In 1834, the Georgia Conference of the Methodist church established a preparatory school on 400 acres of land in Newton County.

Two years later, the Georgia legislature granted a charter to Emory College, which was named for John Emory, the young Methodist minister from Maryland, who was killed in a carriage accident.

Then, in 1838, the college officially opened with an enrollment of only 15 freshmen and sophomores.

Since those early beginning, Emory University has become known for its first class education and proud, long-rooted tradition, which continues in Newton County through Oxford College.

The two-year college is not the only lifeblood of Oxford, but it's an important resource and source of pride for many in Newton County.

The pride we take in our college is one reason we were so disappointed to read recently that a few of Emory's deans and other high-ranking officials misrepresented academic data to make the university's student body appear better.

The students were good and the university is a great one. There was no need to lie to make achievements seem greater, and, as always, such a move only served to eventually cause a shadow to be cast over a program that could have easily stood on its true merits.

If it were possible, the founding fathers of the college may have turned over in their graves after the sad news.

According to reports, the top officials of the college knew nothing of the deceit and current officials are taking steps to correct past mistakes.

We encourage university officials to continue to be open and honest in the matter to expedite Emory down the path of clearing its good name.

As we decry the actions of men who didn't show enough pride in their university, we pledge continued support of our hometown college and we want our students to know we'll always be proud of them.