Anthony Petro, KLN ‘18, has been interested in a law career for a long time now. When he was a student in the communication studies program at Klein College of Media and Communication, he participated in many activities that would get his future law studies off to a solid start. His commitment to his goals has led him to become an accomplished law student at nearby Drexel University’s Kline School of Law.
Petro, who has a family history at Temple University, was always prepared to be the kind of involved and enthusiastic student the university attracts. Perhaps the most influential programs during his undergraduate studies were the university’s study away programs, which allowed him to explore how he could combine his love of both writing and performance into viable professional opportunities in law. During his time in the Los Angeles Study Away program, he signed up to be a judge in a screenplay competition and subsequently became a freelance screenwriter.
“Being able to do so many different activities at Temple really kind of helped round out my skill set just as a person,” Petro says. “The communication division really helped me develop my thought process and how to put my arguments and my thoughts into words that can be persuasive and that can influence other people’s decisions.”
After taking a year post-graduation to get “real world” professional experience, Petro decided not to put aside his interest in law school any longer. When he started at Drexel, he jumped in with full focus. He was a dean’s list recipient and this summer, he was selected as a first-year law student intern to work remotely with the Office of the District Attorney in Philadelphia. He also auditioned for and was accepted into the Drexel’s trial team, which was a great way for him to practice performing, writing and other communication skills needed in the legal field.
“I’m a very dramatic person at heart, I’m a performer at heart. So I just found it super enthralling — I like being in front of people, I like performing, I like giving my side of the story. So I just really like the trial aspect, and more than that I...like the adversarial aspect,” Petro says.
Scott Gratson, director of the Communication Studies Program at Klein, worked with Petro closely in both the department and during the New York City study away program. “It has been a pleasure to see Anthony grow and achieve his goals over the years,” says Gratson. “I recall discussing comic books with him in Manhattan, hearing him explain Game Theory at a friend's undergraduate thesis defense, seeing him inducted into our national academic honorary society, and learning about his avid violin playing. His love of learning never stopped. Seeing him continue to pursue his interests and passions in law school is both uplifting and admirable."
Tyler DeVice, KLN ‘18, was one of Petro’s close friends in the Communication Studies Program. The two shared several classes and attended the NYC Study Away program together. DeVice says that Petro’s welcoming personality and flair for the dramatic make him a perfect addition to Drexel’s law school and to its award-winning trial team.
“Law is really fascinating and there’s kind of a bunch of different roles that you have to know and you have to know what your role is. And I can definitely see [Petro] wanting to try out all of those,” DeVice says.
Petro hopes to one day reach a prestigious position in the judiciary system, such as becoming a federal judge. Although he admits that he is still determining how he is going to get there, he says he is willing to take on the challenge.