Turns out that Onward State publisher and founder, Davis Shaver, has more in common with President Spanier than a passion for Penn State–a lot more. The information, revealed by the Daily Collegian, reportedly used genealogy sites and Woodward-and Bernstein-esque investigative reporting to come to this astounding conclusion.

The new findings “confirmed what we had suspected for years, but that lacked supporting evidence for” said Collegian editor-in-chief Elizabeth Murphy. Murphy vehemently denied the methods and nature of the investigation saying, “we have done routine investigations of the Onward State masthead since its inception.”

The backlash from the findings remains unclear, though shock is rippling through Onward State and the rest of the Penn State news community. In reaction to the report, a friend of Shaver’s, and fellow Onward State staff member Evan Ponter remarked, “shock, pure shock, is all I am feeling.” Onward State photographer John O’Brien claimed, “I joined OS because of the freedom and openness of the organization, this report leads me to question the direction and motivation of Onward State.”

Penn State Live issued a report stating, “And we thought we were close to President Spanier!”

In the eyes of some staff members, much about the structure of Onward State reflects the work of President Spanier. ” It all makes sense, I finally understand why Davis has been pushing to allocate funds for the construction of new Onward State buildings,” said writer Devon Edwards.

Writer Ryan Kristobak, who traveled with Shaver and other Onward State staff members to Harrisburg to cover the Senate Appropriations hearings last month, noted that at the time “Davis seemed emotionally invested in the hearings on a surprisingly personal level.” Now we know why…

The conspiracy theorist in all of us cannot help but wonder if the entire Onward State operation is the finishing touch on a 5 or 10 year scheme devised by  President Spanier to gain a stronger hold on the Penn State student body. It had been working well, until now.