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 theĚýexpansion of its Border Benefit AwardĚýthat allows students from some neighboring states to attend UofL at in-state tuition rates, along with the investment of $2.4 millionĚýtoward the Cardinal Commitment Grant for in-state residents.

UofL jumped 15 places in the 2023-24 U.S. News and World ReportĚýĚýranking, from No. 146 to No. 131, and also topped the list of “best values” among national universities in Kentucky.ĚýIn 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 outlinedĚýher first eight prioritiesĚýin September, and those priorities became the basis for a new 2023-2025Ěý. Schatzel wasĚýofficially inauguratedĚýon 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 itsĚý225th anniversary.ĚýIn recognition of her leadership, Schatzel was named among LouisvilleĚýBusiness First’s Power 50Ěýfor 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.ĚýĚý

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 theĚýĚýsince 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, ;ĚýJohn W. Miller Jr., dean, ; and Kathryn (Katie) Cardarelli,Ěý»ĺ±đ˛ą˛Ô, . 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.

°Őłó±đĚýCenter for Military-Connected StudentsĚýdebuted 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 ofĚýMedicine ($16 million)˛ą˛Ô»ĺĚýNursing ($6.5 million)Ěýfor physician and nurse training to help increase Kentuckians’ access to health care, particularly in underserved rural and urban areas. Ěý
• The National Institutes of Health (NIH) has awarded four grants totaling $11.6 million to researchers affiliated with UofL’sĚýto 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 addressingĚýthe 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 newĚýcompiled 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 ofĚýcicada wingsĚýcan be turned into an antimicrobial for use in places like food service, health care facilities and medical devices.Ěý
• More than 80 of UofL’s top researchers, scholars and artistsĚýwere honoredĚýin 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 SeniorĚýMembers.ĚýThe four inventors selected from UofL–the only ones from Kentucky–are:ĚýThad Druffel, Nobuyuki Matoba, Thomas Roussel and Jagannadh Satyavolu.

Commitment to serve, transform the communityĚý

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 łľ˛ą°ů˛ąłŮłó´Ç˛Ô.Ěý

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 Ěýfor teaching firefighters throughout Kentucky about occupational cancer and mitigation strategies. A manufacturing administrator at the UofL HealthĚý, he hopes to eliminate some of those risks.

, meanwhile, celebrated a milestone:Ěý200 yearsĚýof 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 broughtĚýOksana 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. °Őłó±đĚýĚýalso 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 atĚý.

Britt was the 66^th world figure to come to the as part of itsĚý. Since 1993, the series has hosted prominent guests including U.S. presidents, cabinet members, Supreme Court justices and congressional and international leaders.

Throughout the one-hour program held at Chao Auditorium and , Britt emphasized the importance of respect and trust, despite party lines. Upon her introduction to the U.S. Senate, Britt became friends with Sen. John Fetterman of Pennsylvania. Britt expressed that they could collaborate on matters crucial to the public despite any differences.

“We’ve got to have a lot of tough conversations in this county and if ever we want those tough conversations to actually yield results, they are going to have to be honest,” Britt said. “If you are going to be honest, you are going to have to trust and respect the person sitting across from you.”

Britt met with the university’sĚý before the public presentation and praised the scholars for their thoughtful questions.

“I was soaking up every bit of hope that these young people gave me,” she said.

Britt also praised McConnell’s leadership and credited him with inviting her on an international trip to engage with foreign leaders on security matters. Reflecting on the experience, she highlighted its lasting impact to encourage her to empower others as well.

“When you march through that door, look back, grab somebody else’s hand and take them with you, because that is exactly what we are going to need to do to have success in this nation,” she said.

In moments of doubt, advice Britt’s grandfather told her continues to guide her. He said she only has control over four things: her character, her integrity, her work ethic and how she treats others. He advised her not to let anything beyond these factors dictate how she viewed herself.

“The world will place limitations on you, but it is the ones you place on yourself that will do the most damage,” Britt said.

In 2023, Britt was sworn in as Alabama’s first elected female senator and is the youngest Republican woman ever elected to the U.S. Senate.

In his remarks before Britt’s talk, McConnell said Britt was his “favorite freshman” and “there was no better choice” to give the Republican response to the State of the Union address in March.

The program concluded with a gift — a bottle of Old Forester Single Barrel bourbon from UofL to Britt.

“This is my first trip to Kentucky but I’m hopeful I will be back,” Britt said.

“It’s a win-win for all of us,” she said during an hour-long program in Chao Auditorium that was also .Ěý

“This new Hitler has to be stopped while we can still stop him in Ukraine,” Markarova said. “Otherwise, this conflict will widen and all of us will have to fight.”

Markarova was the latest world figure to come to the McConnell Center as part of its , celebrating its 30th year in 2023.

During that time, more than 60 leaders, beginning with former Secretary of State George P. Schultz, have given talks at the center, said Gary L. Gregg, director of the McConnell Center.

