East Lansing, Michigan, October 7, 2025
News Summary
John Engler stepped down as interim president of Michigan State University amidst mounting criticism for his handling of the Larry Nassar sexual abuse scandal. His controversial history as governor, dismissive comments about abuse survivors, and calls for new leadership ultimately led to his resignation after more than a year in office. Engler’s legacy is marred by his approach to the crisis, highlighting the challenges of university leadership during turbulent times.
East Lansing, Michigan – John Engler, the interim president of Michigan State University (MSU), has faced mounting criticism regarding his leadership during the aftermath of the Larry Nassar sexual assault scandal. Engler was appointed to the position after the resignation of President Lou Anna Simon, who stepped down as allegations of sexual misconduct surrounding Nassar, a former MSU sports doctor, came to light.
Upon his appointment, Engler vowed to treat all students “as if they were his own daughters.” However, his previous actions as governor of Michigan raised significant concerns about his commitment to this promise. In the late 1990s, Engler opposed investigations into claims of sexual abuse by male guards against female prison inmates in Michigan. He controversially sent a letter to the United Nations declining to allow state officials to be interviewed regarding the allegations and dismissed the lawsuit against the state as baseless. Engler maintained that evidence supported the state’s position of not violating the rights of women inmates, despite extensive allegations of abuse.
In 2009, the state ultimately agreed to a $100 million settlement in a class-action lawsuit involving 500 female inmates who reported being raped or harassed by guards. Furthermore, reports indicated that Engler attempted to undermine inmates’ rights to sue the state for civil rights violations through an amendment to the Elliott-Larsen Civil Rights Act, which would have made Michigan the only state to do so. This amendment was later declared unconstitutional in 2007 by a U.S. District Judge, who criticized it for fostering discrimination against female prisoners.
During his time as interim president, Engler faced backlash for his remarks and leadership style regarding the Nassar case, including comments deemed dismissive of the survivors’ experiences, such as insinuations that they were “enjoying the spotlight.” This insensitivity sparked widespread calls for his resignation. More than twenty-three academic leaders at MSU penned a letter demanding his replacement, expressing their disapproval of his handling of the situation.
Critics accused Engler of continuing to inflict emotional harm on survivors of Nassar’s abuse due to his combative leadership style. Amid ongoing discontent, Engler eventually resigned as interim president on January 23, 2019, following a board meeting in which he was expected to be dismissed. Members of the board expressed a desire for new leadership in light of the continuing criticism and turmoil surrounding his presidency.
Engler’s resignation came after just over a year in office, leaving a legacy that many associates and advocates for survivors view as tainted. His handling of the Nassar scandal and his controversial history with sexual abuse allegations have continued to draw sharp criticism from survivors and their advocates, showcasing the challenges and complexities related to leadership in times of crisis.
Background on Larry Nassar Case
Larry Nassar, who worked as a physician for USA Gymnastics and Michigan State University, was convicted of sexually assaulting hundreds of young female athletes over decades. His case prompted a nationwide reckoning regarding sexual abuse in sports and institutions, leading to further scrutiny of how universities handle such allegations.
Key Events Timeline
- Engler appointed interim president of MSU following Lou Anna Simon’s resignation amid the Nassar scandal.
- Engler’s controversial history as governor leads to scrutiny over his handling of sexual abuse allegations.
- Engler resigns as interim president on January 23, 2019.
- Engler’s resignation follows calls from faculty, students, and the board for new leadership.
Conclusion
John Engler’s tenure as interim president of Michigan State University has been marked by controversy and criticism, particularly in regard to his actions and attitudes toward survivors of sexual abuse. His resignation reflects the institution’s ongoing struggle to navigate the fallout of the Nassar scandal while seeking to rebuild its trust with students and the community.
FAQ Section
Who is John Engler?
John Engler was named interim president of Michigan State University (MSU) following the resignation of President Lou Anna Simon amid the Larry Nassar sexual assault scandal.
What controversies surrounded Engler during his presidency at MSU?
Engler’s past actions as governor raised concerns, specifically regarding his opposition to investigations into claims of sexual abuse by male guards against female prison inmates in Michigan. He faced backlash for his comments about survivors of the Nassar abuse and for his dismissive tone regarding their experiences.
When did Engler resign from his position as interim president?
Engler resigned as interim president on January 23, 2019, after more than a year in office and amid calls for his resignation from MSU faculty and student groups.
What was the response from MSU faculty and students to Engler’s leadership?
Engler faced calls for resignation from MSU faculty and student groups, with twenty-three academic leaders signing a letter demanding his replacement.
What was Engler’s involvement in past sexual abuse allegations as governor?
As governor, Engler opposed investigations into claims of sexual abuse against female inmates and sent a letter to the United Nations refusing to allow interviews regarding the allegations.
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Additional Resources
- Bridge Michigan: John Engler’s Dismissive Attitude
- Detroit News: How John Engler’s Reign Fell Apart
- Detroit Free Press: John Engler Resigns as MSU President
- New York Times: Michigan State Interim President Resigns
- Michigan Advance: Survivor Advocates Speak Out Against Engler
- Wikipedia: Larry Nassar
- Google Search: John Engler
- Google Scholar: Larry Nassar
- Encyclopedia Britannica: Larry Nassar
- Google News: Michigan State University
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