The 97-page report issued this week describes some 70 instances of sexual misconduct by multiple former faculty and staff spanning 7 decades. This is no doubt a mere glimpse into the sex crimes that took place over 70 years.
Three of the accused were named in the report because they are deceased and investigators received multiple firsthand accounts reflecting repeated and pervasive conduct. These include:
- The “beloved” Byron Hanson, staff member and music director from 1960 to 2015.
- John “Jack” Hood, faculty member and administrator from 1963 to 1979 who later returned in seasonal roles until 2004.
- Charlie McWhorter, an Interlochen trustee from 1970 to 1999.
A fourth man is named because Interlochen terminated his employment and reported him to law enforcment. He and was convicted of criminal sexual conduct in 2005. Thomas Clower was on the arts faculty from 2003 to 2005. Other names are being handed over to law enforcement where maybe, just maybe, some of them will be charged for their actions.
The conduct described in the report is harrowing. The reaction by higher-level staff in response to attempts to report these crimes is in some cases beyond horrendous. And of course there is plenty of mention of Jeffrey Epstein and Ghislaine Maxwell. Epstein was more than an alumni camper and generous donor. He and Maxwell poached girls they singled out at Interlochen. Because of course they did. All of these “beloved” predators and predatory patrons of the arts. I guess they couldn’t get coaching jobs with youth sports. This is more elevated.
Remember that when this president pardons or commutes Maxwell. Hell, remember that when Todd Blanche continues his song and dance before the Senate this week to try to become the next Attorney General.
Blanche spent nine hours chatting up Maxwell at FCI Tallahassee right before she was transferred to Prison Camp Bryan in Texas. He denies playing any part in the transfer. Nothing like splitting hairs, right Todd? Until forced by his deep desire to be AG in this administration and the strong suggestions of some of his pals in the Senate, he did not spend even nine seconds with the survivors of Maxwell and Epstein. When he condescended to do so last week, participants in the sit down described an arrogant, slippery shill. Too good to talk to survivors; prefers the company of his boss’s friend, Maxwell.
Tragic that these two monsters, Epstein and Maxwell, in addition to Hanson, Hood, McWhorter and Clower, ever set foot on the grounds at Interlochen.
A reader made a valid point that Interlochen is to be commended for doing the hard work and releasing this report. They are not hiding from it. The investigation went back 70 years.
Compare Interlochen’s approach to that of Cranbrook School in Bloomfield Hills, MI, in the wake of allegations of sexual assaults of students. The board at Cranbrook should take a hard look at the Interlochen report.
In March and April 2023, the Cranbrook sent a community letter detailing findings from an independent investigation led by attorney Linda Burwell which revealed that nine former employees and one spouse had engaged in sexual misconduct with students between the 1940s and the early 2010s.
https://www.downtownpublications.com/single-post/sexual-misconduct-inquiry-discovers-past-abuse
The school refused to release the full report. Out of the nine people, the school publicly named only two deceased former employees (including long-time coach Fred Campbell), keeping the names and specific details of the other seven perpetrators confidential. Certainly no mention of having had one of the world’s most prolific pedophiles, Frank Shelden, on its board back in the 1970s.
Interlochen’s approach is a vast improvement over that of Cranbrook, but Jennifer Simmons Kaleba with RAINN (Rape, Abuse and Incest National Network) added important caveats. She observed that Interlochen was right to pursue the investigation and release it to the public, but that those actions are just the first step.
It’s good to meet the bar. If the bar and the promise is transparency and safety for the students that are in your charge — and I think that should be the bar — then, good,” she said. “What you do with a report after that is where things matter. Releasing it? That’s the bar you should meet. And I don’t say that to disparage or negate what Interlochen has decided to do. Meeting the bar is exactly what we should be doing. Exceeding the bar, that’s the next step.
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For you non Michiganders , this is where the rich of the rich send their children for music, dance and related.
https://substack.com/home/post/p-191329307 (March 28, 2026).
Charles Kinsey McWhorter was an American attorney, Republican political broker, and a key legislative aide to Richard Nixon. He served as chief administrative and legislative assistant to Nixon during his vice presidency from 1957 to 1961.
McWhorter was a consultant to AT&T, and a member of the National Council on the Arts during the Nixon Administration.
He was chosen by President George H. W. Bush to be a member of a U.S. Senate subcommittee on the renewal of the National Endowment for the Arts.
The sins of Michigan are making national headlines. Maybe OCCK and North Fox Island will finally get the attention and justice they deserve. Thank you for fighting the good fight.