Good Morning America, Chapter 2

I had the pleasure of taping episode 2 in their fake-degree-outing series, in Tucson, yesterday. These ABC people learn fast. Two of the three people in the first episode, while in responsible positions, did not have job descriptions that required a degree.

Two of the three new ones clearly do. One is a professor at a regionally accredited school, with Master's and Ph.D. from Columbia State. The other is a senior county administrator (for the court system) who was, astonishingly, defended on camera by two judges, who acknowledged that Columbia State was no good, but said that this man was not aware of that at the time he got his degree, so that's OK.

Consumer reporter Greg Hunter had a field day with this one: In other words, in Arizona, ignorance of the law isis an excuse. The trial lawyers in Arizona are going to love this.

And person #3 was indeed San Diego's "The Love Doctor," with her fake Columbia State doctorate, even though her program does run on the ABC outlet in San Diego.

Tentative airing date: May 17, sometime between 7:30 and 8 am; I'll try to keep the forum posted on this; it may well change.

John Bear

 

And I forgot to say thank you. All three of the subjects came from information posted here, in response to my request for help in locating people with fake degrees.

Episode 3 is likely to focus on Trinity (South Dakota/Louisiana/wherever). Most preferred are people in public positions, with responsibility and/or prestige.

Thank you.

John Bear
[email protected]

 

Oh, please, PLEASE do focus on Trinity. I get 2-3 questions a week from people asking if it's ok.

They exemplify so many traits of the less-than-wonderful.

--trying to get honor by association. Note the link on the home page: "Read about Trinity College & University's accreditation and affiliation with academic organizations!"
Actually, they have deleted the laundry list of reputable organizations (all worthy of joining for professional development, none of which approved schools in any way -- and at least one of which sent letters and e-mail for more than a year asking that its name be removed).

--creating its own accreditation

--glowing and untraceable testimonials. http://www.trinity-college.edu/whatourclientssay.html

--sample diplomas http://www.trinity-college.edu/ourservices_viewthecertificates.html


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Kristin Evenson Hirst
DistanceLearn.About.com

 

I should have made mention earlier that the Louisiana address for the Trinity C&U 'Student Records Center' vanished several days after it was put up. The only physical address now shown is for the regional office in Karachi, Pakistan.

Although all mention of South Dakota has been removed from their websites, presumably they have until the effective date of the legislation to vacate the campus mailbox in Sioux Falls. I assume their corporate registration is still valid until then also.

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Bill Gossett

 

It sounds very exciting. Thanks for the information.

On a side note, Dr. Bear, now that you're an established TV star it doesn't mean that you have to be arrested for drug use. I suspect that many TV stars don't use drugs, even California TV stars. On the positive side, I'm sure it will be nice to not have to wait in line any more now that you're a celebrity.

 

I love the description, Bill, of T C&U's campus--"campus mailbox."

What is amazing indeed is how Trinity is able to house the administration, faculty, library, etc. in an 18" X 8" X 8" mailbox. Distance Learning is evolving much faster than I thought.

Russell

 

John, you just made my day. Besides the satisfaction of "contributing" numbers 2 and 3, I am loving the exposure of "The Love Doctor". I've never had much use for pop psychologists, but exposing a pop psychologist with a fake degree and an attitude is especially satisfying.

Please keep us updated as to the air date, I want to be sure to tape it.

Bruce

 

Hmmmmm, shouldn't that be, "mailbox campus?"


jim

 

With Trinity C&U they are one and the same.

For those interested, and to create an archived record of it, the very briefly listed physical address for TC&U's "Student Record Office" was 609 Metairie Road #414, Metairie, LA 70005-4034.

Here we have a feat of legerdemain comparable to Earlscroft's cramming a university administration building into a converted apartment housing a remailing service. TC&U had a campus in a mailbox in Sioux Falls, and now has had a records office in a mailbox at Royal Mail and Parcel in Metairie.

Budgeting for capital expenses related to the physical plant must not take up much time at TC&U admin. meetings.



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Bill Gossett

 

This is the 21'st century! Everything is tiny nowadays (sorry, Los Gallos).

I spose that it's them damn computers. If you can get a whole computer onto a tiny scrap of silicon, you can cram a university into a mailbox.

Makes it easy to move from state to state too. Just slip the university into one of those manila envelopes and mail it.

 

I am going to have to try and catch it this time. What a great service to consumers. It should make people more aware that checking the credentials of individuals they are dealing with/hiring is not a bad idea.
I still find it humorous that organizations do not seem to check credentials when the one I work for does such a good job of it.

North

 

If T C&U is able to manage such an innovative
feat, I wonder if they could issue tiny diplomas that would fit, say, in a locket, on a cuff link, in the set of a school ring, on the face of a watch, etc. In this manner the proud graduate could have a reminder on his/her person at all times.

Can you imagine the opportunities to proudly share one's experience in earning the TC&U Ph.D. when they are asked, "What's that on your ring, a diploma?"

Russell

 

Here's just such a joke! http://werewolves.org/~follies/diploma.gif

 

Bill,

The adjective is beyond my vocabulary, but the picture is pretty cool! I wonder if I could get my diploma's shrunk?

If I could get all three shrunk to a size 1/2" X 1/2," then printed on my business cards, I could give my clientele something to remember forever.

Russell

 

Sorry about that, I wasn't the author and you sometimes just have to accept a little "bad" to get the better "good".