On Oct. 10, the university celebrated a new era as Bradley was inaugurated as its 20th president. Filled with music, tradition and Cardinal pride, the ceremony at L&N Federal Credit Union Stadium was to a global audience, marking a historic milestone in UofL’s 227-year story.

Now at the helm of a $1.6 billion university and its $2.5 billion UofL Health system, Bradley steps into his role with both experience and vision, ready to guide the university into its next chapter.

“As we look forward, we are mindful of the responsibility placed upon us. Our task is not simply to preserve this legacy but to propel it boldly into the future,” Bradley said. “Together we will ensure that the University of Louisville takes its rightful place among the great public universities of our nation.”

Bradley’s family, including his wife Kim and five sons, attended the ceremony alongside a platform party of distinguished guests. Among those present were Senator Mitch McConnell, Lt. Gov. Jacqueline Coleman, Kentucky Senate President Robert Stivers, Louisville Mayor Craig Greenberg and Lori Stewart Gonzalez, previous provost and interim president.

“Gerry isn’t just making decisions behind the desk in the office, he’s making it a priority to get out in the community,” said McConnell, who graduated from UofL in 1964 and established the McConnell Center on campus in 1991. “He puts students first and understands keenly that UofL is part of the fabric of our community.”

Greenberg also praised Bradley for his commitment to progress and working together.

“The success of UofL is so important to the success of our city. When UofL offers a world-class education, it keeps young and bright people – our future leaders – right here in Louisville,” Greenberg said.

Coleman, who is a ’08 alumna, congratulated Bradley on behalf of Team Kentucky and Gov. Andy Beshear and shared that she was honored to speak at the institution that cultivated her values.

“Ceremonies like this demonstrate the respect we have for institutions of higher learning, the unique impact an educational experience has on each of us and the responsibility that we all share to steward this university for the next generation,” said Coleman. “Now more than ever, our world needs creative and thoughtful leaders who can build bridges of understanding and can lead through tough times with empathy and compassion.” 

Momentum

The inauguration comes at a time of incredible momentum for the university. This fall, UofL celebrated a historic milestone as for the first time. UofL also set a record with an 84.1% fall-to-fall retention rate, proving that students are not only choosing Louisville, but thriving here.

“These are not just numbers, they are lives and families transformed by higher education,” Bradley said.

The momentum doesn’t stop there. UofL also earned its highest ranking ever in the U.S. News & World Report 2026 Best Colleges list.

Additionally, the university continues to distinguish itself as a top-tier Research 1(R1) institution, earning hundreds of millions annually in competitive research funding and addressing challenges in health, artificial intelligence and advanced technologies.

UofL is also one of only 11 universities nationwide to earn the R1, Opportunity College & University in Student Access and Carnegie Community Engaged classifications. These designations underscore the university’s dual role as a powerhouse of innovation and a deeply rooted community partner.

Forward Together

Earlier this month, Bradley shared his fiscal year 2026 goals with the Board of Trustees. With the board’s approval, he will focus on priorities which align with the pillars of our – learn, work, discover and connect.

“We believe we can become national leaders in these areas, and we have the momentum to do it now,” Bradley said.  

With three campuses, 12 schools and colleges, over 25,000 students, 170,000 alumni and a mission that blends teaching, research, health care and service, UofL remains committed to shaping Kentucky’s future while driving progress on a national and global scale.

The inauguration marked a celebration of Cardinal pride, purpose and progress – proof that the UofL is moving forward together, and the best is yet to come.

Learn more about Bradley in UofL News. View photos from the inauguration on and watch the inauguration ceremony on . Stay up-to-date with President Bradley on and .

The decision is effective immediately. Terms of the separation were not immediately available.

“The University of Louisville Board of Trustees thanks Dr. Schatzel for her two years of service, which have seen her build a team that has increased enrollment and retention and grown the university’s reputation as a research powerhouse,” said BOT Chair Diane Medley. “We wish Dr. Schatzel well in her future endeavors.”

The board, at its meeting, appointed Gerry Bradley, formerly executive vice president & university provost, as UofL’s 20^th president, also effective immediately. Bradley has served in his role since February 2024 and was interim provost on two occasions—from January 2022 to February 2023 and from July 2023 to February 2024.

Under Bradley’s leadership, UofL has made a strong commitment to enrollment growth, student success and academic excellence. Last fall, UofL experienced record first-year enrollment, record first-year fall-to-fall retention and a record overall enrollment of 24,123 students.

Bradley has hired eight deans, overseen several successful accreditation reaffirmations and fostered the development and launch of several new academic programs.

