DETROIT (MI)
The Associated Press
January 17, 2019
By Corey Williams and David Eggert
Michigan State University is poised to name a new interim president Thursday after the former governor who was brought in to help it recover from the Larry Nassar sexual abuse scandal resigned under pressure, amid backlash over his comments about some of the ex-sports doctor’s victims.
John Engler – who had resisted calls to step down in the past – quit in an 11-page letter to Dianne Byrum, chairwoman of Michigan State’s Board of Trustees, effective Jan. 23. It makes no mention of recent criticism of his recent remarks and instead lists what he considers to be his accomplishments in nearly one year of service, saying the university is a ”dramatically better, stronger institution.”
”It has been an honor to serve my beloved university,” wrote Engler, who is in Texas attending a burial service for his late father-in-law.
With his sudden reversal, Engler joins a long list of people – including his predecessor as president – who have been fired, forced out of their jobs or charged with crimes amid fallout from the school’s handling of the once-renowned sports physician stretching back decades.
The final straw for the university’s governing board came last week when Engler told The Detroit News that Nassar’s victims had been in the ”spotlight” and are ”still enjoying that moment at times, you know, the awards and recognition.”
Nassar is now serving decades-long prison sentences for sexually assaulting patients and possessing child pornography.
Note: This is an Abuse Tracker excerpt. Click the title to view the full text of the original article. If the original article is no longer available, see our News Archive.