Former Classmate of Emily Perdue Speaks Out About MU Grade Scandal
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Updated: 11:38 PM Nov 20, 2009
Former Classmate of Emily Perdue Speaks Out About MU Grade Scandal
There's a growing unrest with how the Marshall University grade change investigation has been handled. Now, a former classmate of Emily Perdue shares her story.
Posted: 6:40 PM Nov 20, 2009
Reporter: Carrie Cline
Email Address: carrie.cline@wsaz.com
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HUNTINGTON, W.Va. (WSAZ) -- There's a growing unrest with how the Marshall University grade change investigation has been handled.

We first told you on Thursday evening the Marshall Faculty Senate is calling for the impeachment of Senate President Cam Brammer, saying she's not providing the necessary leadership on the matter.

On Friday, a student who was in class with Emily Perdue spoke out. She's concerned her classmate did receive special treatment.

"We met as a class once a week, at least, but Emily never came to any of these sessions," said Britany Thompson, a graduating senior at Marshall. "She came to the first one and I never saw her again until the last meeting."

This past spring semester, she had an adult technical education independent studies course with Emily Perdue, daughter of West Virginia State Treasurer John Perdue.

"It was a lot of work," Thompson said. "There were 25 chapters in the book, and we were supposed to have lesson plans that corresponded with each chapter."

Thompson finished the work and showed up to the last class meeting to turn it in. But, when she arrived, there was a room full of people including the professor -- Dr. Laura Wyant, the dean of the College of Education and Human Resources -- and Dr. Rosalyn Templeton, the associate dean, and Emily along, with her mother Robin Perdue.

"At this point, to my knowledge, she had zero work," Thompson said. "She said she was going to drop the class and she showed up with no work. They were discussing if Emily should complete the work."

Thompson said the group asked to see her notebook containing all of her work from the entire semester.

"Everyone didn't look at it, but they did give it to Emily's mother," she said. "She did look through my notebook. I don't know if Emily actually looked at it or not, but I know her mother did and the deans actually looked at my notebook."

That's when Britany and a second classmate were dismissed to another room for an hour while her notebook remained with the group. Shortly after that, Templeton took over supervision of Emily in the course. Incomplete grades initially given by Wyant in May were changed to A's by Templeton in September after the dean said Emily turned in the completed work.

Thompson has her concerns.

"If her grade was given, that's not fair," she said. "That's not fair to us students who worked, especially since I was in the same course as her. If I could do it, she could do it."

State Treasurer John Perdue released the following statement about the whole issue, saying, "According to news reports, this matter is being investigated. I plan to cooperate fully with any investigation. I'm confident the facts will show my daughter earned her grades, and that we have done nothing wrong".

Marshall University maintains the same.

Latest Comments

Posted by: PERRY on Dec 3, 2009 at 11:50 AM

This is another problem of corruption in our society when people abuse power to benefit them and there family. The people involved in this scandal should lose there jobs immediately and also fined by the University
Posted by: Joy on Nov 23, 2009 at 11:55 PM

There is no "position" above the law. These people broke not only the common law of morality, but they broke a law of the University. Which makes the rest of us fools for doing the work, and getting the grade. My dad was a good man too, but he didnt have the "power" to get my grades changed. But I do have the power to vote other people in office I feel will do a better job, and be honest about it. Treasurer Perdue does NOT have my vote and neither does Manchin. Make public the work that Emily Perdue supposedly did, put it side by side the other girls. My money is on some copying went on. There is no way that girl did that work, and furthermore WHY would she be allowed to? No one else is! If you drop the class or get a incomplete you take the class OVER. Not whine n cry to daddy to get some favors pulled in. Emily..you want some more whine with those fries?
Posted by: ProPerdue on Nov 23, 2009 at 09:57 AM

Whatever happened to innocent until proven guilty??? Treasurer Perdue is a good man who has the best interest of this state and its residents in mind. If Marshall University chose to do the wrong thing then the University and its staff are the ones to blame, but since a politician’s daughter is involved it turns into an attack on a man’s character. What about all of the good things he has brought to this state? Educational plans for growing children, the returning of property to its rightful owners, educational seminars available in schools and to the public… It’s easy to forget the good when all you choose to see is bad! Treasurer Perdue still has my vote!
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