MTSU entered the center of a heated national debate after firing Assistant Dean of Students Laura Sosh-Lightsy, whose comments about Charlie Kirk sparked outrage from Tennessee Senator Marsha Blackburn.
The controversy started after Charlie Kirk, the founder of Turning Point USA, was fatally shot at Utah Valley University on Wednesday, September 10, 2025.
Many conservative leaders mourned Kirk, praising his influence on youth political engagement. Among them was Sen. Blackburn, who took to Twitter to describe him as an “inspiration for young Americans to speak boldly about their beliefs.”
But Blackburn’s tribute also carried a demand. She publicly urged MTSU to terminate Sosh-Lightsy after screenshots from a Facebook account allegedly belonging to Laura, the assistant dean and former athletic advocate, circulated.
The posts showed someone with her name dismissing Kirk’s death, writing that she had “zero sympathy” and referring to him as “ol’ Charlie.
“Fire her tomorrow,” Blackburn wrote, igniting a firestorm of attention directed at MTSU’s administration.
@PresidentMcPhee @MTSU remove this disgusting representation of our school! If you ever want any support, Laura Sosh-Lightsy is FIRED tonight. If you don’t have the guts then step down yourself pic.twitter.com/xtVuOuRYtm
— Dandy (@TNWindowSeat) September 11, 2025
By Wednesday night, MTSU President Sidney A. McPhee released a statement confirming that a staff member had been dismissed.
While he did not initially name Sosh-Lightsy, the university later acknowledged she was the employee in question.
McPhee’s remarks underscored the university’s seriousness in addressing the issues. He wrote,
“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 community at large,”
Sidney A. McPhee
However, the dismissal has drawn mixed reactions. Supporters of the decision argue that administrators in student-facing roles should be held to a higher standard of professionalism.
Critics, however, have raised concerns about whether Sosh-Lightsy’s firing infringes on First Amendment rights.
As of now, MTSU has not indicated whether Sosh-Lightsy will have the opportunity to appeal her dismissal. Meanwhile, faculty and students are left grappling with the fallout.
Some fear that outspoken views, whether left-leaning or right-leaning, could now put employees at risk, while others believe the university sent a crucial message about respect and the responsibilities of student-facing staff.
In Case You Didn’t Know
- Laura Sosh-Lightsy graduated from Western Kentucky University in 1995.
- She served as an assistant dean of students at Middle Tennessee State University.
