A lecturer at Texas State University has ceased his teaching role following the release of a highly offensive Facebook message directed at a local doctor. The message, which included a wish for her deportation, was shared publicly by the doctor, prompting significant online backlash.
The university confirmed on Thursday that Bret Bryon, the lecturer in question, is no longer affiliated with the institution as of Wednesday. However, Texas State chose not to comment on whether his departure was connected to the incident, citing confidentiality regarding personnel matters.
Dr. Dhivya Srinivasa, a plastic and reconstructive surgeon and the founder of the Institute for Advanced Breast Reconstruction, initially posted the screenshots of the message on Facebook on Tuesday evening and reiterated her concerns the following day, tagging Texas State University. In response, the university acknowledged the situation and indicated that it was investigating the matter to determine appropriate actions based on the findings.
In a conversation with a news outlet, Srinivasa explained that although she typically shares commentary on political, lifestyle, and health issues, she had not previously interacted with Bryon. The fact that the message originated from an identifiable account rather than an anonymous source led her to investigate further and share her experience.
Srinivasa expressed satisfaction with the university’s response to the derogatory message, which included insults such as “leftist” and “whore,” among other expletives. She views the incident as indicative of a troubling trend where social media and political discourse embolden individuals to make disparaging remarks that they might otherwise refrain from expressing.
“This individual was an educator, and it shouldn’t be surprising that such people exist amongst us, teaching future generations,” she remarked, emphasizing the need for accountability in such cases.
Attempts to reach Bryon for comment were unsuccessful. He was previously listed as a lecturer and program faculty member within the Department of Organization, Workforce and Leadership Studies at Texas State University, although the duration of his employment remains unclear. Additionally, state records indicate that he holds a Texas educator certificate in mathematics, physical science, and engineering for grades 6-12.
This incident follows a prior case at Texas State University where President Kelly Damphousse publicly announced the termination of history professor Thomas Alter for remarks made at a socialist conference off-campus. These comments were later shared on social media, leading Alter to file a lawsuit against the university for alleged violations of his First Amendment rights.
