The University of Louisville presented the Brandeis Medal to on Feb. 5, during a reception at Louisville’s Marriott Hotel Downtown.

The Brandeis Medal, awarded annually since 1983, honors a recipient chosen for their devotion to economic, social or political justice and for advancing the cause of public service in the legal profession. Sotomayor, an alum of Princeton University and Yale Law School, is the seventh Supreme Court justice honored with the medal, following Harry Blackmun, Stephen Breyer, Ruth Bader Ginsburg, Elena Kagan, Sandra Day O’Connor and John Paul Stevens.

“We selected Justice Sotomayor to receive the Brandeis Medal because she brings tremendous dignity, respect and compassion to the bench. She is a fierce defender of liberty,” said Dean of Louis D. Brandeis School of Law Melanie B. Jacobs. “Every student who is in this room who was at the law school today and got to interact with Justice Sotomayor is nodding and thinking of the way in which she touched them.”

The “people’s justice”

Appointed by Barack Obama in August 2009, Sotomayor became the first Hispanic and third woman to serve on the high court. Aptly, Sotomayor was introduced at the Brandeis event by , the first Hispanic law professor at UofL, and like Sotomayor, a native New Yorker from the Bronx. Trucios-Haynes said Sotomayor has served as a personal mentor and role model for the marginalized, underserved and disadvantaged in her 15 years on the bench, writing impassioned rulings and dissents on issues of race, gender and ethnic identity.

Sometimes dubbed “the people’s justice,” Sotomayor is known for decisions such as legalizing same-sex marriage and upholding the Affordable Care Act, as well as her concern for the rights of criminal defendants and criminal justice reform.

In providing greetings from the Commonwealth of Kentucky, Gov. Andy Beshear said the Supreme Court holds “a sacred duty to rule without bias or favor to any person or party.” The justices of the Supreme Court are “the very foundation of a functional system of government, one that’s designed to serve the people and not just the powerful.”

welcomed Sotomayor who then participated in a question-and-answer session with Jacobs.

The justice spoke candidly about her upbringing in an impoverished, high-crime housing project in New York City. She also discussed the positive influence of her grandmother and how life experiences had informed her philosophies on law and life.

“I felt loved, I never felt poor,” she said. “It was a hard life, but it was a life filled with joy. Poor people are not bad people, they’re just poor, but many people don’t understand the difference. They think poverty is your own fault.”

The law is not black and white��

Sotomayor described the delicate balance of interpreting the law, noting how she has encountered defendants who made bad choices, yet were willing to change their behavior. Other times, she met defendants unwilling to see their wrongs.

“Our judgment as a society must understand this difference,” she said. “That’s what my childhood taught me. The law is not black and white, it’s gray, and in that gray area is where judges and lawyers work.”

When asked how she has been successful in considering both sides of an issue, the justice responded, “We have to have balance in facing our problems, and the only way to have that balance is to be open to both sides of the conversation.

“Justice (Clarence) Thomas and I, for example, are well-known for frequently being on the opposite side of issues, but no one is more loyal to the people he works with and loves.

“The fundamental difference between us is that he believes every person is capable of lifting themselves up by the bootstraps, while I understand from my life experiences that some people need help getting their boots up so they can reach their bootstraps,” Sotomayor said. “If you start from the proposition that most people have good in them, it’s easier to find common ground.”

On another topic, Jacobs asked Sotomayor what is needed to restore eroded trust in the judiciary.

“The court would garner better support if it acted more slowly in undoing precedent,” said Sotomayor. “If we as a court go too far ahead of people, our legitimacy is going to be questioned, and I think the immunity case is one of those situations. I don’t think Americans have accepted that anyone should be above the law in America — even the president.”��

Inspiring the next generation

While in Louisville, Sotomayor met with law students, a rare opportunity for the aspiring attorneys. She also visited students in the Central High School Law and Government Magnet Program, a UofL Signature Partnership program in which high schoolers are taught by Brandeis School of Law students to encourage minority participation in the legal profession.

Third-year law student Andi Dahmer explained how special it was to hear Sotomayor’s lived experiences come to life, and asked the justice this question: In a period of such uncertainty both domestically and abroad, what is one thing that brings you hope for the future with regard to the rule of law?

