Office of College Advancement » Medal of Achievement

Philip Summa receives 2007 Medal of Achievement

Philip Summa (MS ’75 Chemistry) was selected as the recipient of the College’s 2007 Medal of Achievement.

“Phil Summa has distinguished himself as one of the finest chemical prosecutors in the Southeast,” said Dan Solomon, dean of PAMS. “He’s also proved, time and again, his commitment to the College.”

A native of Philadelphia, Summa received his bachelor’s degree from Gettysburg College in 1973. He then came to NC State, where he earned a master’s degree in chemistry in 1975. He went on to study law at Campbell University and received his JD degree in 1983.

After earning his law degree, Summa served as an associate, director, and shareholder with the firm of Bell, Seltzer, Park & Gibson.When that patent law firm merged with Alston & Bird in 1997, he founded his own independent firm to continue the specialized practice of intellectual property law. Today, Summa, Allan & Additon, P.A. provides intellectual property services to small and large corporations, research universities, and individuals in all technology areas, including chemical, biochemical, mechanical, and electrical arts.

Currently emphasizing patent prosecution and client counseling, Summa has worked in all phases of intellectual property law. He served as chairperson of the North Carolina Bar Association’s Intellectual Property Section from 1992 to 1993.He is a member of the American Bar Association, the American Intellectual Property Law Association, the Licensing Executives Society, the Fourth Circuit Judicial Conference and the American Chemical Society.

Based on a vote from his peers, Business North Carolina in 2007 named Summa the state’s best lawyer in Patents/Intellectual Property as part of its annual “Legal Elite” feature. He was previously named to the Legal Elite in 2002 through 2006.

In addition to his bringing distinction to PAMS through his professional successes, Summa is a dedicated supporter of the College. He was one of the first alumni in the Charlotte area to sponsor and attend the PAMS Student Recruitment Event there.

The inaugural event, held at the Speedway Club at Lowe’s Motor Speedway, was attended by about 20 area students. Of those students, 70 percent enrolled in PAMS the next fall - compared to the yield for that region of 26 percent. In the years since, the event has moved to the Triangle and grown substantially.More than 125 students and their families attended last year, with 80 percent of the students enrolling in the fall - compared to a 39 percent total yield.