Alumni
Judge Paul Gessner Inducted into Wall of Fame
Public Safety Education Campus Ceremony Recognizes Contributions
RALEIGH, N.C. (October 4, 2017) - Retired North Carolina Superior Court Judge Paul Gessner has been honored with a place in Wake Tech’s Criminal Justice Wall of Fame. The induction ceremony took place today at Wake Tech’s Public Safety Education Campus.
Judge Gessner ruled in high-profile lawsuits and felony cases while on the bench and was recognized as one of the state’s most powerful trial judges. He began his career as a Raleigh police officer; after earning an associate’s degree in Criminal Justice from Wake Tech, he went on to earn a bachelor’s degree and graduate from law school. He served as a prosecutor in the Wake County District Attorney’s Office and was elected a Wake County District Court judge in 1996. Ten years later, Judge Gessner was elected to the North Carolina Superior Court.
He says Wake Tech provided a foundation for his career path and contributed significantly to his success. Judge Gessner has supported Wake Tech students, faculty, and staff in a variety of ways for many years, sharing his time and resources. He has served as an adjunct instructor in the Criminal Justice program and presided over mock trials, helping students make connections between their education and the community they are preparing to serve.
