Please share your discovery of 'time bombs' with me

I thought it was going to be losing accreditation next year? Wasn't this year going to be human sacrifice?

 

Okay, I'm bored enough to continue.

Tim Griswold...any relation to Clark & Ellen? http://www.btus-holdings.com/news07.htm

From "Pier Supervisor" to MBA; http://agnational.tripod.com/index/id15.html

Two fake degrees in one resume.... http://www.iaem.com/forum/DCForumID3/3.html

This person is actually a faculty member or an RA school? Check out her "education".. http://www2.gasou.edu/facstaff/lynehitt/Vitae.html

Assorted foolishness.. http://www.jcomputersolutions.com/about_jcs.htm http://www.4bilingual.com/resumes/3095.htm

Until the next installment....

Bruce

P.S. A lot of you will notice I've only posted links that include outright diploma mills, which is what we should stick to.

 

...got bored with Java Objects.

Found a lecturer at Baldwin Wallace College with Ph.D from Century University. Going by previous posts, Century is a mill i.e. "send us the greens and we'll have you degree(n)d in no time"

If so, then I am beginning to see that maybe I'm working too hard and I should just go and desing my own and get it printed out and start giving classes in computer science, then again, them profs don't earn as much as a plain software developer (even without a completed degree)....

... anyway, here she is, http://www.baldwinw.edu/~wwwbus/MBA_Programs/hcemba/HCEMBA_Faculty.html

 

What is really surprising to me is the invasiveness of these degree mill degrees into mainstream education. Wow!

Is this more of a problem of the universities and colleges not doing their jobs by fully checking out their applicants? In some cases I think so. In other cases, the degree mill holders do misrepresent themselves.

 

Ooh, ooh, don't stop now. This is great stuff. Thanks to all. I'll be sending a batch of stuff to Greg Hunter at Good Morning America next weekend -- but their need will continue.

My favorite, so far: the head of Information Systems for the State of Florida, in Tallahassee, with a Columbia State Bachelor's and a fake religious doctorate as his only degrees. If they can find anything regarding his role in the last presidential election, there could be something big here.

Responding to three comments:

1. If Duke beats Michigan State in the final four, will MSU lose its accreditation, thus lessening the value of my doctorate?

Look if MSU didn't lose its accreditation after the shamful 10-10 tie game with Notre Dame back in the 70s, it never will. That's my personal assurance from Biggie Munn.

2. "What do I get for my research into people with fake degrees?"

Same thing I got from Good Morning America: Zero dollars, and personal satisfaction. Oh, and if you're really lucky, five guys invading your house for 9 hours with a van full of camera, records, and high tech equipment. (They have a special camera that does nothing but take pictures of computer screens, adjustable to account for any wavering images.)

3. When do I move from Good Morning America to Jerry Springer?

What a concept. Today: Phony medical doctors, the families of their dead patients, and the editor of The Economist (which ran the ads for the fake school) go head to head.

John Bear
[email protected]

 

Originally posted by Bruce:
Okay, I'm bored enough to continue.

Tim Griswold...any relation to Clark & Ellen? http://www.btus-holdings.com/news07.htm

Seems like we've seen this one before. (Maybe because we have.)

From: [email protected] ([email protected])
Subject: Re: Palmers Green University
Newsgroups: alt.education.distance
Date: 2000-11-02 14:50:06 PST

There is a prolific but erratic poster at the Transportation Discussion
Board named Pat McFadden claiming to have addresses and phone numbers.
Good luck.
http://ww2.itoday.com/jobs-careers/transportation/wwwboard/wwwboard.html

Strangely, there is also a poster at the Transportation Discussion
Board commenting on this situation named "John Bear". I have my doubts
as to whether it is our beloved Doctor, though.

-Rab

P.S. From the time bomb category:

ENGLEWOOD, Colo.--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Sept. 14, 2000--digitalReach
announces today the appointment of Tim Griswold as Manager of
Development and IT, and Chris Tuey as Manager of Product Design.

Tim A. Griswold is an Information Technology executive with over 11
years experience within the industry. Tim brings extensive knowledge of
software development and implementation cycles to digitalReach
Corporation. For the past 6 years Tim has held the position of
Technical Director with Conceptual Software Innovations, a Denver-based
consulting firm. Tim has been working in the areas of Management
Consulting, Business Analysis, Web design, and Quality Assurance.
Previous clients include Great West Life and Annuities, one of Denver's
largest employers, located in the Denver Tech Center. In addition to
Great West, Tim worked with the Denver Zoo and Crown Bolt Incorporated,
located in Los Angeles. Before his employment with Conceptual Software,
Tim was employed with I.B.S., an oil and gas software company. Tim
studied abroad and received his Bachelor's Degree in Computer Science
in 1987 and his MBA in 1989 from the University of Palmers Green in
Palmers Green, UK.

