LEAD Office to hold panel discussion on Penn State controversy

Saturday, the Penn State University football team played their first game following the dismissal of longtime coach Joe Paterno who was let go by the university admidst a sexual abuse scandal involving a former defensive coordinator. Penn State lost the game to Nebraska 17-14. (Olivia Fivek).

The Office of Leadership Education and Development (LEAD) will be hosting a panel discussion regarding the recent controversial events at Penn State University on Tuesday, Nov. 15 at 7 p.m. in the SUB I Patriot’s Lounge.

The event comes in response to the sexual abuse scandal involving a former defensive coordinator for the Penn State University football team. A grand jury investigation revealed details about the abuse which brought into question the moral actions of longtime football coach and university icon, Joe Paterno, as well as other members of the coaching staff and university administration.

Tuesday's event, “Penn State Dialog: Leadership, Ethics, Values, and Integrity” will “provide an opportunity for students, faculty, and staff to engage in healthy dialog/conversation around the incidents happening at Penn State University and how it connects to leadership, ethics, values, and integrity,” said Lisa Snyder, associate director for LEAD.

Snyder emphasized that the purpose of this event is not to place blame on Penn State, but rather to use it as an opportunity for a discussion around leadership and ethics in our community.

The discussion will primarily consist of a set of questions from moderator Dr. Joya Crear, but will also allow a period of open questions from the audience.

While the set of questions has yet to be finalized, the dialogue will focus on a list of key topics such as "leadership and ethics, school spirit, the impact of social media," and "using one's power and leadership to make positive change," according to an email statement about the event.

Panelists for the discussion will include Student Body President Allyson Bowers, Associate Dean for New Century College and the College of Humanities and Social Sciences Dr. Nance Lucas, LEAD Director Dr. Nick Lennon, Assistant Director of Student Government Melissa Masone, and Director of Equity and Diversity Services Corey Jackson.

The panel will be joined by moderator Dr. Joya Crear, Associate Dean of University Life at Mason and a Penn State alumna. Dr. Nance Lucas is also an alumnus of Penn State University.

Snyder said the panelists were chosen from various departments at Mason in order to provide a wide range of opinions and perspectives to the discussion.

Participants in the discussion will be provided with blue ribbons in honor of the victims and their families, and at least one counselor from Counseling and Psychological Services will be on hand to provide support if the discussion triggers a strong response from the audience, according to Snyder.

More information is available by contacting the LEAD Office directly at (703) 993-4186.

C2M Managing Editor Adam Sylvain contributed to this story.