“In response, without missing a beat, she looked at us and said ‘you,’ meaning the youth, the students in the room,” Dahmer said. “I thought it was a very profound answer, and I was so honored that she said students of our generation give her such hope.” ��

Dahmer also said she was awestruck by the friendly presence of Justice Sotomayor.��

Carcyle Barrett, also a third-year law student, felt a deep connection with Sotomayor’s journey in terms of challenges and aspirations. Both Barrett and Sotomayor hail from working class families in New York with migrant or immigrant parents.

“She had to navigate spaces where her potential was doubted by people, but in her persistence, she didn’t let anyone stop her,” said Barrett. “It resonates for me that her presence and diverse representation on the Supreme Court is needed to help shape the law.”

Further, Barrett said she was encouraged by the justice’s comments that success isn’t just about talent.

“She told us it’s about resilience, authenticity and staying true to your values,” Barrett said. “I think Justice Sotomayor’s ability to remain grounded and connected to her roots while holding on to her position is a reminder that you can succeed without compromising who you are.”

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“These past two years have simply flown by,” Schatzel said, expressing her appreciation to the UofL community and the city of Louisville as she begins her third year as president.

Schatzel then highlighted a series of accomplishments from 2024 and the collective effort that made them possible:

• Historic Records: UofL had a record enrollment of 24,123 students, representing 117 Kentucky counties, 54 states and U.S. territories and 90 countries. The university also celebrated historic highs in fall-to-fall retention and fall-to-spring persistence all pointing to a soon-to-be-realized 70% six-year graduation rate.
• Redefining Student Success: Schatzel highlighted the university’s commitment to access, noting increased enrollment for Pell-eligible, first-generation and underserved students for the past three years, as well as a 10% increase in military-connected student enrollment. The president credited these achievements to innovative best practices such as strengthened support services, expanded transfer pathways (including the new partnership with KCTCS), the 15 to Finish program, enhanced bordering states benefit programs, the Cardinal Commitment grant and the Comeback Cards program. Schatzel also mentioned UofL’s significant jump in U.S. News & World Report rankings and recognition as a top 100 public university. “These incredible – yes, historic – results were achieved via implementing and investing in numerous innovative best practices,” she said.
• Research & Innovation: UofL had several significant achievements in research in 2024, most notably the internationally recognized Green Heart project. Schatzel also celebrated the launch of the ��Louisville Clinical and Translational Research Center made possible by the single largest investment in clinical research in the university’s history –$24 million to train clinical researchers. Other research highlights included record research expenditures of $188.4 million, nearly $67 million from the National Institutes of Health, a $6.75 million grant from the Humana Foundation for health equity research and the ongoing research computing initiative.
• Athletic Momentum: Schatzel celebrated the achievements of UofL’s athletic programs, from national runners-up in volleyball to a Sun Bowl championship in football and the revival of the men’s basketball program.
• Legislative Partnership:�� UofL received unprecedented support during the 2024 legislative session, securing over half a billion dollars in support for the university. This included $260 million for a simulation center and collaboration hub, over $90 million for physical plant renovations and continued progress on the new engineering building.
• Community Engagement: Schatzel reaffirmed UofL’s commitment to Louisville and Kentucky, highlighting the expansion of University Hospital, the establishment of a rural cancer center in Bullitt County, the opening of a School of Dentistry practice��at the Goodwill Opportunity Center in west Louisville, and the launch of an immigration law clinic by the Brandeis School of Law. “Our community impact is strong, and it is growing even stronger,” she said.

Schatzel also recognized outstanding individuals within the UofL community, including Fulbright Scholars, 2024 Trustees Award winner Jennifer Brueckner-Collins and 2024 George J. Howe Distinguished Staff Award recipient Angela Taylor. She emphasized the university’s commitment to its employees, highlighting investments in compensation studies and market adjustments.

Looking ahead to 2025, Schatzel outlined several key priorities including:

• Beginning a five-year strategic plan for 2026-2030;
• Finalizing the university leadership team;
• Launching the Inclusive Excellence Strategic Plan and the submission for reaffirmation of the Community Engaged University designation; and
• Developing Belknap Campus with a recent acquisition of the Cardinal Center property by the UofL Foundation, with initial plans to create green space and then determine the best permanent use.

Schatzel concluded her address with a message of momentum and pride.

