Our Commitment to Community
On a daily basis, we strive to foster a sense of community and mutual support between and among faculty, students, and staff, and in our interactions outside the Law School. We not only view community as a proper ethos but also believe that cultivating the interpersonal skills, respect, and tolerance that promote community will enable our students to more professionally and sensitively counsel their clients and accomplish their professional goals.
Where Dickinson Law Lives
Dickinson Law’s historic home has been completely renovated and rebuilt to bring together students, staff, and faculty on a daily basis. LEED-certified and boasting one of the largest green roofs in central Pennsylvania, Lewis Katz Hall has been intentionally designed and located to further our commitment to community. Our state-of-the-art building features classrooms and seminar rooms, the 200-seat Apfelbaum Family Courtroom and Auditorium, a legislative hearing room, the three-story H. Laddie Montague Jr. Law Library, a courtyard, a café, and the Ridge Commons area. All of our classrooms are equipped with sophisticated audiovisual technology that lets students and professors communicate in real-time with colleagues and professionals around the world.
Experience the Region
Just outside our beautiful historic campus sits a region of unparalleled beauty, culture, and opportunity for personal and professional growth. Carlisle exudes charm, featuring our valued neighbor Dickinson College, a variety of restaurants, shops and galleries, an independent movie theater, downtown farmer’s market, and much more. In fact, Forbes Magazine/Forbes.com recently ranked the Harrisburg-Carlisle region as one of America’s most livable cities. Plus, we’re just a short drive from Baltimore, Washington, D.C., Philadelphia, Pittsburgh, and New York.
Things to Do
You’ll find plenty to do around here: A wide array of local and ethnic restaurants; art galleries, and museums (The Whitaker Center and Hershey Theatre feature nationally renowned performers); multiplex cinemas; shopping at boutiques, malls, and outlet villages; and wine tasting at local vineyards. Nature lovers can hike the Appalachian trail, or enjoy a horseback ride or bike ride on the 11-mile Cumberland Valley Rail Trail — all within a 30-minute drive from campus.
Just slightly farther away but no less accessible are the towns of Hershey, featuring world-famous HersheyPark; the historic town of Gettysburg; and State College and Nittany Lion football.
Those in need of a big city fix can easily get to Baltimore, Philadelphia, and Washington, D.C. within two hours. Even New York City is only about 3 ½ hours away by car or train.
A History of Greatness
Founded in 1834, Dickinson Law is one of the oldest law schools in the country and the oldest in Pennsylvania. Over the years, our graduates have included the nation’s finest attorneys, judges, government and corporate leaders, and legal educators. Our 1997 merger with Penn State expanded our reputation, network, and joint degree programs — complementing Dickinson Law’s legacy as an innovative leader in experiential education.
Learn more about the Law School’s history by visiting Dickinson Law IDEAS, an institutional repository containing faculty scholarship, archival material about the law school, law school publications, and more.
Directions and Map
From Harrisburg International Airport: Exit the airport and take 283 West approximately four miles to the Pennsylvania Turnpike (I-76W). Proceed west (toward Pittsburgh) approximately 20 miles to Carlisle exit 226. Follow directions from Turnpike below.
From Pennsylvania Turnpike: Take Carlisle exit 226 and follow U.S. 11 South into downtown Carlisle. Turn right at the square onto West High Street and proceed to the third traffic light. Turn left onto South College Street and proceed to the first traffic light. The law school will be on your right.
Traveling North on Interstate 81: Take exit 45, the College Street exit, and turn left at the traffic light at the end of exit ramp. Proceed one-half mile and turn left onto South College Street. Proceed three blocks to first traffic light. The law school is on the far left corner of the intersection.
Traveling South on Interstate 81: Take exit 45, the College Street exit, and turn right at end of exit ramp. Proceed one-half mile and turn left onto College Street. Proceed three blocks to the traffic light. The law school is on the far left corner of the intersection.
From Philadelphia and Southern New Jersey: Take the Pennsylvania Turnpike (I-76W) to Carlisle exit 226 and follow directions above from the Turnpike into Carlisle.
From Washington, D.C.: Follow Route 270 North to Route 15 North. Exit Route 15 at Route 94 North (York Springs) and follow 94 North toward Mount Holly. Proceed on 34 North into Carlisle and turn left at the fourth traffic light (South Street). Proceed three blocks to the first traffic light. The law school is on the far right corner of that intersection.
From Pittsburgh: Take the Pennsylvania Turnpike (I-76 E) to Carlisle exit 226. Follow directions from the Turnpike into Carlisle.
From New York, NY, and Northern New Jersey: At the George Washington Bridge, take the New Jersey Turnpike and follow signs onto I-78 West (by Newark Airport); I-78 ends at Interstate 81. Take I-81 South to exit 45, the College Street exit, and follow the directions from “Traveling South on Interstate 81.”
Air and rail: Harrisburg International Airport (HIA) is less than 30 minutes from Penn State Dickinson with direct flights from major cities. For more information, visit HIA’s website. The local airport for general aviation is Carlisle Business Airport.
Amtrak provides train service to downtown Harrisburg from Philadelphia and Pittsburgh, with connections from many other cities.