Wheaton College Chaplain Accused Of 'Racial,' 'Sexual' Comments

WHEATON, IL — A Wheaton College chaplain has been fired after he was accused of "inappropriate comments and actions of a racial and sexual nature towards specific staff members," according to an email to students from Wheaton College Philip Ryken.

Ryken wrote that Timothy Blackmon was fired following an external investigation and adjudication procedure.

Ryken added that Blackmon "did not engage in sexually immoral relationships or physical sexual misconduct," but said "the investigation revealed conduct inconsistent with Wheaton's policies and commitments."

Ryken will announce the appointment of an interim chaplain to temporarily replace Blackmon during the 2020-21 school year, but he said that no more information about Blackmon's firing would be provided, "in deference to the confidentiality of multiple parties in a personnel process."

He wrote, "It grieves us when any community member falls short of the College's standards, and our prayers and sympathies are with those who experienced these policy violations. The Senior Administrative Cabinet remains committed to a campus community that is free from harassment and discrimination, understands our policies, and knows that any concerns brought forward will be heard and addressed."

Wheaton College spokesperson Joseph Moore told Patch Sunday that the school will not provide further comment.

Blackmon's attorney, Andrew Miltenberg, sent a written statement to Patch Wednesday that reads as follows:

"It is with profound sadness that I announce my forced departure from Wheaton College. During my five-year tenure as chaplain, I strived to lead and preach with the highest levels of integrity, accountability, and honesty. I have been and remain committed to racial and gender equity and safety. Unfortunately, I now find my reputation being maligned by Wheaton College administrators, who fired me after a Title IX investigation about a handful of injudicious comments I made in public to co-workers in 2015-2016.

To be clear, I was completely blind-sided by this Title IX investigation. I recently learned this was the second time this individual filed a Title IX against me. The first one occurred in 2017 after I shared five theological articles that the complainant deemed ideologically problematic. At that time, Wheaton’s Title IX office declined to pursue the matter, as it was a clear misuse of the Title IX investigative process. In this latest complaint, several of my comments have been taken completely out of their factual and, in some cases, religious context. Moreover, there were no allegations of flirtation, inappropriate relationships, sexual misconduct or any sexual action towards anyone. At no time did anyone, either the complainant or any witness, communicate offense or discomfort.

I believe the Title IX investigation was not properly conducted or fairly adjudicated, nor were the proper human resources procedures at Wheaton College followed. I have procured legal counsel and it pains me to consider taking legal action against the school I have been privileged to serve.

Wheaton is a vibrant community made up of mainly 18-22-year-old undergrads who are trying to navigate sexuality and race and other important matters in a deeply Christian and intellectually rigorous way. Coming from the Netherlands in 2015, I felt my Dutch directness and no-nonsense style, in the context of a gospel-shaped life and ministry, would uniquely position me to tackle these issues head-on at Wheaton. I was saddened to learn my approach and banter were considered offensive and escalated to my termination.

It is a deep grief I will not have the opportunity to say goodbye to all the students who make this such a remarkable institution."