fbpx
Breaking Campus News. Launching Media Careers.
Lehigh student who sued prof for better grade loses appeal

Lehigh University graduate student Megan Thode has lost an appeal against the former professor of her therapist internship course.

Thode had sued the prof early in 2013, and lost. The judge then ruled “that there was neither a breach of contract nor sexual discrimination,” which Thode had claimed.

Thode needed a “B” in the internship course to continue on to the next course. She received a “C+.” Thode’s lawyer stated that “his client’s dream of becoming a licensed professional counselor was unfairly scuttled as a result.”

Thode had also claimed the professor, Amanda Carr, retaliated against her because of her advocacy for gay rights. This was shown to be “baseless” as Carr has a close lesbian relative, and has counseled gay and lesbian individuals.

The Lewistown Sentinel reports on the lost appeal:

Pennsylvania Superior Court ruled against former Lehigh University graduate student Megan Thode, who filed a lawsuit seeking to have the grade raised to a B as well as $1.3 million in damages.

Thode alleged her professor in a 2009 graduate-level therapist internship course retaliated against her over her support of gay marriage. She said the grade prevented her from becoming a licensed therapist.

A Northampton County judge ruled against Thode last year, saying the reason for her C-plus was purely academic and nothing more. The judge also rejected her bid for a new trial.

Superior Court agreed with the decision, saying Thursday that “courts lack the expertise to micromanage … academic grading.”

Ms. Thode did graduate from Lehigh, but with a master’s degree in education in human development. She had sought a master’s in education in counseling psychology.

Read more about the lost appeal at LehighValleyLive.com

Like The College Fix on Facebook / Follow us on Twitter

IMAGE: Donkey Hotey/Flickr

Share our work - Thank you

Please join the conversation about our stories on Facebook, Twitter, Instagram, Reddit, MeWe, Rumble, Gab, Minds and Gettr.

About the Author
Associate Editor
Dave has been writing about education, politics, and entertainment for over 20 years, including a stint at the popular media bias site Newsbusters. He is a retired educator with over 25 years of service and is a member of the National Association of Scholars. Dave holds undergraduate and graduate degrees from the University of Delaware.