ISSUES

I want to maintain Penn State’s status as a world-class university, offering a world-class education to our sons and daughters, grandsons and granddaughters, and friends and family.

We cannot expect our students, their parents or family to take out loans and to have the cost of an education hanging over them for years or, even worse, have students turn away because they cannot afford a Penn State education.

I strongly believe eliminating waste through a careful review and analysis of spending via an

independent audit will help us fulfill the true mission of Penn State as a Land-Grant University.

I will insist that any request for an increase in tuition, room and board expenses be proven, not

merely requested.

We need to and must restore the Paterno legacy. Joe’s legacy is not just about football. It’s about the virtues that make Penn State great: success with honor. Joe used football as a metaphor for life: he pushed us all to study hard, work as a team and excel in all we do. Joe and Sue were champions of charity and philanthropy, values we see echoed in our students every year at THON. They were not entitled people. Joe and Sue gave back to the University and to all of us. 

It is time for the University to give back to Joe, Sue and their family…to restore their legacy and reputation. The statute needs to be returned to a place of honor. We must not forget out past and we must continue the vision of those that came before us and made Penn State the great university it is.

Penn State has long been guided by the principles and values of success with honor, integrity, academic and athletic excellence, charity and a love of community. I will dedicate my term on the Board of Trustees to continue and enhance that tradition.

I fully support all efforts of the Penn State Community, its Alumni and the Board of Trustees to promote diversity, equity and inclusion. We must work as a family to insure that there is no place for prejudice or exclusion at Penn State. Recently, the Penn State Black Caucus was attacked by a racist “Zoom bombing.” We must all join together in condemning this behavior and all behavior that denigrates anybody on our campuses and in our community. I have dedicated myself in the past and will dedicate my term on the Board of Trustees to work with everyone to insure that hatred and racism of any kind will not be welcomed.

In these unprecedented times, as we see businesses closing throughout State College and Happy Valley, I will work hard to promote cooperation and understanding between the University and local businesses. Penn State must support local businesses, for what is good for one is good for all.

Having grown up in State College and knowing many in the business community and in the Penn State Administration, I feel I am uniquely qualified to help open the gate between town and gown. I will address this issue more fully in the weeks to come.

The importance of our Commonwealth Campuses, cannot be forgotten nor understated. Again, in these unprecedented times, they provide an opportunity for students to attend a world-class university while staying close to home and saving costs of room and board, while perhaps working to afford an education. More about this in the coming weeks.

  I will address other issues of importance to Penn State and Happy Valley during my campaign.