Publication: Patriot-News, The (Harrisburg, PA)
Author(s): JOHN BEAUGE For The Patriot-News
Date: December 14, 2007
Page: B05
PSU alumnus sues to put Bible verse on brick
James Pursley says he is a "proud alumnus of Penn State University" and a "devout Christian" who wants to memorialize pride in his alma mater by buying a brick on the Alumni Walk.
The Chicago resident who earned a football letter in 2000 wants his name, year of graduation and "Joshua 24: 15" (not the full verse) inscribed on the brick he has tried since April to buy for $250.
Pursley says the university rejected the inscription as offensive and offered a refund or the opportunity to change the message.
The 2001 graduate in management services and information systems rejected the offers and filed a civil rights suit Wednesday in U.S. Middle District Court, calling the university's action "a blatant case of content viewpoint discrimination against religious speech in a public forum."
Pursley, a life member of the alumni association, is suing the university and three association officials: Roger Williams, the executive director; Patrick Scholl, director of planning and business development; and Geoff Conrad, associate director of business relations.
University spokesman Bill Mahon said Thursday he was unaware of the suit.
Pursley said he felt there was nothing "offensive" or "inappropriate" about his desired message, and in his lawsuit quoted several inscriptions that have been allowed on the walk, including: * "May God Bless/Penn State" * "Merry Christmas" * "FTK, FTL, FTG/Mad Love 2004" * "She's a Brick/H-O-W-W-S-W" * "For The Glory/& The Girlies"
The alumni association tells those who want to buy bricks on the walk leading to the Hintz Alumni Center on the University Park campus that it has the right to deny any application. Purchasers are told inscriptions may not contain commercial messages or company names.
"Discriminatory or inappropriate" references to "age, ancestry, color, disability or handicap, national origin, race, religious creed, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity or veteran status" are also barred.
Depending on size and material, bricks may cost $250, $1,000 or $5,000. Proceeds are used for endowments.
Pursley states in the lawsuit he was told in August or early September his inscription was rejected because policy prevented religious messages.
Pursley asks the court to declare the Alumni Walk policy unconstitutional because it violates rights to freedom of speech, due process and equal protection.
Pursley is asking damages of $25 plus legal costs.
INFOBOX:
THE VERSE
Joshua 24: 15 states:
But if serving the Lord seems undesirable to you, then choose for yourselves this day whom you will serve, whether the gods your forefathers served beyond the River, or the gods of the Amorites, in whose land you are living. But as for me and my household, we will serve the Lord.
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