By The Franklin Daily Journal
Franklin College President Thomas J. Minar was fired following his arrest this weekend in Wisconsin.
According to an email sent to the college by the Sturgeon Bay Police Department, Minar was taken into custody in Sturgeon Bay, Wisconsin, for use of a computer to facilitate a sex crime, child enticement and expose a child to harmful materials or narrations. He was released from custody on bond, subject to no direct contact with minors unless supervised and was told not to use social media, according to Sturgeon Bay Police.
The Franklin College Board of Trustees executive committee voted to terminate Minar’s employment immediately after learning about the incident, according to a news release Monday from the college.
“The safety of our campus community — especially our students — is always our first priority. We are deeply shocked and gravely concerned by the reported behavior of Dr. Minar that led to his arrest in Wisconsin, and we will continue to cooperate fully with authorities,” said Jim Due, chair of the board of trustees, in a statement to the media.
Minar had announced in June that he would be stepping down as president of the college effective on June 30, 2020. A search for a new president was ongoing.
The college has started its own investigation into Minar’s conduct while president. In addition to existing systems in place, additional resources will be available to allow students to confidentially and safely report incidents of inappropriate behavior, according to a release by the college.
According to the college’s bylaws, Lori Schroeder, provost and dean of the college, will serve as the interim president until the board of trustees executive committee can appoint an acting president. That decision should occur early this week, the college’s news release said.
“As in other times of difficulty during the college’s 186-year history, our community will come together in support of one another as we continue to educate the innovative leaders of our future,” Due said in a statement.
