How Did GSpan End Up at American Idol?
PSU President Graham Spanier was spotted in the audience during tonight’s episode of @americanidol http://ow.ly/i/a2ul (via @beckymurdy)less than a minute ago via CoTweet 
Favorite 
Retweet 
Reply
Onward State
OnwardState
Last night during American Idol, President Graham Spanier was spotted in the audience of American Idol, which was being filmed in Los Angeles, CA.
Spanier was seated between show host Ryan Seacrest’s father and sister. Spanier explained in an email to StateCollege.com’s Adam Smeltz that the two had become acquainted because Seacrest’s father is an alumnus of Penn State.
Spanier was in town for a meeting of the Association of Governing Boards (he serves on the Council of Presidents). The AGB is an association of higher education boards. He was also fitting in a few development visits while in the area, according to Smeltz.
Spanier and Seacrest’s dad had apparently met at a Penn State game against Ohio State in November, 2009. At the game, Seacrest was introduced to Joe Paterno and Graham Spanier, among others.
Some pictures of the game from @RyanSeacrest
Your ad blocker is on.
Please choose an option below.
Purchase a Subscription!
About the Author
‘There’s No Place Like Home’: Lizzie Palmieri’s Senior Column
“There were things that mattered and things that didn’t. Oftentimes, a quick peek behind the curtain was just enough to tell the difference.”
[Photo Story] Campus From A Worm’s Eye View
Our worm friends took us on a guided tour of campus and showed us what they see from the world below.
‘United In That Passion For Events & Music’: Movin’ On Executive Director Leading Festival For Second Year
“My top takeaway from [Movin’ On] is the people and relationships that I’ve been able to make through it.”
Penn State and the Process of Life
To paraphrase Mark Twain: The reports of higher education’s death have been an exaggeration. American universities produce more research and relevant knowledge for the world at large than any other institutions I know of. Tuition may be too damn high, but over the long-run, undergraduate degrees are definitely worth the cost. But Penn State could be so much more. It used to be, I think.