AZUSA >> Two weeks after a longtime theology professor’s transgender status became public, H. Adam Ackley and Azusa Pacific University have announced that Friday was Ackley’s last day at the university. Ackley taught at the evangelical Christian university for 15 years as Heather Clements, even serving as head of the department of theology and philosophy, and recently began referring to himself as Adam or Heath Adam Ackley on social media sites. It was not until Ackley spoke to his supervisors regarding his decision to change his name that his employment became an issue, according to posts from Ackley’s Facebook page.

“Dr. Ackley and university leadership have engaged in thoughtful conversations regarding Dr. Ackley’s continued employment at APU and recognized that they have different views on the theology of human sexuality,” according to a joint statement by Ackley and the university. “While we appreciate Dr. Ackley’s past service and pray God’s best for the journey ahead, we have reached a mutual agreement that recognizes it would be best for Dr. Ackley to pursue professional endeavors elsewhere.”

The university declined to release details of the agreement, citing personnel concerns, though Ackley has been posting publicly on his Facebook page regarding his stance since before the news spread.

“I have intentionally made this my only social media site and made it public since BEFORE the recent controversies, simply as a means to educate anyone willing to explore what it means to be BOTH Christian AND transgender with me in a peaceable spirit,” he wrote on Sept. 22. “However, I do NOT desire to promote MYSELF, only the Gospel of Jesus Christ.”

Ackley also refuted reports that he had decided to “go public” with his gender identity, saying that he had intended the conversation to be private.

“I have been ‘outed’ to this community and the wider public after what I had intended to be a private conversation with my direct supervisor as a professional courtesy to notify her that I would one day be changing my name with my employer’s payroll and human resources offices,” he wrote on Sept. 30. “This led to a decision that the university would be best served by my leaving, though I have not yet had any medical procedures of any kind (only STOPPED taking female hormones and psych meds about a year ago with the restoration of my physical health from the brink of death as the result). Nor have I filed any paperwork to change my name yet.

“I have been outed for no reason, asked to leave my students for no reason, and have faced this as graciously as I can. I NEVER HAD A CHOICE.”

Ackley most recently was identified on Heather Clements’ APU faculty page as a professor of systematic theology and has a Ph.D. in Philosophy of Religion and Theology from Claremont Graduate University, a master’s degree in religion from The School of Theology at Claremont and a bachelor’s degree in English and French from Mount Union College.

University spokeswoman Rachel White said replacement professors would be selected to lead Ackley’s courses, which are in the fourth full week of classes. Ackley was teaching at least one undergraduate class during the fall semester, Theology and the Christian Life, which is a required class, student Margaret van der Bie said.

“I was excited to take this class from him after reading reviews of his teaching,” the 20-year-old junior said. “I know if and when another professor takes over I’ll still get a good education, but I pay a lot of money to go here and the university says we put God first, but this (Ackley’s departure) is proving money comes first, God comes second and people come last.”

Van der Bie is also a co-leader of Haven GSA, a gay-straight alliance club consisting of lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender and queer or questioning students and allies that is not recognized by the university or allowed to meet on campus. Days before the news spread about Ackley’s identity, the professor had attended an off-campus Haven meeting to share his story and answer students’ personal questions.

“He went through a lot of theological questions,” van der Bie recalled. “A lot of (Haven GSA) members are working on reconciling being gay and being Christian, and he talked about, what does this verse really mean, is it talking about homosexuality?”

Haven members and allies protested throughout the week ahead of the university’s announcement, mobilizing a social movement with the hashtag, “We Stand With Adam.”

“We wanted to send a message to the university at large that we don’t support any decision taking Adam out of the classroom before the end of semester,” van der Bie said on Wednesday. “We need to let the university know it’s not just Haven that’s not OK with it, it’s the whole university body.”