A beloved Lincoln (Mo.) administrator’s untimely death has sent shockwaves throughout the school and led to calls for the university president’s removal.
Vice President of Student Affairs Antoinette “Bonnie” Candia-Bailey died on Jan. 8, and according to a report from HBCU Buzz, Candia-Bailey’s family confirmed her death was by suicide brought on by bullying and severe mistreatment by university administrators.
LUMO’s national alumni association president, Sherman L. Bonds wrote a letter to the school requesting the removal of President John Moseley immediately.
“I find myself standing in the state of hopelessness,” Bonds wrote. “Therefore, my appeal to you and the Board of Curators is to find a resolution that restores the consciousness of peace and healing. As President of the Lincoln University (National) Alumni Association, I have become compelled to demand a change in the Office of Presidency of the University effective immediately.”
Moseley previously served as head men’s basketball coach and athletic director from 2014-2021. He began serving as university president in 2022.
Reports state that Bailey felt “unsupported, disregarded, and abused after countless attempts to speak out on the bullying and harassment she experienced in her role from President Moseley.”
Bailey also reportedly discussed in a letter before her death regarding the “stigmatized bullying she faced from the President and other leadership officials” after disclosing her mental illness to the university.
The LUMO community has taken to social media with the hashtag #FireMoseley to express their heartbreak and outrage.
The university’s board of curators, its governing body, is conducting a review of Moseley, according to USA Today. Moseley, who’s white, “has volunteered to be placed on paid, administrative leave while that review is conducted,” the board’s statement says. The board plans to hire a “third-party expert” to do the probe.
“As a Board, we are committed to make certain the mental health of Lincoln University employees is a priority and that every employee is always treated with dignity and respect,” said Board of Curators President Victor Pasley in a statement. “The Board has confidence in the leadership team we have at Lincoln, but as we all work together to serve students and the Lincoln University community, this review will fully examine important questions, concerns and gather facts. Dr. Moseley agrees those issues should be examined and has volunteered to go on leave during the review so that it can move forward in a fully independent way.”