“I am so proud of all that is happening right now at the University of Louisville,” she said. “I think you’ll agree that there has been no better time to be a Cardinal.”

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Klein, who has served in the role as an interim since January 2024, will officially take the position on Feb. 13.

In his new leadership role, Klein will oversee the university’s research enterprise, including research development and administration, industry engagement, innovation, entrepreneurship and the translation of university discoveries to commercialization and societal impact.

“Dr. Klein has a wealth of experience at UofL and clearly understands our research mission and its importance as one of only 146 R-1 universities in the nation that are leaders in innovation and discovery,” said UofL President Kim Schatzel. “He will extend and strengthen the university’s reputation for world-class research, scholarship and creative work.”

Klein is a professor of medicine who joined UofL in 1985 and holds the university’s James Graham Brown Foundation Endowed Chair in Proteomics—the first such chair in America dedicated to the rapidly expanding field. He is the founding director of UofL’s Core Proteomics Laboratory and Clinical Proteomics Program. His research group was part of an international team that discovered the first blood test able to diagnose a specific kidney disease. He practiced nephrology care for patients with kidney disease for 39 years.

In 2013, Klein was appointed vice dean for research at the UofL School of Medicine.

He earned his M.D. at the University of Texas Medical Branch in Galveston and completed his residency in internal medicine at the University of Kansas Medical Center. He completed a fellowship in nephrology and earned his Ph.D. in microbiology and immunology from UofL.

“I’m honored and excited to lead the Office of Research and Innovation team and to help UofL faculty and staff continue to perform their outstanding scholarly work,” Klein said.

UofL is number 489 on the list of 2,000 universities, placing it in the top 2.4% of the 20,966 institutions evaluated. CWUR publishes the only academic ranking of global universities that assesses the quality of education, alumni employment, quality of faculty and research performance without relying on surveys and university data submissions.

In the area of research, UofL was in the top 23% of the 2,000 listed universities based on total research papers published, number of research papers appearing in top-tier and highly influential journals, and the number of highly cited research papers. UofL was in the top 43% for graduate employability rankings based on the professional success of alumni relative to the university’s size.

“The CWUR ranking affirms the power of UofL’s research enterprise and our success in producing highly qualified graduates who are prepared to succeed in the workplace. It shows that we do, indeed, improve lives through research and education,” said UofL President Kim Schatzel.

UofL’s 2024 position among U.S. institutions improved over its 2023 ranking and places it in the top 40% of American institutions, outranking Syracuse University, Boston College, Clemson University and Miami University of Ohio. U.S. universities account for 329 of the top 2,000 in the 2024 rankings.

The new funding, a gift from the Jewish Heritage Fund (JHF), will go to support and strengthen UofL’s��core research facilities — shared labs that provide researchers with access to advanced equipment, specialized scientific techniques and skilled personnel that can help accelerate discovery and innovation. Across UofL, researchers are using core facilities to develop everything from new diagnostics and treatments to advanced manufacturing of novel materials and devices.��

“UofL is a hub for cutting-edge research, and these labs are the backbone of that work,” said Kim Schatzel, UofL’s president. “We are very grateful for JHF’s continued partnership and most recent gift, which will help grow these critical facilities and empower researchers to push the boundaries of knowledge and deliver high-impact results that benefit everyone.”

This gift marks a total of more than $40 million in combined funding and in-kind donations by JHF to UofL in a decade-long partnership focused on advancing health. At UofL, JHF’s investments have resulted in new medical breakthroughs, direct support for 52 researchers thus far and more than $165 million in new external research funding.

“We are proud to partner with UofL and leverage its biomedical expertise and strength as a Research-1 institution,” said Jeff Polson, JHF’s president and CEO. “Together, we have advanced adolescent health, funded groundbreaking research, and supported community partners to overcome obstacles and strive for new heights.”

Jon Klein, UofL’s interim executive vice president for research and innovation, said collaboration with community organizations is critical to UofL’s groundbreaking research. UofL is one of just 84 universities in the country to receive both the Research-1 and Community Engaged designations from the Carnegie Classification of Institutions of Higher ����ֱ��. The latter recognizes institutions that work with community partners to exchange knowledge and resources for public benefit.

“UofL is a premier, community engaged research institution, and this partnership is an excellent example of what that means,” Klein said. “Great community partners like JHF are vital to UofL’s work to create and apply knowledge that improves lives.”

