Should ISU rescind Graham Spanier's Distinguished Alumni Award?

[Trice]

I say yes. The Distinguished Alumni Award is among ISU's highest honors. While Spanier was no question a worthy awardee based on his career achievements, there's also no question his actions are severe enough to warrant his award being rescinded.

I'm not suggesting ISU insert itself into this mess by grandstanding and making some huge show of "stripping" him of his award. Do it quietly, remove it from the web site, whatever. A small blurb in VISIONS explaining why this had to be done would be appropriate.

But we're past a presumption of guilt here, he has done something egregiously wrong and ISU needs to separate itself from him. It's not enough to merely hope nobody notices he's an ISU grad.

Graham Spanier - ISU Distinguished Alumni Award 2004

 

[JBone84]

Yes, without question. He's not worthy of any distinction.

 

[Cyclonepride]

Yes, I agree. No fanfare, just rescind it and move on.

 

[ISpyCy]

I don't really see a point in doing this. In no way would it help the healing process of Sandusky's victims and any University with some sort of relation to this debate is best to stay out of it.

 

[CycloneErik]

Yes, I agree. No fanfare, just rescind it and move on.

I don't much care either way, bu this is the way to do it. Quick, professional, and finished.

 

[IcSyU]

Don't even waste the time.

 

[Trice]

I don't really see a point in doing this. In no way would it help the healing process of Sandusky's victims and any University with some sort of relation to this debate is best to stay out of it.

Right, it has nothing to do with victims and I wouldn't argue otherwise. But ISU rightfully chose to honor him for his career, and now it would be right to rescind that honor. To me it feels like the difference between staying quiet and hoping nobody notices so as not to draw bad publicity, vs. doing the right thing.

 

[IcSyU]

No one cares or is going to notice the difference. Find something worthwhile to do instead of wasting time doing that.

 

[chuckd4735]

Read the bolded part and try to make an argument against this...

The Distinguished Alumni Award, established in 1961, is the highest honor given to alumni by Iowa State University through the ISU Alumni Association. This award honors ISU alumni who are nationally and/or internationally recognized for preeminent contributions to their professions or life's work. Up to five awards are granted annually.

Distinguished Alumni Award - Iowa State University Alumni Association

 

[swarthmoreCY]

Don't even waste the time.

qft

 

[CycloneErik]

Until the last few days, I didn't even know that he had won this award.
I didn't even know there was an award.

I don't have a problem with taking it away. I just don't think it matters to anybody, because very few people will notice either way.

Therefore, you do it the cyclonepride way: just do it, don't make a big deal of it, and drive on.

 

[Palmer]

yesterday.

 

[pulse]

They'll notice it when he goes to trial, and people start googling his name and this thread is the first thing that comes up.

 

[CapnCy]

I was wondering the same thing. I thought I heard the small banner on a light pole on campus was already taken down, but I wondered too about the Alumni Award. I had googled him awhile back and noticed it was one of the first things I saw.

I agree, take it down.

 

[rebecacy]

Until the last few days, I didn't even know that he had won this award.
I didn't even know there was an award.

I don't have a problem with taking it away. I just don't think it matters to anybody, because very few people will notice either way.

Therefore, you do it the cyclonepride way: just do it, don't make a big deal of it, and drive on.

As a member of the group who have received a distinguished alumni award, I hope it matters. I don't want to be associated with him.

 

[IcSyU]

As a member of the group who have received a distinguished alumni award, I hope it matters. I don't want to be associated with him.

Distinguished Alumni Award - Iowa State University Alumni Association

Your name isn't on here. Might want to get that fixed.

 

[rebecacy]

Honors & Awards - Iowa State University Alumni Association The full list is here

 

[isucy86]

Without Question

Spanier failed in his capacity as the President of Penn State & his recognition was based on that.

IMO as much as Paterno & the FB program are taking the brunt of the penalty for Sandusky's action the real failure here was poor decisions by Spanier, Curley and Schultz. The guys should be facing strong criminal court proceedings.

 

[brianhos]

I don't really see a point in doing this. In no way would it help the healing process of Sandusky's victims and any University with some sort of relation to this debate is best to stay out of it.

But right now ISU is on the wrong side of history. Just rescind it, and move on.

 

[CapnCy]

Re: Without Question

Spanier failed in his capacity as the President of Penn State & his recognition was based on that.

IMO as much as Paterno & the FB program are taking the brunt of the penalty for Sandusky's action the real failure here was poor decisions by Spanier, Curley and Schultz. The guys should be facing strong criminal court proceedings.

Agree. These guys needed to say, "sorry Joe, that's not how we are going to handle this" and do the right thing. I don't care if Joe was a hero there, they should have known doing the right thing would have been the way to go. Hard for an alum or donor to argue "Joe is ****** at the president...i hate the president now...wait, what...one of his assistants did what? And the pres and his crew wanted him gone? Nevermind...."

The culture in that program was toxic...everyone bowing down to Joe..heck, Curly was a former player for him!