<snipped>

digitalReach Corporation is based in Englewood, Colorado, and is
engaged in the development of People Asset Management automation
software. digitalReach recently announced the completion of the first
prototype of its digitalReach(TM) software application. The digitalReach
(TM) software system will provide an enterprise-wide solution,
automating and managing virtually every aspect of recruiting and
fulfillment from position and candidate posting, applicant search and
prescreening, to developing centralized pools of knowledge workers.
digitalReach is a subsidiary of Berten USA Holdings (Pink Sheets under
the symbol ``BTUS''), a public holding company based in Los Angeles,
California.

"matthew chapman" wrote:
> Does anyone have spam from Harrington
> University, University of Palmers
> Green and University of San Moritz or
> 'Brentwick University'. I am trying to
> get a telephone number, email or even
> an address!
>
> Matthew Chapman
> [email protected]

 

OK...I'll play too...

Assistant Director of Athletics for Business at Georgia Tech
http://www.ramblingwreck.com/local/mayfield.html

Marcia

 

Marcia,
I think that Kennedy Western University does not strictly fall into the category of "degree mill". They are unaccredited, but they do require some work to be done before they hand out decorated bits of paper.

I think this is why there are so many Kennedy Western higher degree holders amongst academics. Of all the ones that I've found, and there are many, their Kennedy Western Ph.D is usually a top-up for their already existing legitimate bachelors and masters obtained from accredited and well known institutions. Maybe they were just desperate to be called "Dr", and this was a cheap and quick way of doing it. No other motivation.

As one person explained to me when I questioned why he undertook to obtain his Ph.D from Kennedy Western, "If your intent is to gain employment in academia, you're wasting
your time. If you are already in academia, but have no desire to improve
your position, then, that's ok. This is the case for me. I've been
teaching adjunct for the past ten years, and the last three, on the
internet. It lends some credence to your background without paying an
enormous amount of money to study a course of interest. Personally, I
believe most all colleges without exception are paper mills. That's why
over 90 percent of students attend there, to get their "paper", not
necessarily their potential academic discipline."

From my perspective, a Ph.D or any other degree obtained from Kennedy Western would not lend any credence to background. What credence is there if Kennedy Western suddenly pulls up stakes and disappears in a puff? What sort of quality auditing goes on in such an institution? Can I trust that my or any other candidate has been throughly evaluated with regard to their knowledge?

Might as well go and print my own degrees with fictitiously named degree granting institutions, hang them on the wall for almost nix, and say, oh, yeah, they don't exist anymore, but did some years ago. It's still a whole lot cheaper and less potentially embarrassing than having one's alma mater's name dragged through the mud on the Internet.

Clearly, any, preferably higher degree, from however dubious an institution, is still better than none at all. Otherwise people wouldn't go for it, would they? There must be some benefit to obtaining a Kennedy Western or fill-in-whatever-name Ph.D than none at all. Or are they just "vanity" credentials?

I used to hold Ph.D's in high regard. Something that is extremely difficult to obtain, and is not handed over unless some significant new knowledge has been added to a particular discipline. But this appears no longer to be the case.

The bar has been lowered. I'm no longer interested in something that anybody can have for a few thousand smackas, and zilch contribution to the knowledge of society.

 

What ever happened to that Florida law regarding unaccredited degrees? Are there any other states proposing to go the way of Oregon with the list of schools whose degrees are illegal in that state? If more states were to follow Oregon's lead this may cut down on some of the problems. They could then do what Arizona did with allowing new schools (NCU) to open provided they pursue recognized accreditation.

North

 

What ever happened to that Florida law regarding unaccredited degrees?

The Supreme Court overturned it, but encouraged the legislature to rewrite it.

Are there any other states proposing to go the way of Oregon with the list of schools whose degrees are illegal in that state?

Alan Contreras, the power behind Oregon's approach, says that he is aware of 3 or 4 other states, including New Jersey and Pennsylvania, that seem to be moving in this direction. I don't know if these people talk to one another or not.[

If more states were to follow Oregon's lead this may cut down on some of the problems. They could then do what Arizona did with allowing new schools (NCU) to open provided they pursue recognized accreditation.

Many states say these things; the problem is in how they enforce them. Iowa, for instance, has said that schools must be on an approved accreditation path, for for years, they seemed simply to accept what the schools told them, hence the operation of Maxine Asher's American World University from a mailbox service in Iowa City for quite a few years.

John Bear
[email protected]

 

Let's not forget the famous Men are from Mars author John Gray and his Phd from Columbia Pacific University.

 

And Barbara DeAngelis. The Psychology Today article a year or so ago cracked me up comparing John Gray with John Gottman (a psychologist and relationship researcher).