Funding for the project, dubbed Advancing Manufacturing and Building Construction Technologies (NSF AMT), comes via an NSF Engines Development award through the NSF Regional Innovation Engines program, setting them up to pursue an NSF Engine award of up to $160 million – the largest award ever offered by the NSF. AMT is led by the , and core partners include UofL, the Kentucky Community and Technical College System and trade organizations, such as ASTRO America.

“When Kentucky’s businesses are able to leverage groundbreaking innovations from our leading institutions, like the University of Louisville, our entire economy stands to gain,”��said U.S. Senator Mitch��McConnell, who helped secure the funding for the AMT coalition.

Together, the partners will develop a regional plan to improve use of and innovation in additive manufacturing technology, also known as 3-D printing, which can help manufacturers reduce part lead times, material costs, energy usage and waste. Louisville alone more than 2,400 manufacturing firms in areas ranging from food and beverage to automotive, with a total workforce of more than 82,500.��

“By focusing on advancing sustainable additive manufacturing technologies, this project has the potential to support expansion and attract companies and additional high-wage, high-skilled jobs for our commonwealth,” said Kentucky Gov. Andy Beshear. “These kinds of initiatives add to the remarkable strides being made by Kentucky’s entrepreneurs, companies and colleges and universities toward building our state’s future economy. Congratulations to the AMT team for securing this award and both demonstrating and improving Kentucky’s competitiveness and capacity for research and innovation.”

As part of NSF AMT, UofL will leverage its top-notch degree and technology badging programs to build a qualified workforce and its research and innovation strength to further technological innovation. This includes connection to the UofL-based (KY-MEP) statewide resource center, along with labs, including the multi-disciplinary . Over the next year, UofL also will host a series of events, workshops and demonstrations to engage businesses and showcase the potential of additive manufacturing.

“The innovative research we produce at UofL becomes most meaningful when applied to advancements that improve our community,” said UofL President Kim Schatzel. “We’re proud to continue working with our partners to translate our additive manufacturing knowledge into solutions that revolutionize the way we manufacture everything from medication to computer chips.”

UofL and partners also were recently awarded a $1 million NSF Engines Development grant, dubbed Generate Advanced Manufacturing Excellence for Change (GAME Change), aimed at securing economic competitiveness throughout the Southeastern Commerce Corridor (SCC) of Kentucky and Tennessee, with a focus on next-generation and advanced manufacturing, supply chain and logistics, more durable and sustainable materials and more. NSF Engines Development awards are meant to help applicants prepare for an NSF Engines proposal.��

“UofL is committed to empowering small and medium enterprises in our region with the latest advancements in additive manufacturing,” said Will Metcalf, UofL associate vice president for research and innovation and partner on NSF AMT. “Through our NSF Engines Development award and other efforts, we will engage in training and outreach to help these businesses thrive in an increasingly competitive market.”

Launched by NSF’s new Directorate for Technology, Innovation and Partnerships and authorized by the “CHIPS and Science Act of 2022,” the NSF Engines program uniquely harnesses the nation’s science and technology research and development enterprise and regional-level resources. NSF Engines aspire to catalyze robust partnerships to positively impact regional economies, accelerate technology development, address societal challenges, advance national competitiveness and create local, high-wage jobs.

“We are eager to continue the work and build upon the partnerships we developed as part of our initial NSF Engines proposal through this�� award,” said KSTC President Terry Samuel. “It is a testament to the importance and potential of both our region and additive manufacturing technologies.”

To find a solution, the president’s staff approached the about 3D printing a less weighty reproduction of the necklace.

Luis Gustavo Rodriguez, a student ambassador for admissions and outreach with the , took on the challenge, creating a visually nearly indistinguishable reproduction of the iconic piece. The 80-hour project involved multiple steps, from modeling to 3D printing, sanding, painting and assembling the necklace.

“I had to use different techniques and approaches to ensure that the project was successful,” Rodriguez said. “All of it had its different challenges. Every part had different skills added into it.”

First, Rodriguez created 3D models of each piece of the necklace: the Minerva medallion, the plates for each of the 12 schools and colleges and the chain links. Using the 3D printers in the STEM+Hub, he printed each piece of the necklace in resin, layer by layer. He then sanded, painted and coated them in polyurethane for durability.

