University of Montevallo alumni bestow special honor to Jefferson County Judge Share Updated: 3:13 PM CDT Mar 17, 2021 WVTM 13 Digital Share Updated: 3:13 PM CDT Mar 17, 2021 WVTM 13 Digital A top honor was given this weekend to the Presiding Judge in Jefferson County.According to a news release, the 2020 UM Department of Behavioral and Social Sciences Distinguished Alumni Award was presented to the Honorable Elisabeth French.The award honors alumni who have made outstanding contributions in their profession and the community. I often think about my time at the University of Montevallo and how that experience helped shape me into the person I am today, Judge Elisabeth French said. I am both humbled and excited to be selected for this award, she added.Judge French, a 1993 UM graduate, is the first woman to serve as Presiding Judge in Jefferson County, as stated in the news release.Judge French is also the first African-America