One college official is getting a harsh lesson in the merits of honesty (hat-tip, Instapundit).

Flagler College’s vice president for enrollment management has resigned after an internal investigation revealed he exaggerated test scores, GPAs and class rankings of incoming freshmen from fall 2010 to fall 2013.

Flagler President William Abare, Jr., said Monday night that the investigation showed that test scores, GPAs and class ranks had been changed in the computer system.

The erroneous information was reported to several agencies, including U.S. News & World Report, which ranked Flagler College tied for No. 8 among more than 70 colleges in first tier of its Best Regional Colleges in the South category.

Abare did not name Marc Williar, who was vice president for enrollment management until last Friday, but said Monday that the college would be searching for a new vice president of enrollment.

Williar returned a call on Monday evening to The Record and said he made the changes to boost the college’s profile after noticing an incoming freshmen class in 2010 that had lower scores than previous years.

“I hope any negative feelings would be directed at me, certainly not at the college,” Williar said. “I had a lapse in judgment. I would love to go unring the bell, but I can’t.”

Flagler College was also listed in The Princeton Review’s 2014 edition of its guide, “The Best 378 Colleges,” according to a Flagler College news release.

When the numbers get sorted out, the rankings will change, Abare said.

“This information is reported, and obviously that had a bearing on our national rankings,” he said.

The investigation began last week after a faculty member noticed discrepancies in student placement. The faculty member reported his concerns to staff, and an investigation ensued.

Hard copies of student records from the registrar’s office confirmed that some SAT and ACT scores, GPAs and class rankings had been changed for some students. In all cases, they were changed for the better, he said.

“This was not accidental,” Abare said.