Yarbrough committed to rebuilding trust
by Jerry Grillo
White County News
Following multiple allegations of sexual abuse and a cover-up at Truett McConnell University, acting President John Yarbrough insisted he is committed to rebuilding trust and implementing systemic changes to protect students.
Former TMU professor and administrator Brad Reynolds was accused of grooming and sexually abusing Hayle Swinson, a former student-athlete and employee, while President Emir Caner and others allegedly ignored or concealed reports of abuse for years. Caner is on administrative leave while an independent investigation is carried out.
In an interview with the White County News last Friday, June 20, Yarbrough acknowledged the serious nature of the claims while emphasizing a forward-looking approach.
“We are sorry that this happened,” he said. “But an apology without action would be flagrant.”
The university has implemented several changes, he said, including strengthening its approach to Title IX — the federal law banning sex-based discrimination in education programs and activities. According to Yarbrough, TMU has created a full-time position, director of Title IX compliance and student advocacy.
The school is prohibiting closed-door, one-on-one meetings between students and faculty, staff, or administrators. Yarbrough also promised to be tougher on bad behavior and said complaints of abuse will be taken seriously.
“From this time forward, in this transition, if anyone does something stupid, there will be discipline or dismissal, immediately,” he said. “And there will never be a reprisal for anyone coming forth with a complaint. If you see it or hear of it, contact me and I promise you, we’ll deal with the situation.”
According to records provided by Yarbrough, since the Reynolds-Swinson story broke, several faculty members and staffers have resigned their posts at TMU because of the allegations. At least four students have changed their minds about attending the university. TMU had a student enrollment of about 3,300 in the spring, he said, adding, “I think we’ll have record enrollment this year.”
An independent investigation by Richard Hyde and his company, Phoenix Research, LLC, is currently underway. Yarbrough urged the need for transparency while the investigation is ongoing. But he hedged on whether or not results of the investigation would be shared with the public.
“That’s totally in the Board of Trustees’ domain,” said Yarbrough, who graduated from TMU in 1969, when it was a two-year institution.
A member of the White County Planning Commission, Yarbrough has spent a long career as a pastor and has no intentions of turning his current role into a permanent position.
“This is not something I was seeking — I’m not working on my resume,” he said. “I’m working on my obituary at this point in my life.”
Yarbrough recognizes the delicate nature of rebuilding trust in the community and among potential donors.
“Trust is once given and twice earned,” Yarbrough said. “We’re going to be earning back that reputation by going the extra mile. We are a significant economic and educational presence in White County. And I really believe as we get through this, we’ll emerge stronger and more focused.”
Longtime Faculty Member
Slams Culture of Silence
On the evening of May 29, Truett McConnell University community was hit with a reality check in the form of a gut punch. The Roys Report released its investigative story alleging the grooming and sexual abuse of former TMU student and employee Hayle Swinson at the hands of former administrator Bradley Reynolds. Furthermore, the report alleged TMU President Emir Caner knew about it and did nothing.
This was more than Veronica Respress could stand. Her frustration was boiling over. So, around 7 a.m. on the morning of May 30, the longtime TMU math professor sent an email asking for an immediate campus wide meeting. She isn’t sure if her email was the spark, but 15 minutes later a meeting had been scheduled.
Later that day, with the school’s attorney Grant Greenwood presiding, the TMU community met to begin grappling with the developing mess. After Greenwood said TMU’s leadership was unaware of Reynolds’ behavior, Respress spoke her truth, saying she couldn’t believe it.
“I knew something was wrong, and I’m not alone,” Respress told the White County News. “I confronted Brad Reynolds several times over what I thought was inappropriate behavior and an inappropriate relationship.”
Respress, who joined the TMU faculty in 2011, lived in a condo two doors down from Swinson. She recalled seeing Reynolds visit by himself, ostensibly to make repairs in Swinson’s living space.
“Late on a Friday or Saturday night,” said Respress, who wondered how many other university vice presidents make maintenance house calls for students. “It was weird. So I approached him and said it didn’t look good.”
After seeing Swinson drive Reynolds’ BMW convertible around town, she confronted him again, to no avail. At the time, Respress hadn’t heard of the hundreds of emails and texts that Reynolds was sending to Swinson.
“After confronting him, I just thought he was being stupid, or naive,” she said. “He had an answer for everything.”
A single African American non-denominational Christian female in a Southern Baptist, predominantly white and male university, Respress has observed what she described as a deeply problematic institutional culture. “Scripture is used as a weighted blanket to throw over problems,” she said, describing how religious rhetoric was often used to silence concerns.
And when Reynolds left TMU in March 2024 following a police investigation, no one on campus seemed to know why as the administration urged silence.
“I’m tired of the culture of silence,” Respress said. “I’m tired of the sleight of hand, of having to guess and figure out what’s going on. That’s why I spoke out in that meeting. If we are truly going to improve, transparency has got to be more than a buzzword.”