Ferris State University fires professor who tweeted slurs, called COVID-19 a ‘leftist stunt’ Updated Mar 01, 2021; Posted Mar 01, 2021 Ferris State University fired a professor Feb. 25 for serious misconduct after he reportedly tweeted racist slurs on Twitter. (MLive file photo)The Grand Rapids Press Facebook Share BIG RAPIDS, MI – Ferris State University has fired a physical science professor who was placed on administrative leave in November for allegedly posting racist, anti-Semitic and homophobic slurs on Twitter and calling the coronavirus pandemic a “leftist stunt” during a faculty meeting. Thomas Brennan was discharged for serious misconduct on Thursday, Feb. 25, according to a termination letter from Provost Robert Fleischman, provided to MLive by Brennan on Friday.