Worse than death - Penn State alums react to harsh NCAA penalties

By Ernie Suggs

The Atlanta Journal-Constitution 

Michael Gutman graduated from Penn State University in 1971 with a master's degree in engineering. His son graduated from the school in 1997, followed by his daughter in 1999. Both went on to earn medical degrees at Emory University.

Yet, when Gutman walks around his neighborhood, he is shy about representing Penn State.
"I am afraid to walk out with my Penn State hat or T-shirt on," Gutman said. "I don't want people to make nasty comments. People have done that before."

Read more to hear what I have to say about the recent penalties..

Thousands attend student-organized candlelight vigil

UNIVERSITY PARK, Pa. -- Thousands of Penn State students and members of the Penn State community gathered on the Old Main lawn on Friday night for a Candlelight Vigil for Abused Victims. The vigil, organized by students, was intended to have the Penn State community 'come together as the family we are and show our unconditional support and sympathy for these victims,' according to the Facebook page created for the event. During the half-hour event, they heard from a variety of speakers, including someone who herself was a victim of abuse, along with student leaders and former Penn State football player LaVar Arrington, who delivered a message of healing to the crowd.

"We Are Penn State, and that will never change," Arrington told the crowd. "Let's make tonight the starting point of setting the standard once more, once again."

For photos from the event, visit http://live.psu.edu/flickrset/72157628108172796 online.

Source

Photo: Students gather for a candle light vigil held in front of Old Main on the campus of Penn State University to honor the victims of sexual abuse in the wake of the Jerry Sandusky scandal. State College , Pa.11/09/2011 SEAN SIMMERS, THE PATRIOT-NEWS

#ProudPSUforRAINN

In the wake of the recent events at Penn State University, a grassroots network of PSU alumni are standing up for victims of sexual abuse by supporting RAINN's effort to prevent and treat victims of sexual abuse. We have joined together to mobilize the Penn State fan base – alumni, students, parents and fans – to ensure something like this never happens again – anywhere.

“After having so closely identified with all things Penn State over the past 15 years, the recent events have shaken our beliefs – and those of other alumni – to the core. Simply put, Penn State is way bigger than the alleged actions of a few people. To honor the victims, our goal is to raise over $500,000 – one dollar for each of

Penn State’s 557,000 alumni. Please join us in showing the world what being a proud supporter of Penn State really means by making a donation in support of preventing and treating victims of sexual abuse and by adding your name to mine below.”
— Jerry & Jaime Needel, Bob Troia and Larena Lettow – Penn State ‘98

Join #ProudPSUforRAINN