The Republic of Kosovo has recognized Chicago-Kent College of Law with its Presidential Medal of Merits, honoring the institution's "contribution and dedication to academic growth in Kosovo." The award was presented by Kosovo President Vjosa Osmani Sadriu to Chicago-Kent Dean Anita K. Krug during a ceremony in Prishtina on February 18, 2025. This event was part of the celebrations marking Kosovo's 17th anniversary of independence from Serbia.
The relationship between Chicago-Kent and Kosovo dates back to before the country's independence. In 1997, former Dean Henry H. Perritt Jr. initiated Operation Kosovo, a project aimed at supporting the emerging government. Students involved in this initiative participated in economic development projects and assisted with war crime tribunals.
"The Kosovo Liberation Army, the insurgency, had sort of appointed itself the interim government," Perritt explained. "We volunteered to help develop an economic development plan for Kosovo."
Operation Kosovo also contributed to connecting refugee camps and organizations to the internet before being forced to leave during NATO bombings in 1999. Perritt returned shortly after, observing significant efforts by Kosovars to rebuild their country.
"They had already washed all the windows, repainted all the storefronts, and collected all the trash," he noted about his observations upon returning.
Over more than a decade, Perritt visited Kosovo regularly with students who made substantial contributions through their work there.
"My students just did a great job," Perritt said proudly. One student wrote a paper on legal theory that was later acknowledged by a top UN lawyer as influential in stabilizing Kosovo's economy.
During their time in Kosovo, students were not enrolled in courses but engaged directly with local challenges.
"We spent an afternoon with a special agent of the FBI tutoring us on how the FBI investigates governmental corruption," Perritt recounted. Students then authored papers on effective anti-corruption investigations for use by Kosovar colleagues.
Perritt also documented his experiences through writing. His book "Kosovo Liberation Army: The Inside Story of an Insurgency" compiled narratives from soldiers involved in the independence struggle. He also created a rock opera titled "You Took Away My Flag," which was performed multiple times in Chicago.
As negotiations for independence progressed under UN envoy Martti Ahtissarri, Perritt authored another book analyzing these events: "The Road to Independence for Kosovo: A Chronicle of the Ahtisaari Plan."
Chicago-Kent continues its support for Kosovo today through scholarships enabling Kosovar students to pursue LL.M degrees at the school. Many graduates return home contributing further towards national development initiatives.
Dean Krug emphasized ongoing commitments stating: “Chicago-Kent’s 25 years of work to assist a turbulent region and its ongoing efforts are truly inspiring.” She expressed pride in her association with such impactful endeavors at Chicago-Kent College of Law while reaffirming continued opportunities for aspiring lawyers from Kosovo at their institution.