FAU Rehires Controversial 'Jesus Stomp' Professor

Florida Atlantic University is bringing back the professor who caused a lot of controversy when he reportedly asked his students to write the name "Jesus" on a piece of paper and step on it. Interim dean of the Dorothy F. Schmidt College of Arts and Letters, Heather Coltman, announced Friday that Deandre Poole had accepted a teaching position for the summer 2013 term.

I understand this decision may not be popular with all members of the community, said Coltman, but it was based on months of thorough research and consideration.

The university initially defended Poole's Jesus stomp classroom exercise, saying it was used as an exercise about the power of words. But after gathering national media attention over the story, Gov. Rick Scott requested a detailed report on the incident, and FAU eventually banned the exercise from further classes.

FAU had placed Poole on administrative leave after he received threats.

The "Jesus stomp" incident was one of many controversies that plagued the university this year. A communications professor at the school repeatedly claimed the Sandy Hook Elementary School massacre and Boston Marathon bombing were hoaxes, former President Mary Jane Saunders resigned after allegations of hitting a student with her car, and a botched stadium deal with a for-profit prison all caused media frenzy in 2013.

Angela Graham-West, wife of former congressman Allen West, was bounced from the university's board of trustees in May after the Senate failed to confirm her nomination to the board.

FAU's first summer term began May 18, according to the university's academic calendar. The third session of the university's summer term will begin June 24.