Laurie returns degree
Published Oct. 21, 2005
Wal-Mart heiress Elizabeth Paige Laurie voluntarily returned her degree to the University of Southern California after the university concluded its investigation into claims that Laurie paid her roommate to do her homework.
The request was made after Laurie's former roommate at USC, Elena Martinez, said the heiress paid her $20,000 to complete Laurie's undergraduate work for three years.
The statement was obtained by e-mail from USC spokesman James Grant. It stated that Laurie returned her degree on Sept. 30.
The allegations were made public last November when the television news program "20/20" aired a segment about its investigation into students who cheat at college.
The program aired only a few weeks after a new basketball arena at MU named after Paige Laurie was completed.
Laurie's name eventually was removed from the arena and it was renamed Mizzou Arena, after her family gave up their naming rights to the building.
Laurie's family donated $25 million toward the construction of the $75 million arena. In addition to removing their daughter's name, the Lauries also gave up the right to bar any advertisers from the arena venue.
The family still has a catered suite in the arena and receives six tickets to each event held there.
Nancy Laurie, Elizabeth's mother, is the daughter of Wal-Mart co-founder Bud Walton.