Blankenship honor is MU’s Paterno statue

Don Blankenship plaque in the Lewis College of Business Hall of Fame. The plaques recognize outstanding achievement in business, dedication to public service and commitment to moral values.

Heath Harrison | Submitted Photo

Don Blankenship plaque in the Lewis College of Business Hall of Fame. The plaques recognize outstanding achievement in business, dedication to public service and commitment to moral values.

Last week, I made a return visit to the Marshall University for the first time in several years.
Returning to campus brought many nostalgic feelings. However, those were quickly replaced with bewilderment after what I saw upon entering Corbly Hall.
On a wall on the first floor is an exhibit honoring members of the Lewis College of Business Hall of Fame.
Plaques bearing the likenesses of prominent local business leaders such as Michael Perry and Lynne Fruth hang over an inscription of “recognizing outstanding achievement in business, dedication to public service and commitment to moral values.”
Then my eyes scrolled right, where they met the visage of Donald L. Blankenship, the former Massey Energy CEO, who retired in disgrace following the 2010 Upper Big Branch explosion which killed 29 miners. The school of business bestowed the hall of fame honor on the coal baron in 1999.
It amazes me this plaque has remained in place following the deaths of these men from the abysmal safety conditions in Blankenship’s mines, through his pleading the fifth and refusing to cooperate with investigators, through his indictment and, now, his criminal conviction.
One could question why Blankenship was even inducted in the first place, given his company’s history of mine safety and environmental violations prior to Upper Big Branch, but you’d think a one-year prison sentence for one of the worst workplace accidents in modern history would be enough to finally merit his removal from the wall.
Continuing to honor Blankenship turns the entire wall of fame into a laughing stock and a farce, with the idealized bronze portrait of a convicted criminal on display next to a plaque touting “moral values,” cheapening the honor for future inductees.
U.S. Attorney Booth Goodwin may have successfully prosecuted and secured a landmark conviction of Blankenship for his role in the disaster, but, thanks to weak mine safety laws and penalties, the Coalfield Don has essentially escaped punishment with a slap on the wrist.
Penn State University had the decency to remove a statue of Joe Paterno from its campus, when information came to light of his inaction and cover-up of Jerry Sandusky’s crimes against children, while numerous universities and colleges have revoked honorary degrees from Bill Cosby as sexual assault allegations against the comedian multiplied.
An opportunity exists here for a teachable moment. By removing Blankenship’s plaque and rescinding his hall of fame honor, officials at the school of business can demonstrate they desire higher standards in business practices and educate students on the necessity of corporate citizenship.
As they await Blankenship’s entrance to prison, 29 families are mourning the senseless loss of a loved one due to the former CEO’s actions.
The least the school of business can do for them is strip Blankenship of this award and not play any part in future attempts to rehabilitate his image by continuing to enshrine him.
Blankenship deserves nothing more than to be a pariah to good society and I urge my alma matter of Marshall University to rescind Blankenship’s honor.
Heath can be contacted at [email protected].