Last week was a particularly heavy time for the Penn State community. The actions of one man and inactions of a few others have tainted the proud tradition of a great school. This controversy has spurred a variety of feelings and reactions — varying from concern and disgust to disbelief and anger. What happened to those boys is immoral and illegal, and I pray that punishment will be just and their healing complete.
The members of the Penn State community are struggling to make sense of things and to show the world that their school should not be judged by the actions of one individual.
But it was not long ago that our campus struggled through a horrific event and strived to show its true colors. The shootings on April 16, 2007, shook our community to its core. There was an outpouring of support from the whole world, and it was with their support that we began to move toward healing.
My brother is a Penn State alumnus, which makes the university my “in-law,” so to speak. Maybe this is why I so vividly remember the support they showed during our time of need.
Just a few weeks after the shootings, during the Penn State spring football game, Beaver Stadium blossomed not with the traditional blue and white, but with maroon and orange. The students wore it, the band played “Tech Triumph,” the players inscribed messages of support on the towels hung from their waist bands, and the coaching staff wore ribbons of orange and maroon pinned to their shirts — this is not a community that should be defined by the events brought to light in the last week.
In 2007, we did not want Blacksburg to be thought of a dangerous place, just as now they do not want State College to be synonymous with scandal.
Since 1973, Penn State has held a fundraising effort known as “THON” to raise money for the fight against pediatric cancer. This is the largest student-run philanthropy in the world, every year raising more money than the last.
In 2010, they raised over $7.8 million. This year a challenge has been issued to the PSU community to raise a whopping $50 million. They want to show the world that the Penn State community is a strong and loving one full of great people.
Let’s help our college brethren to meet this goal. Return the goodwill that they showed in 2007 to help with this worthy cause, visit Thon.org to make a donation. Also visit ProudToBeAPennStater.com, which is a grass roots effort to raise $500,000 for the victims of sexual abuse.
After all, our motto of Ut Prosim is not confined to the Tech campus, nor is it limited to our students and alumni. Let’s help our collegiate family to show the world how good we all can be.
David Anderson
mechanical engineering, class of '05, '07
A version of this article appeared in the Nov 15 issue of the Collegiate Times.
Leave a comment 64 Comments Write a letter to the editor
All letters to the editor must include a name, e-mail, daytime phone number and affiliation to Virginia Tech. Affiliation includes: year and major for students; position and department for faculty and staff; current city for alumni and parents.
As a Penn State student, I cannot say how much this article means to me. Thank you, thank you, thank you.
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I was also thinking of the PSU students who dressed up as VT shooting victims when I initially saw this story.
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Once again, you are taking the actions of two insensitive individuals and stereotyping the entire Penn State Community based on their stupidity. I guess it doesn't matter that 70,000 Penn Staters turned the Blue and White Game Maroon and Orange that year to support Virgina Tech or that they raised thousands of dollars to support the victims in both tragedies all because there were a few people who did something dumb. By this reasoning, you probably think that all USC alumni support domestic violence because OJ went there.
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Wasn't one of the victims of the VT shooting also a Penn Stater?
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I would also like to thank you for the same reason. It has been hard when so many have withdrawn their support from the University entirely for the actions of one.
We appreciate your support!
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Just to be very clear - this is not about the actions of one!!!
This is about a 'corporate' institutional abuse of trust, power, the rape of children,
the turning of one's back on a vicious series of crimes. Your 'support' of these criminals and liars is akin to me saying, "Support Jason Cho! He was misunderstood.
Ignore the fact of what he did to this community."
Give me a freaking break.
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As a Penn State student, I cannot say how much this article means to me. Thank you, thank you, thank you.
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Did you read this part?
"The photos sparked outrage on both campuses. And reportedly even death threats."
The outpouring of support from PSU, among other universities was a boon for VT when we most needed it. There are always a few bad apples in every community - even ours. Don't let the actions of an ignorant few negate the overwhelming support from the many.
I was taken aback by the support we received from PSU in 07, and I would urge all Hokies to show their support in this difficult time for (1) the victims and (2) the PSU community, all of whom were affected, but 99.999% of whom were not involved.
Ut Prosim
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Did you also read this part?
