Graham Spanier
University President
(UPDATED: Nov. 9, 2011; 5:00 p.m.)
Graham Spanier took the helm of Penn State University as its 16th president in 1995 as a career administrator with a background in sociology and family counseling. Upon learning of the investigation, Spanier spoke out, calling the allegations against Sandusky “troubling.” In regards to the perjury charges against Athletic Director Tim Curley and administrator Gary Schultz, Spanier noted the two had his unconditional support and predicted they would be exonerated. “I have known and worked daily with Tim and Gary for more than 16 years,” he said. “I have complete confidence in how they handled the allegations about a former university employee.”
In the testimony, Spanier claims that he was alerted of the alleged abuse when it occurred in 2002, sitting in on a meeting with Curley and Schultz to discuss possible consequences for Sandusky. The investigation reports that Spanier approved the decision to bar Sandusky from bringing boys from The Second Mile program into the Penn State athletic facilities. Spanier acknowledged hearing about the abuse but says he was unaware that it involved criminal sexual contact.
According to the Harrisburg Patriot-News, Penn State’s board of trustees is forcing Spanier out over his role in the scandal, giving him the option to resign or be fired.
