Michigan State University has a new acting president following the resignation of John Engler, but the search continues for the permanent replacement for Lou Anna Simon. One name that’s popped up is Ingham County Judge Rosemarie Aquilina, who presided over the Larry Nassar trial in Lansing.
“I would certainly consider that,” Aquilina told Michigan’s Big Show this week, adding “I’m not sure if I can make the transition as an elected official to that position.”
She was questioned about the possibility prior to Engler’s resignation. Aquilina adds she has not been approached about the job, but says she would certainly be more sensitive regarding Nassar’s survivors than was Engler. She says his quip to “The Detroit News” that led to his resignation that some of the women were “enjoying the spotlight” was off the mark.
“They would give up every single thing that came to them as a result of the assault if the assault never happened, because now they are saddled with a lifetime of trauma.”
Aquilina gained national acclaim for how she handled the trial of the disgraced former MSU sports doctor, and for her remarks when sentencing him to decades in prison for sexually assaulting patients.
