Stand Up Guy

One of my favorite people is a Penn State alum. He loves my niece and makes her very happy. That alone would make me love him, but as I have gotten to know him over the years I also love him for who he is. He is funny, and any event becomes instantly more fun when he's a part of it. He has a Bachelor's degree and a graduate degree, and he plans to pursue his doctorate as well. So, yes. He is smart. But not just "book smart" smart. He is very insightful about people and situations and I always sit up and take notice when I hear something he has to say. He loves his kids, but just as important, he understands them and really takes the time to know them as individuals. He is what you might call a "stand up guy." And he's not alone. All over the country, all over the world, there are Penn State grads who have gone on to do great things with their lives. They should be proud of the education they got there, and they should be proud of who they are.

There has been a lot of good that is coming out of this horrible tragedy surrounding the school. Jerry Sandusky is in jail, thanks to the jury who made the right decision. Their ties to the school made no difference to them. There's Sara Ganim, the Penn State alum who first broke the Jerry Sandusky story. She's what you might call a stand up girl. The school dismissed the major perpetrators. There is a new football coach, a man from the outside. The NCAA is deciding what sanctions are appropriate. There is a great opportunity for Penn State to turn this whole thing around, to move forward, each step of the way doing the right thing. Each step of the way, saying never again.

I hope no one has buried their Penn State spirit wear, their tee shirts and caps and sweatshirts, in the bottom of a drawer or the back of a closet. There is no reason to be ashamed of being a Nittany Lion, to not proudly shout, "We ARE Penn State!", to allow the actions of some to define that image forever. That image can be changed for the good, forever a turning point where people begin to do the right thing.

The stand up guys. They ARE Penn State.

Susan