I am writing in response to the unwarranted, negative attention that Rep. John Lawless has brought to Penn State.

It seems that Mr. Lawless is upset and offended that Penn State is failing to be a "moral" leader, as he so adamantly suggests in his crusade against Sex Faire.

As a 1998 graduate, I am seriously troubled and confounded by Mr. Lawless' remarks.

This is not what we are about, and Rep. Lawless is doing us all a disservice by bringing this innocent event to the forefront of peoples' minds, particularly in state funding discussions. We need to be discussing the contributions that Penn State makes to the world.

The notion that Penn State is failing to be a moral leader is preposterous. Penn State is abundant with moral leaders. The many professors and university officials whom I knew during my time there were second to none.

Philanthropically, Dance Marathon is the largest student-run fund raiser in the world and is rooted in one simple, but powerful idea: Helping children in need.

Penn State's football coach is legendary for teaching student athletes how to win on and off the field. The moral leadership is everywhere.

Moreover, Rep. Lawless' comparison of President Spanier to President Clinton and cigars is appalling and slanderous. Having known Spanier during my time at Penn State, one thing you can say about him is that he seeks to promote morality in his students.

In this instance, I think Mr. Lawless needs to look in the mirror and evaluate his own leadership qualities.

Maybe the Sex Faire was in bad taste, but it was constitutionally protected and pales in comparison to activities at other, more liberal universities.

Based on Rep. Lawless' comments, one would think that the Sex Faire was some sort of school-funded orgy.

Rep. Lawless is painting the wrong picture.

You can be sure, if Penn State has to raise tuition because of lack of funding, I will hold John Lawless partially responsible. He is an embarrassment to Republicans.