UNIVERSITY PARK, Pa. – On Monday, August 14, Penn State Law welcomed its newest students, the class of 2020, to the University Park campus. The 119-member class is one of the most diverse in the law school’s history.
The class of 2020 includes an AmeriCorps fellow, a Bronze Star Medal winner, an EMT, and several Eagle Scouts. Hailing from over 30 different states and four foreign countries, these students represent more than 80 different undergraduate institutions, including Bucknell, Cornell, Hampton, Lincoln, McGill, Michigan State, New York University, Oberlin, Ohio State, Skidmore, and of course, Penn State. Many of the members of the class of 2020 are first-generation college students.
Other highlights of the class include:
· More than 30 different undergraduate majors are represented, including political science degrees as well as degrees in agriculture, film, mechanical engineering, and recreation management.
· Students are fluent in multiple languages besides English: Arabic, French, Latin, Spanish and Russian.
· The class has extensive international experience, with students having studied abroad in Argentina, Australia, Chile, China, France, India, Italy, Japan, Mexico, New Zealand, Russia, South Africa, Spain and Switzerland.
· Six members of the class were members of the military, representing three different branches.
· A quarter of the class identifies with a racial or ethnic group that is traditionally underrepresented in the legal profession.
· The class has a nearly even male-to-female ratio.
· One student is a member of Mensa.
· Many students have contributed to their communities by volunteering for organizations such as Habitat for Humanity, Make-A-Wish, Relay for Life, soup kitchens, retirement centers, and land trusts, among many others.
· Many students already have experience working in various roles in large and small law firms, prosecutors’ offices, and courts of all levels.
“I am so excited to welcome this diverse group of impressive future attorneys to our law school in University Park,” said Hari Osofsky, dean and distinguished professor of law. “Their many accomplishments prepare them well for success at Penn State Law and in their future careers. I am delighted to begin with them and look forward to what we will build together.”