Tennessee University Reinstates Professor with Settlement
A theater professor in Tennessee is back on the job and, interestingly, $500,000 richer after being dismissed over social media posts related to the assassination of conservative activist Charlie Kirk.
Darren Michael, who teaches acting and directing at Austin Peay State University, was reinstated last month. As part of a settlement deal regarding his termination, he will receive the hefty sum, according to local reports.
The university also plans to cover Michael’s “therapeutic counseling services.”
The agreement indicates that Austin Peay State University acknowledges its failure to properly follow the procedures for terminating tenure in this instance. A statement reflecting this will be shared via email to faculty, staff, and students.
Michael was let go on September 12, just two days after Kirk was killed by a sniper at Utah Valley University, due to what the university referred to as “insensitive” posts he made online regarding the Turning Point USA founder.
One particular Facebook post garnered attention, including from Senator Marsha Blackburn (R-Tenn.). In this post, Michael shared an article that quoted Kirk saying that gun deaths are “unfortunately” a cost of preserving the Second Amendment, without adding any commentary of his own.
Blackburn reacted to this by posting a screenshot of Michael’s Facebook, asking, “Austin Peay, what are you saying?”
Later that day, the university implied that the dismissal was due to comments seen as “insensitive and disrespectful” and suggesting an endorsement of wrongful death. APSU President Mike Licari stated that such behavior contradicts the university’s commitment to mutual respect and human dignity, leading to the decision to terminate the professor’s employment.
