As the incoming freshman begin their year at Penn State University, mixed emotions are shared about their new college due to the scandal of Jerry Sandusky in 2011. At the beginning of every year, the freshmen are brought to convocation for a warm welcoming. In the arena, everyone shouts “WE ARE…PENN STATE”. Many now question the meaning of “Penn State”. Some students look beyond the shocking incident and focus on the positive aspects of their new college by wearing shirts that voice, “I still bleed blue and white” or “Penn State proud”. However, there are those who still can not get over the incident, and share their opinion by wearing shirts that scream, “We are…still pissed off” or “Overstepping their bonds and punishing the innocent since 1906”. Students are speaking their mind, as they should, but therefore are determining the meaning of Penn State. As a result, as the student body president, Courtney Lennartz agrees, the incoming class is extremely important.

I understand how sickening the whole situation is but just as Thomas Palchak, former graduate of Penn State, states "what you see now is the collective community being penalized for the sin of one single person." I do not completely agree with the fact that only “one single person” was involved, but I do agree on the fact that not everyone from Penn State was involved. As such, the “collective community” should not all be penalized, and it would be a shame if they all were.  While Penn State should take MAJOR precautions in rebuilding their reputation, I do believe Penn State still holds enough good qualities to rebuild a stable reputation. Still, it does make me wonder how long will Penn State be shown under a bad light? 

                         

                      Penn State band students practicing on the first day of school.