Overview
- A settlement obtained by WKRN shows Austin Peay will pay Associate Professor Darren Michael $500,000 and reimburse therapeutic counseling services.
- The university confirmed to WZTV that Michael returned to his faculty role at the end of December following his September termination.
- President Mike Licari acknowledged the school did not follow the required tenure-termination process and issued a public apology.
- The agreement requires a statement of regret to be emailed to faculty, staff, and students through university channels.
- Michael was fired on Sept. 12 after sharing a news article about Charlie Kirk without additional commentary, a post later highlighted by Sen. Marsha Blackburn.