A dean at a university in Tennessee was fired on Wednesday after she said she had “zero sympathy” following the assassination of conservative commentator Charlie Kirk.
Middle Tennessee State University Associate Dean of Students Laura Sosh-Lightsy was fired for “inappropriate and callous” social media posts about the killing of Kirk, the university confirmed to The Daily Wire. According to screenshots of posts shared online by Senator Marsha Blackburn (R-TN), Sosh-Lightsy wrote, “Looks like ol’ Charlie spoke his fate into existence. Hate begets hate. ZERO sympathy.”
Assistant Dean of Students for my alma mater — Middle Tennessee State University — has some thoughts on Charlie Kirk’s assassination. pic.twitter.com/HN3HIPI24l
— Matthew Hurtt (@matthewhurtt) September 11, 2025
Sosh-Lightsy’s posts were first flagged by Matthew Hurtt, an MTSU alumnus and director of the Leadership Institute. According to another post shared by Hurtt, Sosh-Lightsy wrote, “I’m not celebrating the loss of Charlie Kirk’s life. Violence is not the answer. I’m celebrating the loss of his message of violence in an increasingly violent world, which is partially because of him.”
Those comments came after Kirk was gunned down while speaking at Utah Valley University. A manhunt is still ongoing for the individual who shot Kirk. Many leftists took to social media to mock Kirk or celebrate his death.
Sosh-Lightsy’s firing was announced by Middle Tennessee State University President Sidney McPhee, who said that she was fired “immediately” and that she had done damage to the university’s credibility with students and the public.
“An MTSU employee today offered inappropriate and callous comments on social media concerning the horrific and tragic murder of Charlie Kirk,” McPhee said. “The comments by this employee, who worked in a position of trust directly with students, were inconsistent with our values and have undermined the university’s credibility and reputation with our students, faculty, staff and the community at large. This employee has been fired effective immediately. We extend our deepest sympathies to the Kirk family.”
Sosh-Lightsy’s profile was removed from the university’s Office of Student Conduct and Care Page sometime after the firing. According to her LinkedIn page, she had worked at Middle Tennessee State University for over twenty years and was in charge of student conduct and behavioral intervention plans.
Her firing came after pressure from Blackburn and other Tennessee Republicans.
“Charlie Kirk was an inspiration for so many young people to speak up and work towards a better country, and nowhere was that more true than our college campuses,” Blackburn wrote on X. “She should be fired tomorrow.”
Republican State Rep. Jason Zachary, an alumnus of MTSU, also called for Sosh-Lightsy’s firing. After the university announced the firing, he praised the leadership at the school.
“Thank you [President McPhee] for your leadership and decisive action,” he posted on X. “Our leaders in higher education must hold faculty accountable and ensure that our public institutions reflect Tennessee values [MTSU] has led the way. Well done.”