Graham Spanier | |
|---|---|
 | |
| 16th President of the Pennsylvania State University | |
| In office September 1, 1995 – November 9, 2011 | |
| Preceded by | Joab Thomas |
| Succeeded by | Rodney Erickson |
| 17th Chancellor of the University of Nebraska–Lincoln | |
| In office October 31, 1991 – July 21, 1995 | |
| Preceded by | Martin Massengale |
| Succeeded by | James Moeser |
| Personal details | |
| Born | Graham Basil Spanier July 18, 1948 Cape Town, Union of South Africa |
| Spouse | Sandra Spanier |
| Children | 2 |
| Alma mater | Iowa State University and Northwestern University |
Graham Basil Spanier (born July 18, 1948) is a South African-born American sociologist and university administrator who became the 16th president of Pennsylvania State University on September 1, 1995. On November 9, 2011, in the wake of the Penn State child sex abuse scandal, Spanier and longtime football coach Joe Paterno were “removed from their positions” by the Penn State board of trustees.[1]
Spanier is currently president emeritus and university professor emeritus. He previously held appointments as professor of human development and family studies; sociology, demography, and family and community medicine. He had a one-year post-presidential sabbatical leave following his resignation as president of Penn State in November 2011.
After lengthy criminal proceedings, Spanier was convicted of one misdemeanor charge of child endangerment in March 2017 for his role in the scandal. The conviction was overturned by a federal district judge in April 2019, but reinstated by an appeals court in December 2020.[2][3] He served a two-month prison sentence throughout the summer of 2021.[4]
Spanier has written a book recounting the Penn State scandal from his perspective, the criminal proceedings which followed and his resulting incarceration. “In the Lions’ Den: The Penn State Scandal and a Rush to Judgment” was released by Gryphon Eagle Press in September 2022.[5]
Spanier is currently a consultant in national and international security, intelligence and risk management.[5]
- ^ "Paterno, Spanier Out Immediately at Penn State". ABC News. Retrieved June 6, 2019.
- ^ "Judge throws out child endangerment conviction for former Penn State president". UPI. Retrieved May 1, 2019.
- ^ "Third Circuit Reinstates Graham Spanier's Conviction". Lawandcrime.com. December 1, 2020.
- ^ "Former Penn State President Will Serve 2 Months in Jail in Child Abuse Scandal". The New York Times. May 26, 2021.
- ^ a b "Spanier in the Lion's Den". Spanier in the Lions' Den. Retrieved October 9, 2022.