Incoming first-year Widener Law Commonwealth students connect on Appalachian Trail hike
Before they even cracked open a casebook, incoming Widener University Commonwealth Law School students laced up their hiking boots.
About 16 first-year students, along with second-year student William Rafferty, joined faculty members Chiara Pappalardo, D.S. Pensley and Rebecca Waldemar for a morning hike to Table Rock on the Appalachian Trail. The outing was part of orientation week, designed to help new students connect with classmates, meet faculty and explore one of Pennsylvania’s most scenic spots.
“It’s a little exercise and a little relaxation before the semester starts,” Pappalardo told the group, adding that law school is about more than mastering legal concepts — it’s also about building relationships and finding your path.
Along the rocky trail, students introduced themselves and shared their backgrounds and career interests, ranging from environmental law to criminal prosecution, education law and corporate practice. Incoming 1L Kelsie Alexander, from McKean County, Pennsylvania, graduated from Indiana University of Pennsylvania in December 2024 and said the experience reaffirmed her decision to attend Widener.
“I chose Widener because I felt that the location was ideal for a career in law. There are so many career opportunities in the legal field in the state capital,” Alexander said. “I also loved the smaller class sizes at the school. The excellent faculty-to-student ratio will allow me to know my professors and classmates better, and get a better education.”
Justin James, a first-year student from New Castle, Pennsylvania, said proximity to home and a strong record of producing public servants were key factors in his decision. “I wanted to attend a law school near enough to my hometown to visit, that had to be in Pennsylvania, and had a reputation for producing high-quality public servants. I chose Widener Commonwealth Law School because of its reputation, location, and because they chose me,” he said.
First -year law student Samantha Johnson, who grew up in Corydon, Iowa, and spent the past three years living in Greenfield, Iowa before moving to Pennsylvania, said she was drawn to Widener for its close-knit community, strong criminal law faculty, and welcoming location. “It seemed like a place where I could really connect with professors and classmates, and the area felt like a good fit for me,” Johnson said.
Pappalardo and Pensley, co-directors of the Environmental Law and Sustainability Center, spoke about the center’s work, opportunities for students to earn an environmental law certificate, and ways to get involved through the Environmental Law and Policy Society. Rafferty, the society’s secretary, encouraged participation in its events, guest speakers and campus cleanups.
Waldemar, who directs the Civil Law Clinic and teaches a law and mindfulness course, explained how she works with students to gain real-world experience while serving clients in need.
The group paused at Table Rock, a massive sandstone outcrop overlooking Clarks Valley, to take in the views and hear trail history, including Pennsylvania’s distinction as the midpoint of the approximately 2,190 long-mile Appalachian Trail.
