Wheaton College and Embattled Professor to Part Ways

Wheaton College and Associate Professor of Political Science Dr. Larycia Hawkins have reached an agreement in which Hawkins will leave the college, according to a joint statement released Saturday.

Hawkins had been a professor at the private evangelical school since 2007, and was placed on administrative leave in December ^[1] after beginning to wear a hijab and posting several messages on Facebook in "religious solidarity" with Muslims.

The school said that it was what Hawkins said, not what she wore, that necessitated the suspension, saying she made statements "that seem inconsistent with Wheaton College's doctrinal convictions, which she voluntarily agreed to support and uphold when she entered into an employment agreement with the college."

Wheaton College began efforts to fire Hawkins ^[2] in January after officials said Hawkins refused to participate in "clarifying conversations" about theological issues.

College Begins Effort to Fire Hijab-Wearing Prof

"Wheaton College sincerely appreciates Dr. Hawkins' contributions to this institution over the last nine years," said Wheaton College President Dr. Philip Graham Ryken in the statement. "We are grateful for her passionate teaching, scholarship, community service and mentorship of our students."

"I appreciate and have great respect for the Christian liberal arts and the ways that Wheaton College exudes that in its mission, programs, and in the caliber of its employees and students," Hawkins said.

Dr. Hawkins and Wheaton College will hold a joint conference on Wednesday, February 10.

Published at 9:33 PM CST on Feb 6, 2016

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