Penn State President Graham Spanier exemplifies the ideals of Mohandas Gandhi, Martin Luther King Jr. and Daisaku Ikeda.
That's what Lawrence Carter, dean of Martin Luther King Jr. International Chapel, thinks. Though Spanier was not in attendance Wednesday night at in Pasquerilla Spiritual Center, he was awarded the Gandhi, King, Ikeda Community Builders award at the opening ceremony for Morehouse College's "Gandhi, King, Ikeda: A Legacy of Building Peace" display.
Thomas Poole, Vice President for Administration, accepted Spanier's award on his behalf. Carter said it was a "high honor and pleasure" to link Spanier's name with Gandhi, King and Ikeda.
The event included performances by the Essence of Joy choir and the Bachelor of Fine Arts Musical Theatre students, a speech by Carter, words from mayoral candidate Elizabeth Goreham, and a film.
Giovanni Bono, president of Penn State's chapter of Soka Gakkai International, a Buddhist club, welcomed the packed crowd in Pasquerilla's worship hall. The club is responsible for bringing the exhibition to Penn State because of connections its student adviser, Spence Ford, an instructor from the School of Theatre, has with Morehouse College.
Goreham then declared October 28 to be the official Gandhi, King, Ikeda Community Building Day in State College.
Carter took the stage, which drew loud applause from the audience. He began by complimenting Penn State.
"At long last, I have made it to Penn State. Your reputation is legendary," he said. "I came this evening to talk about the new superpowers: peace and nonviolence."
He said the community now stands at a crossroads, and choices made now will create a future in which everyone will have to live. There is no separation between thinker and thought, he said, and having ideals isn't enough -- "we must live the ideals."
The government cannot give us peace, Carter said, and peace must be given to one another. He talked about the work of Gandhi, Ikeda and King, emphasizing their nonviolent protests compared to the United States' own affinity for war.
"I'm not just here to make a speech, Penn State. You have an assignment. Education is society's mechanism of turning despair into hope," he said.
Poole said Spanier regrets he couldn't be there. Penn State is committed to developing character and conscience, Poole said, and Spanier will cherish and display his award proudly.
Niyati Kataria (graduate-business), vice president of Penn State's Soka Gakkai International, said the club feels incredibly lucky Carter came to speak at the university.
Gilbert Bailey Jr. (senior-musical theatre), a member of Essence of Joy Choir, said they were pleased to have the chance to perform.
"It's such an honor to even get asked to perform at an event that honors such great men who have done so much," he said.
Bailey thinks the fact Carter came to speak at Penn State says a lot for how world-renowned and respected Penn State is.
To have Morehouse College honor the university, he said, is "awe-inspiring."
