As a Penn State alumnus and a friend of Jason Nowak, I am appalled that he was stripped of his diploma. Following Penn State's Sweet 16 loss to Temple in last year's NCAA basketball tournament, Jay joined his friends on Beaver Avenue and ran down the street in his underwear. Jay had no alcohol in his system and he does not use drugs. This was just my friend being his spontaneous self. As an example of Jay's spontaneity and generosity, after the Sept. 11 attacks on America, he took off for New York to help the Red Cross as a volunteer.

One of the greatest things that Penn State gave to me was the feeling of family. And like parents, the authority figures of our Penn State family even continues to protect and support the youth when they misbehave. This was seen last spring when Penn State supported students after they stormed the Beaver Stadium field before the start of the Blue-White game, in protest. Penn State dropped their charges. Why does our community not support Jason Nowak, a member of our Penn State family? Taking an honestly earned degree away will not rectify anything. It will have severe repercussions on Jay's life. And it says very little about the Penn State administration that seems to pick and choose the students it is willing to support.