If someone is a fan they may well ignore where his credential came from. I know somoene who reacted in an irritated manner to the suggestion that the issue of his degree being unaccredited should bring anything into question. Besides if this whole Malawi thing goes through, Gray and DeAngelis may have the opportunity, depending on the regulations governing the accreditation, to update to accredited degrees. Although, Gray at this point in his career and financial success, may care less.

The other issue with CPU is that apparently it has gone through stages and credible work has been produced. I can't comment on the actual work that Gray or DeAngelis did.

North

 

Do a power searh at google with Florida Statutes chapter 817: Fradulent Practices

regards,

vini

 

I have only the following motto to offer for your endeavor: a little learning is a dangerous thing.

(Duke!)

 

Actually, going by the title listed in her resume - ICAPP Budget Coordinator - she's an administrator, which would make her staff rather than faculty.


------------------

 

It's a pity this network security guru's very distinguished career, sterling reputation, and TESC degree may be diminished by his degrees from Greenwich University. Although whether or not they are a mill is much debated here, they certainly seem to be questionable based on what I've read with respect to the accreditation issue. I guess that's the risk you take when you decide to go non-RA. However, it certainly seems that he is very competent and he may very well have completed very rigorous courses of study at Greenwich before this whole sticky accreditation thing.
http://www.mindspring.com/~us013385/ (check out the picture gallery and professional information.)
http://www.cio.com/archive/030197_hancock_print.html

See
http://www.google.com/search?q=%22bill+hancock%22+%2Bsecurity&btnG=Google+Search

and
http://www.google.com/search?q=%22william+hancock%22+%2Bsecurity&btnG=Google+Search

for tons more

------------------

 

I have been sitting here running through these postings, and have a few questions:

If I had started to seriously review various means of furthering my education anytime before the New Year, I could see how I could have been suckered by some of those schools. Before falling in with the DL group (thanx again, folks) I literally would not have known any better, and could very well have sent off for a ticking timebomb of parchment and a red ribbon for x amount of hard-earned cash.

I suspect that some (not all) of these folks actually did believe that what they were doing was the best thing to do, keeping in mind their availability of time, opportunity, and cash. If I had been looking for the quick and dirty way to get a bachelor's degree, some of these sites appear to offer a way out for the clueless and/or desperate.

So here's my question (finally)--I have been working on the premise that unaccredited is not good--can someone tell me about Kennedy Western or guide me to a site that explains what it is about? Not that I am going to sign up, but so many people in this list of ticking timebombs have done so, and I am very curious as to what their motivation may have been--that is quite a long list of people in some very interesting positions...

Is it a school that is just missing accreditation? Is it a long-running scam? Is it a religious school (like Bob Jones) that has a campus, some stature in the religious/academic community but essentially says "Accreditation? Accreditation? We don't need no stinkin accreditation! The Lord does that for us and the hell with man and the federal government"

Inquiring mind would like to know.

Scott
who left his ducks on the other NG

 

Kennedy-Western was started in the early 1980s in California. At least one of their founders worked for--and earned a Ph.D. from--Columbia Pacific University. In fact, much of their early promotional material mimicked CPU's. K-W was authorized under California law under section 94310(c) ("Authorized") of the educational code, authorizing them to operate. Under that section, schools could start up by claiming at least $50K in assets towards the school, and by filing an affadavit detailing their operations in 13 different areas. However, the state made no effort to evaluate schools operating at the "Authorized" level, nor did it require them to "upgrade" to one of the other two categories. ("Approved," 94310(b), involved actual evaluation and approval by the state of individual degree programs in unaccredited schools. Schools could be "Authorized" to award some degreees and "Approved" to award others. "Accredited," 94310(a), meant the school was accredited by a recognized agency and didn't have to go through the approval process.)

In 1989 California toughened its laws by eliminating the "Authorized" category. It allowed these schools a period of time to shape up and get "Approved." (I believe it was 3 years.) Also, the state moved from approving individual programs to approving entire schools. Many, many schools left the state for more fertile pastures (meanining less-regulated states like Hawaii and Louisiana), many others went out of business. Only a few moved up to "Approved" status. Kennedy-Western moved out of California. Sort of.

Since that time, K-W has moved from state to state. However, they never really left California, and while their legal right to operate has changed jurisdictions, their actual operations remain in California. But because they are no longer authorized to operate in that state, they can't take students from California.

Regarding accreditation, K-W simply isn't accreditable. In fact, when faced with the much-less-rigorous California Approval process, they "moved" to avoid it.

It seems likely that K-W's market (both here and in Asia) simply don't know/care about accreditation. If a person does--and knows the difference between fake and real accreditation--then he/she isn't in K-W's target market.

Many unaccredited schools tout their lack of accreditation as you suggested. Others obscure it in falsehoods, claiming they're so nontraditional as to be unaccreditable. Nonsense. Still others claim fake accreditation to fool both their customers and the decision-makers (like employers) who will accept or reject the degree and its holder.

