Illinois Wesleyan University has canceled author Michael Shermer’s visit for the President’s Convocation after the university discovered sexual assault allegations against him.
IWU Interim President Georgia Nugent will give the keynote address instead.
"These allegations in the aggregate represent a troubling pattern that challenges the mission of our institution," Nugent said.
According to media reports, several women have accused Shermer of sexual assault and sexual harassment. The founding publisher of Skeptic magazine has not been charged with any wrongdoing.
Nugent plans to explore the value and complexity of searching for truth, as part of the university’s annual intellectual theme, Fact of Fiction.
The convocation is scheduled for Wednesday, Sept. 4 at 11 a.m. at Westbrook Auditorium in Presser Hall, 1210 N. Park St.
The university is conducting a national search for a new president following Eric Jensen’s retirement in May.
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