Ousted Penn State president removed from Highland Park alumni display
BY CHARLES BERMAN cberman@pioneerlocal.com November 13, 2011 5:00PM
Graham Spanier
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Updated: January 13, 2012 1:15AM
The child sex-abuse scandal that began in the Penn State University football program has reached the lobby of Highland Park High School.
District 113 administrators have removed a photo plaque honoring ousted Penn State President Graham Spanier, a 1966 Highland Park High alumnus, from the school’s distinguished alumni display located inside the school’s main entrance.
The recognition was rescinded the morning after Spanier and college football’s all-time-wins leader, Nittany Lions Coach Joe Paterno, lost their jobs at Penn State in the wake of allegations they did not take strong and swift action in response to hearing an assistant football coach was witnessed allegedly sexually abusing a child.
“Our distinguished alumni need to be role models. Unfortunately, the actions in this case generate a lot of questions about Spanier’s involvement,” said District 113 Superintendent George Fornero. “In an attempt to protect our students, the plaque has been removed.”
A Pennsylvania grand jury report states that both Spanier and Paterno were notified that Assistant Coach Jerry Sandusky allegedly raped a child in the football locker room showers in 2002.
Spanier and Paterno have not been charged in the case, but both remain in the center of the scandal because they did not alert law enforcement of the reported rape.
Sandusky, who retired as the Nittany Lions’ defensive coordinator in 1999, has been charged with 40 counts of abuse of at least eight children, according to the grand jury report.
The grand jury also stated that Spanier approved the university athletic department’s response, prohibiting Sandusky from bringing youth onto the Penn State campus.
Highland Park High School’s distinguished honor wall also features astronaut John Grunsfeld, actor Gary Sinise, Navy Adm. Stansfield Turner, and 13 other military leaders, artists, poets, journalists and diplomats.
“Highland Park High School Distinguished Alumni should have distinguished themselves through their achievements in their field or contributions to society,” according to the school’s nomination form. “The nominees’ accomplishments should reflect credit on their association with Highland Park High School. Support for such nominations shall come from personal opinions and documented evidence.”
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