'Behind the Blue': Mike Richey’s Mission to Further the University’s Priorities Through Philanthropy
LEXINGTON, Ky. (Dec. 16, 2020) — As the fundraising arm of the University of Kentucky, the Office of Philanthropy is charged with furthering the university’s mission and vision. The philanthropy staff works with faculty, students, programs, colleges and administration to identify the university’s top priorities. Then, it connects the university to the people, corporations and foundations who can make their dreams a reality.
In the fall of 1969, Muhlenberg County native Mike Richey enrolled at the University of Kentucky in Lexington as a college freshman. More than 51 years later, the university’s vice president for philanthropy and chief philanthropy officer’s love for UK burns brighter than ever.
Recently, Richey joined UK Public Relations and Strategic Communications' Carl Nathe for a "Behind the Blue" podcast interview to talk about the school’s ongoing "Kentucky Can" efforts, the 21st Century Campaign for the University of Kentucky and more.
"Behind the Blue" is available on iTunes, Google Play, Stitcher and Spotify. Become a subscriber to receive new episodes of “Behind the Blue” each week. UK’s latest medical breakthroughs, research, artists and writers will be featured, along with the most important news impacting the university.
For questions or comments about this or any other episode of "Behind the Blue," email BehindTheBlue@uky.edu or tweet your question with #BehindTheBlue.
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As the state’s flagship, land-grant institution, the University of Kentucky exists to advance the Commonwealth. We do that by preparing the next generation of leaders — placing students at the heart of everything we do — and transforming the lives of Kentuckians through education, research and creative work, service and health care. We pride ourselves on being a catalyst for breakthroughs and a force for healing, a place where ingenuity unfolds. It's all made possible by our people — visionaries, disruptors and pioneers — who make up 200 academic programs, a $476.5 million research and development enterprise and a world-class medical center, all on one campus.
In 2022, UK was ranked by Forbes as one of the “Best Employers for New Grads” and named a “Diversity Champion” by INSIGHT into Diversity, a testament to our commitment to advance Kentucky and create a community of belonging for everyone. While our mission looks different in many ways than it did in 1865, the vision of service to our Commonwealth and the world remains the same. We are the University for Kentucky.