A day after Democratic Gov. Andy Beshear shared that he was “losing confidence and growing increasingly concerned” with the management of the University of Kentucky, Beshear expanded on criticism of a “political party” defending the appointment of a new dean of the university’s College of Law.
Beshear said on social media Wednesday that he had “received countless calls and messages agreeing that the University of Kentucky needs to reconsider its recent actions.” On Tuesday, the governor had criticized “the creation of a new $1 million job that has no defined duties” which seemingly referred to an upcoming role for Athletics Director Mitch Barnhart after his retirement this summer. Beshear also took issue with the appointment of the new law school dean who was “the only candidate not recommended by law school faculty,” though he did not directly name U.S. District Judge Gregory Van Tatenhove.
“The fact that a political party defended the law school dean’s appointment is telling. Kentuckians deserve a nonpartisan university that doesn’t waste taxpayer dollars,” Beshear said. “We also deserve real oversight that will tell UK’s administration no when it is making a mistake. I hope we will see that oversight in the meetings beginning today.”
Van Tatenhove, who was appointed to the bench by President George W. Bush and was a staffer to Republican U.S. Sen. Mitch McConnell, was named as the next dean of the UK College of Law earlier this year. According to his federal disclosure forms, Van Tatenhove has accepted reimbursements for travel from Joe Craft. He and his wife, former U.S. Ambassador Kelly Craft, are GOP megadonors and major donors to the university.
Joe Craft, a coal executive, is an alumnus of the UK College of Law.
Beshear said in his Tuesday statement that “these actions are related to certain donors pushing partisan and undue outside influence onto the university.” Asked about the donors Beshear referenced, a spokesperson for the governor said his statement speaks for itself and declined to get into specifics.
Republican Secretary of State Michael Adams was among those on X criticizing Beshear’s questioning of Van Tatenhove’s appointment Tuesday. Adams said that Beshear’s comments were a “hatchet job on a respected judge who happens to be a Republican” from a Vanderbilt University and University of Virginia School of Law alumnus.
“Of course the Governor thinks left-leaning faculty should make all the decisions,” Adams said, who attended the University of Louisville and Harvard Law School. “I am losing confidence and growing increasingly concerned with the management and decision-making of Andy Beshear.”
Republican House Speaker David Osborne, of Prospect, issued a statement Wednesday expressing “strong support for the University of Kentucky and its current leadership.” He added: “Institutions like UK depend on stability and respect for their governance, and unnecessary political involvement risks undermining both.”
“However, recent actions by the governor regarding leadership decisions at the university raise serious and legitimate concerns,” Osborne said. “Whatever is driving this disagreement, seeing it play out on social media represents a troubling departure from the restraint that should guide interactions between the executive branch and independent institutions.”
Osborne said he has had a “consistently positive” experience in working with UK President Eli Capilouto and board members.
“Dr. Capilouto’s leadership through budget and policy discussions has been steady, thoughtful, and solutions-oriented,” the speaker said. “Additionally, the incoming law school dean is a man who is widely respected among judicial and legal communities after decades of principled leadership, sound judgment, and an unwavering respect for the rule of law.”
Van Tatenhove’s wife, Christy Trout Van Tatenhove, is Osborne’s general counsel.
“This is not about politics. It is about principle,” Osborne continued. “Strong institutions require clear boundaries, mutual respect, and the space to function without interference. The University of Kentucky has been well-served by its leadership, and it deserves continued support — not disruption.”
Republican Attorney General Russell Coleman, who is an alumnus of the law school, said online that the “school and its students deserve a Dean with a record of service to this state who can work with President Capilouto and the strong leadership team for UK’s success” and praised Van Tatenhove.
The Louisville Courier Journal reported Tuesday morning associate deans had alerted Provost Robert S. DiPaola that faculty felt Van Tatenhove was an “unacceptable” candidate as he lacked “qualifications to be granted tenure,” which could risk the school’s accreditation.
UK spokesperson Jay Blanton had previously said UK administrators “respectfully disagree with” the governor’s assessment of Van Tatenhove, adding that the judge has “more than two decades of experience and an exemplary record on the federal courts, as well as years as a U.S. Attorney and in public service.” UK shared a Wednesday message from J. David Rosenberg, who is a senior partner in the Cincinnati firm of Keating, Muething & Klekamp and for whom UK’s law school is named. Rosenberg said he was “a long-time supporter and admirer” of Beshear and his father, former Gov. Steve Beshear, as well as Capilouto.
“The recent criticism of the University’s appointment of Judge Greg Van Tatenhove to be Dean of the College of Law is distressing,” Rosenberg said. “As I said at the time of Judge Van Tatenhove’s appointment, his prominence and respect among his peers in the judiciary and among leading attorneys will help attract top-flight students and faculty to our college and will engage our alumni in supporting its success. His years of experience as U.S. Attorney and District Judge will be invaluable in guiding our graduates starting their own careers. I continue to think Judge Van Tatenhove is the best candidate at this time to lead the College of Law.”
The UK Board of Trustees will hold meetings at the Lexington campus on Thursday and Friday.
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Written by McKenna Horsley. Cross-posted from the Kentucky Lantern.
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