I'm hesitant to address this topic, since I don't really want to draw additional attention to an erroneous report. But this piece from PC Magazine columnist John Dvorak on his blog Dvorak Uncensored has been creating enough buzz this morning that I felt it necessary to clear up a few points Dvorak raises.
Dvorak alleges that federal chief information officer Vivek Kundra has been lying about his academic record, specifically that Kundra did not receive a Master's in Information Technology from University of Maryland as he claims. Dvorak bases this allegation on a search of the UMD registrar's database, which confirms Kundra was a student until 1998 but doesn't mention any graduate program. He goes on to say, "In fact the current University of Maryland grad department doesn't even show this degree as being commonly available to anyone."
That's somewhat correct, since the University of Maryland, College Park does not offer any such degree. However, after a few phone calls I was able to verify that Kundra did receive a Master's degree in Information Systems Management from the University of Maryland University College in 2001. That seems to conform with his official bio, where it states he "holds a MS in Information Technology from the University of Maryland."
Dvorak obviously doesn't think too highly about Kundra's qualifications for his job, or those of federal chief technology officer Aneesh Chopra. But I was able to verify Kundra's degree with just a few phone calls in under two hours. Dvorak's arguments for why Kundra and Chopra are not qualified for their posts would be more compelling if he didn't resort to unverified accusations to support them.
COMMENTS
To Angela Chock: In a massive 1988 restructuring of the state higher education system, the school was designated as the flagship campus of the newly formed University System of Maryland and was formally named University of Maryland, College Park. However, in 1997 the Maryland General Assembly passed legislation allowing the University of Maryland, College Park to be known simply as the University of Maryland, recognizing the campus' role as the flagship institution of the University System of Maryland.[13]
The other University System of Maryland institutions with the name "University of Maryland" are not satellite campuses of the University of Maryland, College Park, and are not referred to as such. The University of Maryland, Baltimore is the only other school permitted to confer certain degrees that state, simply "University of Maryland". This is because the Baltimore school offers primarily graduate degrees in disciplines not taught at College Park, such as Nursing, Dentistry, Law and Medicine. The relationship between the University of Maryland, College Park, and the University of Maryland, Baltimore is akin to the relationship of the University of California, Berkeley to the University of California, San Francisco (UCSF), which also primarily offers graduate programs that Berkeley does not provide.
Waldo 09/16/09 11:45 pm ET
To say that he went to the University of Maryland is not a lie or a sin of omission. People here in the US are such dorks when it comes to where we went to college...they forget the big fact which is that only about 1/4th of Americans have graduated from any college AT ALL.
Thats why I'm glad I went to a private college. None of this mincing words over the name of my institution. My kids will definitely go to private colleges as well.
Quinn 08/25/09 04:53 pm ET
Interesting that this Sunday on Leo Laporte's TWiT podcast, when discussing Kundra and the Holodeck comments that Kundra made to the US Congress, John Dvorak and Leo pressed Om Malik, supposed Best Friend Forever of Vivek Kundra for ratification that Om thought highly of Kundra's technical qualifications, that all Om would say was that he does not judge people and that he actually never met Kundra.
Moreover, Malik admitted that he really only knew as much about Kundra's educational background as was dictated to Malik by an anonymous Whitehouse spokesman.
Seems that Om's bashing of Dvorak on Om's blog was a bunch of hot air.
joeschmoe 08/25/09 12:28 pm ET
Just to clarify, UMBC ( Univ. of Maryland Baltimore County) is not a satelitte campus for Univ. of Maryland CP. We are part of the University System of Maryland as well as Towson, Frostberg, Bowie, Univ. of Baltimore, and a few others: refer to link:
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/University_System_of_Maryland.
The white elephant here is that is UMUC deserving of the same prestige as UMD...who cares, is he qualified for the job, shouldn't that be the question?
Rahul K. Razdan 08/24/09 03:19 am ET
If someone has an MS in ISM, why would he claim to have an MS in IT? I would have been more impressed if he had said he only graduated from high school, but told the truth.
Fudging your resume to look better might work in the private sector, but public servants who give false references should be immediately dismissed. Isn't that a rule somewhere?
BTW, I'm a Liberal Democrat, so don't attack me.
A casual observer 08/21/09 03:34 pm ET
Amazing... In the UK, we understand that University College at Oxford is part of the Oxford system. Same holds true for both Jesus and Trinity Colleges. The university system, founded well before you Yanks got your footing in the world of academia, was designed to incorporate several colleges under a singular university system (and thus the term "university" and not just "colleges").
