The board of trustees at Truett McConnell University (TMU) announced the morning of Friday, Sept. 26, that it had decided to “part ways” with its university president, Dr. Emir Caner, who was put on administrative leave in June.
Caner was put on leave following allegations that he had not acted upon learning of allegations that former TMU Vice President Bradley Reynolds had sexually assaulted and spiritually abused former student Hayle Swinson.
“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,” said the school in a statement on Facebook. “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,” the statement concluded.
Editor’s note: This article refers to reports of sexual abuse that some readers might find triggering and/or disturbing.
Truett McConnell University Has Not Released Investigation’s Findings
Former TMU student and former soccer coach Hayle Swinson spoke on the May 29 episode of the “The Roys Report” podcast, alleging that Reynolds groomed and sexually abused her for years. Swinson’s allegations against Reynolds included spiritual abuse and digital rape. She says that Caner and other officials at the school knew about her allegations but did nothing.
In a statement after the podcast episode came out, TMU said it didn’t learn about abuse allegations against Reynold until 2024. When the university did, it placed Reynolds on leave, after which he resigned. “We are all shocked and disgusted to learn of his secret side,” said TMU in a post on May 30.
In 2024, Reynolds informed TMU that law enforcement was investigating him, although authorities ultimately decided not to pursue charges.
However, TMU decided to put Caner on leave on June 6, made Dr. John Yarbrough the acting president, and said it would be conducting a third-party investigation. Caner denied that there was a cover-up but said, “We have to do better.”
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