FACULTY AND STAFF RECOGNIZED FOR YEARS OF SERVICE, DEDICATION TO DICKINSON LAW

May 20, 2022 — During Penn State Dickinson Law’s annual employee appreciation luncheon on Tuesday, May 17, faculty and staff received awards and recognition for years of service milestones and dedication to the Law School.

Professor of Law Dermot Groome was honored with the Equity and Community Engagement Award. This award was created to recognize a student, faculty member, or a staff member of Dickinson Law who has contributed to the community by demonstrating: an understanding of, appreciation for, and advocacy on behalf of difference and equity issues; a commitment to fostering an environment in which the values of diversity and equity are understood, developed, and promoted; and a commitment to the principles of difference and equity through hiring practices, sensitivity in developing teaching, research, service or professional development agendas, and/or other activities which include relationships with or promote understanding of diversity and equity.

Groome has very clearly demonstrated a commitment to and understanding of each of these ideals through his development of an innovative course focused on increasing the awareness of race and equity issues by all members of our community, incorporating discussion and focus of diversity and equity in other doctrinal courses, and in organizing a larger community event meant to raise awareness of ethnic minorities living in the Carlisle area who, in their home countries, faced torture based on their religious and ethnic identity.

One nominator described Groome’s work using words such as “phenomenal,” “transformative,” and “groundbreaking.” She went on to discuss the importance of Groome’s work in the way it will create improved understanding of diversity and equity and will have ripple effects for decades to come.

The 2021-22 Patricia A. Amadure Memorial Award was presented to Brenda Garland, Administrative Support Assistant, in recognition of her industriousness, good humor, dedication and loyalty to Dickinson Law, its students and alumni.

“I am so honored to be recognized by my colleagues with the Amadure Memorial Award. My heartfelt thanks to all who nominated me and to the committee for selecting me,” said Garland. “It is a true privilege to be part of the amazing Dickinson Law team.” One colleague who nominated Garland for this award shared, “I don’t think we could have made it through the recent pandemic without her. She has been here through thick and thin. Her leadership has been strong throughout. She has worked diligently to become the ‘expert’ in Canvas to support the faculty and her colleagues. Additionally, her work to support exams has been exemplary. Her always-helpful demeanor and willingness to learn and do new things have really helped everyone through these past two years. “

“Extremely generous with her time and talent, Brenda is always ready to help fellow employees work out a problem or to help with a new project,” another nominator shared. “She has also been especially supportive to new faculty, making their transition to Dickinson Law much easier at a challenging time.”

Employees recognized for years of service milestones recorded in 2022 include:

  • 35 years:
    • Jeri Fitzsimons, Access Services Manager
  • 30 years:
    • Michael Mogill, Professor of Law
    • Doris Orner, Chief Financial Officer
  • 25 years:
    • Camille Marion, Professor and Director of Experiential Learning, Co-director of the Semester-in-Washington, D.C. and Semester-in-Harrisburg Programs
    • Lance Cole, Professor of Law, Honorable W. Richard and Mary M. Eshelman Faculty Scholar, and Director, Center for Government Law and Public Policy Studies
    • Karlisma Souders, Director of Business Services
  • 20 years:
    • Lucy Johnston-Walsh, Assistant Professor of Law and Director, Children’s Advocacy Clinic and Center on Children and the Law
    • Debra Marpoe, Housekeeper
  • 15 years:
    • Megan Riesmeyer, Clinical Professor of Law and Director, Community Law Clinic
  • 10 years:
    • Laura Ax-Fultz, Associate Dean for Library and Information Services
    • Kalene Faircloth, Assistant Director for Student Services
  • Five years:
    • Brenda Garland, Administrative Support Assistant
    • Ian Ulsh, IT Consultant