Christian Instructor vs. DePauw University

Janis Price, Christian instructor, wins lawsuit against the university

A Christian educator, Janis Price, won lawsuit filed against DePauw University who dismissed her teaching position for distributing Christian magazines in her classroom.

Price was awarded by an Indiana court more than $10,000. According to the court, DePauw's officials, especially the vice president for Academic Affairs, Neal B. Abraham, were found to be the creator of hostile work environment -- and violator of Price's First Amendment rights in the process. After a five-day trial, the court awarded Price the full amount of her lost wages for a year.

At first, Price was accused of “professional intolerance” and creating “hostile environement” because of a student who found a magazine article that was available in class offensive.

According to Price, she never required students to read the magazine article nor did she discuss it directly in class. She simply made it available in her classroom as a resource. The article was from a Christian educators’ magazine called “Teachers in Focus” which was about homosexual activism in schools.

After a complaint was made by a student who found the article offensive, Price was called before university officials and questioned of her Christian beliefs. Subsequently she was penalized and the vice president, Abraham reduced 25% of her pay and suspended her teaching position - she was only allowed to hold an administrative position in the school.

She also claimed that the school harassed her because of her Christian faith and she thinks the school holds on to different faith from its modern-day attitude although it was originally founded on Methodist principles in 1837.

"Because the topic was homosexuality, and because DePauw has become anti-evangelical Christian and pro-homosexual, and because this was really cutting at the core of what they are trying to do on campus, I was discriminated against and harassed," the former instructor says.

Price explains of her decision to stay in DePauw despite the discrimination and legal battles she had to face. She was delighted of the moral support she received from the community and from several former students throughout her ordeal. She has decided to remain committed to the university and hopes to bring a positive impact on DePauw by “being light and salt where we need to be light and salt.” Although the school damaged her career status, the instructor sees herself "not leaving, but rather standing up for the truth and maintaining a sense of peace and joy in the face of persecution, because that does speak volumes to people."

    Most Popular
  • Is 'The Last Supper' worth watching? Audience and critics weigh in

    Is 'The Last Supper' worth watching? Audience and critics weigh in

    Faith-based films often receive mixed reactions, and The Last Supper is no exception. The movie attempts to bring a fresh perspective to one of the most iconic moments in Christian history, but does it succeed? Some reviews from critics and audiences provide insight into its strengths and shortcomings.

  • ‘The Chosen’ Season 5: The darkest season yet—What to know before watching

    The wait is over—The Chosen is back with its fifth season, and this time, things are getting intense. The new episodes dive straight into the final days of Jesus’ life, covering some of the most emotional and dramatic moments in the Bible. If you’ve been following the series, you already know that The Chosen isn’t just about retelling familiar stories—it’s about bringing them to life in a way that feels real.

  • Massacres in Syria: Over 1,000 dead, including Christians and Alawites

    Syria’s coastal regions have been devastated by a series of massacres, with reports indicating that over 1,000 people—many from Christian and Alawite communities—have been killed in brutal attacks. Entire families have been wiped out, and survivors are fleeing in search of safety as sectarian violence escalates.

  • Kim Sae-ron and Wheesung: The tragic irony of Korean society and the principles of happiness

    Not long ago, the media was in an uproar over actress Kim Sae-ron’s passing. Just months before, the same people who had relentlessly criticized her for her DUI incident were now expressing sympathy, saying, "The world was too harsh on her." The irony is impossible to ignore.

  • Newsboys move forward as a quartet after Michael Tait’s departure

    After more than a decade as the lead singer of the Newsboys, Michael Tait has officially parted ways with the band, marking a significant shift in the Christian rock group’s lineup. The remaining members—Jeff Frankenstein, Jody Davis, Duncan Phillips, and Adam Agee—have assured fans that they will continue forward, embracing a new season of music and ministry.