Purdue University
Dr. Michael McCraken, a graduate from Purdue University made a 12,500 dollar donation to his school and the university allowed him to select an inscription for a dedication plaque. However, the institute refused to accept a reference to God and Dr. McCraken claimed Purdue was violating his First Amendment rights.
The original inscription read, “To those who seek to better the world through the understanding of God’s physical laws and innovation of practical solutions. In honor of Dr. William ‘Ed’ McCraken.”
The university claimed that because they are a public institution, it would be problematic for the inscription to include a statement about God for it would violate the state’s Establishment Clause. The Liberty Institute, which is supporting Dr. McCraken in this matter, argued that Purdue had violated the alumnus’ rights granted to him by the First Amendment.
Jeremy Dys, an insider from the Liberty Institute stated that, “Dr. McCraken’s plaque language is private speech that is protected by the First Amendment. Purdue allows dozens of other private speakers to express their values and views on plaques around campus; it cannot legally single out Dr. McCraken for his discrimination.”
Dr. McCraken told the Liberty Institute that he is willing to go undertake legal procedures should the university not comply to his demands, and the legal team requested the school to reinstate the inscription on the alumnus’ dedication plaque.
