Letters: Penn State trustees continue to retaliate; USAID must be protected 

Penn State trustees continue to retaliate

On Feb. 27 the Penn State board of trustees’ nominating subcommittee reviewed the qualifications of candidates seeking approval to be on the ballot in the upcoming alumni trustee election. Candidate approval by the nominating subcommittee is required by the revised and controversial July 2024 bylaws. For the first time ever, a candidate was disapproved — incumbent Barry Fenchak. This, of course, is no surprise. Our board has censured Barry, discontinued his social privileges and planned a vote to expel him only to have Centre County Judge Brian Marshall censure our board for obvious retaliation. Judge Brian Marshall said, “Allowing his removal would recast a shadow over the financial operations of the defendants to the detriment of every Penn State stakeholder except those at the very top of PSU’s hierarchy.” In the same court order, Marshall said, “The Court has been presented with credible and, in many instances uncontroverted, evidence that Plaintiff (Barry) has been the subject to ongoing incidents of retaliation by Defendants ...”

The board’s hubris in denying a ballot position for incumbent Fenchak wreaks of further retaliation. Is our board so clueless and arrogant to ignore the gist of the judge’s ruling? What is so disheartening is that no one has worked harder than Barry to address our obvious budget woes ($100 million budget deficits, potential campus closures) and declining prestige (ranked last in Big 10 and 184/206 in U.S. News Best Value Universities.) Fenchak has consistently sought data and asked questions about financial and academic matters: a true “disruptor” challenging the status quo. Given our university’s woes, we need more Barrys, not fewer.

USAID must be protected

The decision to dismantle the U.S. Agency for International Development (USAID) poses a significant threat to both Penn State and global agricultural progress. USAID has been instrumental in funding critical research at Penn State, fostering innovations that have far-reaching impacts.

In 2021, USAID awarded Penn State up to $39 million to establish the Feed the Future Innovation Lab for Current and Emerging Threats to Crops. This lab has been pivotal in developing strategies to combat crop diseases and pests, directly benefiting farmers worldwide and enhancing global food security. Additionally, USAID’s support enabled Penn State researchers to develop climate-resilient bean varieties, crucial for smallholder farmers facing challenges like drought and heat. These advancements not only aid global agriculture but also contribute to the university’s research excellence.

The cessation of USAID funding has already led to the closure of numerous agricultural research labs across the United States, including those at land-grant universities. This halt disrupts essential research, undermines international collaborations, and threatens the livelihoods of countless individuals dependent on these initiatives.

Dismantling USAID not only jeopardizes these critical projects but also diminishes America’s leadership in global development and humanitarian efforts. The loss of such an institution erodes international trust and compromises decades of progress in addressing global challenges.

I urge our community and policymakers to recognize the invaluable contributions of USAID and advocate for its preservation. We must counter misinformation and protect this cornerstone of American innovation and compassion.

Cuts won’t help health goals

Attention RFK, Jr.: You have announced that one of your goals as Secretary of Health is to evaluate and tackle chronic health issues such as diabetes, heart disease and cancer. I support those immensely difficult goals.

The next time you talk with Co-President Musk and his DOGE teams, tell him you can’t begin to accomplish those goals when he cuts FDA and NIH research funding to the bone, to strip away the very backbone of the research needed to work on these issues.

McCormick’s words don’t match his behavior

What happened to Senator Dave McCormick? The man who campaigned by trumpeting his honor and integrity, honed through his education at the U.S. Military Academy and military service. The man who advocated for strong national defense. The man who claims on his website that he “isn’t afraid to stand up to both parties to do what’s right.”

That Dave McCormick is missing in action.

McCormick’s words do not match his behavior.

McCormick voted for cabinet nominees whose inexperience gravely endangers the country’s safety and security. Pete Hegseth, credibly charged with financial mismanagement, and sexual and alcohol abuse, lacks the qualifications and leadership experience needed for Defense Secretary. Tulsi Gabbard, Director of National Intelligence, has zero relevant experience and has publicly supported our enemies.

McCormick says nothing about a new nominee for Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff who doesn’t even meet the legal requirements for the job — and nothing as Trump and Hegseth fire top military officials without cause!

McCormick hasn’t joined the chorus of senior military officers alarmed about the firing of top judge advocates general who interpret and enforce military justice. He’s mute as Hegseth calls them “roadblocks to anything that happens,” setting the stage for Trump to break the law.

McCormick dishonors America’s long-standing policy of supporting democracy around the world. He’s silent as Trump capitulates to Putin, insults and extorts the elected leader of Ukraine, and turns his back on our European allies.

Senator McCormick, that’s sycophancy, not honor and integrity.