Letters: ‘Completely irresponsible’ pay increase for Bendapudi; Meat Canning Project delivers for central Pa.

‘Completely irresponsible’ pay increase for Bendapudi

Earlier this month, I read an article in the Philadelphia Inquirer entitled “Shapiro to Detail Plan on Higher Education” that included the following:

While Shapiro’s plan doesn’t address what should happen with Penn State’s Commonwealth campuses, the university is already discussing cuts.

Bendapudi last month proposed that the university cut $54 million, or 14.1%, from its 2025-26 budget for the 19 Commonwealth campuses, which have lost nearly 30% of enrollment since 2010. Some campuses enroll only a few hundred, she said.

She has not indicated whether the university will consider campus closures. In an interview Friday, she said: “We are actually nowhere near making any such decision.”

Saturday, Feb. 17, I read another article in the same publication entitled “Penn State board increases longer term compensation for President Neeli Benapudi” that states the annual deferred compensation will increase over 58% from $350,000 to $555,000 while the board also “agreed to pay her an additional onetime lump sum “completion payment” of $1.5 million if she stays 10 years through June 30, 2032. Her initial contract calls for her to receive a $1.25 million payment if she completes five years.”

I find this to be completely irresponsible considering the budget cuts proposed by the recipient of this tremendous pay raise. Does anyone else see what is wrong with this picture?

As a graduate of PSU, I would hope that the board of trustees would consider amending this decision in light of the difficult financial times.

Meat Canning Project delivers for central Pa.

The 2024 Meat Canning Project has been completed, with 36,000 pounds of chicken processed into 22,827 cans of high quality protein for people in need on central PA and around the world. This addition brings the total to 815,178 cans of meat processed and packaged for distribution since the program began in 1975. May God bless and keep all who have supported, and all who have received these cans. In March, we will be distributing 100 cases (approx. 3,600 lbs.) of canned, ready to eat chicken to local organizations. Next year will mark our 50th year of service.

This program relies on local funding; donations are tax deductible, and all funds are used to sustain this annual canning operation. Gifts can be sent to: Central PA World Hunger Assoc., PO Box 76, Belleville, PA. 17004

A special thanks to the Chief Logan Volunteer Fire Company, Station 2 for the use of their building, and all the neighboring households who have graciously welcomed us over the four days of canning operations.

We thank the area businesses that supported this year’s canning operation as well as all the groups and individuals that volunteered their time, may God bless you for your service. We could not do God’s work here in central Pennsylvania, without your help.

Together we can.

Help for those facing energy insecurity

Have you ever received an electric shut off notice? Energy insecurity is valid. There are many reasons to reduce energy insecurity in Centre County households with children. Household electricity shut off notices and disconnections create feelings of shame and force individuals to compromise their basic health necessities.

In Centre County 16% of the population lives in poverty and the mean annual salary is approximately 70,000. Many families are suffering from energy insecurity either due to limited incomes or high debt to income ratios. Consequently, energy insecurity is linked to health and economic disparities.

Research shows that energy insecurity is linked to poor respiratory health, poor sleep patterns, food insecurity and adverse mental health outcomes.

“Economic impacts for nonpayment can lead to evictions and foreclosures, low credit scores, and the inability to establish future service accounts” (Hernandez et al., 2021). In addition, consumers are penalized with fees and high security deposits to restart services.

For example, an ashamed mother of two with postpartum depression, a household income of $45,500, a college education, and considerable debt is not eligible for the Low-Income Household Assistance Program (LIHEAP). She is forced to decide between food, electricity and medicine.

Recommendation: have a “basic energy allotment” that would guarantee households a minimum amount of energy (Hernandez, 2021). Energy security could help erase shame, alleviate necessity compromise, and ultimately improve health outcomes.

Doyle leaves lasting legacy

My friend Robert Doyle has died in Ohio, where he went to teach history in a small Catholic college in Steubenville, where his wife, Beate Engel, taught German. His death was from lung cancer after a brutal battle.

He graduated from Penn State in German in the ‘60s, took an officer’s commission in the Navy, served in Vietnam, returned here and did a Master’s in Comparative Literature, went to Bowling Green and did a Ph.D. in American Studies, returned to Penn State and taught American studies for two decades. While here he had a wonderful band — the Buffalo Chipkickers — and successfully managed the fiddle contest for the Arts Festival. In Ohio he published four books on military history. His last “Men of God, Men of War” on military chaplains, is soon to appear.

Talking to me a month before he died, he said, “I have had several successes in my life, but I had to struggle up a mountain for all of them.”

He is at the summit of the mountain now. May he enjoy the view.