Amid an investigation into allegations of sexual abuse by a former vice president, Truett McConnell University in Cleveland has publicly introduced Dr. John O. Yarbrough as the acting president of the university.
Yarbrough is a 1969 graduate of TMU and has been involved with the school in several capacities since. He served on TMU's Board of Trustees from 2007 to 2011, including as chairman from 2008 to 2009, and held several leadership roles at the university from 2013 to 2019.
Yarborough assumed the role of acting president on Friday, June 6, the same day that President Dr. Emir Caner was placed on administrative leave by the Board of Trustees. The leave is set to last until the completion of a third-party investigation into claims made by a former student and employee of TMU who alleged that former Vice President Dr. Brad Reynolds sexually abused her between 2013 and 2018.
A statement on TMU's website about Yarbrough called him a "respected leader in Georgia Baptist life."
"Dr. Yarbrough served as President of the Georgia Baptist Convention from 1994 to 1996. He has also remained active in promoting religious freedom across the state and is widely known for his commitment to biblical truth and the local church," TMU's site says. "Throughout his ministry, Dr. Yarbrough has served 15 churches as Interim Pastor, offering guidance and stability during times of transition."
No timeline has been given for how long the third-party investigation will take.
