Deanell Tacha was supposed to spend Thursday at the U.S. Supreme Court presenting a paper on judicial compensation.

Instead, Tacha, chief justice for the U.S. 10th Circuit Court of Appeals, postponed the event to be honored in her hometown of Lawrence.

Tacha and her husband, John, were named “substantial citizens” by the Lawrence Kiwanis Club during a ceremony at the Lawrence Country Club.

“It’s probably one of the highest honors I’ve had because it’s from my community and not from the legal profession,” Tacha said. “It means even more because I received it with John.”

The local Kiwanis Club has recognized 74 people with its Substantial Citizen Award since 1960. The honor goes to people who consistently contribute to their community, in areas other than their profession.

Lew Llewellyn, chairman of the selection committee, said the Tachas were prime candidates for the award.

“They’re so active and so concerned about their community,” he said. “They’ve got so many special things they like to support.”

The 2003 recipients of the Lawrence Kiwanis Club's Substantial Citizen Award are Judge Deanell Tacha and her husband, John. The Tachas received the award Thursday at the Lawrence Country Club. From left, Rusty Thomas, Deanell Tacha, John Tacha and Lew Llewellyn visit after presentation of the award.

Deanell Tacha is a former Kansas University administrator who was appointed to the federal appeals court in 1985. Her volunteer activities include committees and boards at First United Methodist Church, The Shelter, Lawrence Arts Center, Lied Center, Hall Center for the Humanities, KU School of Fine Arts, KU Alumni Association, Baker University and Kansas Health Foundation.

She led the search committee for the director of the Dole Institute of Politics, and she heads the National Heritage Area Committee, which is working for a federal designation to promote the area’s Bleeding Kansas history.

John Tacha is or has been active in First United Methodist Church, Lawrence Memorial Hospital Foundation Board, Delta Dental Board, Chamber of Commerce Community Affairs Board, Shelter Foundation and Cottonwood Inc. He also served eight years on the Lawrence school board.

John Tacha said past Substantial Citizen Award winners — who include Henry Shenk, Raymond Nichols, Charles and Hortense Oldfather and Emily Taylor — made the honor more special.