A University of Louisiana at Lafayette physics professor was suspended and banned from the school's campus Wednesday following his claiming to be God, threatening to murder his students and writing "911=now" in the front of his classroom, The Chronicle of Higher Education reported Friday.
Louis M. Houston, an associate professor of physics, was immediately taken to the state coroner's office for a medical evaluation and later to a hospital after students told staff, who then contacted police, about their professor's erratic behavior.
Louisiana spokesperson Julie Simon-Dronet told The Chronicle that Houston is one of Lafayette's "brightest minds" and studies topics ranging from information theory to quantum philosophy.
Kacie R. Spears, a Lafayette student in class with Houston, told the Chronicle that shortly after class began Wednesday the professor began screaming, telling students "I'm God" and "Reality is nothing."
"I thought of Columbine," Spears told The Chronicle.
Simon-Dront told The Chronicle that the university will make a decision about Houston's employment once a full investigation into his outburst is completed.
Read More
How does U.Va.’s agreement with the Justice Department compare to the Compact?
By Nicolas Biernacki | 15 hours agoWhile both the rejected Compact and the Justice Department agreement faced resistance from the University community and have several similarities, the agreement provides firmer protection for academic freedom.
New residential college policy prioritizes rising second-years in rehousing assignments
By Brandon Kile | 15 hours agoA new on-Grounds housing policy concerning residential colleges will change the reapplication system to give rising second years who are returning to the colleges priority in the housing process.
Paul Cherukuri leads U.Va.’s entrepreneurship strategy as its first chief innovation officer
By Bertie Azqueta | YesterdayPaul Cherukuri was recently named the University’s first chief innovation officer in August, a role within the Office of the Vice President for Research that was created to help expand student entrepreneurship and start-up activity at the University.