My bottom line: you can work darn hard for a K-W degree. But I bet you don't have to.

Rich Douglas

 

The first batch of findings has been sent off to Good Morning America, and the report is that they are thrilled, and rarin' to go. Here is about 1/4 of the harvest; thanks to one and all. --John Bear
------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Lt. Rick Witta
Sheriff. In charge of special investigations for Bedford County Sheriff’s Office, responsible for vice, high tech crimes, internal affairs. National Board member of Internet Crimes Against Children Task Force of US Dept of Justice.
MBA from fake Columbia State University http://www.blueridgethunder.com/wiita.html
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Sgt. Keith L. Williams, Missouri State Police Corps.
BS & MBA from totally fake Trinity College and University, earned the same year http://www.mac.cc.mo.us/corps/staff.htm
-----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Gloria Schermesser,
Elected representative to the State House of REpresentatives (25th District) in Michigan. Only degree is the totally fake Bachelor’s from Columbia State University. http://www.gongwer.com/biohse.html
-----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Ruth Sucato....the "Love Doctor" on radio and TV
Ruth Sucato, PhD has been in private practice with individuals,
families, and groups since 1977. Dr. Sucato received her PhD from
Columbia State University. She has hosted "The Love Doctor Show" on radio stations Star 100.7 and Q106, as well as a weekly segment on relationship issues for KNSD-TV as "The Love Doctor." http://www-rohan.sdsu.edu/~socwork/professional_development/psychopathology.htm
-----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Dr. Quinton A. Osborne, psychiatric social worker at prison with fake Doctorate.
From Austin Peay University alumni news:
“He has received his doctorate in philosophy with a concentration in social work from Columbia State University. He is employed by the state of Ohio for the Warrin Correctional Institution as a psychiatric social worker. “ http://www.apsu.edu/insider/magazine/99Winter/Clsnotes.htm
-----------------------------------------------------------------
Andrew Vesloski, Court Administrator for largest court in Arizona
Only degree is fake Bachelor’s from Columbia State University http://jp.co.pima.az.us/www/newca.htm
-----------------------------------------------------------------
Samuel Grief, claims to be an MD at the University of Illinois (with a Canadian degree)
Also: Ph.D. in Public Health from the fake Columbia State University http://www.uic.edu/depts/mcfp/patients_fac_grief.html
-----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Dr. Amber Rose is the Director of the Oriental Medicine Teaching Clinic at The New York College.
Specializes in acupuncture using bee stingers.
Doctorate from the fake Columbia State University. http://www.nycollege.edu/academic/facultyspecial.html
------------------------------------------------------------------
Thomas Thurber
Practicing psychotherapist in Connecticut with Columbia State University Ph.D.
Specializing in anxiety, depression, panic http://www.athealth.com/thomat.cfm?list=1906&loc=3258
------------------------------------------------------------------
Sergeant Mark De Antonio
Campus police officer
Ph.D., Columbia State University http://www.communications.uci.edu/98ucinews/980311ss.html
------------------------------------------------------------------
Jerry J. Garbinski, faculty member, Strayer University (a good school)
Ph.D., Business Administration, Columbia State University http://www.strayer.edu/CONT_STD/catalog/direct.htm
------------------------------------------------------------------
Bob Cearlock,. Marathon Consulting Group.
BS & MS from totally fake Trinity College and University
A group of experienced leaders and executives from the nuclear power industry provides superior service to clients enabling them to become more competitive." http://www.marathoninc.com/direc_list_rgc.htm
-----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------John W. Wilt
Administrator, Edison Community College, Ohio
M.S., Columbia State University http://www.edison.cc.oh.us/AllStaff.htm
------------------------------------------------------------------
Dr. Richard Shemeltulskis
College teacher, Cleary College
Master’s and Doctorate from Columbia State University http://www.cleary.edu/nbn/NbnBio.asp?TeacherId=106&CourseSectionId=840        
------------------------------------------------------------------------
Michael Mezmer
“Famous” stage and corporate hypnotist/hypnotherapist
Fake Ph.D., Columbia State
“Having earned a PhD. In psychology from Columbia state university, Michael is a recognized expert in the field of hypnosis and its many uses and has become a much sought after lectures, presenting "quantum stress management" workshop at corporate events and universities around the country.”
The picture of this guy alone is worth the price of admission http://www.mthighentertainment.com/artists_html/artists_bio/mezmer.html

 

WOW! Your list is no doubt the proverbial tip of the iceberg, John. These less-than-wonderful credentials are everywhere, i.e., corporations, business, government, academe, etc.

Probably no such data exists, but it would certainly be interesting to know what percentage of US (or even globally) degree holders hold their degrees from less-than-wonderful and blatant degree mills. 20%? 25%? Etc.!

Russell