“The real trick was getting the artistic skills down in painting the pieces to recreate the medallion coloring,” Rodriguez said. “I applied primer, leaf gold, shading and airbrush shadowing. It’s been quite a while since I’ve used an airbrush.”

The fleur-de-lis pieces posed particular modeling challenges due to their dimensional detail, so for these, Sophie Wegenast, an intern in the added her expertise.

The assembled reproduction medallion necklace weighs 12 ounces, less than 40% of the two-pound original.

“I found the project to be a great learning experience that heightened my engineering skills. It was a fascinating experience that required a lot of patience and attention to detail,” Rodriguez said.

The highlight for Rodriguez was seeing President Schatzel’s smile when he presented the necklace to her.

“This is an amazing reproduction! I am truly grateful to Luis and the creative, innovative student engineers for their incredible work on this project,” Schatzel said. “It will be worn for years to come.”

Rodriguez received his bachelor’s degree on May 11, with a major in bioengineering. Next, he plans to earn an MBA. After that, he hopes to attend medical school to become a pediatric cardiothoracic surgeon.

Part of the growth in numbers comes as the result of major strides in the areas of affordability, access and equity, meaning Cardinals from a variety of backgrounds can take advantage of learning opportunities and experiences with reduced financial burden. This academic year, UofL announced the��expansion of its Border Benefit Award��that allows students from some neighboring states to attend UofL at in-state tuition rates, along with the investment of $2.4 million��toward the Cardinal Commitment Grant for in-state residents.

UofL jumped 15 places in the 2023-24 U.S. News and World Report����ranking, from No. 146 to No. 131, and also topped the list of “best values” among national universities in Kentucky.��In the past few years, Cardinals have graduated with the second-lowest student debt among all Kentucky four-year public universities.

New leadership helps guide the way

Taking the helm in early 2023, UofL’s 19^th president, Kim Schatzel, spent six months in some 40 listening sessions to learn what was important to UofL’s students, staff and faculty, as well as community and government leaders.

She outlined��her first eight priorities��in September, and those priorities became the basis for a new 2023-2025��. Schatzel was��officially inaugurated��on Sept. 29 in a joyous ceremony filled with music and tradition that was held on The Oval outside Grawemeyer Hall. The historic event took place during UofL’s yearlong celebration of its��225th anniversary.��In recognition of her leadership, Schatzel was named among Louisville��Business First’s Power 50��for 2024, which identifies the city’s most influential people in business and related communities. The Louisville Defender Newspaper also named Schatzel as one of the “Women Who Choose to Challenge” in the publication’s women’s history recognition edition.����

In spring 2024, the university chose Gerry Bradley as permanent executive vice president and university provost. No stranger to the Cardinal community, Bradley had served as dean of the����since 2016 and as interim provost since July 2023. He previously held that same role from January 2022 to February 2023.

Several other top leadership positions have been filled throughout 2023 and 2024, including: Karlis Kaugars, vice provost for information technology services and chief information officer; Dayna Touron, dean, ;��John W. Miller Jr., dean, ; and Kathryn (Katie) Cardarelli,��dean, . This summer, Whitney Nash becomes dean of the , which celebrates 50 years of educating and preparing nurses for distinctive careers.

UofL also welcomed Pat Kelsey to lead the men’s basketball program, infusing excitement and enthusiasm into Card Nation.

Renovations, new infrastructure boost student success

The university is updating facilities and building new infrastructure to ensure students have the physical space to unleash their potential.

The��Center for Military-Connected Students��debuted its newly renovated offices in Brodschi Hall on Belknap Campus. The center focuses on meeting the needs of the more than 2,300 military-connected students enrolled at UofL. At the , construction of a new four-story, $90 million student success hub is underway. It will help us produce the next generation of engineers.

And thanks to a tremendously successful legislative session, the state budget appropriated $260 million toward a new Health Sciences Center Campus simulation center and collaboration hub. That’s the largest amount of funding for a single project in UofL’s history. It also is the largest project being funded in Louisville and represents the most general fund support for any single project among Kentucky’s colleges and universities this session. UofL also received about $69 million for needed repairs on some existing facilities.

