via Janet Parkhill Kudravetz
PSAA's President Paul Clifford's response to an inquiry about releasing the video of Franco Harris's acceptance of the Lion's Paw Medal last Saturday. In part:
"On behalf of the Lion’s Paw Alumni Association, we would like to apologize for the tone and duration of the Lion’s Paw Medal recipient’s acceptance speech at the All Class Luncheon on Saturday."
It should be noted that there was a standing ovation at the end of Franco's short speech and that a few board members and Dr. Barron did not stand, nor did they acknowledge Franco.
To an alumnus:
Thank you for your email and your interest in this past weekend’s events. On Saturday at the Alumni Reunion during the all-class luncheon, the Lion’s Paw Medal was awarded.
I thought you might be interested in some background. The Lion’s Paw Alumni Interest Group (AIG) has presented their medal as the highest honor bestowed by the group since 1965. You can learn more about this award here:
http://www.lionspaw.org/the-lions-paw-medal.html
For about the last 10 years, the Lion’s Paw medal has been presented during the alumni reunion weekend at the all-class luncheon. The award recipient is not selected by the Penn State Alumni Association rather it is annually selected by the executive board of the Lion’s Paw AIG. The recipient has always had the opportunity to deliver brief remarks.
This year’s recipient was Franco Harris, a recognized PSU alumnus and philanthropist. His acceptance speech was received with mixed reactions.
While we respect the opinions offered by this year's Lion's Paw Medal recipient, they were out of place at this event. The Alumni Association neither endorses nor opposes the content; but we can't ignore the mixed response expressed by many in attendance and the distraction from the other honored guests in attendance, as well as from our 50th Reunion Class and Penn State Pioneers.
Reunion participants, leaders of the Lion's Paw Alumni Group, and numerous Lion's Paw alumni have reached out to express regret and disappointment. For example, below is an excerpt from an email from the Lion’s Paw Alumni Interest Group Leadership regarding its view on Franco Harris’ comments:
On behalf of the Lion’s Paw Alumni Association, we would like to apologize for the tone and duration of the Lion’s Paw Medal recipient’s acceptance speech at the All Class Luncheon on Saturday. Lion’s Paw exists to serve Penn State by promoting its welfare and best interests and perpetuating its worthwhile traditions. Our diverse members embrace reasoned discussion to address issues. Mr. Harris’ remarks were not in the spirit of the event at which they were made, and they should not be considered as being representative of the views of the Lion’s Paw Alumni Association.
The Alumni Association contracted with WPSU to provide projection and audio visual support, not recording or production. In light of people’s feedback to us and how Franco's comments were received (both positive and negative), the leadership of the alumni association has decided not to release it. We feel this is the appropriate decision.
I appreciate your perspective and passion for Penn State. I hope that this email provides you with some greater understanding about the rationale for our decision.
For the Glory,
Paul [Clifford]
PSAA's President Paul Clifford's response to an inquiry about releasing the video of Franco Harris's acceptance of the Lion's Paw Medal last Saturday. In part:
"On behalf of the Lion’s Paw Alumni Association, we would like to apologize for the tone and duration of the Lion’s Paw Medal recipient’s acceptance speech at the All Class Luncheon on Saturday."
It should be noted that there was a standing ovation at the end of Franco's short speech and that a few board members and Dr. Barron did not stand, nor did they acknowledge Franco.
To an alumnus:
Thank you for your email and your interest in this past weekend’s events. On Saturday at the Alumni Reunion during the all-class luncheon, the Lion’s Paw Medal was awarded.
I thought you might be interested in some background. The Lion’s Paw Alumni Interest Group (AIG) has presented their medal as the highest honor bestowed by the group since 1965. You can learn more about this award here:
http://www.lionspaw.org/the-lions-paw-medal.html
For about the last 10 years, the Lion’s Paw medal has been presented during the alumni reunion weekend at the all-class luncheon. The award recipient is not selected by the Penn State Alumni Association rather it is annually selected by the executive board of the Lion’s Paw AIG. The recipient has always had the opportunity to deliver brief remarks.
This year’s recipient was Franco Harris, a recognized PSU alumnus and philanthropist. His acceptance speech was received with mixed reactions.
While we respect the opinions offered by this year's Lion's Paw Medal recipient, they were out of place at this event. The Alumni Association neither endorses nor opposes the content; but we can't ignore the mixed response expressed by many in attendance and the distraction from the other honored guests in attendance, as well as from our 50th Reunion Class and Penn State Pioneers.
Reunion participants, leaders of the Lion's Paw Alumni Group, and numerous Lion's Paw alumni have reached out to express regret and disappointment. For example, below is an excerpt from an email from the Lion’s Paw Alumni Interest Group Leadership regarding its view on Franco Harris’ comments:
On behalf of the Lion’s Paw Alumni Association, we would like to apologize for the tone and duration of the Lion’s Paw Medal recipient’s acceptance speech at the All Class Luncheon on Saturday. Lion’s Paw exists to serve Penn State by promoting its welfare and best interests and perpetuating its worthwhile traditions. Our diverse members embrace reasoned discussion to address issues. Mr. Harris’ remarks were not in the spirit of the event at which they were made, and they should not be considered as being representative of the views of the Lion’s Paw Alumni Association.
The Alumni Association contracted with WPSU to provide projection and audio visual support, not recording or production. In light of people’s feedback to us and how Franco's comments were received (both positive and negative), the leadership of the alumni association has decided not to release it. We feel this is the appropriate decision.
I appreciate your perspective and passion for Penn State. I hope that this email provides you with some greater understanding about the rationale for our decision.
For the Glory,
Paul [Clifford]