STARKVILLE — A former student and instructor at the Mississippi State College of Veterinary Medicine has filed a federal lawsuit against the university for wrongful termination.
Jackson attorney Joel Dillard filed the civil suit on June 10 in U.S. District Court in Aberdeen on behalf of Shannon McLean, a U.S. Army veterinarian who took classes and taught at the veterinary school from July 2017 until her termination on Jan. 2, 2019.
The suit charges that MSU violated McLean’s Title IX, the First Amendment, Due Process and Equal Protection rights.
Named in the suit are MSU President Mark Keenum, along with CVM staff members Dr. Andrew Mackin, Dr. Gary J. Burt and Julie Burt.
According to the suit, McClean was fired in retaliation for writing an anonymous letter criticizing the university. Two days after the termination, the suit claims, Mackin wrote a letter to her military commander, Dr. Dennis Bell, that was critical of McLean’s “character, work ethic, professional abilities and emotional heath.”
The suit states those claims are disputed by statements by staff and student evaluations, noting that McClean’s performance ratings were higher than one or more male instructors.
“We believe that the plaintiff was discharged as retaliation for an anonymous letter (the university) believed she had written,” Dillard said Monday. “She did not write the letter and was terminated without due process and in violation of her rights.”
The plaintiff is seeking compensation for lost wages, punitive damages and legal fees.
MSU Chief Communications Officer Sid Salter acknowledged the suit when contacted by The Dispatch, but offered little else.
“(Our) general council is reviewing the complaint,” Salter said. “MSU has no comment at this time.”
Slim Smith is a columnist and feature writer for The Dispatch. His email address is [email protected].
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