Meet the College President Taking on ‘Ideological Fascism’

Rob Bluey /

Campus protests swept the nation last fall, costing some college presidents their jobs. But at Oklahoma Wesleyan University, Everett Piper didn’t cower and quit. He stood up to what he calls “ideological fascism.”

Piper, the university president, received the Kirkpatrick Award for Academic Freedom at last week’s Conservative Political Action Conference. He spoke to The Daily Signal at CPAC about how he’s confronted contentious students on his campus and the problems facing academia.

“This is a university, not a daycare,” Piper recounted telling students on his campus. “I’m not here to make you comfortable or feel safe. I’m here to confront your character.”

Piper spoke on a CPAC panel about academia Saturday. You can watch the 35-minute discussion here.