University of Louisville President James Ramsey has appointed a committee to look into allegations that a doctorate degree was improperly awarded to a student under the direction of former Education Dean Robert Felner.The school says information surfaced that student John Deasy was awarded a doctorate in 2004, after just one semester of coursework at U of LIt was also reported this week that Deasy had earlier helped Felner land a large contract to conduct a survey at a California school district.The university typically requires at least two years of coursework for a PhD.Spokesperson John Drees says any degree earned otherwise could be made invalid.“If the committee found that the degree was granted inappropriately the ramifications could be up to and include rescinding the degree," Drees said.Felner is currently under federal investigation for his handling of grant money.
Rick Howlett was midday host and the host of LPM's weekly talk show, "In Conversation." He was with LPM from 2001-2023 and held many different titles, including Morning Edition host, Assignment Editor and Interim News Director. He died in August 2023. Read a remembrance of Rick here.
