Professor reinstated after firing over post about Charlie Kirk

A professor fired after resharing a post about Charlie Kirk's death has been reinstated and will receive $500,000 for counselling under a settlement; the university said it did not follow required termination procedures.

Austin Peay State University reinstated tenured associate professor Darren Michael on December 30 after previously firing him in September. The firing followed his resharing of a post about the death of conservative activist Charlie Kirk. The university later said it had not followed required termination procedures and moved Michael to suspension while reviewing the matter. A settlement returned Michael to his position and included payment to reimburse therapeutic counselling. Key facts: - Darren Michael, a tenured associate professor at Austin Peay State University, was dismissed in September after resharing a post concerning Charlie Kirk's death. - Senator Marsha Blackburn publicly shared a screenshot of Michael's post and university contact details, which increased attention on the case. - APSU President Mike Licari said the post was insensitive and unacceptable when the university first terminated Michael. - The university acknowledged it did not follow the required tenure termination process and changed Michael's status to suspension while addressing the dispute. - A settlement reinstated Michael on December 30 and provided $500,000 to reimburse therapeutic counselling services he received. - The settlement says APSU will issue and distribute a statement acknowledging regret for not following the tenure termination process. Summary: The settlement resolved Michael's employment status by reinstating him and reimbursing counselling costs. APSU agreed to circulate a statement acknowledging regret to faculty, staff and students. Undetermined at this time whether additional formal reviews or legal steps will follow.