BUZZ
Called Kirk’s death ‘one of the most beautiful days ever’ … but students say he’s ‘compassionate,’ ‘genuinely caring’
Various students at Clemson University are miffed that a professor terminated for posting “vile” messages about Charlie Kirk’s assassination is not yet back in the classroom.
Among the anti-Kirk posts and retweets made by “Audio Technology and Global Black Studies” Professor Melvin Villaver were “Today was one of the most beautiful days ever,” “Racism and White Supremacy age you,” and “Nigga was worried about DEI and DIED instead.”
He also shared a post stating “Charlie Kirk recently said to a Palestinian that there’s no such thing as Palestinians. Well now look… there’s no longer such a thing called Charlie Kirk.”
Clemson Provost Robert Jones had alleged Villaver engaged in “blatantly unprofessional conduct” and “had identified himself as a Clemson professor” — but “made no effort to state that [his] views did not represent the views of Clemson.”
Villaver’s faculty colleague Joshua Bregy, also terminated for sharing an (arguably tamer) anti-Kirk statement, ended up suing Clemson and recently settled. Under the terms of the agreement, Bregy will “receive pay and benefits throughout the original term of his employment” and get “positive letters of recommendation to potential employers” from Jones.
A recent report by The Tiger, Clemson’s student newspaper, notes several students want Villaver’s case “revisited” based on Prof. Bregy’s “breakthrough.”
Student Torey Morrison said Villaver is “more than a teacher” who “genuinely cares” for his students.
“He spent so much time talking with me, encouraging me, and reminding his students to go after whatever their passions and desires were,” Morrison said. “Having someone on campus who made me feel seen, valued, and supported meant everything to me […] he will definitely be missed.”
Kailey Laurinaitis said Villaver’s classes abroad were “high energy” where “everyone […] was engaged in the material.”
What stuck out to Laurinaitis the most was “his compassion and dedication to our success and well-being.” She felt as if Villaver was “always there to help” the students when they needed and was consistently on their side.
Along with what Morrison noted, Laurinaitis said that “it was hard to be away from home, but he truly made it feel like the Clemson family was always present.”
After the trip, the students returned to campus for the fall semester, and Villaver made it known to the group that he was still there for them and “always would be.”
Jevon Lewis, a sophomore computer engineering major, met Villaver through another student, and even so, said in an interview that “he is always a person that you can talk to and he will listen.”
When Lewis heard of Villaver’s termination, he was shocked that it had to do with freedom of speech.
“Even professors should have a voice the same way students have one,” Lewis told The Tiger.
Lewis added he understands some consequences for Villaver were warranted, but that termination “goes against [his] human rights ‘to not have a say on anything no matter the topic.’”
Clemson Hip Hop Club President Gabriel Fiorentino said he believes students who wanted Villaver fired were “trying to scare Black students and other students with similar political mindsets.”
Along with Villaver, Clemson Asbestos Program Manager Robin Newberry remains terminated for his posts of “In a world full of Charlie Kirks and Brian Thompsons, be a Tyler Robinson or a Luigi Mangione,” “Fuck these Nazis,” and “a cancer on our constitution has thankfully been ameliorated.”
MORE: Former prof sues Clemson for firing over post calling Charlie Kirk’s murder ‘karma’
