It is no longer unknown to the general public that horrific abuse has been occurring on Huntington University’s campus for years. The reality is this institution has failed to keep members of our student body safe whether they admit this in a public forum or not. It is documented fact.

 

The abuse that has happened on this campus cannot be ignored. Turning a blind eye is what allowed such appalling events to occur.

 

In a statement sent to students via email this past week (10/4/22) it stated that “Although [students] may not be directly involved in this matter, we wanted [students] to be aware of our commitment to proper diligence and its resolution.” As students, we question how we are not directly involved in this matter? Every student, past, present, and future is, or will be, affected by this. Students are ashamed to be receiving a degree from this institution as it is not currently representing “Christ, Scholarship, and Service” accurately. Huntington University has failed to take accountability for the safety and human rights of students.

 

No act of justice or remediation can ever take away the abuse endured by students in our community. However, we must hold those in leadership positions accountable for their failure to protect students and recognize their role in such abuse. 

We, as Huntington University students, call for the resignation of Sherilyn Emberton, Russ Degitz, and Lori Culler for their failure to protect students and failure to adhere to the university’s mission statement, “the conviction that all truth is God’s truth.”

 

Dr. Sherilyn Emberton,

It is your role as the president of Huntington University to guide, protect, and represent students and the heart of Huntington University. You have failed to execute this role. You serve as the face of this institution and are failing to represent the true nature of Huntington University. As current students, we ask that you take accountability and strongly request that you resign from your position as president. Where were you when your students needed you the most? Where are you now? We call for your resignation.

 

Dr. Russ Degitz,

It is your role as Chief Operating Officer to be responsible for administrative duties within athletics and risk management. You have failed in both areas as the abuse of athletes on campus endured under your watch. You did not protect athletes and students by allowing the hiring of Nick and Lauren Johnson due to their publicly known connection to athlete abuse. Where were you when athletes were depending on you to select reliable leaders? We call for your resignation.

 

Lori Culler,

It is your role as the Athletic Director to protect athletes at Huntington University and facilitate positive and safe relationships between athletes and coaches. Where were you when athletes were being abused under your supervision? We call for your resignation.

 

To the Board of Trustees:

We ask that you facilitate the requests of current students and consumers of Huntington University by overseeing the resignation of Dr. Sherilyn Emberton, Dr. Russ Degitz, and Lori Culler.

 

To the victims:

We see you, we hear you, we are for you. Hannah and Emma we commend you for having the courage and bravery to share your stories when individuals in campus leadership failed to defend you.

 

Huntington University’s leadership has failed to protect students, and it is time we hold them accountable. The aforementioned leaders do not represent the Huntington University that we committed to attend.

 

With utmost concern,

Current Huntington University students and other community members