Heidi M. Anderson, president of the University of Maryland Eastern Shore, recently filed a $1 million defamation lawsuit against former UMES professor Donna Satterlee, according to a report from Josh Davis of the Baltimore Sun.
“In recent weeks, Dr. Satterlee has made several public statements and media appearances attacking Dr. Anderson’s academic integrity and leadership. Dr. Anderson’s complaint asserts that these statements are false, defamatory, and damaging to her personal and professional reputation,” said Dr. Anderson’s representation, J. Walker & Associates, LLC.
Dr. Satterlee was let go from her position at the University of Maryland Eastern Shore in 2024. In July, she filed a lawsuit against the HBCU claiming racial discrimination, wrongful termination, and a hostile work environment. More recently, Dr. Satterlee accused Dr. Anderson of plagiarizing her 1986 doctoral dissertation at Purdue University, claiming the HBCU president copied several paragraphs from a 1981 article without proper citation.
“We stand firmly with Dr. Anderson. After carefully reviewing the dissertation and all supporting materials, it is clear that no plagiarism occurred under the academic code of conduct in place during the 1980s,” said attorney James L. Walker Jr. “When individuals make false and harmful statements, there are consequences. We look forward to proving our case in court.”
Dr. Anderson has led the University of Maryland Eastern Shore since 2018.
After reading Dr. Satterlee’s lawsuit, it appears that Dr. Anderson has a lot of explaining to do in reference to the plethora of very serious claims filed against her and other named defendants. Anyone who’s familiar with HBCUs can agree that if faculty start pointing out administrative and operational problems, the so-called Black establishment class (i.e., Boule, BGLOs) will immediately be hostile towards such persons, let alone if you’re a White woman. Even more troubling at TSU and other HBCUs, is how in the hell can HBCUs can allow these Third World African and Caribbean immigrants to be used as a permanent platform for employment opportunities when “these people” don’t align themselves with native born Black American causes.
The facts remain, HBCUs were specifically created for native born Black Americans in the same vein as Historically White Colleges and Universities (HWCUs), Hispanic Serving Institutions (HSIs), and Tribal Colleges and Universities (TCUs) were created for “them”. Case in point, you would never see scores of Arabs or Germans at Yeshiva University or Brandeis University. I wonder why.
I stand with President Anderson! The lies and defamation must stop! This should send a message to all past and future, beware of defamation. You’re time is coming.
Hey Yvette,
I must ask you, would you “stand with President Anderson” even if the evidence showed that she was wrong? Matter of fact, have you read and analyzed both of these lawsuits? You sound like one of those typical so-called establishment Blacks who refuse to be held accountable for your actions. You need to work on your reading comprehension skills immediately.