Dr. Emir Caner, president of Truett McConnell University (TMU), has been placed on administrative leave and launched a third-party investigation into allegations of sexual assault by a former vice president. The investigation at hand deals with former vice president Dr. Brad Reynolds, who is alleged of sexual assault by former student Hayley Swinson, who also worked at TMU from 2013 to 2018.

Following a meeting with the Board of Trustees on Friday, the school stated that the decisions came out of "genuine concern" and with "broken hearts."

"The Chairman (Robby Foster) brought three proposals which he presented to the trustees. After a healthy discussion, the three proposals were made into a recommendation," the statement from TMU said, which was posted on social media.

"The recommendations included that: 1) a third-party investigation be conducted by Richard Hyde with Phoenix Research LLC; 2) that President Dr. Emir Caner be placed on administrative leave until the investigation is completed; and 3) that Dr. John Yarbrough serve Truett McConnell University as acting president until a final determination can be made regarding the trustees' ultimate decision on this matter."

According to AccessWDUN, those proposals were unanimously approved by the Board of Trustees.

"We request that you continue to pray for the entire TMU family and all parties involved," the statement concluded.

During the board meeting, there was a gathering of 30 alumni, led by event organizer Heather Pillsbury, who graduated from TMU in 2000, gathered outside of TMU's Odell Hall in Cleveland, demanding transparency and accountability in handling allegations of abuse.

"We think an unbiased third-party investigation is the most important thing," Pillsbury said. "Just to uncover any possible wrongdoings and that those things will be brought to light, and the people accountable would be held to a standard that the church and Christ would have them to be."

In a previous statement on May 30, the university shared that they had discovered Reynolds' involvement in an inappropriate relationship was being investigated by White County authorities in early 2024. Although the White County Sheriff's Office did not charge Reynolds at the time of the initial investigation, he was reportedly placed on administrative leave and ultimately removed from his position.

TMU also refuted Swinson's allegations that the administration did not take her allegations of sexual misconduct seriously.

"When complaints of sexual discrimination, harassment or other misconduct are reported, investigations are promptly initiated and timely concluded," the university's statement, issued May 30, said. "Truett McConnell University encourages alleged misconduct to be reported as soon as possible. Every TMU employee is trained to bring reports of alleged misconduct to the Title IX or HR office."

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