"But today, one of the students, who reportedly wore one of the controversial outfits, said he will not apologize. "Never ever ever," Nathan Jones told The Daily Collegian, the student paper at Penn State.
Jones, a senior biochemistry major, told the paper that he never thought the images would cause an uproar. "A lot of people do crazy, insensitive things," he said. "I knew what I was doing was sad. I did it for that reason. It was never meant to get out.""
Yes, there are plenty of crazies out there, however, they are generally not the ones being educated at a highly recognized school like PSU.
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Did you even go to a halloween party in college? I went to several while I was at Tech. There were plenty of costumes just as insensitive and in just as poor taste as Nathan's. What he did was wrong. But if you're suggesting that every student at VT is "above" that, you're blind to the world.
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As a current Penn State student, thank you very much for your support. I remember three years ago when I was looking at colleges I was deciding between Virginia Tech and Penn State for mechanical engineering. They were very similar schools: great education and lots of campus pride. While the deciding factor for me ended up being location, I still have a lot of respect for VT and the Hokie Nation.
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Thank you so much on behalf of the victims, their families and the Penn State community, for you and your fellow Hokies' support! I was a Junior at Penn State when the shooting in Blacksburg occurred and can attest to the unified goodwill and support for VA Tech that came easily to the Penn State community. VA Tech students and alumni are in a tragically unique position to truly understand and empathize with what's been going on in State College the past nine days. Again, thank you!
Michelle, PSU Class of '08
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As a Penn State alum, I cannot express my gratitude for your humble display of support. It's devestating to be negatively categorized as a whole & i can't thank you enough for putting things into perspective for those who just don't understand... God bless.
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As a Penn State alum, I cannot express my gratitude for your humble display of support. It's devestating to be negatively categorized as a whole & i can't thank you enough for putting things into perspective for those who just don't understand... God bless.
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As a Penn State alum, I cannot express my gratitude for your humble display of support. It's devestating to be negatively categorized as a whole & i can't thank you enough for putting things into perspective for those who just don't understand... God bless.
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This means the world to me right now as a current Penn State Student. Your school went through a dark stretch of time, and we still feel and pray for your community to heal. You have seen the good in people of unification of one just cause, an act to help mend wounds that ran deep through Blacksburg. I just want to say thank you, it is very touching. VT in our hearts, honor to play our part. And We still Are...Penn State!
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Thank you for this. I'm sure every Penn Stater here would say, thank you and we appreciate your support. You know what's it's like to have your institution flip upside down. No, our situations aren't the same but the disbelief is. Thank you again for your support.
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...and what about their community? You know, the ones who banded together and held the vigil the other night. The ones who dressed up to show their support of the victims at the PSU-Nebraska game Saturday? The ones who started ProudToBeAPennStater.com to raise money for victims of sexual abuse within days of this blowing up?
You're going to hold them all accountable for the inaction of a few? How is this THEIR fault? Don't embarrass our community and traditions by making ignorant comments. Help THEM help the victims. I'd be willing to bet you didn't even read the letter.
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Wait. Are you seriously comparing this with April 16? One is a mass murder, and the other is a bunch of administrative ass covering...
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I missed the part where I made ANY reference to April 16. DO YOU EVEN READ?
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ARE YOU SAYING THAT I WASNT AT APRIL 16th?
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Lol, don't they have trolls at PSU?
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Curious as to how you know exactly what the President and AD did or didn't do? So far it is only a prosecutor's allegation of what they did or didn't do... Here's a novel idea - wait for all the facts to come out in a trial and with the other side of the story (all of the facts) you can then be free to judge all you want.
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I want to thank you for your support. It is hard to see some current students being denied internships, but I am glad there are some people out there that understand the action of a few do not define us all.
PS Thank you for the THON shout out. And an even bigger thank you for making your Relay For Life program the most impressive one out there. We look up to you guys in that regards.
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As a recent Penn State graduate I thank you from the bottom of my heart. I can remember that day like it was yesterday I felt like we were apart of HOOKIE NATION!!Thanks agian!!!
WE ARE STILL PENN STATE!!!!!!
