Fisk President Kevin Rome Out After Abuse Allegation

Fisk University President Kevin Rome is out less than a month after he was placed on leave when a man alleged that the university leader drugged and threatened him.

In a statement, the university said that it “wishes the very best to him and his family.” Vann Newkirk, a historian and provost at Fisk, will continue to serve as interim president.

“Fisk is positioned for a wonderful future and we look forward to the years ahead,” Fisk Board Chair Frank Sims said in a release.

Rome, previously president at Lincoln University in Missouri, was named president at Fisk in 2017.

The private Nashville university was founded in 1866 and has more than 900 students.Among its alumni are the late civil rights leader and congressman John Lewis, for whom the school recently announced it would name its Institute for Social Justice.