Truett McConnell University President has parted ways with President Emir Caner, three months after he was put on leave over claims that he ignored or disregarded allegations that his VP of academic services groomed and then sexually abused a student.
A statement from the University published on social media reads:
STATEMENT FROM THE BOARD OF TRUSTEES
Following the presentation of the independent investigative findings of Richard Hyde to the Truett McConnell University Board of Trustees on Thursday, September 25th, the board has decided to part ways with Dr. Emir Caner.
The Acting President, Dr. John O. Yarbrough, has been appointed Interim President.
The Board of Trustees is appointing a committee for the purpose of hiring a new president.
The Board of Trustees would like to thank Dr. Caner’s 17 years of service to Truett McConnell University.
In early June, former student Hayle Swinson publicly accused former Truett McConnell University administrator and professor Dr. Brad Reynolds of targeting her and abusing her during her time as a student and, later, as a staff member between 2013 and 2018.
At the advice of her counselor, Swinson eventually reported Reynolds to law enforcement in 2024. He resigned from TMU but was neither terminated nor publicly exposed. Swinson and supporters alleged that Emir Caner was made aware of the inappropriate relationship prior to 2024 but did not do his due diligence in investigating the claims and ultimately failed to act to protect female students under his care.
Notably, both Swinson and Reynolds were adults when this relationship formed, leading many to conclude that while Reynolds may have targeted and manipulated her, he did not ‘groom her,’ as that is a designation that should be exclusively used with minors.
A decade ago, Emir Caner was notably entangled in a controversy surrounding his brother, Ergun Caner, who was then the dean of Liberty University. Ergun falsely claimed to have been a Muslim jihadi, trained as a terrorist in majority-Muslim countries, where he learned English by watching American television, before arriving in America at age 15 with the intent to commit acts of terrorism.
In truth, Ergun spent his early years in Sweden, moved to the United States at age three, and grew up in Ohio as a nominal Muslim named Michael “Butch” Caner, later changing his name to Ergun Mehmet Caner where he built a reputation as a prominent apologist, author, and public speaker on the back of perpetuating these falsehoods.
Throughout the years, Emir remained silent, neither addressing the claims nor setting the record straight, despite knowing his brother was repeatedly and explicitly leveraging these falsehoods in his public and professional life. Later, after Ergun was exposed as an inveterate liar and during the height of the controversy, Emir still maintained his silence and never once spoke up.
One response to “Truett McConnell Parts Ways with President Emir Caner Following Sex Abuse Investigation”
“of targeting her and abusing her during her time as a student and, later, as a staff member between 2013 and 2018.” So women who consent to a relationship with a professor and fellow colleague get to call it abuse or grooming? Give me a break. Just trying to score a payday.