CHICAGO (AP) — A professor
of a Christian college who asserted Christians and Muslims worship the
same God will leave her post, the school near Chicago announced.
In a statement posted
on Wheaton College’s website, the school and Larycia Hawkins said they
“have reached a confidential agreement under which they will part ways.”
The statement didn’t go into details.
The college had placed
Hawkins, a Christian and an associate professor of political science, on
leave in December after she posted her views on Facebook. Hawkins also
began wearing a hijab, the headscarf worn by some Muslim women, to
counter what she called “vitriolic” rhetoric against Muslims.
Shortly afterward, the college began efforts to dismiss her despite objections by some faculty members.
“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 in the
statement posted Saturday on the school’s website.
College
officials and Hawkins said in the statement that neither will speak
publically about their relationship before a news conference scheduled
for Wednesday.
“Wheaton College sincerely appreciates Dr. Hawkins’
contributions to this institution over the last nine years,” President
Philip Graham Ryken said in the statement. “We are grateful for her
passionate teaching, scholarship, community service and mentorship of
our students.”
College officials previously had said Hawkins’ views were inconsistent with the college’s “doctrinal convictions.”
Hawkins
had maintained that nothing about her views contradict the college’s
statement of faith, which all instructors sign. Among other things it
affirms belief in “one sovereign God,” views on Adam and Eve and the
existence of Satan.
Nearly 3,000 undergraduate and graduate students attend Wheaton College, which is roughly 30 miles from Chicago.
Copyright 2016 The Associated Press. All rights
reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or
redistributed.
