The UK Board of Trustees and Presidential Search Committee have embarked on the University of Kentucky Tour of the Commonwealth – a multi-city series of forums across the state designed to solicit feedback and spark discussion about the characteristics, qualifications and priorities that the university’s next president should possess.
A forum will be held at 5:30 p.m. March 14, at the University of Kentucky Pike County Extension Office, 148 Trivette Drive, in Pikeville.
The meeting will be open to the public and will be attended by Pam May, secretary of the Board of Trustees and a member of the Presidential Search Committee; Keith Gannon, a member of the Board of Trustees; and Bart Miller, staff representative on 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.
“The campus for the University of Kentucky is the Commonwealth of Kentucky. We are this state’s flagship, land-grant institution and we touch all 120 counties,” May said. “As such, in picking a new president for this institution during a time of both great challenge and opportunity, it’s important to gather input from people throughout our state about what they want to see in their president.”
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 during President Todd’s tenure.
“It is critically important to me that we, as board and search committee members, visit the citizens of the Commonwealth prior to final decisions being made,” Gannon said. “The citizens of Kentucky have a vested interest in the choosing of UK's next president, particularly since the quest for Top 20 status is directly correlated with improved job opportunities, improved personal health, and an improved economy, overall. I am very much looking forward to hearing a wide variety of opinions.”
A schedule of other visitation sites will be released as scheduling is completed.
Pike County (Pikeville)
Directions to our office at 148 Trivette Drive:
From U.S. 23, take Pikeville exit 24 toward downtown. This will put you on Hambley Boulevard. Follow Hambley Boulevard approx. 1 ½ miles until you pass by Hardee's and J.W. Call & Son Funeral Home. Immediately after passing funeral home turn left onto Pike Street. Follow Pike Street 2 blocks to Main Street. Turn left onto Main Street and go to 3-way stop. At stop sign go straight to get onto Trivette Drive. Follow Trivette Drive to last brick office building on your right (look for Cooperative Extension sign).
