EAST LANSING (WWJ/AP) - Michigan State University named a new interim president Thursday after the former governor who was brought in to help it recover from the Larry Nassar sexual abuse scandal resigned under pressure, amid backlash over his comments about some of the ex-sports doctor's victims.
Applause erupted at meeting Thursday morning as Dianne Byrum, chairwoman of MSU's Board of Trustees, made a motion to accept John Engler's resignation. While Engler wanted to leave next week, the board said his resignation is effective immediately.
"A wrong has been righted today. I'm sorry it took so long," said Trustee Kelly Tebay, who joined the board this month. Another trustee, Nancy Schlichting, added: "Values matter. Behavior matters."
The board appointed Satish Udpa as the new interim president. He currently serves as the school's executive vice president for administration and is a distinguished professor.
Engler, who had resisted calls to step down in the past, quit Wednesday in an 11-page letter rather than be fired at the meeting. The letter made no mention of recent criticism of his recent remarks and instead lists what he considers to be his accomplishments in nearly one year of service, saying the university is a "dramatically better, stronger institution."
With his sudden reversal, Engler joins a long list of people — including his predecessor as president — who have been fired, forced out of their jobs or charged with crimes amid fallout from the school's handling of the once-renowned sports physician stretching back decades.
The final straw for the university's governing board came last week when Engler told The Detroit News that Nassar's victims had been in the "spotlight" and are "still enjoying that moment at times, you know, the awards and recognition."
Engler, who was hired last February following the resignation of president Lou Anna Simon, previously was criticized for sending emails that suggested the first woman to go public with her accusations was probably getting a "kickback" from her attorney.
Engler's comments, Byrum said, make "it very difficult for the MSU community to make the changes necessary and rebuild both trust and credibility, and frankly for the survivors to heal." Mosallam, a long-time Engler critic, said on Twitter that "JOHN ENGLER'S REIGN OF TERROR IS OVER."
Nassar is now serving decades-long prison sentences for sexually assaulting patients and possessing child pornography.
The university plans to name a permanent president in June.
Democratic Gov. Gretchen Whitmer, also an MSU graduate, said in a statement: "The MSU Board of Trustees now has an opportunity to build a new foundation that will provide this university with a clean slate and a brighter future. The new president should be someone who will begin the healing process and restore trust between survivors, students, alumni and the administration."
The elected board has five Democrats, two Republicans and an appointee who was named last month by then-Gov. Rick Snyder.