Board of Trustees highlights, July 2024

The University of Louisville Board of Trustees elected new officers and conducted its first evaluation of President Kim Schatzel during its July 25 annual meeting.

This year’s officers, as submitted by the Governance, Trusteeship and Nominating Committee, are Diane Medley (chair), Larry Benz (vice chair), Brian Lavin (treasurer), Sherrill Zimmerman (secretary) and Diane Porter (at-large member).

Allie Rose Phillips, president of the Student Government Association, was sworn in as the new student constituency representative. Faculty Senate Chair Eugene Mueller continues his role as faculty constituency representative; and Staff Senate Chair Kevin Ledford continues as staff constituency representative.

Schatzel shared a video which highlights the many achievements that the university realized over the past year. Following the presentation, she acknowledged the ongoing commitment to the university’s success demonstrated by the senior leadership team, faculty, staff and students.

Trustees attributed the university’s ongoing success to Schatzel’s outstanding leadership and commitment to bring UofL to the next level. Their remarks were part of Schatzel’s annual performance evaluation, conducted by trustees and representatives from the university community. Medley noted Schatzel’s efforts to build a strong senior leadership team, establish a solid working relationship with Kentucky state legislators and commit to many worthwhile and ambitious goals for the university.

The trustees approved the university’s FY 2024-25 $1.72 billion budget in June. One of the drivers for that budget is the university’s strong philanthropy efforts. Keith Sherman, University of Louisville Foundation executive director and chief operating officer, reported that UofL’s main endowment pool stands at $914 million with investment returns at just over 11%. Additionally, FY 2023-24 fundraising was about $47 million.

UofL Health continues to thrive as a premier health system in Kentucky. ULH CEO Tom Miller noted several recent achievements including the much anticipated opening of UofL Health – South Hospital in Bullitt County, Ky., this past March. Some of ULH’s strategies for 2025 include the expansion of the Peace Now mental health services program across the commonwealth, buildout of the Brain and Spine Institute and seeking National Cancer Institute designation for the Brown Cancer Center.

Jon Klein, UofL’s interim executive vice president for research and innovation, shared exciting news about a $24 million investment in clinical research infrastructure – the largest such investment in the university’s history. Funding, $12 million of which comes from the National Institutes of Health, will support the development of a clinical and translational research program at the university. A formal announcement will be made to the university community in the coming weeks. Watch UofL News for more information.

The University of Louisville Board of Trustees committees will meet Thursday, Sept. 19, at 1 p.m., in Grawemeyer Hall. Meeting agendas, minutes and other information is available on the Board of Trustees website.