Same holds true for our friends at Cambridge, consisting of several university colleges within the university system of Cambridge (check for yourself).
By indicting the U of M University College as sub-par, one would assume you are assailing the reputation of the entire University of Maryland as a whole. At least that's the way we view it from our perspective on academics here in the UK. Does the quality of education in the American collegiate system really degrade so dramatically from one school to the next? I thought Americans pride themselves in the quality of college-level academics... Thoughts?
Nigel Connar 08/19/09 08:13 pm ET
Dvorak appears to be making a fuss over the UMD-CP and UMUC relationship. I went to UMD College Park. The UMUC buildings were on campus at College Park. Both are parts of the University of Maryland system. I heard Dvorak on "This Week in Tech" (a smallish podcast on iTunes). I think Dvorak was more upset because he apparently attended Berkeley (and calls it "Cal"?), and he gets really torqued when Berkeley's extended campus grads--in a very different arrangement from Maryland's system--call themselves "Cal" grads... A truly silly argument.
It all sounds like an ad hominem attack by Dvorak against this new federal appointee if you ask me. :-) The premise of the podcast I heard seems to pivot around Dvorak raising controversial assaults on the status quo. Amusing, but it offers little credence otherwise.
At least Dvorak has the distinction of sharing his surname with a keyboard format... ;-)
Jeff Terry 08/19/09 01:39 am ET
After reading the Dvorak article at
http://www.dvorak.org/blog/2009/08/12/special-report-is-us-chief-information-officer-cio-vivek-kundra-a-phony/
I conclude that Nagesh's comments are an attempt to distract attention away from the real problem of Kundra's lack of overall qualifications. The UMD degree thing is but one of many areas in which is controversial when there are many, many other more qualified individuals out there.
albert barte 08/16/09 11:08 am ET
A brief search convinces me that Dvorak lacks credibility. By responding to his "commentary" we may be feeding into this unnecessary diatribe.
Type "Dvorak is wrong" on Google and you get 485 hits, on Bing - 275 hits, on Yahoo - 18 pages (lost count). He has been wrong about social tech software, internet radio, Apple, Internet Explorer, Windows 7 ... just about everything. Dvorak even estimated that the fingers of an average typist in his day traveled between 12 and 20 miles on a qwerty keyboard. Why are we wasting our time?
Look at the few links below that show up...
1) http://tannervision.blogspot.com/2009/04/john-dvorak-thinks-social-tech-is-dumb.html
2) http://www.forbes.com/1999/12/01/1201.html
3) http://digg.com/apple/Why_John_C._Dvorak_is_Wrong_About_Apple
4) http://www.edbott.com/weblog/?p=2419
5) http://patorjk.com/blog/2009/07/12/typing-distance/
6)http://www.roughlydrafted.com/RD/RDM.Tech.Q2.07/23659F71-13AE-4865-908A-2712484708E1.html
The general opinion is that is John Dvorak does not like something ... that is usually a great thing. So much for an expert.
WriterOne 08/15/09 04:55 pm ET
I have just one final comment. The Maryland Annotated Code, Title 12 of the Education Article, 12-101(b)7 clarifies the definition of University of Maryland. It defines the University of Maryland as all the colleges and universities in the University System of Maryland and that would rightfully include UMUC and UMD-College Park. So, technically John Dvorak didn't do his homework and was simply passing around unsubstantiated rumors. This should also clear up any confusion as to the technical definition of "University of Maryland". Whether people perceive differences in quality of the two is irrelevant. Don't call someone a liar if you don't have the facts straight.
Angela Chock 08/14/09 03:56 pm ET
No one is arguing that Vivek doesn't have a degree. Rather than try to distract people with the obvious, look at the underlying point that Dvorak is trying to make: Vivek's qualifications are not very strong. Specifically, the following points support that assertion:
1) The University of Maryland, College Park is very different than University of Maryland University College - they are completely different schools with different ranks and reputations.
2) Vivek took 6 years to graduate with and unrelated degree to his current discipline
3) Being CEO of a 1 man company does not help qualifications
Conclusion: Vivek embellished his resume.
user 123 08/14/09 02:27 pm ET
@JUWAN
You are wrong. As someone who went to UC-Irvine for a grad degree, I can say that while I was there, the President of the UC was specifically rebranding everything as the University of California. The letterhead, the titles, etc. So, anyone from any UC school can legitimately say that they went to UC, and they can add the extension sometimes, of course (or just use the address).
As for "Cal" everyone knows that Cal is the well-accepted abbreviation for UC-Berkeley. I have never heard a human being utter the phrase "Cal-Irvine" (of course, I only lived on campus for six years, so what do I know? Maybe that's just a sports announcer thing.
