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Gov. 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.
26 Articles
26 Articles
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.
Gov. Beshear questions University of Kentucky decision-making after Barnhart’s $950,000 job - The Morning Sun
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. Beshear said he is “losing confidence and growing increasingly concerned” after the university announced last month that Mitch Barnhart, the longest-serving athletic director in the Southeastern Conference, is retiring to take on a new role at the …
UK, Beshear issue statements on dean of Rosenberg College of Law position - WNKY News 40 Television
LEXINGTON, Ky. – Gov. Andy Beshear shared a statement Tuesday regarding a new job created at the University of Kentucky. In a social media post, Beshear stated, “I am losing confidence and growing increasingly concerned with the management and decision-making at the University of Kentucky. My concerns include the creation of a new $1 million job that has no defined duties and the announcement that the new dean of law was the only candidate not r…
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