New Hanover Sheriff’s Office investigating death of UNCW Professor Mike Adams – Port City Daily

UNCW Professor Mike Adams (Photo courtesy Facebook)

WILMINGTON According to the New Hanover County Sheriffs Office, Mike Adams was found dead at his residence today.

Deputies responded to a wellness check at Adams home address and found him deceased. NHCSO is investigating the death, but has not released any additional information, and could not confirm cause of death or if foul play was suspected.

The longtime professor of criminology and sociology at the University of North Carolina Wilmington (UNCW) was set to retire next week as part of a $500,000 settlement.

The settlement came as Adams was facing growing criticism for his social media posts and UNCW, in particular Chancellor Jose V. Sartarelli, was under increasing pressure to terminate his employment. Several petitions with around 85,000 total signatures called for his termination, and letters from his colleagues and fellow criminologists denounced his actions and called for his firing.

Due to Adams tenured status, and his previous legal victory over UNCW (which cost the UNC system roughly $700,000), the university opted for a negotiated exit.

Adams had supporters as well as detractors, including those who saw his online behavior as an exercise of his first First Amendment rights. Adams classes were also popular with many of his students, earning him generally positive evaluations and several awards for teaching, according to his UNCW curriculum vitae.

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New Hanover Sheriff's Office investigating death of UNCW Professor Mike Adams - Port City Daily