Content Warning: This article contains references to gun violence.
Emory University School of Medicine terminated a non-clinical faculty member due to posts they made on social media, according to Assistant Vice President of University Communications Laura Diamond. The University could not provide further comment on the termination as it is a personnel matter, according to Diamond.
While the University did not confirm the identity of the terminated faculty member, after Charlie Kirk’s assassination, School of Medicine Associate Professor Anna Kenney posted on Facebook that the right-wing figure was a “disgusting individual” and said in response to another post detailing the assassination, “good riddance.”
The University has since removed Kenney’s profile on the School of Medicine’s website.
On Sept. 10, Tyler Robinson allegedly shot and killed Kirk at an event on Utah Valley University’s campus. Authorities arrested Robinson on seven charges on Sept. 12, including aggravated murder. Interim University President Leah Ward Sears (80L) condemned Kirk’s death and the violence on college campuses in a statement to the Emory community on Sept. 11.
“I am deeply saddened by the tragic and senseless killing on the campus of Utah Valley University yesterday that claimed the life of Charlie Kirk,” Sears wrote.
Kirk’s death caused an outpour of grief and anger from conservative politicians. The political figure was a close ally of U.S. President Donald Trump and founded the conservative youth group Turning Point USA.
Following Kenney’s posts about Kirk, Rep. Derrick Van Orden (R-Wis.) posted on X that he would look into “freezing every single contract” with Emory University if they did not terminate the faculty member.
Executive Vice President of Health Affairs Joon Lee released a statement on Sept. 15 to colleagues condemning the use of social media to promote or glorify violence.
“However, let me be clear: any celebration or incitement of violence, including on social media, is not acceptable under any circumstances and is inconsistent with our values,” Lee wrote. “These types of expressions undermine both our shared values and the safety of our entire community.”
Kenney did not respond to The Emory Wheel’s request for comment by press time.
If you or someone you know is struggling in the aftermath of gun violence, you can reach Emory’s Counseling and Psychological Services at (404) 727-7450 or https://counseling.emory.edu/ or the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration Disaster Distress hotline 24/7 at +1 (800) 985-5990.
Update (9/18/2025 at 11:55 a.m.): This article has been updated to include Executive Vice President of Health Affairs Joon Lee’s statement
Siya Kumar (she/her) (28C) is a news editor at The Emory Wheel. She is from New Orleans, La., majoring in Economics and Creative Writing on the pre-law track. Outside of the Wheel, Kumar is a market news analyst for the Emory Economics Investment Forum and a writer for the Emory Economics Review. She loves baking, reading, and drinking coffee.
