|
[ A MESSAGE
FROM THE ALUMNI OFFICE] |
|
I am happy to introduce The
Penn State Dickinson Connection – the latest
of our ongoing efforts to enhance alumni outreach
and communication. As a supplement to the Dickinson
Lawyer alumni magazine, this monthly electronic
publication will highlight alumni activities and achievements,
inform you of the latest Law School news and events,
and keep you up-to-date on the progress of our $100
million building project.
The Connection is being published as a free
service of the Law School Alumni Office. If you have
a story or news item you would like to share, please
let us know. We look forward to hearing from you!
-Kelly Jones, Director of Marketing, Communications
and Alumni Relations |
|
| features
|
Accomplishing the Mission
with Alan Flenner '99
Engineer. Attorney. Navel
Officer. Read about how Alan Flenner, class of '99,
found a way to be all three.
[FULL
STORY BELOW - CLICK HERE]
|
|
|
|
Building News
The latest information about
the exciting construction plans for Penn State Dickinson
School of law.
[CLICK
HERE]
|
|
|
|
Alumni Events
Learn all about our upcoming
Alumni events.
[CLICK
HERE]
|
|
|
Alumni News
Read about past events and
hear the latest news from Penn State Dickinson Alumni.
[CLICK HERE]
|
|
| features |
Accomplishing
the Mission with Alan Flenner '99
Alan is currently the commanding
officer of Naval Mobile Construction Battalion
TWENTY-ONE (NMCB21), which has its headquarters
at Naval Air Engineering Station in Lakehurst,
New Jersey. NMCB21 is a reserve component unit
comprised of approximately 500 Navy Reserve
civil engineers and construction trades people
(Seabees) from New York, New Jersey and Pennsylvania.
Although the members of the battalion are Navy
reservists who serve in uniform on a part-time
basis, all are full-time military professionals
who contribute to the battalion's mission on
a daily basis. |
 |
"As a commanding officer of a commissioned unit in
the United States Navy, I have one of the best jobs
in the Navy," said Flenner. "Few have the opportunity
to lead such an organization."
Flenner is responsible for enforcing the Uniform Code
of Military Justice as part of military discipline.
"Legal skills are very applicable to military service,
which is a part of government service," noted Flenner.
 |
During 2006, Flenner's battalion
had up to 300 personnel mobilized to active duty
in support of the Global War on Terrorism. Flenner
was stationed in Iraq from October 2004 to March
2005, and, from December 2004 until March 2005,
he was the officer in charge of reconstruction
in Fallujah following the major combat operations
of the Battle of Fallujah. "Every day in Fallujah
was interesting," said Flenner. "Working with
the local municipal government officials, engineers
and city workers in Fallujah to help them rebuild
their city was very rewarding." |
Before Flenner attended law school, he joined the
Navy as an officer candidate in 1985 between his junior
and senior years in the mechanical engineering program
at the University of Delaware. "I have been interested
in military service since I was a child, and I was
not certain as to where I wanted to go with my education
and career upon graduation from UD," said Flenner.
"The Navy Civil Engineer corps offered an opportunity
for me to serve in the military, gain experience in
a variety of engineering disciplines, leadership and
management experience, obtain a graduate degree, and
as I would later find out, gain experience with legal
issues through military discipline, government contract
management and installation environmental compliance."
Flenner returned to reserve status in May 2005 and
to his current position as an attorney with the Norristown,
PA, law firm High, Swartz, Roberts & Seidel in June
2005. His battalion currently has people serving in
Iraq, Kuwait, Africa and Guam. "As a second career
lawyer, I have not followed a traditional legal career
path," he said. "This has presented some difficulties,
but has also presented some opportunities. There is
more to being a lawyer, than just being a lawyer."
|
|
building news
One School, Two Locations, Serving
a Single Vision
Penn State University is investing approximately $100 million
in two new buildings for The Dickinson School of Law. One
building will be in Carlisle, PA; the other in State College,
PA on Penn State's flagship University Park campus.
University
Park Design Finalized
The prime site selected for
the law school at University Park promises a singularly prominent
building at the new front door to Penn State’s main
campus.
| Penn State's Board of Trustees
recently approved the final design of the University
Park facility. The new building is designed to achieve
certification under the United States Green Building
Council's LEED rating system for environmental sustainability. |
 |
Learn more online by clicking
here
|
|
alumni events |
Supreme Court Visit
The Penn State Dickinson School
of Law is sponsoring a group admission to the United
States Supreme Court on Monday, April 2, 2007.
The group is limited to fifty,
and participants will be accepted on a first-come,
first-served basis. To be admitted to the Court, you
must have been admitted to practice for a three-year
period preceding the date of application and be in
good professional standing. Previous admittees have
called this the most memorable event of their professional
career.
