Universities vital
Letters to the Editor
Ask experts how to end the economic recession, and job creation tops the list, followed closely by quality education and creating investment opportunities. If so, Pennsylvania’s state-related institutions of higher learning are proving more valuable than ever in leading the way out of recession.
Most think of them as popular schools providing affordable, outstanding higher education. Penn State University, the University of Pittsburgh, Lincoln University and Temple University serve more than 170,000 students, 150,000 of whom are Pennsylvania residents.
But we are economic engines that are vital to Pennsylvania’s economy, together employing more than 68,000 people with an estimated combined annual economic impact of nearly $30 billion. Our institutions are “steady employers,” providing new job and investment opportunities. Consider:
Last year, a research consortium Penn State headed (including Pitt) bested more than 100 competitors to earn a $129 million grant for “energy innovation hub” development at the Philadelphia Navy Yard. PSU and Pitt together attract more than $1.5 billion in research funding each year.
Meanwhile, Temple’s translational research spent more than $97 million in 2010 to discover innovative ways to improve lives, and the University will spend $1.2 billion on its 20/20 capital program in the coming years.
And Pitt’s Office of Technology Management efforts led to more than 40 new Pennsylvania start-up companies over seven years.
We understand the budgetary pressure Pennsylvania faces, but legislators should recognize the tremendous value and irreplaceable economic contributions of the state-related institutions as they address the budget crisis.
Mark A. Nordenberg
Chancellor
University of Pittsburgh
Graham Spanier
President
Penn State University
Ann Weaver Hart
President Temple University
Ivory V. Nelson
President Lincoln University
The correct message?
The Herald-Standard published articles about Eric Davies Feb. 21 and 25. Her message is awareness of hate crimes, homophobia and a celebration of lesbianism. Her advocacy against hate crimes is correct. Her choice of lifestyle is the question. The popular culture accepts homosexuality and often paints opponents as ignorant, violent and stupid. Alas, some are. And rather than face ridicule and censure, Christians often remain silent. But what actually is Christ’s message?
Here are interesting facts: Christians are sinners; heaven and hell both will contain homosexuals; any sin, even cheating on a fifth-grade math test, puts us into hell. Now, here is really good news. Jesus died for all sins and all sinners. That makes sin an attitude of the heart, not a matter of individual acts of wrongdoing.
Moses and Paul did identify homosexuality as sin. However, since all sin is forgiven, no single act puts anyone into hell. Yet sin remains God’s enemy because if sexuality, patriotism or anything in our heart takes first place then we reject Christ, serve another God and thereby we choose hell and tragically send ourselves there. When Jesus is first, he helps us understand love.
The Christian message must be that Jesus died for homosexuals because he loves them and he makes us all brothers. Everyone must realize that homosexuality is significantly more than a lifestyle choice. It is a sin just like hate crimes or cheating. It put Jesus on the cross.
Everyone must realize that Christ with love welcomes homosexuals into his congregations. Gays should expect that converted congregations would receive them without hate. Pastors with love must counsel: “Go and sin no more.” Humanly speaking, this is all impossible, but with Christ all things are possible. Praise his holy name.
Pastor George Relic
Masontown