In a significant turn of events at the University of Oklahoma, a student’s essay grade, initially marked as a failure due to a citation from the Bible, will be omitted from her final grade calculation. This decision comes after considerable public outcry.

Samantha Fulnecky, a junior majoring in psychology, found herself at the center of national attention when her opinion paper on gender norms received an F. The controversy arose because she included references to the Bible in her essay.

After more than a week of the essay making waves across the internet, Fulnecky has emerged victorious in her dispute with the university. She shared with The Oklahoman on Wednesday that the assignment will not influence her overall class performance.

This positive outcome for Fulnecky followed her appeal, in which she argued that the grade marked an instance of religious discrimination within her academic environment.

Fulnecky’s good news followed an appeal she filed in response to the incident, in which she claimed she was experiencing religious discrimination in the classroom.  

OU officials confirmed with the outlet that the review ‘resulted in steps to ensure no academic harm to the student from the graded assignments.’ 

In the essay that sparked an online uproar, Fulnecky responded to an article about society’s gender expectations. 

She shot down the idea that there are more than two genders – calling the concept ‘demonic.’   

Samantha Fulnecky, a junior psychology student at the Norman college, garnered national support after scoring an F on an opinion-based paper about gender norms

Fulnecky (center), pictured with Representative Gabe Woolley (left) and Senator Shane Jett (right), was awarded a Citation of Recognition from the Oklahoma House of Representatives

Fulnecky noted the Bible supported her belief that eliminating gender would prove to be ‘detrimental’ because it would put humans ‘farther from God’s original plan.’

Her instructor, graduate assistant Mel Curth, deemed the paper ‘offensive’ and said Fulnecky should have cited ’empirical evidence.’ 

The psychology major was flabbergasted when she scored a 0 out of 25 points on the assignment. 

When she asked for reconsideration, Curth allegedly refused. Fulnecky saw the incident as an attack on her religious beliefs. 

‘To be what I think is clearly discriminated against for my beliefs and using freedom of speech, and especially for my religious beliefs, I think that’s just absurd’, she said. 

Unwilling to accept the grade, Fulnecky not only shared her essay on social media but also emailed Governor Kevin Stitt and the Teacher Freedom Alliance for help. 

Amid the controversy, Curth has been placed on administrative leave.  

Conservative leaders have backed Fulnecky – even praising her for refusing to abandon her religious principles. 

Woolley described the student as being committed to ‘speaking from a foundation of truth’ 

Stitt called for an investigation into the situation in a social media statement on Sunday, referring to it as ‘deeply concerning.’ 

On Wednesday, she told her story at an event hosted by OCPAC, a conservative think tank organization, at the university. 

Addressing a crowd of more than 200 students, Fulnecky was joined by OCPAC President Bob Linn and Senator Shane Jett. 

She told the room that, at first, the university’s president, Joseph Harroz Jr., was not responding to her concerns at all. 

‘I figured [university officials] didn’t care. The president didn’t say anything to me about it. I’m sure if it was any other religion, he would be very apologetic,’ she said. ‘And I got nothing.’ 

Ryan Walters, the former state schools superintendent who now runs the anti-union Teacher Freedom Alliance, appeared at the event through a pre-recorded video. 

He called Fulnecky an ‘American hero,’ and said the instructor behind the failing grade needs to be fired. 

‘She’s an inspiration to me, and to see her stand up like she has for academics and for her faith and for Christianity,’ he said of Fulnecky. 

‘I cannot say enough good things about Samantha.’ 

Fulnecky said that she scored the victory against her college on Wednesday 

Pictured: Lisa and Cy Wagner Hall on the University of Oklahoma Campus

Fulnecky was also awarded a Citation of Recognition from the Oklahoma House of Representatives’ 98th District for ‘speaking from a foundation of truth,’ Representative Gabe Woolley announced. 

‘With all the political noise and media distractions set aside, the truth was finally able to stand on its own,’ he continued in an X post. 

OU’s Turning Point USA chapter issued a statement supporting Fulnecky, touching on the issue of academic freedom. 

‘While there is no constitutional right to receive an A in a class at a public university, there is a right not to be academically penalized due to discrimination against your viewpoint,’ the nonprofit wrote. 

‘Academic freedom belongs to every student, not only those who mirror the instructor’s beliefs.’ 

While thousands have rallied behind Fulnecky, others have voiced support for the university, claiming that her religious beliefs had nothing to do with her score. 

‘This isn’t a case of religious discrimination…it’s a case of not doing even the basics of the assignment,’ Oklahoma House Representative Jacob Rosecrants said in a statement. 

OU previously said that the school takes claims involving the First Amendment and religious freedom seriously.  

‘OU remains firmly committed to fairness, respect and protecting every student’s right to express sincerely held religious belief,’ the college wrote.