A discrimination lawsuit against Western Kentucky University by a former employee was dismissed Monday by Warren Circuit Judge Steve Wilson.

Wilson granted the motion to dismiss the case in favor of WKU in the case of Ingrid Woods, the former assistant director of academic advising and retention who was seeking to be promoted to director of academic advising.

Woods claimed she was denied the promotion because she is Hispanic. She sought $339,000 in lost income and $250,000 in emotional stress and humiliation and another $250,000 in punitive damages.

Neither Woods nor her lawyer, David Broderick, could be reached for comment.

According to Wilson’s decision, the sole question was whether Western intended to deny Woods a more advanced position. There was no proof of discrimination, Wilson ruled.

Woods did not reach the level of proof that any reasonable jury could conclude that race was the substantial factor in the decision not to hire her as director of academic advising, Wilson ruled.

“After three days of testimony, the judge ruled they did not have any proof of discrimination, and the case was dismissed,” said Greg Stivers, a partner in Kerrick, Stivers, Coyle and Van Zant, the Bowling Green firm that handled the case for WKU.

The case had been going on for three years, he said.

Stivers said Woods voluntarily dismissed her allegation that she had also been discriminated against because she took a maternity leave.

Stivers said the message from this case is that Western is an equal opportunity employer and makes every effort to make employment decisions on “merits involved and not on race or religion or improper consideration,” and that Western does and will continue to strive for diversity in both the student body and workforce.