Michigan State president Lou Anna Simon announces resignation

Michigan State University president Lou Anna K. Simon announced her resignation on Wednesday amid pressure over the Larry Nassar sex abuse scandal.

In a statement about her resignation, Simon expressed regret that she trusted Larry Nassar and sorrow over what happened to the victims.

“The last year and a half has been very difficult for the victims of Larry Nassar, for the university community, and for me personally. To the survivors, I can never say enough that I am so sorry that a trusted, renowned physician was really such an evil, evil person who inflicted such harm under the guise of medical treatment. I know that we all share the same resolve to do whatever it takes to avert such tragedies here and elsewhere.
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“As tragedies are politicized, blame is inevitable. As president, it is only natural that I am the focus of this anger. I understand, and that is why I have limited my personal statements. Throughout my career, I have worked very hard to put Team MSU first. Throughout my career, I have consistently and persistently spoken and worked on behalf of Team MSU. I have tried to make it not about me. I urge those who have supported my work to understand that I cannot make it about me now. Therefore, I am tendering my resignation as president according to the terms of my employment agreement.”

Simon also made clear in her statement that there was no cover-up from Michigan State’s leadership. The school had been presented with allegations of sexual misconduct by Nassar, a physician at the school who was treating athletes, and did not respond to them adequately.

Simon’s resignation comes the same day that Michigan’s House of Representatives passed a resolution calling on her to resign. It also comes the same day that Nassar was sentenced by a judge to 175 years in prison.