Campus News

'Behind the Blue': Mike Richey Leads UK’s Philanthropy Efforts With Focus and Passion

LEXINGTON, Ky. (March 6, 2020) — Mike Richey came to the University of Kentucky from Muhlenberg County in the fall of 1969 as a freshman. Now in his 51st year on campus, his great love for UK continues to grow, and he demonstrates it every day as the institution’s chief philanthropy officer.

On this week’s edition of the “Behind the Blue” podcast, Carl Nathe of UK Public Relations and Strategic Communications talks with Richey about Kentucky Can: The 21st Century Campaign for the University of Kentucky and other topics.

"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.