Emir Caner Will Not Return as Truett McConnell President

Caner was placed on leave in June over claims he had mishandled abuse allegations

CLEVELAND, Ga. — During a scheduled press conference Sept. 26, John Yarbrough, serving as Truett McConnell University’s interim president, announced that Emir Caner would not be returning as president of the school after 17 years in the role.

Emir Caner speaking at Midway Church / Video screenshot

Yarbrough was affirmed by Truett McConnell’s board of trustees Thursday (Sept. 25) as interim, previously serving as acting president.

No details were provided about Caner’s separation from the university.

Caner was placed on administrative leave during a special-called trustee meeting Friday, June 6, upon a recommendation from Robby Foster, chairman of the board of trustees, and subsequent unanimous vote. The move comes in response to the sexual abuse claims made by former student and soccer coach Hayle Swinson.

Swinson alleges she was groomed and sexually abused over several years by the former TMU professor and vice president Brad Reynolds. She publicly shared details of her experience in a podcast with The Roys Report in May, which resulted in scrutiny of TMU’s handling of the claims.

During that same June meeting, Foster recommended two additional proposals, also unanimously accepted. They included: 1) a third-party investigation be conducted by Richard Hyde with Phoenix Research LLC; and 2) that Yarbrough serve as acting president until a final determination could be made regarding Caner’s future.

On Thursday (Sept. 25), TMU trustees gathered to hear a verbal report of the investigative findings. Those details were shared in executive session. Yarbrough was not present, and no information was made public during the press conference. Yarbrough shared that he did not anticipate learning those details nor anticipated a need to know.

When asked if Caner will be employed in any capacity with the university, Yarbrough confirmed emphatically he would not. He also shared that no other leadership changes are anticipated at this time.

Yarbrough continued placing an emphasis on the impact and importance of TMU. “This is a special place,” he said. “God has used it (in) thousands of lives over the years. Our students today, they’re enjoying being in the university.

“They’re in class getting a biblical worldview education.”

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Focusing on the current state of the school, he said, “I can tell you we’ve had a record inquiry, I mean a record of inquires for next year, off the chart. But I can tell you that we’re having a struggle, a bit, with getting the bottom line. I think many people were waiting to see what was going to happen with our trustees.”

He said the last few months have been harder on TMU employees than students.

“The atmosphere on the campus among our students, most don’t know or really aren’t involved, as long as they’re getting what they’re getting in athletics and class and academics, that’s what they’re here for,” he said. “Our faculty and staff, yeah, of course you’re concerned. You’re employed; you’ve got a family. You want stability. And in a transitional time like this, one of my big jobs is to ensure stability so that they don’t have to fear for their jobs.”

Yarbrough highlighted the ongoing policy and procedure changes taking place to ensure Title IX compliance and create a safe campus environment.

“The Truett McConnell going forward, though we’ve had protective processes in place, every one of those protective processes has been strengthened. Our policies, we are in full compliance with Title IX.”

In addition to added security measures on campus, school leadership has elevated a part-time position as coordinator for Title IX to full time and contracted with one of the leading consultants in Title IX.

According to school bylaws, a search team will be formed by the chairman of the trustees. The full trustee board will affirm that search team, which will ultimately be responsible for identifying candidates for the role of president. No timeline was given for that process to take place.

This article originally appeared in the Christian Index.

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