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The Associate Press reported Friday that Trustees at Truett McConnell University in Cleveland, Georgia, announced that Emir Caner will not return as president following an inquiry into whether he failed to act on allegations that a former administrator sexually assaulted a student.
Caner had been on leave since June, when the university began investigating claims that a professor and administrator assaulted a woman during Bible study sessions at his home. The woman, who was later employed by the university, said she was repeatedly assaulted.
John Yarbrough, director of alumni and public policy, who stepped in as acting president earlier this year, has now been named interim president. Trustees confirmed that a committee will begin searching for a permanent leader. While investigators presented findings to trustees before the decision, the details have not been made public.
At a news conference, Yarbrough told reporters, “But I can tell you I’m interim president and Dr. Caner is no longer president of the university today.” He also noted that terms of Caner’s departure are still being negotiated.
The controversy erupted in May when the former student shared her allegations on a podcast. The university said it learned of the matter in February 2024 after the administrator disclosed he was under investigation by the White County Sheriff’s Office. His employment ended within days. Attorneys later revealed that he had sent hundreds of sexually explicit and theologically distorted emails from a personal account. Although sheriff’s deputies concluded there was insufficient evidence for criminal charges, the case remains under review by White County District Attorney Jeff Langley.
Caner has denied concealing or ignoring complaints. In a social media video after being placed on leave, he said, “While there was no cover-up, there was no Title IX filed or an HR complaint, there was no petition that ever came across my desk. We have to do better.”
Faculty, alumni, and students voiced frustration over how the university handled the allegations, leading to protests outside a trustee meeting in June. Opponents also claimed that Caner retaliated against two administrators who raised concerns, though the school denies this.
An attorney who represents the former student has argued that the university knew of complaints against the administrator years earlier, citing an earlier student petition for his removal. She said Caner’s removal was overdue. “This is not political or based on hate, but healing and the right time to make the changes that were long overdue,” the attorney said. “These brave women who came forward, and the others who were afraid to, deserve the support of the Christian community going forward with support for healing and change.”
The attorney added that her client has not filed suit against the university because Georgia law imposes a four-year statute of limitations on civil actions, preventing legal claims.
This case comes amid broader scrutiny of the Southern Baptist Convention, which has faced decades of allegations that hundreds of pastors and staff members abused congregants and that leaders failed to respond adequately. You can learn more about SBC Sexual Abuse Litigation here.
If you’re a clergy abuse survivor, or survivor of any other institution, you may still have time to file a claim and receive possible compensation. Fill out the confidential, secure form below to have your case evaluated.
