Austin Peay State University has reinstated a tenured theater professor who was fired last fall due to a social media post linked to the assassination of conservative activist Charlie Kirk. The university agreed to pay him $500,000 after realizing it did not follow the proper termination procedures.
The university confirmed that Darren Michael, an associate professor of acting and directing, returned to his position in late December. This ended a dispute that started days after Kirk was killed in September. Michael was dismissed two days after the assassination for sharing a screenshot of Kirk’s past comments on gun violence without adding any commentary.
“I think it’s worth to have a cost of, unfortunately, some gun deaths every single year so that we can have the Second Amendment to protect our other God-given rights. That is a prudent deal. It is rational. Nobody talks like this. They live in a complete alternate universe.”
The professor was among many who shared Kirk’s quote in reaction to his assassination.
Austin Peay dismissed Michael on September 12, calling the post “insensitive” and saying it could be seen as justifying violence. Their decision was prompted by Tennessee Senator Marsha Blackburn sharing an image of Michael’s post online and urging the university to take action.
Later, the administrators admitted they did not follow the necessary procedure to terminate a tenured faculty member. According to Austin Peay policy, firing a tenured professor requires a formal review, faculty involvement, and a hearing. The university did not complete these steps before letting Michael go.
The school changed the termination to a suspension and began settlement talks with Michael’s attorneys. He was formally reinstated effective December 30.
In a written statement about the resolution, Austin Peay President Mike Licari apologized for how the case was handled. “APSU did not follow the required termination process in this matter, and I deeply regret and apologize for the impact this has had on Professor Michael and on our campus community,” Licari said. He stated the university would reaffirm its commitment to due process in future disciplinary matters.
The settlement totals $500,000, according to reports about the agreement. It includes financial compensation as well as reimbursement for counseling and related expenses. The university confirmed this amount but chose not to release the full settlement document for privacy and legal reasons.
Michael has resumed teaching and is recognized as a tenured faculty member in good standing. The university noted he has not given extended public interviews since his reinstatement.
The case occurred during a time of heightened national tension after Kirk’s assassination, which led to swift disciplinary actions against various educators and public employees across the country for online posts made shortly after the event. Some faced suspensions or firings, while others challenged these actions through complaints or lawsuits.
Tenure protections and faculty handbooks impose strict limits on how universities can discipline professors, even during politically charged situations. Institutions that overlook these requirements risk settlements or losses in court.
Austin Peay officials stated they are reviewing internal procedures regarding employee discipline and social media issues, but they did not announce any specific policy changes. The university declined further comment beyond its public statements. Michael’s attorneys did not immediately respond to requests for comment.
This settlement concludes one of the most high-profile academic employment disputes related to the aftermath of Kirk’s killing, allowing Michael to return to the classroom and ending a case that attracted national attention regarding university actions during times of public and political pressure. Following Rob Reiner’s death, it shows that Kirk’s assassination hasn’t done much to end social media mockery when political adversaries die.
