The settlement — which also includes reimbursement for counseling costs — came after university president Mike Licari acknowledged that Austin Peay failed to follow the required process for terminating a tenured faculty member, exposing the public institution to significant legal liability.
Austin Peay State University has reinstated a tenured professor and agreed to pay him $500,000 after firing him for a social media post he shared following the fatal shooting of conservative activist Charlie Kirk, the Clarksville, Tennessee, school announced. Darren Michael, who teaches theater and dance, returned to his position effective Dec. 30 under a settlement that Tennessee’s governor, attorney general, and comptroller authorized.
The settlement also includes reimbursement for counseling costs, according to a copy of the agreement obtained through a public records request and first reported this week by Nashville television station WKRN-TV. Austin Peay spokesperson Brian Dunn confirmed Michael’s return.
In a Dec. 30 email to the university community — itself a requirement under the settlement — President Mike Licari acknowledged that the school “did not follow the required tenure termination process.” Licari added: “I deeply regret and apologize for the impact this has had on Professor Michael and on our campus community. I am committed to ensuring that due process and fairness are upheld in all future actions.”
How the firing unfolded
Michael was among faculty members who reported facing professional consequences for social media posts made after Kirk’s fatal shooting in September. Two days after Kirk’s killing, Republican U.S. Sen. Marsha Blackburn of Tennessee circulated a screenshot showing Michael had posted, on Sept. 10, the headline of a 2023 news article reading, “Charlie Kirk Says Gun Deaths ‘Unfortunately’ Worth it to Keep 2nd Amendment.”
Blackburn, who is also a candidate for governor, included a photograph and biography of Michael in her post. She wrote, “What do you say, Austin Peay State University?” and tagged the university’s account. Michael was subsequently fired, then later placed on suspension status before the settlement resolved his case.
Blackburn’s office did not respond to a request for comment about the settlement.
Attorney’s response
Michael’s attorney, David L. King, said the professor said “nothing that was threatening or otherwise offensive.” King decried the pressure applied by “outside forces” and said the episode “caused a great deal of harm” to Michael and his daughter.