Penn State has been criticized for having a "football culture," but what outsiders may not know is that the university has a strong history of scientific research. In the past month, our land-grant university has been the host of important research breakthroughs.
Tom Corbett has been a lightning rod of criticism on how he handled the investigation of Jerry Sandusky when he was Attorney General. In the race for state Attorney General, Kathleen Kane, a Democrat, and David Freed, a Republican, have each expressed opinions on whether Corbett's leadership needs further review. The November election will be the first chance that Pennsylvania residents have to make a material statement on their governor.
Penn State has been a center for Marcellus Shale and natural gas for years. However, in the Marcellus Shale Coalition's next report, Penn State's name will be notably absent. For the first time, no professor from the university will be affiliated with the study.
In this installment of our sporadic Distraction of the Day series, we look at a side of Joe Paterno seldom recognized: the capitalist. In 1995, Burger King invited the head coach of the Nittany Lions to appear in a pair of commercials for the fast food chain.
For the third time in ten months, students had the opportunity to address Penn State administrators at an open Town Hall Forum. Marianne Alexander, an alumni-elected trustee, is the first trustee to attend one of these sessions. Students, and others, asked the administrators about the Freeh Report, NCAA sanctions, and the University's relationship with the Commonwealth.
Penn State has entered into a partnership with the Dubai Judicial Institute. Legal Lions will have the chance to study international law in one of the most prosperous states of the United Arab Emirates. The two schools will also coordinate conferences and faculty exchanges.