RR: Do you think that the charges that he is facing are appropriate?

SR: [His penalty] should be weighed for his crimes...it depends on how much he gained from it really; 25 years is a lot.

RR: How do you think he got away with it for such a long period?

SR: It’s a combination—that he wasn’t checked out thoroughly, and he is a good liar. Some people just have that skill.

Melinda E. Kurtzky, Kennedy School student

RR: How much have you been keeping up with the Adam Wheeler story?

MK: Well I see it a lot on the blogs, and I have read a couple of blurbs.

RR: Do you think that this was the fault of the Office of Admissions?

MK: I think that the administration should always be careful...every admissions process should be rigorous and thorough.

RR: What do you think the effect of this case will be?

MK: Stories like this always get published on the blogs. It becomes a check for the administration so the next person who wants to do this will be deterred.

RR: What do you think should be his penalty?

MK: I think that he has already paid a huge penalty by having his name dragged in the mud.

RR: Do you think that this sort of fraud is a common problem?

MK: Well I don’t think that people put nearly as much effort into their lies as he did.