Penn State Alumnus From Sharon: 'Anybody who knew should go'

As a Penn State University senior, Sharon resident Judy Weader spoke at a rally on campus promoting making the school safe from sexual assault and rape.

Her message at the Take Back The Night rally focused on "the horrors of sexual assault, a near-miss that I had," she said Thursday.

So when news of a broke recently, Weader said, she was "horrified."

"I'm a very proud Penn State grad. I love the school. I've been a big fan of Joe Paterno since I went into the school," said Weader, a 1995 graduate.

"Child rape, you can't get much worse than that. Anybody who knew should go."

Weader said she has communicated with her former classmates on Facebook recently.

"We're all just in mourning, because our innocence is gone," she said.

Weader also is a parent.

The allegations are "like a parent's worst nightmare. You never want anything to happen to your children," she said.

Weader said she continues believing her alma mater is strong academically.

"I absolutely support my school 100 percent. I'm still very proud to be a Penn State grad," she said.

University officials "have to rebuild Penn State," she said.

"They have to rebuild our reputation. They have to rebuild our honor, because it's clearly been tarnished," Weader said.