The recipients are the Leona M. and Harry B. Helmsley Charitable Trust, Jean Frazier and the late Kennedy Helm III.

The Leona M. and Harry B. Helmsley Charitable Trust supports medical research, health care, education and conservation and has given millions of dollars to UofL for cancer and spinal cord injury research. UofL alumnus John Codey, a trustee for the trust and executive vice president of Helmsley Enterprises, Inc., accepted the award on the trust鈥檚 behalf.

鈥淭he Helmsley Trust and John Codey have become tremendous friends to the University of Louisville,鈥 Ramsey said. 鈥淢any of the breakthroughs we have made in creating a vaccine for cervical cancer and helping those with spinal cord injuries can be attributed to their generous contributions.鈥

Jean Frazier, director of the Louisville-based real estate firm HFH Inc., is both a donor and adviser to the university through membership on the Board of Overseers. She鈥攁long with her late husband Harry Frazier Jr.鈥攈as made an impact through her support of such areas as student scholarships, research, autism services, library materials and athletics.

鈥淭here鈥檚 hardly an area of our campus that hasn鈥檛 been touched in some way by Jean Frazier and her family,鈥 Ramsey said. 鈥淛ean has been a great friend and adviser for the university and her contributions have helped this entire community take a great step forward.鈥

The late Kennedy Helm III was a Cardinal fan and generous supporter of UofL athletics. A retired chairman emeritus from Louisville-based law firm Stites & Harbison PLLC, Helm died in March. Kennedy Helm IV accepted the award on his father鈥檚 behalf.

鈥淲hen I learned of Kennedy鈥檚 death earlier this year, I knew that the university had lost a great friend,鈥 Ramsey said. 鈥淗onoring him with a presidential medal is an opportunity for us to thank him and his family once again for their contributions to our first-rate athletics and academic programs.鈥

The Presidential Medal recognizes contributors who have made a significant, positive impact on the university and community. Giving them is a chance to publicly recognize 鈥渢hose who help advance the mission鈥 of the institution, Ramsey said.

Past award recipients include:

  • 2012: Rep. Larry Clark, Sam Swope and the Gheens Foundation
  • 2011: Henry Heuser and Kosair Charities
  • 2010: Jerry Abramson and James Graham Brown Foundation
  • 2009: Robert Rounsavall and Louisville Arena Authority
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Cindy Hess
Cindy Hess has more than 30 years of experience in communications, marketing and investor relations, including more than a decade at UofL. She is "sort of" retired but happy to come back to the Office of Communications and Marketing to help with special projects and assignments.