Disgruntled student sues over C-plus, demands higher grade and $1.3 million damages payout

EASTON, Pa.Pennsylvania graduate student Megan Thode wasn't happy about the C-plus she received for her internship, saying the mediocre grade kept her from getting her desired degree and becoming a licensed therapist.

Thode is suing her professor and Lehigh University in Bethlehem, demanding that her grade be changed. She's also seeking monetary damages.

A judge is hearing testimony on the case this week in Northampton County Court.

The Express-Times of Easton reports that her professor, Amanda Eckhart, stands by the grade. She says Thode earned zero out of 25 points in class participation.

Thode's attorney, Richard Orloski, argues Eckhardt targeted her as punishment because Thode is an outspoken advocate for gay marriage, a stance Eckhardt does not believe in.

Lehigh attorney Neil Hamburg says it would be unprecedented for the judge to order that her grade be changed.

Thode contends the C-plus cost her $1.3 million. She says that's the economic value of a master's degree in counseling psychology.

As CBS Philly reports, Thode isn't the first student to head to court after getting a bad grade.

However, the Supreme Court has looked at grading cases and has said that it will generally not second guess a school's decision unless it can be demonstrated that those at the school did not actually exercise professional judgment.