BALDWIN CITY — A man who was once Baker University’s highest-paid employee has filed a federal lawsuit against Baker. Russell Pieken, Kansas City, said Baker wrongfully terminated him two years ago. He was an adjunct teacher who taught several graduate and professional courses. The Lawrence Journal-World reports that Pieken taught so many courses that one year, he made more in salary than the university president. In his filing, Pieken said Baker denied him employee benefits and then terminated him without a reason. A spokesman for Baker says Piekin was an adjunct instructor and independent contractor who helped reorganize the School of Professional and Graduate Studies.