The speakers also meet with the university’s . “I know that the students here really want to make a difference,” Markarova said, praising the students for their insightful questions.Ěý

McConnell introduced Markarova at what he said was “an especially critical moment in the history of our two countries.”Ěý

Markarova repeatedly thanked the United States for its support, especially in the 20 months since Russia invaded Ukraine. She compared Russian aggression with the Hamas attacks on Israel that took place Oct. 7. “We are dealing with the same evil and enemy,” she said.

In her remarks before Markarova’s talk, UofL President Kim Schatzel noted that the McConnell Center has since 1991 been teaching students to be “valued citizens and future leaders.”

The program concluded with an exchange of gifts — a bottle of Old Forester Single Barrel bourbon from UofL to Markarova, and a Ukrainian flag from Markarova to UofL signed by Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy with the message “Ukraine is brave.”

Of the bourbon, Markarova said, “We’ll keep it at the embassy and we’ll drink it when we win.”

The awards are among the institution’s most valuable and prestigious prizes, providing the student with full tuition, stipends to help with living expenses and enrichment opportunities.

Here’s a list of this year’s Grawemeyer, MLK and McConnell scholars. The 10 Brown Fellows will be listed at a later date. All of the students shown below are from Kentucky.

Grawemeyer Scholars

• , Louisville
• , Lexington
• , Smithfield
• , Benton
• , Bardstown
• , Louisville
• , Louisville
• , Frankfort
• , Benton
• , Williamsburg

MLK Scholars (pictured above)

• , Shelbyville
• , Bowling Green
• , Lexington
• , Louisville
• , Owensboro
• , Versailles
• , Louisville
• , Lexington
• , Lexington
• Morganfield

McConnell Scholars

• , Crestwood
• , Lexington
• , Pewee Valley
• , Georgetown
• , Alexandria
• , Fort Thomas
• , Owensboro
• , Springfield
• , Louisville

“[It was] wonderful to meet with our country’s next generation of leaders who are part of the McConnell Scholars Program,” Esper said. “Their intelligence and acumen will be counted on to answer our nation’s call.”

McConnell noted that Esper joins a long list of distinguished speakers to meet with McConnell Scholars. The list includes four secretaries of defense, two sitting U.S. presidents, two CIA directors, Supreme Court justices, and dozens of congressional leaders and ambassadors.

“It’s always important to put ambitious young students in front of accomplished leaders who are currently serving our nation,” said McConnell Center Director Gary Gregg. “Secretary Esper’s diverse career — from serving in the infantry to business and now leading at the highest levels of civilian government — offers great leadership lessons. It was clear to us why he has been called upon to lead the Department of Defense, and we are grateful for his generous insights and time to our students.”

Eric Bush, a senior McConnell Scholar at UofL, presented Esper with a commemorative Louisville Slugger bat to mark his visit.

“I appreciated Secretary Esper’s timely insights on the challenges and opportunities facing our nation, but also his willingness to pass on lessons from his decades of military, civilian, and government leadership,” Bush said.

Esper retired from the U.S. Army in 2007 after spending 10 years on active duty and 11 years in the National Guard and Army reserve. He served as chief of staff at the Heritage Foundation think tank, followed by policy and adviser roles for Senator Chuck Hagel and former Senate Majority Bill First. He also served as vice president for government relations at the Raytheon Company before becoming Secretary of the Army in 2017.

Esper became the 27th secretary of defense in July following the resignation of Jim Mattis.

“I am thrilled to finally have a bid for national moot court competition, since this is my fourth and final regional competition,” Mayes said. “But if you consider the fact that we have two teams heading to nationals, it really proves that hard work does pay off and this program works.”

Thirty-eight teams competed in the Dec. 1-2 regional event held at Saginaw Valley State University, with the top seven teams advancing to the national finals slated for Jan. 19-20 at the University of North Texas at Dallas.

Three UofL students placed in the top 20 in the oral arguments category, with Mayes finishing 16th, Noble finishing 17th and Kolyaskina placing 19th out of 76 competitors.

“Our moot court coaching staff knows exactly how to push us to solidify our arguments and oratory skills,” Mayes said. “I can personally say this program has facilitated more growth for me than any class or program I have ever been a part of — bar none.”

Team Kolyaskina/Noble said they hope to improve on their national moot court appearance last year. “The experience of arguing in front of federal judges and lawyers as an undergraduate was invaluable last year, and it made us noticeably better debaters,” Kolyaskina said. “I’m excited to get the chance to learn from other teams and put all of our hours of practice to use.”

The only program of its kind in Kentucky, the Center’s moot court team was among the top 20 in the nation in 2016 and received an honorable mention for their 2017 performance at regionals. The rankings are granted by theĚý.

Participation on the team is a large undertaking, as students spend the semester researching, writing and practicing their oral arguments, in addition to their normal coursework and extracurricular activities. Each competition team is made up of two Scholars who handle half of the argument.Ěý

This year’s case considers issues related to the right against self-incrimination protected by the fifth amendment and the cruel and unusual punishment clause of the eighth amendment.

Since 2008, the team has been coached byĚý, a McConnell Scholar alumnus (’01).ĚýĚý(’11) serves as an assistant coach. UofL history and law professor Thomas Mackey, PhD, also advises the team.