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As a Penn State Alumni (who was a senior at the time of the shootings), I would like to say thank you on the behalf of the victims, parents, and the Penn State Community. You have no idea how much it means to us all to know that another community like Virginia Tech has our backs during this dark time of the 156 year history of our University. Again, thank you again for the support as we will be forever grateful and for raising the awareness of THON and ProudPSUforRAINN.
Paul
PSU Class of 2007
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Great article David. Thanks for writing.
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As a Penn State student from Virginia, thank you!
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As a Penn State student from Virginia, and with my roots in Virginia Tech, I thank you.
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Well hopefully those few individuals don't gather in the streets and destroy more property.
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I'm a Penn State alum...my brother goes to VA Tech...so we're similar in that way David. I visited VA Tech for the first time a few weeks ago for the BC game...and left thinking that it's one awesome place. This furthers that opinion. Can't thank you enough.
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What a great article!!! I am a VT Alumni and to this day still remember the outpouring of support we received from schools across the nation (especially from Penn State). The support we were showed truly helped us through the difficult time. I hope Penn State students know we support them in their time of need...was and always will be a great school. Good luck with THON 2011....show the Media and Country what Penn State is all about!
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I agree that there is a certain group within the State College community that deserves our support, but I am not sure it is the Penn State student body. What exactly relates this incident to April 16?
We lost 32 friends and family forever.
Penn State fired a football coach, Athletic Director, and school President because of allegations for covering up major criminal acts.
It's great they are raising money for this cause, but I don't feel sorry for the Penn State community for what it is going through, I feel sorry for the victims.
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The victims were victims because of people who were well respected ambassadors for the university.
I know I will support:
1) the victims and
2) the greater psu community whose good name has been ruined by some terrible people.
The victims are obviously the MOST important. Just yesterday though, a business owner wrote an opinions piece in their student paper, the Collegian, stating that never in his life would he hire a PSU graduate as a result of this tragedy. There will be many ignorant people who react this way to thier school.
What did the students and alumni who had no part in Jerry Sandusky's (and others') acts do to deserve this? They're doing a good job so far of supporting the victims, so I choose to support both.
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I'll show Penn state all the support I can by supporting the dismissal of Joe Paterno. No reasonable person thinks that Paterno is innocent. And no reasonable person thinks the actions of a few athletic directors reflects poorly on the Penn State community. Rioting in the street, however, reflects very poorly on the Penn State student body.
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Thank you David Anderson for your thoughtful letter and support. I particularly appreciate your mention of the RAINN (Rape, Abuse and Incest National Network) campaign. At last count, Penn State alumni have raised $400,000 to fund RAINN’s efforts to prevent and treat sexual abuse.
My thanks also to the Virginia Tech community for its support at this difficult time.
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PSU STUDENTS deserve Tech support. However - the PSU administration deserves exactly what the media is giving them.
Joe Paterno and Mike McQueery especially. They are complete scumbags.
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I am currently a senior at Penn State and can not express how much this article and the support from Virginia Tech means to me, as well as my fellow students. We appreciate this more than you could know. Thank you so much for your kind words.
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I am currently a senior at Penn State and can not express how much this article and the support from Virginia Tech means to me, as well as my fellow students. We appreciate this more than you could know. Thank you so much for your kind words.
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2.1.2 Scope of Responsibility. [*] The institution’s responsibility for the conduct of its intercollegiate athletics
program includes responsibility for the actions of its staff members and for the actions of any other individual
or organization engaged in activities promoting the athletics interests of the institution.
2.2.3 Health and Safety. [*] It is the responsibility of each member institution to protect the health of and
provide a safe environment for each of its participating student-athletes. (Adopted: 1/10/95)
2.2.4 Student-Athlete/Coach Relationship. [*] It is the responsibility of each member institution to
establish and maintain an environment that fosters a positive relationship between the student-athlete and coach.
(Adopted: 1/10/95)
2.2.5 Fairness, Openness and Honesty. [*] It is the responsibility of each member institution to ensure
that coaches and administrators exhibit fairness, openness and honesty in their relationships with student-athletes.
(Adopted: 1/10/95)
****
I'd say PSU has violated all of the above NCAA bylaws. I would not be surprised if PSU football program gets shuttered.
