After the admissions scandal – Otterbein’s President lends his perspective and pledge

Mar 25, 2019

2 min



It was a scandal that seemed to rip through some of the top-rated universities and schools in America. The very institutions that portray and image of integrity, ethics and higher expectations had failed in a very public manner.  


Universities and colleges are supposed to be beyond reproach and in this case some of the best-known names in higher learning were now subject to accepting bribes and admitting students who may have had wealthy parents and worthy-pocket books - but lacked the essential grades to attend.


Mix in a few well-known celebrities and this allowed the story to show that America’s elite have access to the levers of academia that most do not.


But out of every mistake, there comes a lesson. And ideally a way to find the right way to do things.


That’s how the President of Otterbein University, John Comerford sees it.  He was recently published when asked about his views on the issue as it played out.


“We should use the scandal as a moment to open our eyes to this long-standing inequity, because higher education is still the best door to social mobility our nation has to offer.
Some institutions, like Otterbein University, are trying to provide opportunity to all students. We are investing more in need-based aid. We are setting transparent, inflationary 2 percent increases in tuition for the next four years. We are intentionally recruiting in underserved areas, expanding the diversity of our student body and providing student support services on campus. Family income will never be considered in who gets into Otterbein.” – The Columbus Dispatch


John Comerford is an expert in higher education, regional and national topics. He is the President of Otterbein University and is available to speak with media regarding this issue and how higher-education needs to be made available to everyone in America regardless of income, family name or background. Simply click on his icon to arrange an interview.



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