CLARKSVILLE, TN (CLARKSVILLE NOW) – The status of a fired Austin Peay State University professor has been shifted to suspension after the university determined that it hadn’t followed due process in his termination.
Darren Michael, a tenured professor of theatre, was fired on Sept. 12 over a post he shared on social media in response to the shooting death of conservative radio show host Charlie Kirk, according to previous reports.
However, at the Sept. 18 APSU Faculty Senate meeting, university admistration acknowledged that due process had not been followed, according to multiple sources. Clarksville Now has reached out to Faculty Senate leaders for comment.
On Tuesday, APSU confirmed to Clarksville Now that Darren Michael’s status has been shifted to suspension while they move toward terminating his tenure.
“Professor Darren Michael has been placed on suspension. Austin Peay is initiating proceedings to terminate his tenure for adequate cause,” said APSU spokesperson Ginna Holleman.
Social posts on Charlie Kirk
The university did not quote the social media posts or state specifically what was said in them. However, several Twitter users have posted screenshots from a Darren V Michael Facebook account, saying he was an APSU professor, that shared a screenshot of a 2023 headline, “Charlie Kirk Says Gun Deaths ‘Unfortunately’ Worth it to Keep 2nd Amendment.” The headline was from an April 2023 article in Newsweek.
In response, U.S. Sen. Marsha Blackburn shared Michael’s post, along with his university bio, and stated, “What do you say, Austin Peay State University?” tagging APSU.
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Others posted screehshots of a Darren V Michael account that shared a Winnie the Pooh cartoon meme with altered profane dialogue expressing hope that someone might be dead. The post from Michael stated, “You don’t even need to mention a name to know who this is about.”
Professor Michael’s termination letter, dated Sept. 12 and obtained by Clarksville Now, states in part, “This decision is being made due to recent social media posts that have caused significant reputational damage to the university.”
Clarksville Now has attempted to reach Professor Michael for comment.
At least three other university employees in Tennessee have been fired or disciplined over similar posts, at Middle Tennessee State University, Cumberland University and UT Knoxville, according to reporting by the Nashville Banner.
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