Penn State Scandal

Howard Exclusive on the 

Penn State Scandal

Opinions Article: 

Penn State Student Perspective

            Students at the Pennsylvania State University are concerned that the public holds false conceptions about the university at large as the scandal continues to be a rising topic amongst thousands of other campuses, social websites, and news mediums. Opinions on why the bashing needs to cease all ties into one thought: the football team is NOT Penn State.

            Overtly, American’s can be honest- when “Penn State” is brought up the term “football” is usually conjoined. The Division 1 Football Team is reputable for its top rankings in the nation. Thousands of people drive through State College on weekends, painted in dark royal blue and white anticipating wins for their favorite college team. In the past month however, when “Penn State” is brought up “Joe Po” or “scandal” is affiliated. The long-going battle for justice that Penn State dealt with lost them a university president and loved coach.

While both of these focuses are morally correct in the eyes of the public, those who attend still glance at their school in a different light. What about the term “academia?” Or the fact that Penn State is 45^th best university in the nation (according to U.S News’ “Best Universities in 2010” List.) While Penn State is seen with a few corrupted faculty members third, and as owner of a prestigious college football team second, attendee’s will agree that Penn State is an excellent university first.

PSU Sophomore Elizabeth Rutere found one good in the recent exploit that Penn State has been enduring. “The scandal gives Penn State the opportunity to educate people who do not know about the positive credentials of the university.”

Large concerns from the public are whether the scandal will affect recruitment for football, other athletic teams, and overall admissions into the university. Rutere recalls on universities such as Virginia Tech and University of Indiana (institutions that were able to overcome the excessive media when issues rose on their campuses) and adds, “In time, this shall pass too.” Hopes for Penn State to become even better of a school after the scandal is a shared goal amongst the university.

Of course, students, team players, and faculty alike will miss their coach of 50 years Joe Paterno. There was no questioning his love for Penn State athletics. Before being relieved from his job, he announces, “[This] is one of the great sorrows of my life. With the benefit of hindsight, I wish I had done more.” 


-- Reporting on the Penn State Scandal, Emmy Victor