A former Lamar University professor has filed an age discrimination lawsuit against the school after a younger person was offered his former tenure-track position.
Andrew W. Bacdayan, Ph.D., filed suit against Lamar University on June 19 in the Eastern District of Texas, Beaumont Division.
Bacdayan was hired by Lamar as a tenure-track professor of economics in 2001. In May 2005, he requested that he be removed from the tenure-track due to medical and personal reasons.
At the age of 71, in October 2008, he requested Lamar reinstate him to his tenure-track position. The University denied the request and announced the vacancy of the position.
Bacdayan applied for his old position and was a finalist for his former tenure-track position. In February 2009, he was told by the chairman of Lamar's Department of Economics that Lamar had decided to go in a "new direction."
The new hire was under 40 years old at the time of his selection and had significantly less experience.
Bacdayan states that the true reason for Lamar's decision was Bacdayan's age and his projected age at the earliest time of his eligibility for tenured status.
The defendant is accused of violating the Age Discrimination and Employment Act.
The plaintiff is asking for an award of damages for back pay, reinstatement, front pay, liquidated damages, attorney's fees, court costs, and interest.
Bacdayan is represented by Alan L. Quiles of the Quiles Law Firm in Houston. A jury trial is requested.
U.S. District Judge Marcia A. Crone is assigned to the case.
Case No. 1:12-cv-00300