COLLEGE STATION, Texas -- A faculty adviser for the Texas A&M chapter of the Young Conservatives of Texas has resigned, saying he was “ashamed beyond words” when the group posted fliers identifying four professors who signed a petition opposing “demonization” of 1960s radical William Ayers.

John Fike, a professor in engineering technology and industrial engineering, quit the adviser role last week, the Bryan-College Station Eagle reported Sunday.

The national petition asked for support for education “as an enterprise devoted to human inquiry, enlightenment and liberation” and had more than 4,000 signatures. It circulated during the presidential race, when Ayers’ acquaintanceship with President-elect Barack Obama became a campaign issue.

Ayers, now a University of Illinois education professor, is a former leader of the Weather Underground.

The fliers quoted Ayers as saying he doesn’t regret setting bombs. They included photos of the four Texas A&M professors with the words, “Would you support a man with these views?”

Fike said in an e-mail to the faculty that he had initially told the Young Conservatives that they should stand for all that was good about conservatism and reject the bad.

“I also told them that if I was ever ashamed of them, that was it for me,” Fike wrote. “I am now ashamed beyond words.”

Tony Listi, chairman of the Young Conservatives, said the group was going to cut ties with Fike, who had advised them for three years, even if he had not quit.

Listi said Fike is not a Republican and had a “Barack Obama for President” sign outside his house.

Fike declined to respond.

The Young Conservatives has about 60 to 70 dues-paying members

among the more than 46,000 students at Texas A&M.