OPINION:
There is nothing accidental about an addition to a resume (“Despite lie about degree, VA exec still oversees network of health care centers,” Web, May 26). To lie about one’s educational achievements shows a lack of moral compass, and this lack should be addressed swiftly and severely, not swept under the rug. A person who lies once has lied before and will lie again, probably with dire consequences.
Back in 2010, a young man named Adam Wheeler conned both Harvard and Stanford universities into awarding him scholarship money. Both institutions initially believed the information on his resume. Yet, he was found out and served 2 years in prison plus restitution — basically for resume inflation.
Such acts are seen in the press regularly. In the VA case, Sheila Cullen is in charge of a $1 billion network of hospitals, and she has just a bachelor’s degree, if that. She was found out and has not suffered any punishment. In this day and age, educators claiming bogus doctorates are praised as wonderful.
The message is clear to the younger generation: You can game the system with lies regardless of the damage and still skate by. How many people have been injured by the lies? Grade manipulation at all levels of American education is systemic. No one gets hammered for it. Students ultimately suffer for it.
To make clear how serious and dangerous academic fabrication can be, you only have to look at the current resident of the White House. President Obama fancied and proclaimed himself a “professor” and an expert in constitutional law. Neither title has been validated. To cast more suspicion over the whole sordid mess, Mr. Obama’s academic records are sealed from public view. Whoever heard of a president doing that? Here is a man who has control of the nuclear launch codes. A liar is no better than a thief.
WILSON FARIS
Gaithersburg
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