US EditionGov. Andy Beshear Fears ‘Partisan Donors’ Are Influencing the University of Kentucky. Who’s He Talking About?
Beshear said he is losing confidence in UK management amid a $950,000 athletics role and faculty objections to the law dean pick.
- On Tuesday, April 21, 2026, Kentucky Governor Andy Beshear stated he is "losing confidence" in the management of the University of Kentucky, citing concerns over administrative appointments and potential donor influence.
- Beshear criticized the "creation of a new $1 million job that has no defined duties" for retiring Athletic Director Mitch Barnhart, who transitions to a $950,000 role starting July 1.
- The governor also questioned the appointment of U.S. District Judge Greg Van Tatenhove as dean of the J. David Rosenberg College of Law, emphasizing Van Tatenhove was the only candidate not recommended by faculty.
- University spokesperson Jay Blanton said the school "respectfully disagree" with the governor's assessment, while Beshear noted the university shifted its stance on Board of Trustees approval for the dean.
- Beshear urged students, faculty, and trustees to attend Board of Trustees meetings on Thursday, April 23, and Friday, April 24, to "ask the tough questions that should be answered.
33 Articles
33 Articles
Kentucky Law School's Dean Fight Is A Dumpster Fire
Law school deans have a weird job description. Technically, they lead the law school in its academic mission. But, more realistically, they fundraise, game the U.S. News rankings, and manage the law school bureaucracy. Ideally, they keep the alumni happy at football games — or basketball games depending on the school in question. A unicorn dean also serves as a leading intellectual light carrying the program’s scholarly banner, but… all else equ…
Beshear appears to criticize UK personnel moves, including Barnhart, law dean
Gov. Andy Beshear speaks to news media at a medical cannabis operation in Richmond.(Curtis Tate / WEKU)The University of Kentucky stands behind its choice to lead its law school after critical comments from Gov. Andy Beshear. He first took issue with "a new $1 million job that has no defined duties," in an apparent reference to Director of Athletics Mitch Barnhart. When Barnhart retires on June 30, he will become the first executive in residence…
The Paducah Sun
The Mayfield MessengerBeshear is ‘losing confidence’ in University of Kentucky admin following recent hirings
Kentucky Democratic Gov. Andy Beshear said Tuesday that he is “losing confidence and growing increasingly concerned” with the management of the University of Kentucky following recent hiring decisions.
The Toronto Star
Gov. Beshear questions University of Kentucky decision-making after Barnhart’s $950,000 job
LEXINGTON, Ky. (AP) — Kentucky Gov. Andy Beshear released a statement Tuesday questioning the decision-making at the University of Kentucky amid a fraught period for the school's athletics department.
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