He considered several options before deciding to stay at UofL and help the university maintain its positive momentum.

“After giving it much thought, my heart is at the University of Louisville,” Bradley said. “We have a team in place that can take this university to greater heights. Our recent successes combined with our rich academic history will help us build a community where all students, faculty and staff have the chance to succeed.”

“We have full confidence in President Bradley and his vision for the university,” Medley said. “UofL’s emphasis on student success, research and innovation and impacting our community will continue and grow. The university is in good hands with Dr. Bradley and his team.”

Bradley, dean of the since 2016, has served as interim provost since July 2023. He previously held that same role from January 2022 to February 2023.

“Dr. Bradley has been outstanding as interim provost, both during this past year and in his previous tenure,” Schatzel said. “During this process, I consulted administrative colleagues and others who have worked with him both as dean and as interim provost. Most important, I sought feedback from our Faculty Senate Executive Committee. All acknowledged his strong work as interim provost and supported the appointment.”

Bradley brings a wealth of experience and a record of accomplishment in his roles as dean of the School of Dentistry and, more recently, as interim provost. Since coming to UofL in 2016, he has played a key role in many important initiatives at the university, including co-chairing the Executive Budget Steering Committee and helping recruit several outstanding new deans, including recent hires , , and , , as well as , who will join the later this semester.

His priorities include student success, standardizing advising and introducing a strategic undergraduate success plan to dramatically improve retention. Under his leadership, the university announced the expansion of its Border Benefit Award that allows students from some neighboring states to attend UofL at in-state tuition rates. Additionally, UofL announced it is investing $2.4 million toward the’ Cardinal Commitment Grant for in-state residents in 2024, which will increase to over $8 million in the next four years.

As dean of the School of Dentistry he stabilized and enhanced its financial position, opened several dental clinics throughout the commonwealth that provide students more educational opportunities and provide access and equitable health care to diverse populations.

Before coming to UofL, he was chair and professor of developmental sciences at Marquette University School of Dentistry, where he also served as the associate dean for research and graduate studies. He previously served as the program director of the Advanced ����ֱ�� Program in Orthodontics at Marquette and is a diplomate of the American Board of Orthodontics. Bradley also had an orthodontic practice during his time in Wisconsin.

Bradley received his dental degree in Cork, Ireland, his orthodontic specialty training at The Ohio State University, and a doctorate in dentistry at the University of Bern, Switzerland.

Bradley has published extensively, producing more than 50 publications, including book chapters, journal publications, and presentations. His work has been focused on biomaterials and the testing of materials that are commonly used in orthodontic practice. He has had experience in clinical trials that involved testing the mechanical properties, patient perceptions, and biocompatibility.

Bradley is a member of the American Dental Association, the American Board of Orthodontics, the American Dental ����ֱ�� Association and the International Association for Dental Research. He also is an affiliate member of the Edward H. Angle Society of Orthodontics.

“I am honored and humbled by this opportunity to serve the Cardinal community,” Bradley said. “I want to thank President Schatzel, the Faculty Senate Executive Committee and the Board of Trustees for their faith in me. I am committed to serving the needs of our students, faculty, and staff so that we continue the UofL mission, transforming lives, making new discoveries and supporting our communities and the commonwealth”

“I know you will join me in thanking Dr. Bradley for his leadership and congratulating him on his appointment to this vital role,” Schatzel said.

The UofL Board of Trustees voted unanimously to appoint Schatzel during a special meeting on Nov. 30. Schatzel has served since 2016 as president of Towson University (TU), one of 12 universities that are part of the University System of Maryland. She also is a professor of marketing.

Schatzel, 66, who previously served as provost of Eastern Michigan University and dean of the College of Business at the University of Michigan-Dearborn, will officially assume the UofL presidency on Feb. 1, 2023. She succeeds Lori Stewart Gonzalez, who has served as interim president since December 2021 and will be returning to her previous leadership role as executive vice president and university provost for UofL.

During her first remarks on campus, Schatzel pledged to start her tenure as president by going on a discovery tour, listening and learning about the Cardinal community.

“Leadership is a team sport, especially when it comes to such a complex and innovative organization like the University of Louisville,” she explained, promising to work closely with faculty, staff, students, alumni, donors, elected officials, businesses and community partners “to expand UofL’s already tremendous impact and address the great challenges of today.”

Schatzel’s track record of leadership includes advancing diversity, equity and inclusion initiatives as priorities. She is credited with building a strong academic profile at Towson University, which enrolls approximately 20,000 students, while emphasizing accessibility, affordability and inclusive student success.

