I am a proud Penn State University alum and I was deeply saddened to hear about the loss of our beloved football coach of 46 years, Joe Paterno, or as us Penn Staters lovingly call him, JoePa.

He was a positive role model and deeply influenced the lives of the hundreds of young men that he coached, not to mention the general student body. As much as the athletic programs made the University, JoePa always stressed the importance of education. He was an example of a man who lead a decent and fulfilled life, someone who made "an impact". He was the reason that Penn State, is the university that so many of us Penn Staters hold true to our hearts. I am so proud to have been a part of the legacy and want to express my deepest sympathies to fellow PSUers and the Paternos.


(Personal Collection, me on the far right, at Beaver Stadium)

My time at Penn State changed my life and helped to make me the woman I am today. I chose to go to Penn State because I wanted to belong, to feel like I was a part of something significant. Something meaningful.

I'll never forget football Saturdays, the parades, hanging out at the Hub, the late nights in downtown State College, the crisp Autumn days walking to class, feeling of belonging to this great community.

We are students, faculty, alumni, athletes, scholars. We are all a part of an amazing legacy. We need to hold on to each other and the memories we've made. We must never forget who we are.