Monday evening, Rigoberta Menchu, 1992 Nobel Peace Prize Winner, came to speak at Penn State. I was completely disappointed in the facilities for Ms. Menchu's appearance.

There was insufficient seating, the lights kept going out and tech support people were walking onstage during her speech.

This is not the way someone from the ranks of the Dalai Lama or Nelson Mandela should be treated. We've had Nobel Prize winners come to campus before, presenting from Eisenhower Auditorium, or other better equipped venues.

But why was Menchu's speech relegated to Heritage Hall, in the HUB, with insufficient seating and embarrassing lighting problems?

According to the groups who co-sponsored the event, this appearance had been in the works since late last spring, though there were numerous problems with bringing Menchu here, mostly stemming from the university.

This should have been ample time to secure a venue worthy of a Nobel Prize winner.

As I sat listening to her words of peace and encouragement, I can say I was truly ashamed to be part of a institution that showed such lack or respect for one of the world's most visible proponents for change.