With a 6-year graduation rate of 72 percent, Towson University has the second highest graduation rate in the University System of Maryland. In 2022, 57 percent of its students identified as underrepresented minorities, and TU is one of few universities in the nation where Black, Latinx and Pell-eligible students achieve the same graduation rate as the overall student population.

Schatzel is a member of the Presidents’ Alliance on Higher ����ֱ�� and Immigration and the Presidents’ Trust of the Association of American Colleges and Universities (AAC&U).�� In 2017, she was honored by Maryland’s Associated Black Charities as their “Champion for More in the Middle” for her leadership in advancing diversity and inclusion at TU.

In 2020, Schatzel was honored with the Whitney M. Young Jr. Award. Given by the Board of Directors of the Urban League affiliates across the country, the award is in memory of the civil rights leader and former head of the National Urban League. The award honors members of the Baltimore community committed to advancing diversity, equity and inclusion in its region and Maryland.��

During her tenure as Towson University’s president, the University System of Maryland, Maryland General Assembly and Maryland’s Office of the Governor supported $1 billion in capital investment to advance academic instruction and research, student life and athletics at TU – the most in its 166-year history. Those investments included a new Science Complex, the renovation and expansion of the University Union, a new College of Health Professions Building, acquisition of an office building in downtown Towson to house several university functions such as IT and Advancement, and new field hockey and women’s soccer stadiums that comprise the largest investment in women’s athletics in TU’s history.

“The University of Louisville is a historic university with rich traditions that provides leadership to Kentucky as the premier metropolitan research university for the Commonwealth,” Schatzel said. “I am incredibly honored to be chosen to lead such a remarkable institution and look forward to working together with our campus and community partners to advance UofL’s reputation as a pre-eminent institution nationally recognized for its excellence in research and scholarly work, education, inclusive student success, innovation, the arts and athletics – all aimed to establish the University of Louisville and the City of Louisville as a nexus for transformative solutions that advance the public good.

“My husband Trevor and I are thrilled to be joining the UofL community and look forward to embracing the university community, the City of Louisville and the Commonwealth of Kentucky as our new home. And we look forward to joining the more than 150,000 UofL alumni from around the globe in cheering on our Cardinals.”

Schatzel, who is a first-generation college student herself, was born in New York and earned a bachelor’s degree in biology and economics at Washington University in St. Louis, where she received significant support in the form of scholarships to complete her degree. She earned a doctorate in business administration, with concentrations in marketing and management of technology, from Michigan State University. She has taught at Boston College and the University of Michigan – Dearborn.

Schatzel currently serves as the Vice-Chair of the Board of Directors for the Colonial Athletic Conference (CAA), a premier mid-major conference that Towson University competes in with 19 Division I athletics teams. She also served as the CAA representative to the NCAA Division I Presidential Forum.

Schatzel navigated a non-traditional path to higher education leadership. She is one of less than two percent of university presidents who have significant business and private sector experience, spending more than 20 years as a corporate leader and serial entrepreneur in the technology and advanced manufacturing sectors. As part of her new venture experience, Schatzel founded and served as the president, chief operating officer, and later CEO of a multinational advanced manufacturing firm, working with the OEM automotive industry, with more than 1,500 employees on four continents.

She currently serves on the Board of Directors for the University of Maryland Medical System’s  Saint Joseph Medical Center (UMSJC) and chairs its compliance committee. She also served in the leadership role of Vice-Chair for UMSJC. Schatzel has served on the Board of Directors for the Health Alliance Plan and the Henry Ford Health Systems, both based in Detroit.

Her leadership contributions have been recognized by Maryland’s business publication The Daily Record, which named her one of the Most Admired CEOs in 2017 and 2022 and recognized her with its 2018 Icon Awards. She has been named to the Most Influential Marylanders list in both 2017 and 2021.

In 2021 and 2022, Schatzel was included in The Daily Record’s Maryland Power 100 list and its Maryland Power 30 Higher ����ֱ�� list.

“Dr. Schatzel brings the best of many worlds to the UofL community,” said Mary Nixon, UofL Board of Trustees chair. “Her impressive climb through the academic ranks, as well as her extensive experience both in the business community and in health care, make her uniquely qualified to lead the university into our next chapter as Kentucky’s premier metropolitan research university.”

Schatzel’s husband of 39 years, Trevor Iles, is a lecturer in the department of marketing at Towson University. They have two adult children – son Matthew, his wife Katie and their two-year-old son Forest, and daughter Katie and her husband Carson, who are expecting their first child in January 2023.

