Former Lake Superior College professor Russell Stewart is trying to return to his role. He began teaching at LSC back in 1992, covering a variety of subjects, one of them being philosophy.

In 2021, Stewart was fired for failing to comply with the state’s COVID mandates, which required him to get vaccinated and regularly test for the virus. The decisions by the Walz administration put him in tricky situation.

“I don’t think he had any legal basis for what he did,” Stewart said.

“It seems like a minor thing to some people, but to me it was a very serious violation of my personal autonomy,” Stewart said.

Stewart was told to go home and that he would not receive pay. He tried to stay in touch with his students and keep them in the loop on what he is dealing with, eventually sending them an email. He said this email is what got him fired, along with his non-compliance with the COVID mandates.

“When you lose your career and it’s a career that you love, you lose a piece of your identity,” Stewart said.

Now, Stewart and the New Civil Liberties Alliance are suing Walz and Lake Superior College, claiming that the firing and the mandate itself were unconstitutional.

“I would love my job back. Teaching is my life’s passion,” Stewart said.

While his decision may have cost him his job, Stewart believes his autonomy is a First Amendment right.

“Was I a fool for being so stubborn? But I do, at the end, believe I did the right thing — I stood on principle,” Stewart said.

We have reached out to Gov. Walz’s office for comment but have not heard back.

Lake Superior College tells us they have yet to review the lawsuit.