PSC Committee to Gather Input for Next President

LEXINGTON, Ky. (March 7, 2011) - The University of Kentucky's Board of Trustees and  Presidential Search Committee are holding a series of forums across the state to gather input about some of the characteristics that UK's 12th president should possess.

The first forum will be held at 10:30 a.m., March 7, at the University of Kentucky Harlan County Extension Depot, 110 River Street. The meeting will be open to the public and will be attended by Jo Hern Curris, a member of the UK Board and the Search Committee. Directions to the forum site are located below.

UK is searching for its 12th president, following the announcement in September by current President Lee T. Todd, Jr. that he would retire at the end of June after 10 years at the helm.

"As representatives of our great Flagship Institution, we wish to convey that the University of Kentucky sincerely cares about our Commonwealth and its citizens, and that we wish to make ourselves available for their questions and comments as we begin a new phase in the University’s history," said Jo Hern Curris, a Benham (Harlan Co.) native and member of the Board of Trustees, Search Committee and Co-Chair of the Forum Tour.

Although the university has seen its budget cut nine times in the past 10 years, UK has, nevertheless, recorded record-high enrollments, research dollar amounts and new highs in student quality and graduation rates.

"The University of Kentucky is the Commonwealth's leading institution of higher learning," said Pam May, Pikeville, member of the Board of Trustees and Search Committee and Co-Chair of the Forum Tour. "And as such, it is critical that we gather input from people in communities across the state about some of the qualities and skills they want the president of UK to possess.  We strongly encourage all to attend and look forward to hearing what are your greatest interests."

A schedule of other visitation sites will be released as scheduling is completed.

Directions to the Harlan County Extension Depot (110 River Street)

From Lexington:

--Take I-75 South to Exit 29 (Barbourville / Corbin). At the bottom of the ramp turn left onto HWY 25 E.
--Take HWY 25 E thru Corbin and Barbourville and into Pineville. At the 3rd traffic light, turn left onto HWY 119 N to Harlan. Travel on 119 N for approximately 25 miles.
--Turn right at the traffic light at the end of 119 N onto HWY 421 S. Go to traffic light #5 and turn left onto HWY 38. At the flashing yellow light turn right and then turn left. The Harlan County Extension Depot will be on your right with parking at both ends.

MEDIA CONTACT: Jay Blanton, (859) 257-1754 ext. 247; Jay.Blanton@uky.edu