Penn State Dickinson Law’s Carlisle and University Park PILF hold successful auctions

CARLISLE AND UNIVERSITY PARK, PA—The Carlisle and University Park chapters of Penn State Dickinson Law’s Public Interest Law Fund (PILF) held auctions to fund annual summer fellowships awarded to students working in public interest positions. The evenings provided an opportunity for students, staff, and faculty to come together in a relaxed atmosphere where fun and fundraising are the only goals.

Items up for bid come are donated by local businesses as well as faculty and staff members who put together experiences for students to bid on, such as a bowling night with Penn State Dickinson Law and Donald J. Farage Professor of Law Danielle M. Conway and a pedicure outing with Senior Assistant Dean of Academic and Student Services Valerie D. James.

Both locations’ auction chairs were thrilled with the turnout, the support from bidders and sponsors, and the efforts of student volunteers assisting with the event. Carlisle raised $8,392, while University Park raised $8,919.

“Everyone enjoyed the night while raising money for a fantastic cause,” said University Park PILF President Megan Ruoff '27. “This was the 20^th anniversary of the event, and we wanted to make it a great night for everyone while building on this success for the future.”

What is PILF?

PILF, which began at the Law School in 1990, funds a Summer Fellowship Program. Each summer, students working in a public interest field (such as a district attorney or public defender, immigration law office, or legal aid) are given a roughly $5,000 award to supplement what is often a lower-paying job. PILF fellowships help students cover rent and transportation costs that might otherwise disqualify them from accepting the positions.

Many PILF executive board members received fellowships. Those who receive the $5,000 fellowships are asked to get involved with PILF to support future awards, hence the large number of past recipients in leadership positions at both Penn State Dickinson Law locations. Though both PILF chapters sponsor other fundraisers throughout the year, the auction is by far the biggest one.

Two nights to remember

The University Park event took place at Toftrees Golf Resort on February 26. The event has a theme each year, inspiring students’ creative outfits. This year’s theme was “Vampiric Gatsby,” inspired by the Academy Award-winning movie Sinners.

Auction co-chair Andrea Gilardi ’27 hosted students at her apartment a few days beforehand to assemble decorations. “The more volunteer hours you log with PILF, the better your fellowship application looks, so we had a lot of people learning how to blow up balloons for the first time,” said Gilardi.

Auction co-chair Joe Kumara ’27 said the committee adjusted based off lessons learned last year for the 2026 event. “Last year, food ran out early, so we made an effort to serve throughout the night,” said Kumara. “That change was probably the thing I was most proud of for this year’s event.”

The top auction item was a football signed by new Penn State coach Matt Campbell, which sold for more than $300. Other popular items included gift certificates to local coffee shops and restaurants, student artwork, signed Philadelphia Flyers and Pittsburgh Steelers memorabilia, and two tickets to a Louis Tomlinson concert.

The Carlisle event, held April 16, was similarly successful. Emceed by Daryn Kent ’26 and Lindsay Herold ’26, the auction featured live music. Foyles was particularly pleased with the new venue, Carlisle Ribbon Mill, chosen after the auction was held at the Law School in 2025.

“When we held the event in the Commons, we had to section off the auction items and the entertainment. This venue made everything more communal,” said Foyles. The theme for the night was “Raise the Bar,” a play on taking the bar exam.

The top item at the Carlisle auction was a dinner for four with Emeritus Dean and Professor of Law Gary S. Gildin, who is retiring in June, at his favorite Thai restaurant. It sold for $350. Visiting Assistant Professor of Law Abi Hassen set up a trip to New York City for a networking lunch with practitioners in the student’s area of law, another popular item.