Oklahoma Christian University tenured professor fired for asking gay man to speak to his class

Oklahoma Christian University has fired a 41-year-old tenured professor after he brought in a gay lecturer to address his class on how to overcome life’s challenges.

Michael O’Keefe taught arts and design at a private Oklahoma City institution and led his students in a course called The Business of Branding Yourself.

One of the speakers in one session spoke about his personal journey as a Christian and the challenges he overcame in his life. The speaker happened to be gay.

He warned the students that at the beginning of the class, explicit language would be used and would have used the words “d**k” and “bitch”.

After the lesson, an investigation was launched and O’Keefe was fired for gross misconduct, infuriating many of his students.

“It’s embarrassing for a Christian university, and it doesn’t look much like a university if you can’t have a free flow of ideas,” said his lawyer, Kevin Jacobs.

Jacobs told DailyMail.com that O’Keefe is “an outstanding teacher”, who built the design curriculum from the ground up.

“Graduates coming out of there had their pick of jobs,” said Jacobs, who also went to college.

“If you walked out of O’Keefe’s classes, you had his approval, and you could bet the students knew what they were doing.

“He was trying to help students move from a university environment to a real work environment.

“He was using elders to come in and talk about this, to continue the collegiality.”

His wife, Lori Osley, announced his dismissal on Saturday, in a Facebook post that was met with shock and anger, and an outpouring of support for O’Keefe.

“Normally Spring Break is an exciting time for my husband, Michael Okeefe; but this year it’s different,” she wrote.

“After more than 41 years at Oklahoma Christian University, he was fired last week. The reason?

“Because he brought in a guest speaker, who was a former alumnus, to visit the students on how he overcame a personal challenge. He was one of the many speakers brought. However, he was gay.

Osley said the speaker was “only talking about his personal journey, not to promote any lifestyle.”

She said her husband had “gave his heart to those kids at school” and noted that students would come to his door crying and he would try to support them.

On his Facebook page, O’Keefe presents two quotes.

The first states: “Social justice must be linked to our worship.

The second, by Sir William Osler, who co-founded Johns Hopkins Hospital, states: “The greater the ignorance, the greater the dogmatism.

Jacobs confirmed that O’Keefe was fired March 7 for “gross misconduct, conduct contrary to the mission and values ​​of Oklahoma Christian University, and disregard for university policies and values.” “.

The class was March 1.

Jacobs added: ‘We believe Mr O’Keefe was fired for bringing in a guest speaker for his senior level class. This speaker is also gay.

“Letting students expect a world where you could be different is the message Mr. O’Keefe wanted his students to hear.

“That’s the message this speaker delivered, not a plea for gay rights.

“Unfortunately, this is not allowed at Oklahoma Christian University today. It cost Mr. O’Keefe his job.

Jacobs told DailyMail.com that the university’s actions raise many questions.

‘What is the current position of the university on homosexual professors or students?’ He asked.

“Many of their published statements give the impression of an inclusive community.

“They released statements saying people had spoken to students about coming out and made overtures to be inclusive.

“Which they should be, of course, especially as a Christian center.”

O’Keefe and Jacobs consider their next step.

On social media, former students of O’Keefe reacted angrily to his dismissal.

“As an alumnus of Oklahoma Christian University’s graphic design department, I am shocked and saddened to learn that Michael O’Keefe has been fired,” wrote Julia Layne.

She said she understood that “two explicit words were used by the speaker” and named them.

Layne concluded, “O’Keefe is the kind of teacher who prepares his students to succeed in every way. I know for sure that I wouldn’t be where I am today without Michael O’Keefe.

‘O’Keefe has changed my life for the better, and I hope this thread can not only shed some light on the facts of this situation, but more so, can commemorate Michael O’Keefe as a dedicated teacher and mentor who ‘It is.’

Another former student added: “Michael O’Keefe saved me from a life as a computer engineer.” I remember visiting him in freshman year, so nervous about changing majors.

“He believed in me before me. Over the past four years, O’Keefe has exponentially developed my sense of design.

“I am embarrassed by my school’s decision.”

Another, Brandon, described him as “tough, but definitely one of the best teachers”.

Cameron Dawson, who runs a design studio, commented: “Michael has brought his students to our agency every year and there is no doubt that he is extremely dedicated to his students and his craft. IMO this exposes very poor leadership.

Another called him an “incredible and incredibly inspiring teacher”, saying he “demands excellence”.

Jodi Swanson thanked former students and colleagues for their words, writing on Twitter: ‘He’s my brother-in-law. It means so much. Thank you for sharing.’

University legal director Stephen Eck confirmed O’Keefe had been fired – and insisted it was for the “well-being of our students”.

Eck said: “The decision to terminate employment was made after a thorough review process.

“The university will always put the welfare of our students first in every decision we make.”