Penn State Law in University Park welcomes class of 2026 to campus

UNIVERSITY PARK, Pa. — The newest Penn State Law in University Park juris doctor students kicked off their law school journey last week with orientation on Aug. 16-17 in the Lewis Katz Building.

Victor Romero, interim dean of Penn State Law and the School of International Affairs, Maureen B. Cavanaugh Distinguished Faculty Scholar and professor of law, shared his thoughts on the new class. “I was particularly impressed with their energy and enthusiasm, and I look forward to getting to know as many of them as I can in the days ahead," Romero said.

The new students gathered for a light breakfast; toured the state-of-the-art Katz building; sat for individual law school photos in the H. Laddie Montague, Jr. Law Library under the guidance of the school's marketing and communications team; and recorded the correct pronunciation of their names for their eventual commencement with the school's digital learning and information technology team.

The new students then filed into Sutliff Auditorium in the Katz building to meet the administrative staff and faculty that they will interact with over the next few years.

Their excitement was palpable, according to Wende’ Ferguson, assistant dean for student services and associate dean for diversity, equity, inclusion, and belonging.

“Orientation is a great way to get students acclimated to the Penn State Law environment,” Ferguson said. “Our incoming 1L [first-year law) students are eager to start the semester.”

This year’s entering class is diverse and accomplished, according to Assistant Dean for Admissions and Financial Aid Julian Morales, who shared some fast facts about the class:

• 134 students
• 33 states
• Six countries
• More than 106 undergraduate institutions

“It’s really great to see the students walking through the halls, with built-up anticipation, and share the day with them as they embark on this new journey in their legal career,” said Morales.

Students networked with other students who were in their same sections and several said they already started forming bonds with each other on day one.

“I thought [the] student orientation was very informative and all of the deans, professors and staff proved to me that they not only want me to succeed but also to be safe and healthy throughout,” shared first-year law student Elian Martinez. “I applied to Penn State Law because I wanted to be a part of a prestigious law program and well-known university close to home.

“What I am most looking forward to is getting to know my colleagues from all different walks of life and getting through 1L and beyond together," Martinez added.

Orientation Day 1

Morales and Ferguson kicked off the morning with a robust welcome from admissions and student services, respectively. Essentially, orientation has been known in the law school as the time when admissions passes the torch to student services now that all the new students have been admitted and are ready to start on their three-year journey to becoming the newest legal scholars of their generation.

Ferguson introduced Romero, who welcomed the class of 2026 on their very first day of orientation.

“It’s always exciting to welcome a new class of terrific first-years to Penn State Law,” shared Romero.

First-year Roshni Raji expressed his excitement during orientation: “I love it! I am very excited to be here. I think orientation was really helpful in helping me get my bearings. I felt like there was a lot I didn’t know. I feel much more prepared for my week one of law school.”

Jud Mathews, associate dean for academic affairs, professor of law, and affiliate professor in the School of International Affairs; and Jacob Schuman, assistant professor of law, affiliate faculty in the Penn State Criminal Justice Research Center and affiliate faculty in the Penn State Consortium to Combat Substance Abuse, both gave the students a taste of their first-year experience by letting them know about the academic programs and resources available to them.

“The first day of orientation is one of my favorite days in the law school calendar. The excitement of these new students at the start of their law school journey is contagious,” Mathews emphasized. “They’re ready to get down to work — and the faculty is ready too.”

After a well-being break, students returned to the Katz auditorium for Ferguson’s talk on DEI (diversity equity and inclusion) and Assistant Vice Provost for Educational Equity Seria J. Chatters’ session, “DEI & You: Doing Your Part in Law School and Beyond.” Then students from the Student Bar Association (SBA) executive board and Law Lion Ambassadors hosted student roundtables.

The day rounded out with a student-life panel, a message from the career services team, and a resources scavenger hunt, led by Ferguson.

Orientation Day 2

The second day of orientation began with more opportunities for touring the law building and a gathering of the entire first-year class for a photo on the Katz Building front lawn.

A law student well-being session followed, hosted by Laurie J. Besden, Penn State Law class of 1999, executive director of Lawyers Concerned for Lawyers-PA; Erin Raupers, assistant director, Penn State Health and Wellness Promotion; Anna Barone, director, Penn State Student Care and Advocacy; and Avery McLean, Student Bar Association mental health and wellness chair.

“It was a little bit of an information overload over the last day and a half, but I feel like I know much more,” Raji said. “It was a little more relaxed today. I felt like I got to talk to a lot more people, got to know people in my section, and people in my classes a little bit more.

“It was really helpful to see all the ways in which I could get support at the college and from the Lawyers Concerned for Lawyers program. I think those are things that, as a first-generation law school [student] and first-generation immigrant, you don’t think about the ways in which you might need support in a new, kind of scary journey. So it’s really nice to get all of that information up front.”

Nicole Chong, associate dean and professor of legal writing, and Rebecca A. Mattson, head of faculty and research services and professor of legal research, then held another session on academic program and resources.

Danny Shaha, assistant vice president for Student Affairs, in his presentation offered students a bigger picture of what resources are available to them across campus.

The last day of orientation rounded out with a reception in the Katz commons, where students mingled with faculty members to talk about the journey that lies ahead.

Service Day

The day before orientation, on Aug. 15, more than 50 students (including the incoming 1Ls), faculty and staff also took advantage of Penn State Law Service Day. Participants contributed their time to volunteer together at the Student Farm at Penn State, the Arboretum at Penn State, Housing Transitions, and the Centre County Historical Society.

“Given [Penn State Law’s] rich history of providing opportunities for students to contribute to underserved clients, causes, and communities, and the need to develop a broader ethos of service for the legal profession, the service day has become a critical part of orientation," Ferguson said.