TBA Law Blog


Posted by: Azya Thornton on Sep 15, 2025

The University of Tennessee (UT) System suspended and is pursuing the firing of an assistant professor at the Knoxville campus who criticized conservative activist Charlie Kirk on social media after Kirk was shot to death last week. The assistant anthropology professor posted the comment in response to a post about Kirk's killing saying, “the world is better off without him in it," Knox News reports. UT campus leaders suspended Tamar Shirinian today and initiated termination proceedings. Separately, a Middle Tennessee State University (MTSU) assistant dean of students also has been fired after commenting on Kirk's death on social media. According to The Tennessean, a university spokesperson confirmed that Laura Sosh-Lightsy was fired for “inappropriate and callous” comments.