or hearing officer for IDNR administrative hearings. Fischer is the lead legislative attorney for IDNR and a key advisor to the Department’s legislative and program staff. Fischer serves as the lead attorney for both the Office of Law Enforcement’s leadership and Illinois Conservation Police Officers statewide. Before working with the IDNR, Fischer moved from Assistant State’s Attorney to Chief of Criminal Division with the Madison County State’s Attorney’s Office, and then from associate attorney with a law firm in Decatur, Illinois, to attorney with a law firm in Town and Country, Missouri. Fischer received the Prosecutor Award from Southwestern Illinois Law Enforcement Commission and Southern Illinois Police Chief’s Association in 2015. Fischer obtained his undergraduate degree from Quincy University in 2001 and his Juris Doctorate from the Saint Louis University School of Law in 2004. His legal profession represents a long-term commitment to civic responsibility and public service, and he is also dedicated to maintaining the relationships that sustain his family.
Jamie Friye ’03 is Senior Staff Attorney for Land of Lincoln Legal Aid in Quincy, providing legal representation to victims of domestic violence in Divorce and Order of Protection matters and supervising attorneys and support staff. Friye served as the Assistant State’s Attorney for the Office of the Adams County State’s Attorney in Quincy for fourteen years. She prosecuted juvenile cases, felony cases, and mental health cases and interviewed victims and witnesses and prepared them for trial. Her legal career also includes serving as Child Welfare Attorney for Administrative Office of the Illinois Courts in Springfield, as Supervisory Regional Counsel for Department of Children and Family Services in Quincy, as partner in the Law Offices of Friye & Mamdani in Quincy, and as Associate with a law firm in Chicago and one in Aurora and Quincy. Friye’s areas of service include St. Francis Solanus Church Pastoral Council member; Quincy Notre Dame High School board of directors; Cheerful Home Child Care and Early Learning Center board of directors; Administrative Office of the Illinois Courts, Court Improvement Program State Team member; Adams County Teen Court volunteer attorney; Child Advocacy Center Multi-Disciplinary Team member; DCFS Children’s Justice Task Force member; DCFS Child Death Review Team member; and Co-Chair of the Juvenile Detention Task Force of the Illinois Judicial Conference. Friye obtained her undergraduate degree from Quincy University in 2003 and her Juris Doctorate from the Loyola University Chicago School of Law in 2006. She is an Adjunct Assistant Professor of Criminal Justice at Quincy University.
Quincy University proudly honors Dennis W. Gorman (June 16, 1942 – June 25, 2024) as a member of the Legal Hall of Fame — a distinguished attorney whose career was marked by integrity, wisdom, and steadfast service. A Quincy native, Gorman earned his undergraduate and law degrees from the University of Illinois and began practicing law in 1967. Over five decades, he built a respected career in banking, real estate, probate, and corporate law, while also serving as city attorney and assistant state’s attorney. He became one of the region’s most trusted school attorneys, advising Quincy Public School District #172 and numerous institutions across West Central Illinois. Gorman shared a meaningful and lasting connection with Quincy University. He served as legal counsel to the University and as a lecturer in school law, helping shape future leaders with practical insight grounded in experience. His thoughtful guidance strengthened the institution and reflected his deep belief in the power of education. From 1995 until his retirement in 2017, Gorman practiced at Schmiedeskamp Robertson Neu & Mitchell LLP, where he had the privilege of working alongside his son, Brett. His legacy endures in the community he served and the institutions he helped guide with quiet strength and unwavering principles.
Founded in 1860 by Franciscan friars, Quincy University is a small Catholic university emphasizing the sciences, liberal arts and the professions. Quincy University offers undergraduate, graduate and adult education programs integrating practical experience and Franciscan values. Faculty and advisors work with students to design customized success plans to help them graduate on time, find their passion and prepare them for life. QU is a member of NCAA Division II for intercollegiate athletics. For more information, please visit www.quincy.edu or contact the Office of Community Relations at (217) 228-5275 or communityrelations@quincy.edu. Quincy University. Success by Design.