• Read more information about Schatzel on the .��
• View photos from the Nov. 30 presidential announcement on .��
• View the held at the Belknap and Health Sciences Center campuses.��

Faculty Senate Chair David Schultz noted that that development of the policy was a two-year process which was reviewed by the senate on two occasions. In addition to the Faculty Senate, several other university units were asked to provide feedback. The policy is similar to accountability policies for UofL administration, staff and students.

Michael Cunningham, UofL chapter president of the American Association of University Professors, expressed in a statement to the trustees concerns that faculty didn’t have enough appropriate input and involvement in the development of the policy. He asked that ratification of the policy be tabled for further consideration.

Given that the policy is subject to revisions after ratification, Schultz recommended that the policy be implemented as written.

University Provost Lori Stewart Gonzalez added that such a policy is common among several other universities. In her response to concerns raised by the AAUP, Gonzalez said that the policy: was established within the appropriate scope of her authority; is constitutional and contains all hallmarks of due process; embodies principles of shared governance; and encourages collaborative discussion and problem-solving among faculty members. Gonzalez will report to the board occasions when the policy is used.

In other action, the board:

• Approved the revised Board of Trustees Personnel Policy and the Memorandum of Understanding with the UofL Real Estate Foundation, both submitted by the Governance, Trusteeship and Nominating Committee.

• Approved a report submitted by the Audit, Compliance and Risk Committee, which included audits of UofL and UofL Research Foundation financial statements. The audits, conducted by CliftonLarsonAllen LLC, yielded an “unmodified” opinion, which is the cleanest evaluation report.

• Approved the designation of the Cardinal Stadium Club as the Angel’s Envy Club. Formerly designated as the Brown & Williamson Club, the facility will undergo renovations and other updates.

Additional meeting highlights

Campus Police Chief Gary Lewis shared information about changes his department has made to improve safety on and around the Belknap Campus. Lewis specifically addressed additional security around affiliated housing in response to recent reports of crimes in that area.

University President Neeli Bendapudi announced three designations honoring longtime friends and supporters of the university.

Basketball court six in the Sports and Recreation Center was named to honor Intramural Sports and Recreation Director Dale Ramsay, who, on Nov. 1, retired after 41 years of service.

Gallery space in the Ekstrom Library will be named in honor of Julius Friedman, an internationally known artist, award-winning graphic designer and co-founder of Images design studio in Louisville.

The Allen Courtroom in the UofL Brandeis School of Law has been redesignated as the Breit Courtroom in honor of Marc and Lisa Breit. Renovations to the courtroom began in the spring 2021 semester.

Jason Smith, chief medical officer at UofL Health, provided information about the organization’s ongoing efforts to provide services in the face of the COVID-19 pandemic as well as expansion of services in Bullitt County, Brownsboro and Shelbyville. UofL Health will provide nearly $32 million to the university for mission support.

Student Government Association President Ugonna Okorie shared information about the SGA’s efforts to increase its visibility throughout the UofL community, create an inclusive and equitable learning environment for students, increase students’ compliance with COVID-19 vaccinations and testing and advocate for affordability in higher education.

The next scheduled meeting of the University of Louisville Board of Trustees is Thursday, Jan. 13.

President Bendapudi and Dan Durbin, chief financial officer, provided senators with an overview of the . The budget was approved by the Board of Trustees on June 24, 2021.

Highlights of the budget included the return of employer retirement contribution to pre-Covid levels and an additional $3 million in endowment funding for the university. Durbin reported that for the second consecutive year, no increases were made to employee health insurance premiums or to employee parking permit fees.

Senators were informed about three proposed program closures. The Academic Programs committee recommended the closure of the master of arts in French, language and literature and the graduate certificate in translation and interpreting, as well the joint executive master in business administration degree previously offered in conjunction with the University of Kentucky’s Gatton College of Business and Economics. All three proposed program closures were approved and will go into effect on Aug. 1 of this year.

Two new academic program proposals were also presented to the Faculty Senate. The proposed programs include a bachelor of science in general studies through the College of Arts and Sciences and a master of science in health professions education through the College of ����ֱ�� and Human Development. The suggested implementation for the bachelor of science in general studies is the fall semester of 2022 and the master of science in health professions education is suggested to start for the spring semester of 2022. Both programs received approval from the senate.

Committee reports can be accessed on the . Due to technical difficulties, a video of the full meeting is not available, but a recorded portion of the meeting can be found .

The Faculty Senate does not meet in the month of August; the next Faculty Senate meeting is scheduled for September 1 via a hybrid format with the option of remote attendance via Teams, or in-person attendance at Ekstrom Library’s Chao Auditorium.

