I’ve decided to take a look at the Sept. 25 Letter to the Editor, “Response to ‘The Crook Center,’” which accuses my opinion article, “The Crook Center,” as being incorrect, explicitly defamatory and uninformed.

To begin, I always welcome responses to opinions, especially those that carry on important conversations that involve Emporia State. It shows that there is a lot of interest in the topic.

Looking through the response, there are multiple points I would like to touch upon. The first being the accusation of the title, “The Crook Center,” being defamatory to the administration of the Koch Center of Leadership and Ethics.

I take accusations of defamation very seriously. In no way could the title be considered defamation. It was aimed at the donor of the Center, the Kochs, and was simply a play on their name and reputation. It has not caused any injury to the reputation of the Center.

When writing an opinion, I research my topic as much as I can. When the Letter to the Editor printed, I thought that maybe I overlooked something in my research.

Then, Rolling Stone released an article this week outlining the awful things the Kochs have done over the years, like their felony convictions, civil lawsuits, the denial that global warming is manmade, and more. I know my research about the Kochs was sound and my opinion was, in fact, informed.

I have since set a date to meet with Kevin Johnson, co-director of the Center, to discuss concerns that I, and others, have about the Center. Kristie Ogilvie, dean of School of Business, will also be attending. I’m looking forward to what they have to say, but the one question I need them to answer is, “Where is the contract?”

So far, we have been unable to obtain the contract the Kochs have with the ESU foundation, which has caused more interest and more suspicion.

ESU’s new motto is “Changing lives for the common good.” With the Koch Brothers pleading guilty to felonies, denying global warming as a manmade disaster,and making multiple attempts at buying power within our government, how are they changing lives for the common good? The name the “Koch Center of Leadership and Ethics” seems oxymoronic to me.