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 .

Pinto transitioned to  after the Board of Trustees accepted former President James Ramsey’s resignation. He was vacationing with his family in Hilton Head at the time.

“I was sitting on the couch with my son watching a movie. I was actually almost asleep. I don’t think he knew that,” Pinto said. “I got the call and was informed that I was now acting president of the university … I have to be honest, it’s been a whirlwind for me this past week.”

Pinto has been at UofL just shy of five years, first arriving on campus in September 2011 to serve as dean of the J.B. Speed School of Engineering and professor of chemical engineering. He was appointed interim provost in July 2015. The job included oversight of the university’s academic programming and day-to-day operations.

Though he admitted to being surprised by the abrupt transition, Pinto said he is honored that the Board of Trustees asked him to lead the institution in this interim period.

“What I recognized very quickly was that there is a flood of support for us to move forward. I’ve heard from many faculty, staff, student, alumni and community members, expressing their support for the university and for me to move it forward,” he said. “That has really encouraged me, and I’ve started gaining confidence that we can do it.”

As provost, Pinto was charged with the implementation of the university’s and said that the plan will continue to be the structure he and his leadership team will use.

“It’s an exciting plan. It connects to what’s most important for us here and that is a first-rate education for the students. It’s about student success, quality of programs, putting out outstanding research,” he said. “It connects to our service to the community, service in a way that is unique for a university – our ability to bring our intellectual potential to provide long-range solutions for our community.”

Pinto credited a strong team, including vice presidents and deans, for helping to bring these objectives to fruition. He also credited faculty and staff for making sure the university didn’t miss a beat during the transition.

“The task right now is to get ready for almost 3,000 students coming in as our freshmen class and the 22,000-some students that will be coming back to campus for the fall semester,” Pinto said. “I’m excited. I feel optimistic. I feel energized.”

Pinto fielded some questions from the media on a variety of issues, including:

• The impact of ongoing distractions, including the debate between the governor and attorney general about which board of trustees is in charge. Pinto said he is optimistic the judicial process will work itself out and that both boards are supportive of moving the university forward, underscoring that this debate has no impact on the day-to-day operations of the university. He also added that he has kept the chairmen of both boards, Larry Benz and Junior Bridgeman, in the loop.

“From my perspective, the board of trustees is about establishing policy for the university. Operationally, we function fairly effectively in this environment. We can still function well and deliver,” he said.

• When asked about whether he would want the president’s job permanently, Pinto said: “This is not about me right now. It’s (about) what the university needs. I think it needs a competitive, national search for a leader. The board of trustees will define the type of leader that’s required. Right now, I’m thinking about moving this university forward.”

Pinto added that he is just reacting right now. “I don’t expect this (role) to go very long. I think a search will start as soon as the board is finalized, and then we’ll move on. Right now, my focus is providing continued leadership, and that’s more important than anything I need to do for myself right now.”

• About the possibility of more tuition hikes, Pinto said that historically UofL has done better than the average university for student debt after they graduate (about $37,000 for the national average and $26,000 for UofL graduates).

“When we cut costs, it often comes at the price of quality … It’s an optimization of all of our resources to get to our objective of providing a high quality education at the lowest price,” he said. “It’s a really complex problem and isolating it as one or two factors oversimplifies it in my view.”

Pinto reiterated that we are currently operating on a spending plan right now. “There are a lot of implications for students if we don’t establish a spending plan,” he said.

• Asked if he was concerned about the reputational impact any recent issues have had, Pinto said, “Yes, ideally I do not want to be on the front page for this reason. We have, however, a very strong university. For example, last week, our faculty won $4 million in research awards. So things are going on,” he said. “This is a very strong institution, and I recognize that. I have learned to appreciate its strength. I think we will be all right.”

• Pinto said he is not concerned about the upcoming Southern Association of Colleges and Schools accreditation being affected by the leadership transition. There are criteria within the accreditation requirements that speak to governance and whenever there is a change in governance, the university has to notify the accrediting authority.

“There have been some changes, and we have notified them. We will continue to work with the agency, and we’re hopeful that there will be a quick resolution,” he said.

