• Darren Michael received half-million dollar settlement after improper termination over social media post
• University admitted it failed to follow required tenure termination process in September firing
• Professor shared 2023 Newsweek article about Charlie Kirk’s gun violence comments without adding caption

CLARKSVILLE, TN (TDR) — Austin Peay State University will pay Darren Michael, a tenured theatre professor, $500,000 and cover therapeutic counseling costs after admitting it violated established procedures when terminating him over a social media post following Charlie Kirk’s assassination.

WKRN News 2 obtained the settlement agreement on Monday showing Michael returned to his faculty position on Dec. 30, 2025, ending a controversy that began when the associate professor of acting and directing shared a news article two days after the conservative activist’s death.

Blackburn Post Sparked Immediate Firing

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Michael’s termination occurred within 48 hours of Kirk being shot at Utah Valley University on Sept. 10, 2025. The professor had shared a 2023 Newsweek article headlined “Charlie Kirk says gun deaths are ‘unfortunately’ worth it to keep 2nd Amendment” without adding any personal commentary to the post.

Sen. Marsha Blackburn (R-TN) amplified the post by sharing a screenshot on X that included Michael’s photograph and professional biography, directly tagging the university with the question, “What do you say, @austinpeay?”

Within hours, APSU President Mike Licari announced Michael’s termination on Sept. 12, stating the professor had engaged in conduct inconsistent with university values. The initial statement characterized the social media activity as problematic without providing specific details about the content.

“Such actions do not align with Austin Peay’s commitment to mutual respect and human dignity. The university deems these actions unacceptable and has terminated the faculty member.”

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The article Michael shared quoted Kirk’s 2023 comments at a Turning Point USA event where the activist stated gun deaths were an acceptable cost of protecting constitutional rights. Kirk had said during that appearance, “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.”

Procedural Violations Led to Settlement

The Tennessee university reversed course within two weeks, changing Michael’s status from terminated to suspended on Sept. 23 after acknowledging it had not followed proper protocols for removing tenured faculty members. The settlement agreement obtained by WKRN details the institution’s admission of procedural failures.

“APSU agrees to issue a statement acknowledging regret for not following the tenure termination process in connection with the Dispute. The statement will be distributed via email through APSU’s reasonable communication channels to faculty, staff, and students.”

University officials confirmed to FOX 17 News that Michael resumed teaching duties at the end of December after both parties reached the settlement. Licari issued a revised statement taking responsibility for the institution’s handling of the matter.

“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. I am committed to ensuring that due process and fairness are upheld in all future actions.”

The $500,000 payment represents a significant financial consequence for the university’s rushed decision to terminate a tenured professor without adhering to established academic freedom protections. The settlement also includes reimbursement for therapeutic counseling services Michael received during the months-long ordeal.

Broader Pattern of Kirk-Related Terminations

Michael’s case emerged within a larger pattern of employment actions taken against public employees who posted about Kirk’s death. Multiple Tennessee government workers and educators faced disciplinary measures or termination following the assassination.

A Metro Nashville Department of Emergency Communications employee was placed on leave over social media posts, while a Nashville Fire Department employee also faced administrative leave. A Williamson County Schools employee was suspended before later resigning. One former state employee has filed a federal lawsuit over their termination.

Free speech advocates have expressed concern about the rapid disciplinary actions taken against employees who shared factual information or expressed opinions following the activist’s death. The wave of terminations occurred amid intense scrutiny from political figures and conservative organizations monitoring responses to the assassination.

Blackburn’s office defended the senator’s role in calling attention to Michael’s post, issuing a statement that addressed multiple employment cases across Tennessee.

“All of these individuals are betraying the values of the institutions they represent. No parent wants their child taking instruction from someone who applauds the brutal murder of a father, husband, and political leader in cold blood.”

However, the characterization that Michael “applauded” Kirk’s death appears inconsistent with the facts of the case, as the professor shared a news article without commentary rather than expressing celebration or approval.

Questions About Due Process Standards

Michael has served on the APSU faculty since 2007, according to his LinkedIn profile, building nearly two decades of service before the September termination. The tenure system exists specifically to protect faculty members from arbitrary dismissal and political pressure, requiring formal proceedings and just cause for removal.

The university’s acknowledgment that it failed to follow these procedures raises questions about whether other faculty members could face similar rushed terminations if their speech attracts political attention. Academic freedom experts have noted that the mere act of sharing a news article typically falls well within protected expression for university professors.

The substantial settlement payment suggests APSU recognized significant legal exposure from its procedural violations. While the university declined to provide additional details about the agreement terms, the half-million dollar figure represents one of the larger settlements in recent Tennessee higher education disputes.

Should universities face political pressure to immediately terminate faculty members over social media posts without following established due process protections?

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