UNIVERSITY PARK, Pa. — For the second year in a row, the Penn State World Campus chapter of Phi Delta Phi was recognized as the legal honor society's best pre-law chapter in the world with the International Hall of the Year Award.
Phi Delta Phi is an international legal honor society that supports its members during their journey to law school. The Penn State pre-law hall formed in 2015 and provides its members with educational and career-related webinars, LSAT preparation classes, internships, and mentor programs. It is one of the 262 member organizations at universities around the world.
The International Hall of the Year Award is presented to the chapter that best fosters academic excellence, chapter activities, individual member achievement, single projects, and chapter improvement.
“Our chapter worked hard to achieve Phi Delta Phi’s objective of fostering scholarship, civility, and ethical conduct. We strive to promote a higher standard of professional ethics and culture in our school and, one day, in the legal profession,” said Donna L. Butler, a World Campus student and the magistrate of the hall. “We were recognized for our academic excellence and unprecedented academic- and career-related projects. Phi Delta Phi noted that they chose our chapter because we truly exemplified the dedication to the principles and objectives of Phi Delta Phi.”
The chapter received the International Hall of the Year Award for the first time in 2019.
Membership to the Penn State hall is available to online learners enrolled in the undergraduate law and society program. The chapter has 21 active members, 10 associate members, and 21 alumni.
Butler said that in the last year, the hall has held several educational, career-related, and philanthropic projects for its members. These included a workshop with field professionals in which chapter members could receive feedback on their personal statements for law school applications, as well as two webinars with professionals who offered their expertise in the field of energy law and remaining positive under stress.
The hall also held a fundraiser for the Bob Woodruff Foundation, in which the members collected monetary donations for veterans in need. Butler said that the project gave the hall a sense of community and ensured that online learners in the law and society major receive the same opportunities as traditional learners.
Bryan McDonald, an associate professor in the Department of History and director of interdisciplinary programs in the Penn State College of the Liberal Arts, said the chapter has worked hard to foster scholarship, civility, and ethical conduct.
“I am very proud that they have been recognized for their efforts as the Phi Delta Phi International Hall of the Year,” said McDonald. “I am also proud of the efforts of the faculty and staff from the College of the Liberal Arts, the Filippelli Institute for e-Education and Outreach, and Penn State World Campus who provide students with opportunities through the law and society major.”
Karen Pollack, the associate vice provost for online education with Penn State World Campus, agreed, saying the organization’s second international award is a source of pride for the University and the hard-working students.
“This prestigious award is a testament to the achievements and dedication of the Penn State World Campus students who are members of Phi Delta Phi,” said Pollack. “It’s great to see they are being recognized for providing online learners with the opportunities that promote their academic careers and future goals.”