May 21, 2026
Carlisle faculty and staff honored at annual Employee Appreciation Luncheon
CARLISLE, PA—Penn State Dickinson Law held its annual Employee Appreciation Luncheon at the Carlisle location on May 21. During the event, two retiring employees were honored along with seven celebrating employment milestones.
Additionally, Strategic Finance Partner Doris Orner and Financial Planning Analyst Jessica Burd won the esteemed Patricia Amadure Memorial Award, which honors full-time staff members who have been employed by the law school for at least three years and exemplify qualities of industriousness, good humor, dedication, and loyalty to the law school, its students, and/or alumni. The luncheon was attended by Amadure’s husband and son, who spoke about her sense of humor and dedication to the Law School.
Nominators praised each Amadure Award winner’s professionalism and work ethic. “Jess has maintained a steady, efficient workflow for her many duties and the many more that have been assigned to her as organizational change has demanded,” said one nominator.
“Doris has always gone above and beyond for the institution and the students,” said another nominator. “She not only brings an expert skill set to the law school but compassion and humanity.”
Penn State Dickinson Law Dean and Donald J. Farage Professor of Law Danielle M. Conway paid tribute to Emeritus Dean and Professor of Law Gary S. Gildin, who is retiring in June, calling him the “heartbeat” of Penn State Dickinson Law.
Conway and Director of Instructional and Information Technology Seth McGeorge then saluted Linda M. Evans, a past Amadure Award recipient, who is also retiring. “I can’t begin to describe how great Linda is as a colleague,” said McGeorge. Both Evans and Gildin received standing ovations from faculty and staff.
Conway singled out HVAC Maintenance Mechanics Bishnu Bastola and Matthew Mumper, too, for providing above-and-beyond service during the recent commencement activities.
Finally, seven faculty and staff members were recognized for achieving career milestones:
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30 years:
- Katherine Pearson, professor of law and Arthur L. and Sandra S. Piccone Faculty Scholar
20 years:
- Seth McGeorge, director of instructional and information technology
- Megan Riesmeyer, clinical professor of law and director, Community Law Clinic
10 years:
- Medha Makhlouf, Professor of Law, Elsie de R. and Samuel P. Orlando Distinguished Professor, founding director of the Medical-Legal Partnership Clinic, and assistant professor in the Department of Public Health Sciences, Penn State College of Medicine
- Laura Williams, senior associate dean for external affairs and chief of staff
- Samantha Prince, associate professor of law
- Justin M. Kulp, senior creative specialist
The University Park location will hold its Employee Appreciation Luncheon in September.
