GOOD NEIGHBORS: PENN STATE DICKINSON LAW AND DICKINSON COLLEGE BOLSTER FRIENDLY RELATIONSHIP
December 2024 — Phil Petrina ’22 spent his first semester at Penn State Dickinson Law engaged in the same activities as most first-year students (1Ls), such as studying torts, legal research, and criminal law. He also did something most 1Ls do not do — played college football.
Petrina came to Penn State Dickinson Law from neighboring Dickinson College as part of the 3+3 program, which allows students to forego their senior year of college to enroll in law school. Students in the 3+3 program earn a bachelor’s degree from Dickinson College and a J.D. from Penn State Dickinson Law in six years.
Petrina, who played defensive back on the Dickinson College football team, chose the school for undergrad in part because of that opportunity. “The 3+3 program jumped out at me with the ability to do your undergraduate in three years and save a full year of tuition if you want to go to law school,” said Petrina. “That was a huge advantage over other colleges I considered. I ultimately chose Dickinson College because I wanted to have that choice if I decided to go to law school.”
Petrina said balancing practices, games, and travel time to road games with his legal education proved challenging but rewarding, helping him hone his time management skills. “I had to make a lot of social sacrifices that first semester, but my mentality has always been you can do almost anything that you put your mind to for a temporary period if you can commit, are passionate about it, and are willing to put forth the work required,” said Petrina.
That unique opportunity to pursue two of his passions at once shows the benefits of the strong relationship between Penn State Dickinson Law and Dickinson College, which share roughly 300 alumni — including Dickinson College President John E. Jones III ’80. The Law School proactively supports and partners with its next-door neighbor, from holding admissions application workshops at Dickinson College to hosting prospective law students in classes to recently becoming a sponsor of the Red Devil Sleeping Bowtie Invitation, a mock trial tournament hosted by Dickinson College’s Mock Trial Association.
“We are thrilled to be strengthening the relationship between our two institutions, opening pathways for college students curious about law school, and expanding our collaboration across different departments,” said Penn State Dickinson Law Associate Dean for Admissions & Financial Aid Bekah Saidman-Krauss.
Contributing to the common good
In August, the two schools updated their 3+3 program agreement. It requires Dickinson College applicants to complete three-quarters of the school’s required 32 courses/credits before entering the J.D. program and map out the Penn State Dickinson Law courses and credits that will account for the remaining undergraduate degree requirements.
“A 3+3 program between Dickinson College and Penn State Dickinson Law reaffirms the value of an exceptional liberal arts education to the legal profession and the value of our degree — regardless of major — for students who want to enter that profession,” said Dickinson College Provost and Dean of the College Renée Ann Cramer.
Following the recent American Bar Association (ABA) conditional approval for Penn State to deliver legal education by a single, unified, two-location law school known as Penn State Dickinson Law, 3+3 program participants can choose which location to attend — Carlisle or University Park.
“Both Dickinson College and Penn State Dickinson Law are interested in the ways that our graduates can contribute to the common good and the ways that they can, in particular, contribute to the health and vibrancy of our region,” said Cramer. “This partnership is an articulation of that shared interest, and one I am proud we are part of.”
Welcoming Dickson College students to the Law School
Earlier this fall, Penn State Dickinson Law hosted its second annual dedicated visitation week for Dickinson College students. Saidman-Krauss said the entire week drew nearly 50 student visits, roughly doubling the previous year’s participation. This year, it had a new feature.
Last spring, Dickinson College Pre-Law Society President Kaitlyn Meneely asked Saidman-Krauss about organizing time for a more in-depth experience at the Law School. The Law School Admissions Office loved the idea, creating a full schedule of classes for visiting Dickinson College students and hosting a luncheon where they could ask questions of professors and Associate Dean for Administration Laura H. Williams ’90, also a Dickinson College graduate. “It was a very successful day,” said Saidman-Krauss.
Meneely, a native of Chambersburg, PA, remembers seeing signs for Penn State Dickinson Law on I-81 when her family traveled to Harrisburg when she was a child. “I always thought it sounded very prestigious, and it is,” said Meneely. She discovered Dickinson College based on her early interest in Penn State Dickinson Law.
The senior helped launch the Pre-Law Society during her junior year, and it has grown to 60 members. She said the expanded Penn State Dickinson Law visit offered students valuable insights as they plan their futures. “Everyone I spoke to afterward was surprised at how approachable the classes we attended were,” said Meneely. “The experience invigorated these students’ desire to go to law school because they realized it was something they could do.”
Supporting each other in partnership
Opportunities for students flow both ways. In November, the Penn State Dickinson Law chapter of the Native American Law Student Association (NALSA) hosted Amanda Cheromiah, executive director of the Center for the Futures of Native Peoples at Dickinson College, for a Native American Heritage Month event. The great-granddaughter of Carlisle Indian School survivors gave a talk entitled “Reclaiming Voices: Understanding the Carlisle Indian School.”
During the 3+3 program renewal discussions, the schools broached the idea of encouraging greater interaction through efforts such as joint alumni programming. Penn State Dickinson Law Admissions Officer Kristin Thomas led a well-attended application workshop on the Dickinson College campus in November. The schools have also broached opportunities for collaboration through Penn State Dickinson Law’s Antiracist Development Institute (ADI), and Dickinson College faculty and staff members attended the ADI’s annual convening the past two years.
“Simply being aware of what is happening at each other’s institutions can serve as a springboard for future collaboration,” said Saidman-Krauss. “Penn State Dickinson Law can be of value to Dickinson College students who are interested in law. We hope that many of them come here, but we also want them to understand that we are happy to act as a resource for them as they navigate the law school application process. They should attend our application workshops, attend a 1L class, and connect with our current law students regardless of where they plan to apply or matriculate.”
Petrina echoed that thought. “I always encourage people to take advantage of the opportunity offered by the 3+3 program, and I hope Penn State Dickinson Law continues to foster the great relationship with Dickinson College into the future,” said Petrina.
Penn State Dickinson Law saw a strong turnout from Dickinson College students for the second annual dedicated visitation week.
