Bryan Leonard, a PhD candidate in science education at Ohio State University (OSU), was scheduled to defend his thesis, which pits evolutionary science against intelligent design, on June 6. But then faculty members found out that Leonard's committee did not include any faculty member from his own division of science education. This situation is a violation of school policy, according to Earle Holland, director of research communications at OSU. Leonard's thesis advisor postponed the defense.
The three-member committee consisted of Leonard's advisor, Paul Post, who specializes in technology education, entomologist Glen Needham, and b i o c h e m i s t and human nutritionist Robert DiSilvestro. Neither Needham nor DiSilvestro was available for comment, but both have previously defended intelligent design/creationist arguments. Joan Herbers, an evolutionary biologist and also dean of biology sciences, is now involved with the committee. She agreed to serve as thesis ombudsperson after the ...
