In light of current events back home, I think it’s important that I share something with you that’s been on my mind everyday this last week. It’s rare that I take the focus off of France, rarer still that I share something so deeply personal and close to my heart. I think you’ll understand.
The average Penn Stater, I may not be. None the less, my years at Penn State were without a doubt the top of my academic career. I rallied at football games, waited in line for Canyon Pizza well beyond the midnight hours, learned to appreciate football (and beer), ate delivery with friends at the library during exam week, and discovered what it meant to bleed blue and white. I will always cherish my experiences born out of the tight-knit community of State College.
I still stand by my university.
Despite being 3000 miles away, the crushing disappointment, shock and disgust are ever so prevalent as the current news reports and legal investigations continue to unravel. My heart goes out to those who suffered most. My heart also goes out to my community. It’s hard being so far away from home at a time when my university, my friends, the new wave of students and my old professors are also struggling to come to terms with this worst nightmare.
Image provided by sportslogos.net
In times like these, it is especially important that we all stand together and continue to stand up for what’s right – Nittany Lion or not. To show my continued support (and Lion Pride) for my alma mater, I’d like to encourage you to donate to RAINN (Rape, Abuse & Incest National Network), one of the nation’s leading anti-sexual violence organizations and named one of “America’s 100 Best Charities” by Worth magazine. All donations will go to prevention and aide for sexual abuse victims, helping countless people nationwide.
May God be with the victims and their families, as well as those directly or indirectly involved.
{ 9 comments… read them below or add one }
half of my friends went to Penn State and have taken to Facebook this week to express their profound hurt and shame as a result of the scandal. Although I went to another PA school, I’m touched by the solidarity among current and former students. I didn’t have the kind of university experience that would provoke these kinds of feelings but I appreciate this kind of collective grieving when I see it. PS will turn this page with time!
I agree – time heals all wounds. There are some serious repercussions however, including decreased enrollment and federal aid for students. It’s a mess and there is a lot of PR, politics and cleaning up to do – and that’s merely from the university side. Regardless, I love seeing my university standing together like this and I full-heartedly identify with the students’ reaction. Penn State is a great university – it doesn’t deserve to go down with someone so low and disturbed.
As a fellow Penn Stater, I am so glad you took the time to write this post. My emotions have been so mixed that every time I sit down and think about what happened I can’t put together coherent thoughts that express both my disappoint in school leadership and the amazing solidarity of the students. Penn State is an excellent school and I am confident that one person will not ruin its reputation.
You’re right – one person won’t bring down the reputation of the school. At least in the longterm. I think the Board is well aware of the importance of their decision in President and Coach, as well as PR to boost our image back up. I hope the public is smart enough to see that one persons sick and twisted state does not exemplify the values of the school. On a personal note, I’m so glad I have a fellow Penn Stater as reader!
Thanks for commenting, Linds.
Thanks for the wonderful post and getting the organization’s name out there. Also a fellow Penn Stater, it is wonderful to read your thoughts and I completely identify with them. While the actions of the Penn State football heads are inexcusable, it’s so hurtful to hear the media talk so badly about the school negatively. I just watched a few videos of the vigil on Old Main lawn and it was beautiful to see the students come together in a peaceful way (and actually know the words to the alma mater!) As you said, PSU will come through this but it will take time and it’s the unity of PSU community that will help.
Another Penn Stater! I wasn’t aware that there were other Penn Staters blogging from Paris. It’s nice knowing there are people here who can identify with the problem – though even other expat friends from the states have been very supportive and sad to hear what’s happened. I think with regards to the Wednesday night reaction, many students probably didn’t have all the information and it came more as a shock. Since the weekend, this entire mess just seemed to snowball out of control! Just the fact that it happened is bad enough but the more you look at the case, the worse and more disheartening it becomes. Bad detail after bad detail, and I’m sure most students didn’t realize just how involved everyone really was on Wednesday – most had probably only heard headlines that a former assistant coach sexually abusing boys. Having the media already there fishing for stories didn’t help. Nor did the fact that most people don’t realize Penn Staters love to
riotdemonstrate for just about anything (away games won against our rivals, Osama bin Laden’s death, Joe’s win as Winningest Coach, just to name a few in recent years) and the tight layout of Beaver and College Ave makes it easy to meet up in one centralized location for us to do so. As so often happens in these well-intentioned get-togethers, a few students go nuts and ruin it for everyone. Of course Penn Staters are for the kids! Anyways, off my soap box…. Thanks for your comments, KristenIt’s true that this is a tragedy beyond belief. It is not the true face of this University though. Penn State is a great and storied institution that grieves in the wake of these crimes. The Boardvwas or react in their actions and the students holding vigil do the University proud.
I think this hit the students hard on many levels. I’m glad to see them pulling together. As the legal process works its way through, I’m sure it’ll take a few years before Penn States name ceases to be dragged through the negative press, none the less I hope that this allows the victims to move on and find closure.
Thanks so much for sharing your positive experiences at Penn State!
It is absolutely tragic what has happened to these victims. I don’t think Penn State has been receiving too much negative reflection. It is those who did nothing and the sick individual who everyone is really sickened with.
Thank you for also sharing the charity RAINN, sounds like an important charity to give to especially in the season of giving.
The Wanderfull Traveler