This story has been corrected from its original version.
Ohio University stripped a former mechanical engineering chairman of his distinguished professorship in February following an investigation into his role in a plagiarism scandal that continues to cast a shadow over the university's engineering college.
Jay Gunasekera was awarded a distinguished professorship, the university's highest academic honor for faculty, in 2003. His fellow distinguished professors voted 11-3 to oust Gunasekera in November when presented with evidence that he approved numerous master's theses containing plagiarism.
Through a secretary, Gunasekera declined to comment for this article.
OU President Roderick McDavis officially rescinded Gunasekera's distinguished professorship in February. OU has never before rescinded a distinguished professorship.
The overwhelming vote in favor of rescinding Gunasekera's professorship was a major factor in his decision, McDavis said, adding that he does not think one professor's actions will besmirch the entire group.
Gunasekera, who is still a tenured faculty member, chaired the mechanical engineering department for almost 15 years and was stripped of another title, Moss professor, in 2006. He earned $128,771 this year.
According to several distinguished professors who attended the November meeting, Gunasekera said he was not familiar with American academic standards when his book was published in 1989. At that time, he was advising and approving master's theses. Before coming to OU in 1983, Gunasekera taught in Australia and Sri Lanka.
After several investigations into the plagiarism scandal, OU told 25 engineering students to rewrite their theses and revoked one degree. At least 20 theses alleged to contain plagiarism have yet to be reviewed. A committee charged with examining engineering theses for plagiarism has reviewed all theses approved by Gunasekera and his colleague, Bhavin Mehta.
Tom Matrka, who discovered widespread plagiarism in the Russ College of Engineering and Technology as a graduate student, continues to regularly report plagiarism in old and rewritten theses. His findings sparked several investigations, including the one that led to the 2006 report.
It's probably the right thing to do
but it's unfair for him to be singled out when there are other professors just as involved as he is Matrka said. They need to clean house there's no way they can regain credibility with the same people involved.
Some distinguished professors said they were surprised the university did not publicize McDavis' decision to rescind Gunasekera's professorship.
I'm actually surprised there wasn't an announcement
said Steven Grimes, distinguished professor of physics and astronomy.
Another distinguished professor said the decision was difficult, but necessary.
He's a good
decent man. I really believe that
said David Drabold, distinguished professor of physics. But on the other hand
I don't think there was a choice.
OU has about 25 active distinguished professors, Rothwell said. The first such professorship was awarded in 1959.
17
Archives
Dave Hendricks
