I am writing in response to a letter written by Mr. McLaughlin and Mr. Pipal in which they condemn Penn State alumni for making contributions to the Collegian. As a recent graduate from Penn State, I find it somewhat immature and unfair to criticize any alumnus who makes a contribution to the university newspaper. Just because a student has graduated does not mean that their time at Penn State is over and forgotten.

Many past students still come back to enjoy a football game or for a visit down memory lane. The time spent at our university, while only a small portion of life, has a great impact on who we become after college. The university helps to shape our future and becomes a lasting impression.

If an alumnus chooses to share his thoughts with the university community, it should be welcomed as a valued (maybe not shared) opinion. Alumni's letters do not prevent current students from making their own contributions to the newspaper, and if all else, it encourages students to write to the paper in response. It seems that Mr. McLaughlin and Mr. Pipal do not want to become contributing alumni upon their graduation, but it is narrow-minded of them to assume that the vast majority of other alumni are "losers" for their continued interest in an institution that they are proud of.