VP hopeful Palin attended five colleges in six years
Published Thursday, September 4, 2008
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Stumble It!SPOKANE, Wash. -- Republican vice presidential candidate Sarah Palin attended five colleges in six years before graduating from the University of Idaho in 1987.
Federal privacy laws prohibit the schools from disclosing her grades, and none of the schools contacted by The Associated Press could say why she transferred. There was no indication any of them were contacted as part of the background investigation of Palin by presidential candidate John McCain's campaign.
"Our office was not contacted by anyone," said Tania Thompson, spokeswoman for the University of Idaho in Moscow.
Palin, the governor of Alaska, was born in Idaho. Her family moved when she was only a few months old to Alaska, where she was raised.
She began college at Hawaii Pacific University, a private, nonsectarian school in Honolulu. She attended only as a freshman during the fall of 1982, school spokeswoman Crystale Lopez said.
Then known as Sarah Louise Heath, she was in the business administration program as a full-time student, Lopez said.
"We're trying to track down someone who knew her," Lopez added.
From Hawaii Pacific, Palin transferred to North Idaho College, a two-year school in Coeur d'Alene, about 30 miles east of Spokane. She attended the college as a general studies major for two semesters, in spring 1983 and fall 1983, spokeswoman Stacy Hudson said.
"We were not able to track down club affiliations or anything," Hudson said.
The school identified one of her professors but he did not remember her, Hudson said.
Prior to her selection by McCain, the North Idaho College Alumni Association notified Palin in June she would be the recipient of its 2008-2009 Distinguished Alumni of the Year Award.
From North Idaho College, Palin transferred 70 miles south to the University of Idaho, the state's flagship institution. She majored in journalism with an emphasis in broadcast news. She attended Idaho, whose mascot is the Vandals, from fall 1984 to spring 1985.
She then returned to Alaska to attend Matanuska-Susitna College in Palmer in fall 1985.
Then she returned to Idaho, for spring 1986, fall 1986 and spring 1987, when she graduated. Despite her journalism degree, she does not appear to have worked for the college newspaper or campus television station, school officials said. She worked briefly as a sportscaster for KTUU in Anchorage after she graduated college.
The McCain campaign did not have an immediate comment on Palin's higher education record.
In a recent interview with the school's alumni magazine, before her selection to run on the GOP ticket, she explained that her curiosity and love of writing made journalism a natural choice.
"I was always asking everyone the questions, and I still am today," Palin told the magazine.
The University of Idaho is taking advantage of Palin's nomination. A prominent photograph of her is featured on the school's Web site.
Community Discussion
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OK, so there has been an overabundance of Palin articles in here lately. But what about a near disasterous propane leak in the Railroad Industrial area on Wed Sept 3rd at about 1:30 PM??? Part of the Industrial area was shut down and businesses in the area were notified. But nada here. What gives?? It made the evening news on TV the same day. But nada here! What a terrable disservice to the residents and businesses of Fairbanks.
Well our Nation can sleep secure tonight knowing this. Great job DNM. Maybe you can call her for some journalism advise, you need it.
Who cares about her college record - boy you guys are really grasping and reveling in finding negatives - wish you were so zealous in finding the negatives with certain other political candidates.
And your point is...? great reporting DNM
Actually they should be more zealous about reporting the real news happening right outside their back door. But, continuing to print these articles that anyone can find online makes their jobs much easier and keeps their chairs warm...
Four campuses over five school years for a kid from Wasilla experiencing college opportunities.
Pressing question is whether Mat-Su College was a semester exchange or transfer. (hope I can sleep tonight)
Good thing Nicholas wasn't a math major.
Googled the "journalist's" name, and got examiner.com which has the same article but states six colleges in six years. LOL
Must be that new Obama math.
I would like to announce my candidacy for President of the united states in 2012!
At least she didn't go to the Ivy League schools that produced George Bush.
LOL, thanks News Minus for the great journalism. Because of this piece I don't know who to vote for again, since I can't vote for Barak Hussein Obama. Every time I read your newspaper, I realize how good the National Inquirer is.
Hey morons, the DNM has the tanker leak on B3 of Thursday's edition, had you cared to actually pick up and READ the newspaper.
Point of order, this was an Associated Press article, not a product of DNM. There's no question DNM is writing and picking up an abundance of anti Palin articles but we should be accurate in our criticism of them. DNM, how can you stand against this amazing woman and leader? I'm a pro-choice, Darwinist, Libertarian who has never seen a meaningful difference between the two parties but this decision is a no brainier. Go Palin!
Took my daughter 3 schools in 4 years recently before she finally graduated, with honors! I think you will find that most kids going to college will try 2 or 3 before they find something they like...So what is the big deal other than this student was named Sarah Palin!
I would like to add my two cents in on this great story and the in-depth reporting by the DMN. This was a real deep investigation of a real important, almost earth shaking article. It ranks almost up there with the wind was blowing over the river at 2 mph. Again, I am glad the DNM is watching out for us!
Yet another "Who cares?" article. You certainly know how to endear yourselves to your readers DNM.
"At least she didn't go to the Ivy League schools that produced George Bush." Yup, as well as Clinton and both Obamas.
I have attended five or six colleges. I "feel" better now that everyone else knows!
I agree, enough already. If they want to keep running all this AP crap on Palin make a special section and put it all in there and post the real news on the main site. That way those of us who don't get the print edition can still find out what the heck is going on in town.
There was a shooting/stand off situation in Delta a couple days ago and I found it on the ADN's website but not the DNM. Pretty sad when the Anchorage paper is covering the Interior better than the Interior paper is.
America - the land of opportunity and freedom of choice---got to love it.
Who cares about this article and who cares about Palin. Why isn't she busy raising her kids. The courts across the land like to award women custody of children BECAUSE kids "need" their moms, I guess it's different now. Yeah it's sexist, but here is a fact, men and women... are different! We can't birth children and women cannot pee their names in the snow!!!
Aside from that - McCain & Palin 2008!
100% Conservative - Pro-Life || Pro-Gun
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