• Pinto called Ramsey’s leadership “transformational.” “If you look at where the university was when he came and where it is now, that’s the only conclusion I can come to. I can tell you that when I worked with him both as interim provost and dean, he was very creative, he was committed to the students, he was committed to the institution – all elements that transformed this university,” he said. “So that’s the record. That’s not going to change.”

• Pinto ended his meeting with a message to the students, promising that the university’s commitment to them has not changed.

“I want to make sure that the discussions and challenges we are having around decisions on governance are completely transparent to them so that their experience will be the same whether this happened or not,” he said. “I will be transparent in everything I do. That’s in my DNA. Academics is about openness, and that’s the way I am.”

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He has also worked as a unit business manager intermediate in the VP for Business Affairs area, and in both the Executive VP for Health Affairs Office and Surgery.

Armstrong has undergraduate degrees in English and history from Bellarmine University. His graduate degree is in library science “from a certain school down the road,” in Lexington, where he claims to have been the only student wearing Cardinal red in class.

UofL News had the opportunity to get to know Armstrong a little better as he transitions into the two-year chairmanship role for the governance group.

UofL News: What is your job at UofL?

Armstrong: I usually get asked what my job title (personnel analyst) means, and the simple answer is that I ensure our faculty and staff are paid from the appropriate funding sources, grants or clinical trials.

UofL News: How long have you been a staff senator and what compelled you to take on such a role?

Armstrong: I’ve been a staff senator since 2007. For the first five years, I really was engrossed in my office and our role in helping high-achieving students. After that point, though, I wanted more, and the Senate seemed the best place to not only learn more about life outside of my office, but to connect in meaningful ways with my colleagues across campuses and disciplines.

UofL News: Why did you decide to take on a leadership role within the Senate?

Armstrong: My first foray into Senate leadership came following a chance phone call from (then) Vice Chair Dhiane Bradley. She encouraged me to put my name in for the running for our secretary/treasurer role. I’ve moved through that position into vice chair, and when the time came to consider running for chair, I took a deep breath and went for it. I am quiet, generally, but always listening and thinking. I know that I can use those skills, combined with my passion for advocacy, to make sure staff voices are heard. It’s a responsibility I approach with great sincerity.

UofL News: What are your goals as Senate chair?

Armstrong: I want to continue to pursue the Senate’s goals of transparency and advocacy, as our most recent past-chair, Angela Lewis-Klein, has. I also want to increase the ways in which we solicit feedback and input from our constituents. We’ve recently looked at increasing our maximum number of senators (to 99) so that we can ensure a smaller constituent base for each of them. My hope would be that senators would then be in the best position to foster stronger and more familiar connections with those they represent.

UofL News: What is your favorite thing about the University of Louisville?

Armstrong: I love the spirit here. I worked at UofL when my wife and I married and when my kids were born. Through ups and downs in my personal and professional lives, UofL has been a constant. I’ve benefited tremendously from my relationships with and mentorship by the many wonderful people employed here. And I love that I’ve created, with the help of understanding supervisors, a strong work-life balance.

UofL News: What are your non-work hobbies?

Armstrong: My wife, Kirsten, and I spent a lot of time laughing with our kids, Katy (7) and Rory (4). I’m very interested in genealogy, having researched my family tree since I was 12 years old. In the last couple of years, I’ve delved into learning about what DNA analyses can tell me about my very distant ancestors. It’s really fascinating. I’m also into video games, board games and marching band. You could say that I’m a lot of fun at parties.

UofL News: What is your favorite thing to do in Louisville outside of work?

Armstrong: The easy answer is eat! This city has everything for every palate. Right now, I’m particularly keen on Vietnam Kitchen’s pineapple curry. Otherwise, having married a Louisville native, we spend a lot of time with family.

UofL News: What is the best piece of advice you’ve ever received?

Armstrong: I have two, really. As far as my work life goes, I remember something Melissa Long Shuter (former staff chair from 1999-2001 and current executive director of business operations) taught me: To always act from a place of information, from data, rather than let raw emotion guide otherwise impulsive reactions.

As far as my personal life goes, my father led by example: Never take yourself so seriously that you can’t laugh at yourself.