Wheaton College Moves Forward With Firing Tenured Professor

WHEATON, IL - Wheaton College is moving forward with firing a tenured professor regarding religious statements.

Wheaton College announced in a statement Tuesday that it would be moving forward with termination proceedings for Larycia Hawkins, a tenured political science professor who caused a stir last month when she said Muslims and Christians worship the same God. That statement, officials at the evangelical college said, goes against the college’s statement of faith.

Hawkins, a Christian, also showed her solidarity with Muslims by donning a hijab in December.

This past week, the college delivered Notice of Recommendation to Initiate Termination-for-Cause Proceedings to Hawkins The decision to move forward with the proceedings came after talks broke down between college officials and Hakwins. College officials said Hawkins “declined to participate in further dialogue about the theological implications of her public statement,” according to the statement.

“The notice is not a termination; rather, it begins Wheaton College’s established process for employment actions pertaining to tenured faculty members,” according to Wheaton College statement.

Hawkins who is currently on paid administrative leave from the college, spoke at a press conference Wednesday, thanking her supporters and said she had no hate in her heart for college officials, according to ABC Chicago.

Hawkins has been vocal on her Facebook and Twitter pages regarding her beliefs and has posted pictures of herself wearing the hijab.

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