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I want to thank you for writing this article as a Penn State student here. We do not want the sins of 4 administrators covering up such terrible crimes by a sick individual to be a cross we have to bear for eternity. I would like to point out that such a small portion of student (news estimated around a thousand) were rioting in the streets that day and I can tell you as someone who passed through town that night, most people there were simply watching the violent acts unfold. Penn State is 96,000 students strong school-wide and for such actions to define us is heart breaking. We thank you for your support and stand with you in hope that the justice system will prevail and in we stand in prayer for the victims of such tragedies.
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As a Virginia Tech employee who is also a Penn State alum and current Penn State doctoral student, thank you for such a wonderful article. Every Penn Stater I know is devastated by the unthinkable crimes of one man that have emerged during the past few days. And it doesn't look like these difficult times will end any time soon as the details just keep coming. Your article gives me hope that the crimes of some will not be held against the 96,000 students of Penn State. Please pray with us for swift justice and peaceful healing for the victims.
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Thank you so much! I was a senior at Penn State in 2007 and I remember standing in line to get my "Penn State loves VT" t-shirt. I still have it! Thank you for recognizing that 99.9% of our University has nothing to do with this and wants justice like the rest of the world. Thank you for your support!!
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As a Penn State Alumn. I would just like to say Thank you for this article. We appreciate the support!
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As a Penn State Alumn. Thank you for the support and this article.
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No! What is this; use of my University's student paper's Opinion section to advertise for the fundraising of THON? Don't get me wrong, THON is an excellent philanthropic event to which I have donated; however, it appears as though the author is using this medium as an effort to advertise for THON fudraising and help reach the 50-million dollar goal. Again; it's a worthwhile cause and should be supported...however, I view the author's attempt to bring THON to light in an article dealing with the horrific events recently made public as a disgrace. Furthermore, the Editor at Collegiate Times who allowed this I equally to blame. Seriously, look at the amour of text allocated to THON versus the amount allocated to PSU's current blunder, the unfortunate shootings at Tech, and the support Tech received from PSU. The author's article would have been good if no mention wa made to THON - it is irrelevant.
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Thousands of PSU students took to the streets in near riots because Joe Paterno was fired. The entire Penn State administration covered this up and allowed a child rapist to run free for decades. The Washington Times ran an article about a guy that showed up to the football game last weekend in support of the children, and he was heckled and boo'd and had beer poured on him by the Penn State fans that were upset JoePa wasn't coaching that day. That's not a community that deserves our support. This letter is unbelievably ignorant and should be removed immediately.
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And more importantly, to paint the Penn State "community" as the victims in this is disgraceful. Those children are the only victims.
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And more importantly, to paint the Penn State "community" as the victims in this is disgraceful. Those children are the only victims.
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I can't thank you enough for this.
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We should give support to the victims, NOT Penn State. The athletic department and the administration is the entire reason this issue has turned in to such a large mess.
I might have some sympathy and compassion for the students if they hadn't reacted the way they did to the firing of Joe Paterno. Their actions they took that night only make them look like a bunch of idiots and cowards.
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Paterno and McQueery are scumbags - and (many) PSU students are somehwat self-absorbed and misguided to say the least.
A college football season is less important that children being r@ped. Get over yourselves - you aren't victims and you don't need support.
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^^^What he said...
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Why is anyone surpised that a man who pursues a career in college coaching likes to touch little boys?
I mean - you get to work in a locker room surrounded by a bunch of sweaty, half-n@ked boy/men, many of whom would do anything to keep their athletic scholarships.
It's like locking Precious in a sizzlers overnight and then getting mad when she eats all of the fried chicken.
I'd sooner trust my kid with a Hells Angel than leave him alone in the room with a Catholic priest, a Boy Scout Master, or anyone who claims to work as a 'coach'
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And those little boys deserved to not be r@ped on school grounds by a PSU assistant coach. Their parents deserved to know that if something inappropriate did happen, PSU authorities would stop it and properly report it to the police.
Like it or not PSU students, this is your legacy for at least the next 10 years. Joe Paterno is always going to be known as the guy who covered for a child r@pist.
If you don't like it, vote with your dollars and transfer to another school.
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I was considering commenting here way back when this article was first put up on here. This comment does a better job than I could.
The entire PSU debacle is disgusting. The safety of those children should have been more important than any football program.
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