Board of Trustees visit Hardin County for president search

Hardin Countians interested in weighing in on the search for a new University of Kentucky president had an opportunity Thursday morning.

Kelly Cantrall

University of Kentucky Board of Trustees members Sheila Brothers, Britt Brockman and Joe Peek, from left, spoke Thursday in Hardn County about the UK president search.

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Members of the UK Board of Trustees visited the Hardin County Cooperative Extension Service office. The visit was part of a tour members  around the state are making to get input in the search for a new university president. President Lee T. Todd is retiring June 30.

The members gave some specifics of the search, including that about 420 candidates were contacted by the search firm hired by the committee. That list was narrowed down to 100 names, and now it’s down to a preferred list, Board Chairman Britt Brockman said. He wouldn’t specify the exact number, but said it was fewer than 25 candidates.
The committee will meet the candidates between March 22 and 24.

Those in attendance focused on the Extension Service and its importance to the community and farmers. Brockman agreed and said it was important for the board to understand Hardin Countians want a president who understands it as well.

Members said Extension offices are the university’s main connection to the rest of the state.  Attendees agreed that they wanted a president who made those in other parts of the state feel connected to UK.

Brockman said the new president needs to see beyond the campus.

“This president needs to understand that it’s not just about Lexington” he said.

Brockman also mentioned possible partnerships in programming with the University of Louisville, in response to concerns about state colleges being too focused on competing with each other.

Brockman made notes about the idea of offering classes at Fort Knox after remarks  that Western Kentucky University being more prevalent in the area.

Kelly Cantrall can be reached at (270) 505-1747 or kcantrall@thenewsenterprise.com.