Penn State Dickinson Law celebrates 2025 convocation with new students in Carlisle and University Park

CARLISLE and UNIVERSITY PARK, Pa.—Penn State Dickinson Law welcomed an accomplished J.D. Class of 2028 along with incoming Master of Laws (LL.M.), doctor of juridical science (S.J.D.), and exchange students to the Carlisle and University Park locations with orientation and convocation held in late August.

Delivering her convocation comments to both locations via Zoom, Penn State Dickinson Law Dean and Donald J. Farage Professor of Law Danielle M. Conway noted the significance of the day.

“This convocation is special because we are dispersed and, simultaneously, we are together,” said Conway. “How we come together today determines the strength of our community.”

Emphasizing the importance of gathering from both locations as a collective, she explained how the Morrill Acts of 1862 and 1890 significantly expanded public access to higher education. Penn State became Pennsylvania’s first land-grant university in 1863, adopting the Morrill Act missions of teaching, research, and service.

“We are living that legacy and the dreams of our ancestors to create and then disseminate knowledge. We connect that to Penn State’s land grant mission of promoting social mobility, access, and opportunity, not just for the people sitting in those seats near you but for the community that surrounds you,” said Conway.

Convocation closed with students reciting the honor code oath and professionalism pledge, promising to exhibit integrity, accountability, and dedication to service.

All the new students spent three days gaining familiarity with Penn State Dickinson Law during orientation and convocation, attending educational sessions on navigating differing viewpoints, pursuing academic success, and more. “This year’s orientation programming had crossover between locations, with several speakers presenting in Carlisle and being streamed to the University Park location and vice versa,” said Grace K. Boos ’27, a 2L volunteer who assisted with orientation in University Park.

An exceptional amount of coordination and collaboration went into planning the integrated, inclusive New Student Orientation (NSO) programming. “I liked how you could feel Penn State Dickinson Law is a unified school during orientation and convocation. Yes, there are two different locations, but the fact that students at University Park were on Zoom at the same time as those in Carlisle made us all feel connected,” said Rayna Williams ’28.

New students boast impressive accomplishments

The J.D. Class of 2028 comprises 218 students across both locations, hailing from 135 different universities and colleges. More than a third are from Pennsylvania, and five students are citizens of countries other than the United States. Eight are veterans or current military service members, while 47 are first-generation college graduates. More than 40 identify as members of the LGBTQ+ community.

A few fascinating facts about the Class of 2028: One is a craft beer brewer who created an IPA for a Carlisle brewery. Another worked at the Warhol Museum, and another was a nuclear security officer. One hosted a political radio show, while one earned a Joint Service Commendation Medal.

Penn State Dickinson Law also welcomed 14 exchange students who hail from nations including the Netherlands, Colombia, China, Sweden, Norway, and India.

There are roughly 130 LL.M. students at the two locations representing more than 30 countries, including China, Colombia, India, Ghana, Kazakhstan, Saudi Arabia, Uzbekistan, Afghanistan, Mongolia, Uganda, Jordan, Germany, Norway, Latvia, Taiwan, Spain, and Vietnam. Their jobs before enrolling at Penn State Dickinson Law included confidential secretary of the Ministry of Natural Resources in Guyana, in-house counsel at Aramco, and legal officer at the Central Intellectual Property and International Trade Court in Thailand.

The S.J.D. class includes six students, more than in the past few years. They come from Ghana, India, Saudi Arabia, Zambia, Uzbekistan, and the United States.

New students relish time to connect and learn

Williams is new to Penn State Dickinson Law but not to Penn State. She completed her undergraduate degree at Penn State in just three years and then reunited with her good friend from middle and high school, fellow 1L Danica Propst, to attend law school. The two are now rooming together in Carlisle.

“The reputation of Penn State Dickinson Law is remarkable. I love Penn State, and I did not think twice about choosing to join the Penn State Alumni Association,” said Williams. “I applied to other law schools, but I think I knew that coming back to Penn State through Penn State Dickinson Law was best for me because the University has already given me so much throughout my undergraduate career.”

Parth Jain ’26, an LL.M. student from India who is studying in University Park, learned about Penn State Dickinson Law through a former professor in India who is also an alumna. He said that he felt seen during orientation.

“I felt that our identities mattered,” said Jain. “During orientation, we had people from across the globe. The professors, lecturers, and students made sure our voices were being heard. Like many people, I suffer from imposter syndrome, but during orientation, I had the constant feeling from Penn State Dickinson Law faculty, staff, and students that ‘You have earned your place over here. You belong here.’”

Jain founded a startup in India to assist first-generation attorneys like himself. FG Lawkit, the startup’s YouTube channel, includes podcasts about the legal profession, and he plans to discuss his LL.M. experience as it unfolds. He enjoyed meeting his new classmates during orientation and discussing how the rule of law functions in other countries. One particular moment during the week stood out to him. “At the end of convocation, when someone said, ‘We are,’ and the rest of us yelled, ‘Penn State,’ that was amazing. It felt like magic,” said Jain. “That is going to stay with me for the rest of my life.”

Guiding students on a new journey

The Academic and Student Services and Graduate and International Programs teams organized orientation activities providing practical information to help students thrive as the new year began. Second-year student volunteers supported their efforts.

Cristen Williams ’27 (no relation to Rayna), president of the Carlisle chapter of the Black Law Students Association, helped with orientation and did an Instagram takeover for the Penn State Dickinson Law account. She saw it as an opportunity to give back. “Assisting with orientation allowed me to help incoming students feel as welcomed, connected, and supported as I felt when I first arrived at Penn State Dickinson Law,” said Williams. “I enjoyed interviewing students for our Instagram story and learning about the unique paths that brought them here. It reminded me of how important community is, and I am glad orientation was structured in a way that made students at both locations feel included.”

Boos, who also did an Instagram takeover, appreciated the assistance she received as a 1L last year and was eager to offer similar reassurance. “I chose to assist with orientation this year because, as a nervous incoming 1L myself, I found it incredibly reassuring to hear from upper-level students and learn about their experiences,” said Boos. “Their presence made a lasting impact on me, and I wanted to pay that forward by being a welcoming and supportive resource for the new 1L class. I had a positive and fulfilling first year, and I was excited to help set the tone for the incoming students’ law school journey.”