The protest was prompted by the loss of at least nine of the college’s 44 full-time professors, two of whom were fired after rejecting the college’s clarified statement of belief, and statements by Bryan College President Stephen Livesay, who has downplayed the controversy.

DAYTON, Tenn. — Student dissent is heating up in a controversy over beliefs about Adam and Eve at the Tennessee college named for one of creationism’s most famous defenders.

The dispute at Bryan College, named for William Jennings Bryan, began in February when trustees clarified the school’s statement of belief to state that Adam and Eve were historical people who were not created from previously existing life forms.

Since then, the conflict has escalated with a majority of professors voting “no confidence” in the school’s president, and students and alumni penning petitions in response to the controversy.

The Chattanooga Times Free Press reported that in a day of action last week, students wrote notes to the Board of Trustees, signed petitions, wore black armbands and expressed their opinions on social media, among other actions.

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