$1 million gift advances UK Invests, student financial success

LEXINGTON, Ky. (April 24, 2026) — A $1 million gift is expanding opportunities for University of Kentucky students to invest in their futures.

The Board of Trustees has accepted a gift from James F. Hardymon, alumnus and former board chair, to support UK Invests — a first-of-its-kind initiative designed to help students build lifelong financial wellness.

The gift strengthens UK Invests, which equips students with the knowledge and resources to better understand financial literacy, practice investing and earn monetary rewards for healthy behaviors tied to financial, academic and personal well-being.

“UK Invests reflects our commitment to preparing students not only for careers, but for lives of meaning and purpose,” Kirsten Turner, Ph.D., vice president for Student Success, said. “With this generous support, we can deepen and expand access to financial education across our campus community — giving students practical tools, hands-on experience and confidence to make informed financial decisions that will serve them well beyond their time at the university.”

Launched in 2022, UK Invests helps students become healthier, wealthier and wiser by building a foundation of financial literacy and healthy habits.

Through the program, students complete online financial literacy modules, open brokerage accounts and earn funds by engaging in activities that promote success — from attending financial education sessions to building career skills, participating on campus and prioritizing physical and mental health.

Here’s a reminder on how UK Invests works:  

• Students can create a brokerage account and learn about financial wellness through iGrad (a leading financial education provider). 
• Students can earn money by practicing and participating in healthy behaviors and habits — beginning with financial education and expanding to building employability skills, getting involved on campus and prioritizing physical and mental wellness.  
• As part of this initiative, the university is working with Fidelity Investments to ensure students are empowered to make deposits in their future investment opportunities that can help them reap a lifetime of benefits for themselves, their families and their communities. 

The model is designed to “hard-wire” healthy habits and reinforce the university’s holistic approach to student success.

Since 2023, more than 14,000 students have participated in UK Invests — earning more than $2.4 million and holding a combined $6.2 million in total asset value.

Early outcomes from UK Invests highlight its impact on student success:

First-Year Grade Point Average (GPA)

• In the Fall 2023 cohort, first-year students without a UK Invests account earned a 2.99 GPA, while students with an account earned a 3.29 GPA.
• In the Fall 2024 cohort, first-year students without a UK Invests account earned a 2.93 GPA, compared with a 3.27 GPA for students with an account.

Second-Fall Retention Rates

• For the Fall 2023 cohort, 84% of students without a UK Invests account were retained into their second fall, compared with 91% of students who had an account.

• In the Fall 2024 cohort, 81% of students without a UK Invests account were retained into their second fall, while 89% of students with an account were retained.

“I have witnessed firsthand the transformative impact of UK Invests. Founded on principles of financial literacy, the program has become an essential resource for students while they navigate their collegiate experience,” said Paul McKinney, the associate vice president for student financial stability. “The program not only provides a solid financial education, but it also affords students the opportunity to engage in activities that make them more successful in the classroom.

Hardymon’s latest gift brings his total support of UK Invests to $2 million.

A native of Maysville, Kentucky, Hardymon earned his bachelor’s and master’s degrees in civil engineering from UK in 1956 and 1958, respectively. After serving two tours of duty in the U.S. Army, he began his career with Browning Manufacturing Co. in 1961. He later held executive leadership roles at Emerson Electric before becoming CEO of Textron Inc., a global enterprise with operations in aircraft, automotive, industrial and finance sectors. He retired in 1999.

Hardymon and his late wife, Gay Garred Hardymon, who earned a bachelor’s degree in English from UK in 1961, maintained deep ties to the university. Their legacy continues through their children and grandchildren, including a granddaughter who earned a degree from the Martin-Gatton College of Agriculture, Food and Environment.

Hardymon also has a long history of leadership at UK — serving on the Board of Trustees from 1992 to ’99 and again from 2003 to ’09. During his tenure, he served as chair of the board, chair of the Executive Committee and a community advisory member of the Investment Committee.

UK Invests is available to all undergraduate, graduate and professional students, as well as employees, further distinguishing the university as a national leader in integrating financial education with student success and well-being.

For more information, visit the UK Invests website.