JOSEPH V "JAY" PATERNO
TRUSTEE PENN STATE BOARD OF TRUSTEES
STATEMENTS & NEWS
VOTING BEGINS MONDAY 4/20 FOR THE PENN STATE ALUMNI TRUSTEE ELECTION
April 19, 2026
The Penn State Alumni Trustee Election begins Monday April 20th with voting continuing through 9 a.m. eastern on Thursday May 7th. ALL Penn State alumni are eligible to vote. If you are an alum & Penn State has a current e-mail address for you, you will be sent a ballot. If you do not receive one, please check your spam folder or click HERE to vote.
So why is it important to vote and specifically why should you vote for Jay Paterno?
1. YOUR vote is YOUR voice for representation on Penn State’s governing body. Jay Paterno has demonstrated leadership with an independent voice in a time when the board drifts towards a monolithic stance on many important issues. He has been a watch dog for fiscal responsibility, freedom of speech, and academic and research freedom protected from external interference.
2. In an era when the terms “affordability” and “accessibility” are tossed around, Jay is the only candidate that has voted against every tuition increase and against closing campuses. Jay fought to defend the Commonwealth Campuses and will continue to do so even as some Trustees have publicly advocated for further erosion of the system.
3. Jay has been vocal in pushing Penn State to both embrace dramatic technological innovation and race to be a leader in a way that is ethical and sustainable.
4. Jay is a recognized national leader & voice on controlling massive change in college sports that is overwhelming universities. Personal connections with leaders in the industry & other universities allow him to exchange information, insights and have input on the future of college sports. He’ll lead efforts to ensure Penn State can compete at the highest level while building student-athlete leaders in the classroom, in athletics and for life.
5. A community for all people is part of Jay’s core beliefs. Penn State has been and must remain a place where we encourage, welcome and inspire all students to set and achieve their highest goals. As part of that, Jay is also a strong advocate for student involvement outside the classroom. As part of that he will fight for a strong Greek system to build community, and a place of belonging to develop leaders for life.
ALL IN FOR PENN STATE'S FUTURE
March 5, 2026
The challenges facing higher education are well documented; among them, falling enrollment, accessibility, affordability, a runaway college sports system and politicization of curriculum and research. Our times demand a steady hand of rock-solid core values to tower over rapidly shifting sands.
What must Penn State stand for? We are committed to our Land Grant mission of service to the Commonwealth and beyond. We are unflinchingly tough “solution people” with a tradition of problem solving. We must welcome all, united as defenders of common cause: affordability, accessibility, academic excellence, academic freedom, free speech, fiscal sustainability, mental health and integrity.
Our times require watch dogs not lap dogs. As your Trustee, my votes speak for themselves. I’ve been an independent voice for our ideals, raising hard questions about complex problems. I’m a national voice helping forge the future for college sports. That advocacy benefits Penn State.
Amid the din of distraction, our university must harness innovation to restore reputational academic excellence. Above all, we must understand the responsibility that you grant us. Penn State was here before us, and we must ensure a foundation for excellence lasting long after we’re gone.
I ask for your vote to continue a commitment to defend and serve the interests of our university and the Penn State family of students, alumni, faculty, staff, friends and benefactors. Leadership requires people to relish adversity’s call, welcoming it as opportunity. With your vote, we’ll forge destiny’s path towards renewed excellence.