UofL’s research and innovation powerhouse flourishes

Research and innovation continued to soar to new heights in academic year 2023-24. Just a few highlights were:

• More than $22 million in funding from the Health Resources and Services Administration was awarded to the Schools of��Medicine ($16 million)and��Nursing ($6.5 million)��for physician and nurse training to help increase Kentuckians’ access to health care, particularly in underserved rural and urban areas. ��
• The National Institutes of Health (NIH) has awarded four grants totaling $11.6 million to researchers affiliated with UofL’s��to study factors affecting heart health. Through these projects, they hope to better understand how environmental exposures and tobacco products can affect the cardiovascular system, as well as how remodeling takes place in the heart after a heart attack.
• UofL researcher Cheri Levinson has received an $11.5 million grant from the NIH to continue her work addressing��the devastating effects of eating disorders.
• UofL researchers Susan Harkema, Charles Hubscher and collaborators recently won a $1 million grant from the NIH aimed at helping spinal cord injury patients regain function. They are now among four teams exclusively invited to participate in another competition with a potential prize pool of $5 million.
• More than 100 UofL researchers are among the top 2% most-cited in the world, according to a new��compiled by Stanford University and Elsevier. Citations show the value other researchers around the globe place on UofL research.
• Research conducted in UofL’s Micro/Nano Technology Center is investigating whether the antibacterial properties of��cicada wings��can be turned into an antimicrobial for use in places like food service, health care facilities and medical devices.��
• More than 80 of UofL’s top researchers, scholars and artists��were honored��in October at the 2023 Research, Scholarship and Creative Activity Awards ceremony.
• Four University of Louisville innovators have been selected by the prestigious National Academy of Inventors for its 2024 class of Senior��Members.��The four inventors selected from UofL–the only ones from Kentucky–are:��Thad Druffel, Nobuyuki Matoba, Thomas Roussel and Jagannadh Satyavolu.

Commitment to serve, transform the community��

Throughout the 2023-24 academic year, Cardinals have utilized knowledge and resources to advance the mutual needs of the university and the community. Earlier this spring, more than 400 students danced for 18 hours at the annual raiseRED marathon.��

The students raised more than $516,000 for Norton Children’s Cancer Institute and the . This is UofL’s largest student philanthropic effort. It has raised more than $5 million in its 11-year history.

In the mean time, former firefighter James Cripps was awarded one of the ��for teaching firefighters throughout Kentucky about occupational cancer and mitigation strategies. A manufacturing administrator at the UofL Health��, he hopes to eliminate some of those risks.

, meanwhile, celebrated a milestone:��200 years��of compassionate care, medical innovation and serving the underserved. It was Kentucky’s first hospital, first admitting patients in a facility downtown in 1823. Now, to address a real need for citizens south and west of Louisville, UofL Health recently cut the ribbon on UofL Health – South Hospital in Bullitt County just off Interstate 65.

As part of UofL’s ongoing effort to collaborate with five K-12 schools in West Louisville, Central High School Pre-Medical Magnet Program students received white coats this spring, recognizing their hard work and encouraging them to stay focused on their goals. Students shadow UofL doctors and get to practice performing simpler procedures, like sutures, through this immersive curriculum.

Recently, UofL’s McConnell Scholars and others heard a presentation by Sen. Katie Britt, R-Alabama, who spoke about the importance of respect and trust in building relationships to address the country’s most pressing issues. A guest of the McConnell Center, Britt spoke as part of its Distinguished Speaker Series. Celebrating its 30th year, the center also brought��Oksana Markarova, Ukraine’s ambassador to the United States, to Belknap Campus Oct. 30. She gave a public talk and met separately with the McConnell Scholars.

Students begin their next chapter at commencement

On May 11, more than 2,000 of the approximately 3,100 students who applied for degrees and certificates, will go across the stage at the KFC Yum! Center signifying their academic success.

This Commencement holds particular significance for the high school class of 2020, which graduated at the height of the COVID-19 pandemic. For some, it will be their first chance to celebrate their educational achievement by taking part in a complete traditional ceremony.

UofL President Kim Schatzel will preside at both the 10 a.m. and 3 p.m. ceremonies. The����also will host a doctoral hooding and graduation ceremony for more than 100 graduates at 2 p.m. Friday, May 10, on Belknap Campus in the Swain Student Activities Center (SAC) Ballroom, second floor. All of these ceremonies will be broadcast live at��.

