University Park, Pa. -- The Penn State Board of Trustees has approved an agreement between the University and Pennsylvania Gov. Edward G. Rendell on terms for commonwealth-provided matching funds for capital improvements and enhancements to the Penn State Dickinson School of Law's campus in Carlisle. The approval at the May 13 board meeting comes on the heels of Rendell's announced release of up to $25 million to the Cumberland County Redevelopment Authority to be used for the expansion and renovation of Penn State's Dickinson School of Law campus there.
"We are extremely pleased that Gov. Rendell has committed commonwealth resources to support Penn State's plan to advance legal education at the University," said Penn State President Graham B. Spanier in response to Rendell's announcement.
"We believe the dual-campus proposal will establish our law school as among the very best in the nation and create extraordinary opportunities for our students, while also bringing tremendous value to the state. This agreement demonstrates our collective long-term commitment to legal education in Carlisle," Spanier said.
"I appreciate the University's willingness to consider the issues that the commonwealth raised and salute their efforts to move forward with this important capital investment at one of the crown jewels of our higher education system in Pennsylvania," said Rendell in his announcement on May 10.
Phil McConnaughay, dean of Penn State's Dickinson School of Law, said, "The availability of matching funds ensures that Carlisle will be the home of one of the most attractive and well-equipped legal education facilities in the United States. The University's vision of an intimately connected dual campus Dickinson School of Law will enable us to offer one of the most innovative and most practical curriculums anywhere."
McConnaughay continued, "We are deeply grateful to the governor for his support of our mission. I am confident that The Dickinson School of Law will continue for generations to produce leaders of our communities, of the commonwealth and of our nation."
Rendell has committed up to $25 million in matching funds for the renovation of the law school in Carlisle. Penn State has pledged $10 million of University funds and launched a campaign to raise at least $10 million more toward the new law school building in Carlisle.
In addition, the University has announced plans to establish a campus of The Dickinson School of Law on its University Park campus. The dual-campus operation will be unique among major law schools, and will represent one of the largest commitments to legal education in America.