President Capilouto: Warm wishes for a joyful holiday season

LEXINGTON, Ky. (Dec. 23, 2025) — University of Kentucky President Eli Capilouto sent the following message to the UK campus community last week. 

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Campus Community, 

As we head into the final days of the semester, I want to pause and say thank you — and to share how proud I am of this community. 

A class of students prepares to leave us, as graduates, ready for careers and for lives of meaning and purpose.  

This time, for them and for us, is always a moment of unbridled possibility — for our students, their families and loved ones, for our state that needs their purpose and passion and for our community, once again reminded of who we are and what we do. 

None of their journeys, of course, would be possible without the steadfast dedication of our faculty, staff and all those across our campus who support students at every step.  

Whether it’s teaching, advising, solving problems or simply caring — often behind the scenes — you make success possible. Our students’ achievements reflect your commitment and belief in them. 

And together, as a community, during this semester and throughout the previous year, we have accomplished so much, even in the midst of what have been challenging times of stress and scrutiny of all that we do. 

Think about what you — and what the power of we — has made possible this semester alone: an expansion of the Advancing Kentucky Together Network with the signing of our first corporate partner; the launch of the Commonwealth AI Transdisciplinary Strategy (CATS AI), which will position UK to lead responsibly in a rapidly evolving and transformative field; the announcement of an extraordinary $150 million gift from The Bill Gatton Foundation to help create a vibrant arts district that will further connect community and city in exciting ways.  

All of that occurred in only a few months, although behind the accomplishment has been many more months, if not years, of work, effort, commitment and planning.  

This is what our campus makes possible — for the Commonwealth that is our namesake and beyond. It is the result of people who care deeply about our mission and about one another, even when the work is challenging and the path often fraught and complex. 

Above all, we exist to advance this state — a mission that has been our north star and to which we have remained so firmly fixed for more than 160 years. 

It is a mission that guides us still. 

I remain deeply grateful for all you do and for the way you continue to show up for this institution, its people and our mission of advancing Kentucky every day.  

I wish you and your loved ones a restful and joyful holiday season, and I look forward to all we will continue to accomplish together in the year ahead.
 
Eli Capilouto 
President