If you are interested in participating in the admission
ceremony, please e-mail dslalumni@psu.edu
or call 717-240-5205 by December 8, 2006. After that
date we will provide more details about coordinating
paperwork, registration, and the necessary fees. For
more information and admission requirements please
visit http://www.supremecourtus.gov
On April 4, 2005, Chief Justice
William Rhenquist presided at a session where thirty-two
Dickinson School of Law alumni were admitted to the
Court. Justices O'Connor, Thomas, Ginsberg and Breyer
were also present for the ceremony. For photos from
that day please visit http://www.dsl.psu.edu/alumni/supcrt.cfm.
|
|
alumni news
|
Alumni Weekend 2006
More than 180 alumni, students,
staff, faculty and friends gathered in Carlisle October
13-15 to celebrate the annual Penn State Dickinson School
of Law Alumni Weekend.
Participants kicked off the weekend on Friday evening with
the Welcome Reception in Trickett Hall. On Saturday, activities
included the General Alumni Association meeting; CLE programs
presented by G. Philip Rutledge '78, Bybel Rutledge LLP,
The Honorable John E. Jones III '80, U.S. District Court,
Middle District of PA; and David A. Fitzsimmons, '84, Martson
Deardorff Williams & Otto; an update on Law School achievements
and building plans by Dean Phil McConnaughay; the annual
Scholarship Luncheon, honoring donors and scholarship recipients
and sponsored by Yelen Law Offices; the annual Golf Tournament
at Mayapple Golf Course; and an afternoon party, complete
with hotchie dogs, sponsored by Burke '77 and Barbara '78
McLemore.
 |
On Saturday evening, attendees
once again convened in Trickett Hall for a reception
and awards ceremony honoring recipients of the 2006
General Alumni Association awards (see below). The event
was sponsored by Stevens & Lee, P.C. Following the ceremony,
attendees headed off for reunion and alumni dinners
at local restaurants before returning to Trickett for
the Penn State vs. Michigan Game Party. The weekend
concluded Sunday morning with a Farewell Brunch in the
Grand Staircase Lobby of Trickett Hall. |
The 2006 award recipients include:
Career Achievement
Award The Honorable Thomas I. Vanaskie
'78. Judge Vanaskie recently completed a seven-year
term as chief judge for the United States District
Court for the Middle District of Pennsylvania. He
was appointed to the court as district judge in 1994.
He currently serves on the Third Circuit Judicial
Council and is chair of the Information Technology
Committee of the Judicial Conference of the United
States.
|
 |
Distinguished
Service Award John J. Miravich '89 is
a shareholder with the law firm of Stevens & Lee,
P.C. in Reading, PA. He concentrates his practice
in municipal law, municipal and tax-exempt finance,
government affairs and advising local governments
and school districts on legal and financial issues.
Mr. Miravich also represents governmental and private
entities in contract, construction, commercial litigation
and employment disputes and advises clients on litigation
avoidance and insurance coverage issues.
|
 |
Honorary Alumni
Award Professor Jon F. LaFaver has been
an adjunct professor at the Penn State Dickinson School
of Law for fifteen years and teaches seminars on Anglo-American
legal history and religious liberty. In 2006, the
Law School established the Jon F. LaFaver Outstanding
Adjunct Faculty Award in honor of Professor LaFaver.
The award is given to adjunct faculty members who
embody Professor LaFaver's outstanding commitment
as an adjunct professor. In 1993, Professor LaFaver
received the Edward C. First Award for Excellence
of an Adjunct Faculty Member.
|
 |
Outstanding Alumni
Award The Honorable John E. Jones III
'80 is a United States district judge for the Middle
District of Pennsylvania. Appointed by President George
W. Bush, he was unanimously confirmed by the United
States Senate on July 30, 2002. Since his elevation
to the federal bench, Judge Jones has presided over
several high profile cases, including the landmark
2005 Kitzmiller v. Dover School District case. In
his decision, Judge Jones ruled that it was unconstitutional
to teach intelligent design within a public school
science curriculum.
|
 |
Alumni Mixers in Philadelphia and Washington D.C.
Earlier this semester, The
Dickinson School of Law hosted alumni mixers for recent graduates
living and working in the Philadelphia and Washington D.C.
regions.
 |
Those who attended had the
opportunity to connect with fellow alumni as well as
current students, faculty and staff who turned out for
the events.
The Philadelphia mixer was held in August at the Marathon
Grill, Commerce Square, while the D.C. event took place
in September at OYA Restaurant and Lounge in Penn Quarters.
|
Both events were well attended and generated a tremendous
amount of positive feedback. We plan to host similar events,
in these and other areas, in the future!
|
|
|
|
|
|
[ ARCHIVE
] |
|
There are no
previous newsletters at this time
|
|
|
