Hundreds support fired William Carey University professor

More than 500 people have signed a Change.org petition in support of a William Carey University religion and history professor who was fired this week, despite his tenured status.

The petition calls for the university to make an apology to Daniel Browning for the "impersonal and uncivil manner" in which he was treated or to renew "Dr. Browning's contract and restore him to the classes he has been obliged to relinquish in the past couple of years."

University officials would not confirm Browning's status.

"William Carey University cannot comment on personnel issues," said President Tommy King, in an email.

2008 graduate Aynsley Saucier, a history religion major, said he knew Browning well.

"I believe I took all his upper level classes," he said. "Everyone is upset about that. Everyone who is not Tommy King."