This celebration of generosity spans 1,798 minutes, a tribute to UofL’s founding year, and invites Cardinals everywhere to come together in support of the university they love.

Timed to energize Homecoming week, Raise Some L rallies the Cardinal community around the initiatives, programs and people shaping UofL’s future.

“Your support of the UofL family ignites transformative opportunities for our students, patients and community. It empowers the next generation of Cardinals to reach their full potential,” said President Gerry Bradley. “We are building a brighter tomorrow and moving forward together.”

Recent Major Gifts and Commitments

This year’s Raise Some L celebration has already been bolstered by several significant gifts and commitments that will make an immediate and lasting impact across the University of Louisville. Highlights include:

• Anonymous – Inspired by the legacy of two strong women who championed education and opportunity for themselves and their children, a gift of $500,000 to the University of Louisville was made by a family of first-generation immigrants who began their American journey with hope, determination, and a deep belief in the power of learning. This investment creates a safety net for students, helping cover essential needs like housing, food, and childcare, so they can focus on achieving their degrees and building brighter futures. Their story is one of perseverance, gratitude, and a shared belief that education transforms lives.

• Phoenix Controls – An in-kind gift valued at $382,258 to enhance the new program, providing state-of-the-art technology and resources for hands-on learning.

• SEW-EURODRIVE – An in-kind gift valued at $358,000 to support the program, providing state-of-the-art technology and resources for hands-on learning.
• Suraj and Rachel Alexander – A $100,000 gift establishing a new Centennial Scholarship fund within the to support student opportunity and innovation, complemented by a $50,000 planned gift to sustain and advance the Speed School’s mission for years to come.
• Autodesk – $75,000 in support of state-of-the-art technologies and resources for the J.B. Speed School’s program.
• St. James Court Neighborhood Association – A renewed commitment totaling $74,375 to benefit the , including the establishment of the St. James Court Neighborhood Association Scholarship Honoring Bill Holladay, Jr., to support students pursuing art and design.
• Lyle and Linda Graham – A $50,000 contribution to the Graham Student Philanthropy Endowed Fund and an additional $5,000 gift to the Graham Math Scholars Program, continuing their long-standing support for student engagement and success.
• Anonymous Planned Gift to the Speed School – A planned commitment valued at $50,000 to advance the mission and programs of the J.B. Speed School of Engineering.
• Genentech, Inc. –A gift of $43,421 to the . Genentech is a pioneering biotechnology company committed to innovation, equity, and health. This gift helps prepare the next generation of leaders to tackle the world’s most pressing health challenges.
• Dr. Paul Kelty – A $25,000 pledge to the Golden Alumni Scholarship at the J.B. Speed School of Engineering. (Securities transfer processed by Baird Financial.)
• Anonymous Gift – A $12,500 matching gift to the UofL Writing, Editing and Publishing Lab, expanding resources and opportunities for students in the program.

“Raise Some L helps keep UofL accessible and affordable, fuels breakthrough research, enhances medical care and drives our momentum as a leading metropolitan research university,” said Philanthropy and Alumni Engagement Vice President Jim Broschart. “We are profoundly grateful to the alumni, faculty, staff and friends who answer the call year after year. Your generosity makes it all possible.”

To learn more, make a gift or become a Raise Some L advocate, visit .

Campus Events & Student Energy

The Student Organization for Alumni Relations (SOAR) and the Student Activities Board (SAB) will host Raise Some L block parties on the Belknap and HSC campuses on Wednesday, Oct. 22, from 12-2 p.m., featuring snacks, games, music and opportunities to get involved. Don’t miss the action at the campus quads and help spread the word using #RaiseSomeL on social media.

Last Year’s Impact

In 2024, more than 2,000 donors gave an incredible $5.4 million to support UofL, UofL Health and UofL Athletics. For the fourth consecutive year, Cardinal family members from all 50 states took part, showing the nation what it means to Raise Some L.

To see what else is happening during Homecoming week, visit

As the industrial landscape continues to change, this program aims to serve the workforce needs of the region.

“The really exciting thing about this program is our partnership with ECTC,” said Thomas Rockaway, professor of civil engineering at the Speed School, who spearheaded the collaboration. “Rather than having this program focused solely in Louisville, we are able to leverage the great work already underway at ECTC and build a true 2+2 pathway for a four-year bachelor’s degree in applied engineering. Students can start in Elizabethtown and earn an associate in applied science degree in two years and then complete two more years of academic work at UofL towards the applied engineering degree.”

Through state-of-the-art facilities and labs at UofL, students will receive hands-on, applicable training that will prepare them to adapt to industry challenges. Additionally, students will have access to an automation and robotics focus track to gain specialized skills while completing the degree. To ensure that ECTC students joining the program are prepared with the pre-engineering fundamentals necessary for success at the Speed School, there will be a comprehensive mathematics prep program for the program’s first cohort.

“This partnership creates a new pathway for engineering students to continue their education and advance their careers in high-demand, high-wage fields without leaving our region,” said ECTC President Juston Pate. “This pathway is an incredible addition to the ECTC Robbins University Center as it develops a critical future workforce, supports economic development, increases bachelor’s degree attainment and helps our students reach their full potential, all with a partner as renowned as the UofL J.B. Speed School of Engineering.”

With evening classes and courses offered at the Glendale Training Center, the applied engineering degree supports working students. The Speed School’s co-op requirement in the second half of the program also provides one year of job experience.

“This program is transformative and timely for our region since the increased demands of advanced manufacturing and materials handling in our regional industries require a dramatic increase in the number of engineers skilled in automation and robotics,” said Emmanuel Collins, dean of the Speed School. “We expect this new academic program to be the largest of its kind in the nation.”

For more information about the bachelor’s in applied engineering program, visit the .

UofL operates a satellite advising office on the ECTC campus with a full-time advisor readily available to help guide ECTC students completing UofL degrees. Learn more about .