Mark Drapeau 08/14/09 01:06 pm ET
Does it even matter if he recieved a Masters in InformationTechnology.... Bill Gates dropped out of undergrad but still launched the most successfull technology company since IBM ---
And about what is mentioned on his bio... I'll bet dollars to donuts he didn't write his bio some junior staffer did 45mins of research and built the official bio - Univercity of Maryland - College Park , City College ..... they are all one and the same to some kid asked to throw some credentials up on a web site.
Norwich U - Grad 08/14/09 12:01 pm ET
no verification of undergrad degrees yet? and the history as CEO of a companhy with 1 person and a 67k income....we are still counting that as a major accomplishment?
andrew smith 08/13/09 11:44 pm ET
Actually, there is no difference in quality or location between the University of Maryland-College Park and University of Maryland, University College. If you attend UMUC or UMD...it is still in College Park, MD. The decision to create a "perception" of UMD-College Park as a more selective university was only in the adminissions process. And, UMUC students are allowed to use the "University of Maryland" as short-hand without being deceptive in anyway. This is because UMUC offers evening and weekend courses on the College Park campus. Also, UMD-Colleg Park courses are exactly the same as those offered at UMUC. I've used the University of Maryland and UMUC interchangeably and will not stop doing so. I believe that if UMD-College Park campus would like to make a complete break from UMUC, then it should change the content of their software engineering program which is exactly the same as UMUC's software engineering program. As for Vivek Kundra, and any other UMUC alum...I believe the best way to deal with this issue is to affirmatively say..."I graduated from UMUC, So, What"?
Angela Chock 08/13/09 08:13 pm ET
If you go to Univeristy of Maryland, Baltimore County, you state you went to UMBC.
If you went to University of California, Irvine, you state you went to Cal-Irvine.
If you went to University of Maryland, College Park, you say you went to UMCP.
So someone, who is hailed as a genius by Techinsider, doesn't understand that? Or is it simply SPIN on Mr. Kundra's part to make us all believe he went to a better school then he did?
Juwan 08/13/09 01:52 pm ET
Thanks for clearing that up with the rest of us. Fellow alum, Vivek Kundra, a UMUC grad ought to be proud of his degree from a well-respected but often overlooked public university. UMD-College Park is not the only University of Maryland campus...there's UMUC, UMBC, and UMES...all in the University of Maryland System of colleges.
Angela Chock 08/13/09 01:22 pm ET
Kundra states, degree from Universit of MD. The implication is ALWAYS that you reffering to the flagship of an University system. You don't say you graduated from Cal, when you went to Cal-Irvine, do you? That would be disingenous, would it not.
Kundra is smart enough to know University College does NOT hold the same cache as College Park. If they did, why are their enterance qualifications so different?
I applaud the Kundra supportors, but when you see the spin and lies, at least have the decency to admit they are real.
I find it interesting that no one speaks about the fact Kundra was "CEO" of a company that showed sales totaling 64k. If that is being a "CEO" of a tech firm, well then, I suppose the bar is set pretty low.
Juwan 08/13/09 12:29 pm ET
If Kundra posted "University of Maryland" on his resume instead of "University of Maryland University College," then he was knowingly deceptive in that he clearly knows that these are separate and distinct institutions of higher learning. Both may be accredited, but they have individual reputations, and the University of Maryland has the better reputation.
That would be like someone with a degree from the "Indiana University of Pennsylvania" listing the "University of Pennsylvania" on his or her resume.
Mike Bobrick 08/13/09 12:13 pm ET
No one so far has confirmed or disproved the UMD Bachelors degree in Biology. Gautham?
Tanya 08/13/09 11:23 am ET
I wonder if Dvorak's reputation will recover from being flat-out called a liar by the most powerful office in the world... of course, if he stands by his story, he'll have the balls to sue them for defamation. Let's see what he does.
If the Republican party and its supporters continue to be so tiny-minded, I suspect Sarah Palin will end up seriously regretting quitting her job.
Adam Strallen, UK 08/13/09 09:34 am ET
DOUBLE BRAVO! The entire Dvorak post is a horrible...as a graduate of UMUC, you'll see that the distinction between UM (College Park) & UMUC are closely tied! Yes, they are two separate campuses but I was paying fund$ to UM and sitting in class rooms in College Park! Hey, once a TERP...ALWAYS A TERP! The best to Vivek...he needs all the help he can get from those of us in this field. At least his degrees weren't generated from some matchbox cover...remember those days? VERY senior SESs with no credentials whatsoever....give Vivek his props. Dvorak APOLOGIZE PUBLICALLY!
