Responses, many angry, flood Ohio St. after remarks

Responses, many angry, flood Ohio State after former president's remarks jabbing Catholics

7/31/2013

COLUMBUS, Ohio — Records show that hundreds of angry emails and letters flooded Ohio State University earlier this year after reports of remarks by former president Gordon Gee jabbing Roman Catholics and Southeastern Conference schools.

Many writers demanded Gee be fired immediately, saying there wouldn’t be any question of his dismissal if he’d joked about Jews or blacks instead.

Among the responses obtained by The Associated Press were furious emails from priests, Notre Dame graduates and graduates of SEC schools.

Many of the emails Gee received in response to an apology sent to the entire university community were also supportive of the president, including several from students and staff who identified themselves as Catholic.

The 69-year-old Gee retired July 1, a few weeks after the remarks, made last December, became public.