UofL officials provided the following statements about the audit:

J. David Grissom, Chairman, UofL Board of Trustees

“Today the Board of Trustees received the forensic investigation of the UofL Foundation. That report has now been released to the public. We appreciate the hard work and dedication of Alvarez and Marsal in conducting a thorough investigation of the Foundation.

“We asked for the forensic investigation in order to help uncover any activities that may not have been in the best interest of the Foundation, the University or the many supporters of the University. The report paints a disturbing picture.

“Let me be perfectly clear: The activities highlighted in this forensic investigation happened under previous university leadership and under a previous Foundation board. The new leadership and new board have committed to open and honest action and communication, and we already have taken steps to review our policies and procedures.

“The Board has not yet determined what legal actions, if any, should be taken as a result of the forensic investigation conclusions. However, I would anticipate that the Board, after consulting with counsel, will, within the next couple of weeks, make that determination.

“As the Board of Trustees has just seen this report for the first time and because the forensic investigation speaks for itself, we will refrain from further comment until we have had sufficient time to digest its findings. We will discuss the forensic investigation more fully at our regular Board meeting on June 15.

Greg Postel, MD, President, University of Louisville

“As Mr. Grissom has stated, this audit reflects activity that happened under a previous administration and a previous Foundation board. This report should answer many questions about the past and close the door on a sad chapter in the university’s history.

“As I have said since I took this position in January, I am committed to being transparent and to operating above board. I also am committed — and I think our recent actions confirm this — to returning this university to solid financial footing. The steps we are currently taking will position us well for the future.

“I think it’s important to note that, while this audit and media coverage over the past months has been a distraction, it has not taken away from the outstanding education our students are getting at the University of Louisville. This is a tribute to those students and to the hard-working faculty and staff who have made sure all of us are keeping our focus on the students.

“Our students, faculty and staff are looking forward. I’m asking all our alumni, donors and friends to do the same. Let’s work together to continue our mission to make the University of Louisville the best metropolitan university in the United States.”

A video of these statements is available below: 

The $1.238 billion budget includes $512 million in general funds, which support most of the university’s instructional and operational activities. Those funds come primarily from tuition and fees and from state appropriations. Non-general funds, primarily produced through affiliated corporations such as the UofL Research Foundation, the UofL Athletic Association and the UofL Foundation, will total about $726 million.

The budget addresses four priorities:

• Resolving a structural imbalance in the operating budget. The budget emphasizes efficiency in administrative operations, trimming travel expenses and implementing a hiring “frost” to more closely scrutinize the need to refill vacant positions.
• Keeping college affordable. The budget keeps tuition flat for all students and increases overall financial aid by $1.3 million. It also includes $2.5 million for the Credit for Credits program, in which students who complete at least 30 hours in an academic year receive a $526 credit toward the next year’s tuition. Students in the program will pay less in 2017-18 than they did last year.
• Strategic allocations. Using a $12 million reallocation pool from a 3 percent across-the-board budget cut in the past year, the university will direct funding toward targeted areas including academic quality and student recruitment.
• Establishing a firm financial foundation for future years. The budget includes a revised forecast of revenues and expenses, as well as savings realized through administrative efficiencies and capture of vacant salary lines.

Postel noted that while the budget is tight, it will enable the university to continue moving forward.

Interim CFO Susan Howarth told the board that the university has taken actions to offset a projected $48 million shortfall in 2017-18. Those actions included reducing operational costs by $9 million to $10 million, realizing $10 million in efficiencies and economies of scale in the university’s procurement practices, saving $10 million through the hiring “frost” and using $17 million in one-time funds from the university’s partnership with KentuckyOne Health. The KentuckyOne funds will be replaced through operational efficiencies as a result of the transition of management of University Hospital and the James Graham Brown Cancer Center to University Medical Center.

Also at the meeting, Kentucky Council on Postsecondary ����ֱ�� President Robert King provided an orientation session on board membership. King stressed that trustees’ loyalties must lie with the institution rather than with any particular university leadership. He also weighed in on UofL’s current SACS probation, stating that he is “confident that all the things you’re doing … will take you off probation.”

In other action, the board approved:

• Creation of an ad hoc committee on tenure and nepotism policy
• Construction of a television production studio. Athletics will fund construction of the $8 million facility, which is required as part of UofL’s membership in the ACC
• A long-term ground lease and development of the Churchill Park property near the Lynn Soccer Stadium. The property will be used for soccer practice fields.
• A motion to empower Postel to negotiate terms of a revised Yum! Center lease with the Louisville Arena Authority.