A Supreme Court justice will come to Lawrence and the Kansas University campus for the second time this year.

Justice Samuel A. Alito Jr. will present an award Friday at the Dole Institute of Politics to Lawrence resident Deanell Reece Tacha, a 10th Circuit U.S. Court of Appeals judge.

Tacha will receive the 26th annual Edward J. Devitt Distinguished Service to Justice Award administered by the American Judicature Society.

President Reagan appointed Tacha to the appellate bench in 1985. The award honors judges whose careers are considered exemplary.

Tacha has also been recognized for her public service outside of her profession. She has worked in private practice in Lawrence, served on KU’s law school faculty and was KU’s vice chancellor for academic affairs.

The invitation-only ceremony at 5 p.m. Friday is expected to attract 250 people. Gov. Kathleen Sebelius is also scheduled to give remarks, said Beth Tigges, a spokeswoman for the American Judicature Society.

Alito has lauded Tacha for her service as a judge.

“These invaluable contributions have brought, and continue to bring, great honor to our profession,” Alito said in a statement in May when the award was announced.

Alito was chairman of a three-member award panel that chose Tacha.

John Roberts Jr., chief justice of the United States, visited KU and spoke at the Lied Center on April 30.