FBI subpoenas professor

Published: Wednesday, November 4, 2009

Updated: Thursday, November 5, 2009 17:11

The FBI has subpoenaed a Marshall University professor to testify before the grand jury about the grade change scandal involving a state elected official's daughter.

Professor Laura Wyant of the College of Education and Human Resources said she received the subpoena Thursday at 2:30 p.m.

"Two FBI agents came to my office and served me a subpoena to testify before the grand jury," Wyant said. "I am supposed to go and take my records."

The court date is Dec. 1 in Charleston, W.Va.

"With any subpoena, state or federal, that subpoena requires that person to testify at a proceeding," said Tracy Chapman, victim/witness coordinator for the U.S. Attorney's Office in Charleston, W.Va.

Chapman said the office could not make any comments on a particular case.

Wyant assigned two incompletes to Emily Perdue, daughter of West Virginia State Treasurer John Perdue, at the end of the spring semester. The incompletes were changed to letter grades by Rosalyn Templeton, dean of the college of education, Sept. 3 while Wyant was the Instructor of Record, which is a violation of university policy.

Provost Gayle Ormiston e-mailed Registrar Roberta Ferguson on Sept. 28.

"I am requesting the addition of Dean Templeton as the primary instructor in the section file for these two sessions," Ormiston wrote in the e-mail.

Templeton was made an Instructor of Record Sept. 29, according to instructor and enrollment figures from the college of education.

Ormiston previously declined an interview with The Parthenon.

"I am frustrated that I've been put in the middle of an FBI investigation," Wyant said, "and the reason I'm there is for something I wouldn't do."

Wyant said she asked the FBI agents if anyone else on campus was receiving a subpoena, and they would not tell her.

Ferguson sent a memo to the Faculty Senate on Oct. 21, the day before its monthly meeting. She attached a letter she had written to Ormiston, which later became a public document. The letter was dated Sept. 30.

"I would resign my position before I would be involved in unethical academic practices," Ferguson wrote to Ormiston.

Ferguson then lists information about the grade change according to the Registrar's office.

"I regret that a student's academic record has been publicly scrutinized," Ferguson wrote. "However, my main concern is maintaining the integrity of grading practices of this institution. I proudly attest that the integrity of the academic records of Marshall University has not been compromised."

Staci Standiford can be contacted at standiford1@marshall.edu.

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Thu Nov 12 2009 08:04

Dear Marshall University,

I received an "F" in a class after initially receiving an incomplete. Yea, I failed to finish the work, but you know, I was busy during the semester that I was supposed to be doing the work. But, still, even though I know I didn't do what I was supposed to do to make that "I" an "A" or even a "B", "C", or "D", I think my grade should be changed because I don't like the "F". It's ugly. It doesn't match my shoes or my purse.

Oh, wait, I'm sorry. My parents don't have clout.

Sincerely,

May 2009 graduate

dave

Wed Nov 11 2009 09:03

the question that has to be asked is "how many times has dr templeton taken a student from an independant studies class who has recieved incompletes under her wing and taught that person over the summer to make sure that student gets in the program they want" NONE MY SURE.....dr templeton, omison and john perdue should all be removed from their positions and emily perdue should have to repeat the course.....

johnson.

Mon Nov 9 2009 20:01

WVU did the same thing and fired there President, lets see what Marshall will do, Im betting nothing. I feel sorry for the students that play by the rules and work for there grades

Marco

Sat Nov 7 2009 08:32

I agree that WE need to focus on our school as the FBI looks into the Perdues. I think it is a mischaracterization to say Ormiston set this scandal into motion. He may have helped with the after the fact whitewash but it looks as if Dean Templeton is the one squarely in the middle of it. with the Perdues. That's not to say that Ormiston shouldn't be fired if he abetted the cover-up,.

The dishonesty is not as surprising as the stupidity. You'd think someone planning to run for Governor would know about the federal "honest services" statute and that you further open yourself up for federal jurisdiction if you engage in a fraudulent scheme where your act causes mail or wire communications to ensue. You'd think he would also know that people at MU have and use email which is a form of wire communications.

Doing this over something as trivial as a couple of grades makes you wonder what goes on when really important things are involved.

Concerned Student

Fri Nov 6 2009 12:45

In regards to faculty screaming bloody murder: The professor did call the situation into question. Marshall's provost responded by forcing a resignation. The upper level administration at Marshall is making an obvious power play here. It does seem questionable that the Director of the State Grievances board is the students mother. Every grievance that Marshall University Professors make against Administration will cross her desk, including the very grievance we are talking about now. If that doesn't strike everyone as being shady, then I don't know what does.

Your name

Fri Nov 6 2009 12:21

Today's _Herald Dispatch_ states: "Joseph Ciccarelli, supervisory senior resident agent for the FBI, has neither confirmed nor denied that the FBI was investigating the matter at Marshall. But he said such an investigation would not center on a grade change. It would focus on whether a public official used his or her power to do something a regular citizen couldn't do."

I think we should keep in mind that "it takes two to tango." A State Treasurer and\or the Director of the WV State Employee Board of Grievances can certainly ATTEMPT to throw his or her weight and influence around, but the success of that attempt hinges upon the presence of receptive university personnel. A member of Marshall's administration, faculty or staff with any integrity would scream bloody murder (publicly) if state officials attempted to use their "power" to promote the academic progress their offspring.

If these accusations are valid, one or more of Marshall's faculty\administrators--be he or she a Dean, a Provost or perhaps both--lack such basic academic integrity. And if that is the case, dismissals are in order. Period. And high-level university dismissals are not within the FBI's jurisdiction. They will fall with the jurisdiction of the President, an individual who remains woefully silent on this matter.

Jenny

Fri Nov 6 2009 10:49

This fiasco is not about Emily Perdu, Laura Wyant or Roberta Ferguson. It is about unethical procedures directly against University Policy. It is a mark against the entire University that will reflect on not only our students but on our faculty and staff. I applaud Wyant and Ferguson for their ethics and in taking their responsibilities to the students and to the University seriously.

Concerned Student

Fri Nov 6 2009 10:40

As a Marshall student, I am most concerned with the fact that this student received A's after not attending class or turning in work on time. This devalues the A grades that might have been EARNED by students that actually attended class and turned in work on time. Receiving an A grade means that you have completed exemplary work. The quality of work completed in this case needs to be reviewed and absolutely should be called into question. I ask this question, if an average Joe student were to not show up at scheduled meeting times and not complete assignments, what would be the result? Most likely, an F would be assigned. If, and only if the professor deems it acceptable, will an incomplete be given. If this is the case, the student has been given a second chance to complete the work. At best, if the work is completed, a minimal grade should be given for credit. Giving someone an A (or two in this case) after failing to meet the initial expectations calls into question the integrity of grades at Marshall University. Receiving an A stands for excellence, not initial failure and then completion.

Susan G. from Fla

Fri Nov 6 2009 07:30

Looks like the wrong person got a visit from the FBI. It should have been OMISON since she set this SNAFU IN MOTION. I really think she should be fired for actions unbecoming a person in that position. The "DADDYS GIRL: got what she got and it should have stayed that way. I- means incomplete NOT CHANGE MY GRADES OR DADDY WILL GET UPSET. The Instructor did what she thought was fair by giving the grade and it should stand as it. If the student recived a diploma after this, the diploma should be voided until the classes are taken and passes. This makes every instructor at MARSHALL look BAD because if this incident.

Your name

Thu Nov 5 2009 20:35

to view a partial list of crimes committed by FBI agents over 1500 pages long see
forums.signonsandiego. com/showthread.php?t=59139