The president of Lincoln University in Missouri will remain in his position, the institution decided after an investigation into the suicide of a Black administrator found no evidence that he had bullied her, according to university officials.
President John Moseley was placed on paid leave after the death in January of Antoinette “Bonnie” Candia-Bailey, the vice president of student affairs at Lincoln, a historically Black university.
“For us, this report is not the end of a process, but rather the beginning of one,” Victor Pasley, president of the university’s Board of Curators, said Thursday in a statement.
“None of its findings have led the Board to doubt President Moseley’s ability to lead the University, but this tragedy has forced us to grapple more fully with issues facing Lincoln and our individual students and employees — ranging from mental health support to employee work and relationships.”
Candia-Bailey, 49, died by suicide in Illinois on Jan. 8. Her mother, Veronica Candia, and husband, Anthony Bailey, previously told NBC News that Moseley had fired her in the days before her death. Bailey also said her daughter had been feeling depressed and unsupported at work. She said Candia-Bailey told her family that her relationship with Moseley had soured.
Candia-Bailey’s longtime friend Monica Graham said she received an email from Candia-Bailey the day she died that included a letter addressed to Moseley. In the letter, Candia-Bailey expressed concerns about Moseley’s leadership and the school administration, and wrote that Moseley had “intentionally harassed and bullied” her. The allegations prompted protests from students and alumni, calling for Moseley’s ouster.
Graham said she last saw Candia-Bailey in October at the university’s homecoming celebration. “She said this job isn’t going to kill me and this job depresses me,” Graham said.
Neither Graham nor Candia or Bailey initially responded to a request for comment…
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