Dr. J. Ronald (Ron) Eyton, now a professor with the Department of Geography and Planning at Southwest Texas State University, was my Ph.D. graduate supervisor at the University of Alberta. I studied computer cartography and digital image processing under him between 1986 and 1988. During that time I achieved first class grades in graduate level courses while teaching undergraduate physical geography labs. I enjoyed being a graduate student. I was dedicated to my research and thesis preparation. I respected my supervisor and held him in high regard.
My respect for Dr. Eyton ended after my Ph.D candidacy examination on February 4, 1988. On that day, I was totally devastated by what he did to me. As my supervisor, Dr. Eyton scheduled my examination. I assumed he scheduled the examination because he was completely confident in my experience, skills, and knowledge. Instead, it appears Dr. Eyton intended me to fail the examination.
According to a sworn legal statement made by Dr. E.R. Reinhelt, University of Alberta Professor Emeritus, a senior member of my candidacy examination committee, the examination committee voted 4 to 1 to pass me. Apparently, Dr. Eyton was unhappy with the committee's decision. For reasons, completely unknown to me, apparently Dr. Eyton strongly lobbied the examination committee to fail me.
I believe Dr. Eyton's actions appear to have contravened University of Alberta policies and procedures. According to the 1987 University of Alberta, Faculty of Graduate Studies and Research (FGSR), Manual of Policies and Procedures from Administering Graduate Programs, "The supervisor shall not only guide and encourage the student, but also monitor the quality of the student's performance and be responsible for informing the student if performance in course or research falls below the required standard." (Section 10.05 Functions of the Supervisor and Supervisory Committee, p.59). If Dr. Eyton was unhappy with my performance as his Ph.D. student, he never told me before my candidacy examination. Without any warning, I believe I wasn't even given the opportunity to find another supervisor.
I deeply regret studying under Dr. Eyton. To this day, I still have no idea why he apparently wanted my candidacy examination committee to fail me, after they had voted to pass me. I do not know why he was apparently so determined I not obtain a Ph.D. at the University of Alberta.
Given my experience with Dr. Eyton, I would never recommend him as a graduate supervisor. I wasted two years of my life, thousands of dollars, and forfeited confirmed Ph.D. opportunities at the University of Waterloo and Pennsylvania State University. I was completely in front of my academic peers, professors, friends, and family.
I believe Dr. Eyton hurt me badly. However, I also believe I am not the only student he has hurt. Since setting up this website, I have been contacted by other former University of Alberta students who claim to have had bad experiences with him. Quotes from persons claiming to have had bad experiences are listed below:
(1) "I can certainly relate to your situation, I too am a Ron Eyton refugee. To make a long story short, he left me in the lurch when he went to Texas. His failure to respond to my mail, email, faxes and telephone calls was a pretty clear indication that he was finished with me."
(2) "Based upon my experience with Mr. Eyton, it became clear to me that this man could be a hindrance to me in my future career plans. Edmonton is a small city and anyone in the cartographic field would know of this professor. It would seem only natural for future employers to contact Mr. Eyton to ask for references on prospective employees. In 1989 I had this confirmed.
As a test of curiosity, I discussed this matter with my employer. I had been working there for several months at that time and had a strong achievement record.
In a phone call to Mr. Eyton, my employer told Mr. Eyton that he was familiar with the cartographic program at the university and that he had an application from a student in that program. He was wondering if Mr. Eyton could tell him something of this person. Once Mr. Eyton was given my name he did nothing but his very best in an effort to slander and discredit me.
It was very disheartening. I realized at that point that I would have to leave the city where I was living if I were to have any realistic hope of achieving any career goals. Luckily for other students at the University of Alberta, Mr. Eyton eventually moved out of province."
If you, or someone you know, has had a bad experience with Dr. Eyton, please let me know. I can be reached at: fairgrade@yahoo.com
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Updated: June 30, 2001
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