Kelsey’s contract with the Cardinals will be for five years, extending through the 2028-29 season. The University of Louisville Athletic Association Board of Directors approved the terms of his contract Thursday afternoon.

“We couldn’t be more thrilled to welcome Pat Kelsey as our new men’s basketball coach,” Heird said. “Pat has proven his ability to build multiple programs to an elite level. He garners great respect as a coach, manager, communicator and motivator who will build strong bonds with his student-athletes, coaches and our fan base. Pat understands the expectations of this storied program and will attack this opportunity with unmatched enthusiasm and work ethic. We’re looking forward to having him, his wife Lisa and their children become part of the best community in college athletics.”

Kelsey has been a dominant winner across his 12 seasons as a head coach, including the last three at College of Charleston and the previous nine at Winthrop. He boasts an impressive 261-122 record (68.1%) across his head coaching career with 11 total conference championships and four NCAA Tournament bids.

The Cincinnati native Kelsey will be the 24^th��head coach in Louisville’s 110-year history, and the 10th in the past 79 years.

“I am humbled and honored to be named the head coach at the University of Louisville,” Kelsey said. “I would like to thank Josh Heird, President Schatzel, the Board of Trustees and ULAA Board, former UofL players and all of Card Nation for entrusting me to lead one of the great programs in all of college basketball. Coaching giants that I have tremendous respect and reverence for led Cardinal basketball to national prominence during their era. It is my charge to help this great program return to its rightful place as one of college basketball’s best.”

This season, College of Charleston finished 27-8, claimed the Colonial Athletic Conference regular season and tournament titles, and earned a No. 13 seed in the NCAA Tournament before falling to fourth-seeded Alabama.

The Cougars became the first team in seven years to win back-to-back Colonial titles. Kelsey was named the league’s Coach of the Year, in addition to three All-CAA player honors and a Sixth Man of the Year award for Bryce Butler.

College of Charleston ranks in the top 25 nationally this season in 3-point attempts per game (3rd, 30.6), made 3-pointers per game (8th, 10.5), bench points per game (11th, 30.1), winning percentage (18th, 77.1), rebounds per game (20th, 39.8), assist-to-turnover ratio (22nd, 1.5) and offensive rebounds per game (23rd, 13.1).

During his second season at the helm in Charleston, the Cougars set numerous records with a 31-4 mark and the program’s first CAA title since 2008. They won 20 straight games, claimed the 2022 Charleston Classic and spent four weeks in the AP Top 25, peaking at No. 18. Kelsey was named the USBWA and NABC District Coach of the Year, and was on the Naismith Coach of the Year Watch List.

Kelsey arrives in Charleston from Winthrop, where he became the fifth all-time winningest coach in the history of the Big South Conference. He averaged 20.7 wins per game in nine seasons in Rock Hill, S.C., compiling more overall wins and conference wins than any other team in the league.

In his final season at Winthrop, Kelsey guided the Eagles to a 23-2 campaign, a school-record 21-game win streak, a Big South tournament title and a trip to the NCAA Tournament where they fell to Villanova. Kelsey was named 2021 Big South Coach of the Year.

Kelsey also led Winthrop to NCAA Tournament berths in 2020 (canceled due to the COVID-19 pandemic) and 2017.

A two-time finalist for the Skip Prosser Man of the Year Award and finalist for the 2021 Jim Phelan Coach of the Year Award, Kelsey compiled a 186-95 (.662) overall record and an impressive 110-46 (.705) mark in conference play at Winthrop. The Eagles also won the Big South regular-season title four times in 2016, 2017, 2020 and 2021.

In all, 16 Winthrop players were selected all-conference, while three were tabbed Big South Player of the Year, one Big South Freshman of the Year and two Big South Tournament Most Valuable Player honors.

Prior to Winthrop, Kelsey served as associate head coach at his alma mater Xavier from 2009-11. Before that, he worked at Wake Forest as assistant coach (2004-09) and director of basketball operations (2001-04). He began his coaching career at Elder High School in Cincinnati as an assistant from 1998-2001.

Kelsey graduated cum laude in 1998 from Xavier University with a bachelor’s degree in business administration and marketing. He began his collegiate playing career at the University of Wyoming, before transferring and playing three seasons at point guard for the Musketeers from 1995-98.

Kelsey and his wife, Lisa, have three children: Ruthie, Caroline and Johnny.

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