March 2007

Dear Alum:

It is an honor and a privilege for me to begin my term as president of the General Alumni Association of The Dickinson School of Law. I think the next few years will be very exciting times for The Dickinson School of Law and the Pennsylvania State University as they embark on construction projects to fulfill the dual campus vision for the law school. Construction is already underway on a new building in University Park, while plans are being finalized for construction and renovation at Trickett Hall in Carlisle.

I am aware that a number of alumni opposed the dual campus idea and considered it merely the first step in closing the Carlisle campus. In fact, the General Alumni Association surveyed the alumni and raised many questions to the School administration regarding the dual campus proposal. At this point, decisions have been made, and we need to move on and work together with the administration in the interests of the School and its alumni. I am prepared to do that. My sense, in attending the groundbreaking at University Park, is that the University does have a sincere commitment to Carlisle and the dual campuses with a single vision.

Lost in the debate about the dual campuses was that The Dickinson School of Law, and our collective affection for it, has less to do with bricks and mortars or a physical location than it has to do with people who contributed to our education and our educational experience. Perhaps Lewis Katz said it best at the University Park groundbreaking when he began his remarks by naming five or six professors who gave him the educational opportunity to become a successful businessperson, which, in turn, enabled him to give back to the Law School the largest monetary contribution in its history. Ultimately, the Law School is about the people — including our classmates and those who shared our law school community with us — that made it a special place for which we share a fondness.

I think it is important for the GAA to define its mission for our alumni within the new paradigm of the University and to determine its relevance to our alumni. It is with the focus on the people that I have addressed the General Alumni Association Board of Directors about reconnecting our alumni with the people who were part of our community.

The GAA Board of Directors has been asked to strategize, however, on how we may re-energize our alumni about the Law School, focusing on the relationships that gave our education at Dickinson meaning. One of the ways in which we have traditionally done that as a GAA is through the sponsoring of Alumni Weekend each fall. In an effort to re-energize the alumni, the board has determined to identify class agents to encourage groups of alumni to meet again and remember old times and revisit all of our old haunts as law school students. While the reunion classes will be emphasized (and this year will be my own class' 25 th reunion year), we hope that all alumni will take the opportunity to reconnect with the School that has allowed us to create so many opportunities for ourselves.

Another way that I want to reconnect with the alumni is by recognizing our alumni for the achievements that they have made every day, not only in the legal community, but the civic communities in which they live, and in their contributions to the law school. The GAA has traditionally given awards on an annual basis for distinguished service to the law school and the GAA, a lifetime achievement award, and a career achievement award. Most of us may never receive these awards. Nevertheless, there is something special about our graduates, and we should recognize their achievements. Accordingly, I have asked each of the local alumni chapter presidents to recognize one member of their chapter at each General Alumni Association board meeting. This may take the form of contributions to the legal community in the form of a significant trial verdict or appellate court decision; it may be civic contributions such as chairing a fund raising event for a nonprofit corporation; it may be a peer organization's recognition; or it may take the form of some type of service to the School itself. Regardless, I want to take the opportunity to recognize our alumni for the positive impact that they have.

At the same time, I would hope that our alumni will take notice of and a greater interest in the activities of the General Alumni Association. Each of us, as a graduate of The Dickinson School of Law becomes a lifetime member of the GAA at no cost. We want to be your Association, and we hope that you will continue to communicate with us through your local alumni chapter president and members of the board of directors.

In closing, I am pleased to report that the School is strong and vital, that the construction projects promise a bright future at both campuses and an institution of which we can all be proud.

See you at Alumni Weekend!

George Joseph, Class of 1982
President of the General Alumni Association