“He was down-to-earth and very humble” said UofL freshman Emma Lawson. “He didn’t treat us as being beneath him and he was wanting to know more about us.”

Fellow McConnell Scholar Molly Baldock agreed saying “he’s very charismatic but not a politician.”

Lawson, Baldock and 30 other McConnell Scholars had a private question and answer session with Gorsuch who was on campus as a guest of the McConnell Center and its Distinguished Speakers Series.

Freshman Grayson Ford told Gorsuch he hopes to become a lawyer but isn’t sure what area of the law he wants to pursue. According to Ford, Gorsuch told him “I wasn’t so sure either and now I’m a Supreme Court justice.” ĚýĚý

Gorsuch showed more flashes of humor during his 40-minute prepared speech. While praising the United States’ separation of powers between the branches of government, Gorsuch said giving federal judges the power to make laws would be a bad idea.

“Wouldn’t that be sort of like asking Lamar Jackson to do the kicking?” he joked. Jackson is the Heisman Trophy winning quarterback on UofL’s football team.

Gorsuch also recounted his predecessor’s fondness for an elk he had killed and mounted on a wall in his chambers. When Justice Antonin Scalia died, the Supreme Court staff wasn’t quite sure what to do with the elk that Scalia had named “Leroy,” so they gave it to Gorsuch as “a welcome to the neighborhood gift.”ĚýĚýGorsuch has “Leroy” in his office now and says he has some things in common with the elk: “we’re both natives of Colorado; we both received a rather shocking welcome to Washington, D.C. and neither of us will ever forget Justice Scalia.”

Much of the justice’s speech focused on the concept of originalism in interpreting the U.S. constitution. Gorsuch says originalism isn’t perfect but “may be the least worst option available” to judges.

Gorsuch says he’s optimistic about the future of the politically divided country and its courts. “I do not believe in red judges or blue judges. We wear black,” he said.

While on campus, Gorsuch also met with 30 soldiers taking part in the McConnell Center’s 30-day Strategic Broadening Seminar, a leadership and training program for the U.S. Army.

Gorsuch is the third U.S. Supreme Court Justice to take part in the McConnell Center’s Distinguished Speakers Series, joining Clarence Thomas and John Roberts. ĚýĚýĚýĚýĚý

As part of the center’s Distinguished Speakers Series, JusticeĚýĚýwill talk and answer questions at the public event. He is also expected to meet privately with McConnell Scholar students.

“We’re honored that Justice Gorsuch has agreed to share his thoughts and insights at UofL” said Gary Gregg, director of the McConnell Center. “This is a terrific opportunity for the people of Kentucky, Indiana and our students to get to know one of our country’s most influential citizens.”

Gorsuch’s speech will be 2 p.m. in Comstock Hall, School of Music. Those wishing to attend canĚýĚýfrom the McConnell Center.

A Colorado native, Gorsuch was nominated to the nation’s highest court by President Donald Trump. He was confirmed by the U.S. Senate and took his seat on April 10, 2017.

Immediately prior to joining the high court, Gorsuch was a judge for the 10^thĚýCircuit Court of Appeals for 11 years. Gorsuch also spent 10 years in private practice and a year in the U.S. Department of Justice as principal deputy associate attorney general. He is a graduate of Harvard Law School and clerked for two U.S. Supreme Court justices, Byron White and Anthony M. Kennedy.

The McConnell Center has hosted two other U.S. Supreme Court justices as part of its Distinguished Speakers Series – Chief Justice John Roberts in 2009 and Associate Justice Clarence Thomas in 2000.

The University of Louisville most recently hosted Justice Elena Kagan in October 2016 when she was presented with the Brandeis Medal from the Brandeis School of Law.Ěý

Harvard’s “Reconnecting America” national campaign, formed following the 2016 election, identifies the root causes of national divisiveness and encourages community-based action plans that address those issues. McConnell Scholars Robert Gassman and Frank Bencomo attended the campaign kickoff and are creating programming targeted at the next generation of voters – local middle school children.

“What we want to do is instill in this younger generation how to have healthy civic dialogue and teach them how to be able to talk about important issues without having this polarized, toxic atmosphere,” Gassman said. “We thought this programming would be valuable to that age group because if we can get to them before they are polarized in high school then there would be a healthier dialogue moving forward.”

“We seem to have this sports team attitude when it comes to politics – with scoreboards and who’s winning and losing – that is dividing us,” Bencomo said. “We want to start them on a path so they can understand that these issues have history, are complex and based on policy, not just personal views.”

The two scholars have worked with local school teachers this semester to develop age-appropriate lesson plans and resources and they plan to launch the pilot program this fall as part of Constitution Week. The program will specifically target 11-and-12-year-old JCPS students.

“Robert and Frank walked away from the Harvard conference energized and ready to challenge the politically divisive rhetoric in our country,” said GlyptusAnn Grider Jones, the McConnell Center’s adviser for the Harvard IOP partnership. “They identified the U.S. Constitution as a tool to engage middle school students in the constitutional amendment process and help illustrate how student voices matter in politics.”

The McConnell Center has been part of the Harvard IOP’s National Campaign conference since 2010.