Katherine Shurik, a part-time lecturer at Fresno State University, has ignited a firestorm of controversy with her radical statements and actions, leaving students and the broader campus community grappling with the fallout. The story, first broken by Josh Fulfer of Oreo Express, has exposed Shurik’s Marxist leanings and inflammatory behavior, which have now led to significant repercussions for Fresno State, including the cancellation of a planned 9/11 traveling exhibit. This development has directly affected students, depriving them of an educational opportunity and raising questions about the intersection of activism and academia.
Shurik, an anthropologist and professor at Fresno State, first drew attention when Fulfer shared a video on X of her speaking at an anti-Tesla protest in Fresno, California. In the video, posted on March 29, 2025, Shurik introduced herself, saying, “I’m Katherine Shurik, I am actually trying to get a NOW chapter, National Organization of Women off the ground here in Fresno.” She then revealed her plan to offer extra credit to students who attended future protests, a move that critics argue improperly blends political activism with academic incentives. This revelation, brought to light by Fulfer, sparked immediate backlash, as it suggested Shurik was using her taxpayer-funded position to push a personal agenda.
The controversy escalated when Fulfer uncovered Shurik’s disturbing social media activity. On Instagram, Shurik posted an image depicting President Donald Trump in a coffin alongside past elected officials and his wife, Melania, accompanied by hashtags like “#FelonTrump,” “#TraitorTrump,” “#RapistTrump,” “#DieTrump,” and “#TrumpDead.” Another post sarcastically noted that she was “marked safe from watching a lying terrorist rapist, who wants to eliminate the Constitution swear to abide by the Constitution,” reflecting her deep disdain for Trump. She also expressed a “dream” for the deaths of both Trump and Elon Musk, the latter currently heading Trump’s Department of Government Efficiency (DOGE). These posts, which Fulfer highlighted in a live discussion on March 31, 2025, painted a picture of ideological extremism that many found alarming for a university educator.
The impact of Shurik’s actions has reverberated across Fresno State, most notably with the decision by the organizers of a 9/11 traveling exhibit to cancel their planned visit to the university. According to a post by KSEE24 News on April 3, 2025, the exhibit organizers explicitly cited Shurik’s social media posts—particularly the image of Trump in a coffin—as their reason for pulling out. This cancellation has directly affected Fresno State students, who have lost the opportunity to engage with a significant educational resource. The 9/11 exhibit, which likely aimed to provide historical context and foster reflection on a pivotal moment in American history, was seen as a valuable learning experience. Its absence leaves a gap in the educational offerings available to students, many of whom may feel the ripple effects of Shurik’s behavior on their academic environment.
Beyond the exhibit cancellation, the controversy has stirred broader unrest on campus. Fresno County Board of Supervisor Garry Bredefeld, as noted in Fulfer’s reporting, publicly demanded that Fresno State President Saúl Jiménez-Sandoval denounce Shurik’s actions, calling for accountability and urging other local leaders to join him. Bredefeld’s comments, shared on social media, labeled Shurik as a “hate-filled, radical lunatic” unfit to teach, reflecting the intensity of the backlash. Fresno State students are now caught in the crossfire of this debate, navigating a polarized campus climate where the actions of one instructor have called into question the university’s commitment to impartiality and academic integrity.
The university’s response has been limited so far, with no official statement addressing the exhibit cancellation or potential disciplinary actions against Shurik. However, the controversy has sparked a larger conversation about the role of educators in political activism. For students, this situation raises concerns about fairness in grading—particularly for those who may have felt pressured to attend protests for extra credit—and the broader implications of having instructors with such openly radical views. The loss of the 9/11 exhibit further underscores the tangible consequences of Shurik’s actions, as students miss out on a chance to engage with history in a meaningful way.
Josh Fulfer’s investigative work through Oreo Express has been pivotal in bringing this story to light, starting with his initial posts on March 29, 2025, and culminating in widespread awareness of Shurik’s behavior. His efforts have not only exposed the professor’s actions but also highlighted their real-world impact on the Fresno State community. As of April 3, 2025, the situation remains unresolved, with Shurik yet to publicly respond to the criticism. Meanwhile, Fresno State students are left to contend with the consequences of her actions, from a disrupted educational experience to a campus environment increasingly fraught with tension.