One Year Later, Penn State Students Look Back Over Events of Past Year
By: Mallory Lane
Updated: November 9, 2012
PENN STATE, UNIVERSITY PARK - Folks around the Penn State community are still talking about the events that unfolded about this time last year.
Students say they've seen a lot of progress so far, but say they still see more to come.
November 9, 2011 is a day most Penn State students say they'll never forget.
"It was definitely a sight to see," PSU junior Antoinette Manigoult said.
"It was sort of scary," junior Doug Chatterton said.
"I basically remember a bunch of people going insane downtown," PSU senior Porter Callanan said.
Just after 10:00 that Wednesday night, the Vice Chairman of the Board of Trustees took to the podium in front of a crowded room of media and announced Joe Paterno was no longer the head football coach for Penn State.
"I think that experience sort of showed the more dangerous, reckless side of what college students can be and I don't think it was a good thing for our public image," Chatterton said.
But what would start shortly after, no one could have anticipated. Mobs of people formed in the streets of downtown State College, protesting the firing of Paterno.
"It was very hectic, it was crazy," Manigoult said. "It was very fearful, especially when they turned the news van over and when the cops, it was one big crazy night. It was just crazy, memorable."
Fast forward a year to November 9, 2012 and you'll see a much different picture, but one some say still seems familiar.
"I think the people are still very angry, hostile toward the administration, everything for how Joe Pa got fired," Callanan said.
November 9th is a day folks in the Penn State community won't forget, but hope it's one the community can move forward from.
"I think we needed to distance ourselves from anything concerning the scandal and clear the air and start fresh," Chatterton said. "It might not have been a popular choice, but I think it was something that needed to happen."
State College Police say they don't anticipate having any issues Friday night or over the weekend.
Students say they've seen a lot of progress so far, but say they still see more to come.
November 9, 2011 is a day most Penn State students say they'll never forget.
"It was definitely a sight to see," PSU junior Antoinette Manigoult said.
"It was sort of scary," junior Doug Chatterton said.
"I basically remember a bunch of people going insane downtown," PSU senior Porter Callanan said.
Just after 10:00 that Wednesday night, the Vice Chairman of the Board of Trustees took to the podium in front of a crowded room of media and announced Joe Paterno was no longer the head football coach for Penn State.
"I think that experience sort of showed the more dangerous, reckless side of what college students can be and I don't think it was a good thing for our public image," Chatterton said.
But what would start shortly after, no one could have anticipated. Mobs of people formed in the streets of downtown State College, protesting the firing of Paterno.
"It was very hectic, it was crazy," Manigoult said. "It was very fearful, especially when they turned the news van over and when the cops, it was one big crazy night. It was just crazy, memorable."
Fast forward a year to November 9, 2012 and you'll see a much different picture, but one some say still seems familiar.
"I think the people are still very angry, hostile toward the administration, everything for how Joe Pa got fired," Callanan said.
November 9th is a day folks in the Penn State community won't forget, but hope it's one the community can move forward from.
"I think we needed to distance ourselves from anything concerning the scandal and clear the air and start fresh," Chatterton said. "It might not have been a popular choice, but I think it was something that needed to happen."
State College Police say they don't anticipate having any issues Friday night or over the weekend.
