Gettysburg College’s “radical” chaplain allegedly threatened a conservative student for bringing an anti-diversity, equity and inclusion (DEI) speaker to campus.
Michael Bright, who apparently goes simply by Bright, allegedly put his hands on a student while telling him to “find something else to do,” according to emails obtained by the Daily Caller News Foundation. Bright has worked as the school’s chaplain since 2022 and is intent on “deconstructing white religious privilege,” according to the Gettysburgian, the college’s newspaper.
When the college’s Young Americans for Freedom (YAF) chapter hosted Vince Everett Ellison, who refutes the idea that white supremacy is a widespread issue holding black Americans back in today’s society, Bright apparently made an appearance and heckled the event several times, according to Ellison. When the speaker addressed white students directly and asked if a single one believed they were superior to him, Bright spoke up.
“It’s not like they’re going to say it in your presence or to your face,” the chaplain said, according to Ellison, who spoke about the incident on a recent episode of his podcast, the Vince Everett Ellison Show.
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It was during that time that Bright allegedly “made unwanted physical contact” with one of the students who helped to organize the event, according to emails obtained by DCNF. Gettysburg’s executive director of human resources, Jennifer Lucas was informed that Ellison allegedly placed his hand on the student’s shoulder “three times while instructing [the student] to ‘find something else to do.’”
“I want to assure you that we take your concerns seriously and are addressing this matter appropriately,” Lucas insisted in the email obtained by the DCNF. “While personnel matters are confidential and I cannot disclose specific actions taken, please know that all reported incidents are thoroughly reviewed and handled appropriately. This confidentiality obligation exists to protect the privacy rights of all employees and is standard practice. Thank you for bringing this matter to our attention.”
Bright, Lucas, and Gettysburg College did not respond to the DCNF’s request for comment.
The YAF chapter has since criticized the school’s handling of the incident, saying it is “deeply frustrated” after receiving “no meaningful information regarding the outcome of the review.” The student who met with school officials even helped to “identify potential witnesses,” which Lucas’ email confirms.
“While we understand the importance of employee privacy, confidentiality should not be used as a substitute for transparency, especially when the conduct in question involves student intimidation and unwanted physical contact by a college administrator at a student-run event.”
Prior to the event, students attempted to silence the speaker by tearing down fliers advertising Ellison and writing chalk messages on campus saying “we don’t welcome Vince Ellison.” (EXCLUSIVE: University Consultants Debated Creating ‘LGBTQ+ Church’ To Skirt Trump’s Orders)
As Gettysburg’s Religious and Spiritual Life director, Bright “seeks to make Gettysburg College a more tolerant place,” according to the Gettysburgian. The office describes itself as “a house of radical hospitality.”
At Bright’s direction, the religious life office hosted a March event titled “God and the Gays,” which included a “Queer Men of Color Meet-up” and an “Open Discussion on Queer Spirituality,” according to the chaplain’s Instagram. Bright’s biography reads: “I have come to radicalize you. ✊🏿.”
Previously, Bright worked as a DEI coordinator at Franklin & Marshall College.
The DCNF previously exposed Gettysburg college for using explicit racial quotas in its admissions policy. YAF has filed a formal civil rights complaint against the school.
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