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.