UMUCGrad 08/13/09 09:12 am ET
Unfortunately, it appears that Vivek Kundra is a "light weight" whose qualifications are that he is articulate, intelligent, and provides "diversity." Rather like the guy who appointed him. I wish them both well - sometimes these qualifications are the only ones required for success - at least until a hurrican comes along.
Old Dragoon 08/13/09 09:04 am ET
I guess now we know why his column is titled "Dvorak Uncensored"! I also have to take issue with the fact that only one school in a state university system can be referred to as the generic "University of X." (The one exception might be The Ohio State University, since the "the" is actually part of the official title.) I guess the key consideration would be what is on the diploma, but to a large degree this reflects a certain arrogance on the part of the flagship school.
Bruce 08/13/09 08:37 am ET
The real issue here is not where he got his degree, but rather was he the best person for the job. I am tired of people with political pull landing in jobs that they are barely qualified for because they have a friend in the Senate, White House etc. There are too many political appointees in government service (we are now pushing 4000) and most of them have proven to be largely ineffective during their tenure because they were a bad fit for the job that they were appointed to (lacked background, experience, right disposition etc.) The number of political appointees in government should be limited by statute law to a maximum of 300. That should be enough political cronyism for any president.
Dano 08/13/09 08:19 am ET
The title Chief Executive Officer (CEO) connotes the existence of other officers. The correct title for someone who runs a "one-person" company is a sole proprietor not a CEO. Kundra has become a complicit party to the "smoke and mirrors" game being played in DC. Time will tell if he has the business acumen to backup his current title!
Paul Hoffmann 08/13/09 07:28 am ET
It is deception to list the University of Maryland as an alma mater if, in fact, you did not earn it at the main campus, as Jim Vile states. If you're actually proud of your degree, then say it! University of Illinois-Circle Campus, UW-Green Bay, Cal Poly-Pomona, whatever. To omit this information is deception.
As to the CEO thing, John's point is that any of us can be a CEO of a one-man band. How many times have I seen sole proprietors proudly proffer their Chairman/CEO cards to me, with the tacit implication that their enterprise is a substantial one? Nothing wrong with being a sole proprietor, I've done it myself for years.
But to assert grandly that one is a CEO in a White House bio is to be deceptive. The goal in doing so is to fool people into thinking the guy ran a big company with lots of people.
Ironically, maybe a person with only very-small-business experience is exactly the right person to be in Washington and cut through all the bureaucratic crap. In any case, a person who is very explicitly honest in his or her bio is a person I'd prefer to see, rather than some insecure bullshitter who feels the need to obfuscate the details of his education and experience.
roger strukhoff 08/12/09 03:55 pm ET
After reading Dvorak's posting I was surprised that he left out any mention of Kundra's Kenyan birth certificate.
Frank Paynter 08/12/09 03:42 pm ET
Dovrak's article smells of the same odor as those that insist there is a cover-up w obamas birth certificate. do we know have bigger, more legitimate issues to "investigate." or that obama has little experience to be president.
lets hope for a retraction of the facts that were misstated!
Gil Stein 08/12/09 03:42 pm ET
Looks like the folks at GigaOm did their homework, did the fact-checking, and sorry to say, the Dvorak story was wrong.
Craig Newmark 08/12/09 03:34 pm ET
Check back at Dvorak's site at http://bit.ly/dpJdj. He looked up Kundra's record with screen shots from what he found from the University of Maryland. I think he verified his accusations and I think you need to update this story!
Scott B in DC 08/12/09 03:12 pm ET
To be fair, saying he has a degree from the "University of Maryland" suggests the College Park campus. It's a bit of a lie to say he has a MS degree from the "University of Maryland". Same way "University of California" refers to Berkeley campus, "University of Wisconsin" refers to Madison, 'University of Texas" refers to Austin and "University of Michigan" refers to Ann-Arbor.
If someone attending UC Merced said they have a degree from Cal, they'd be lying in my book.
jim vile 08/12/09 02:37 pm ET
Bravo. I could not believe the silliness of the original Dvorak post, or the repost by Om. How fast people are willing to jump on the bandwagon to smear someone's reputation without seeing how poorly written the note was. Dvorak criticizes Kundra for using Twitter, thinks that you can't be a CEO of a 1-person company (of course the founder is the CEO!), and screws up the degree verification. Dvorak should write a HUGE apology and retraction. We'll see if he has any balls.
Nuyawk 08/12/09 02:23 pm ET