At its June meeting, the University of Kentucky’s Board of Trustees – at the recommendation of President Eli Capilouto – accepted a $1 million commitment from Forcht Bank. The pledge is part of UK’s Gatton College of Business & Economics’ $65 million capital campaign for the renovation and expansion of the Gatton College building.
“Partners like Terry Forcht and Forcht Bank are critical to the University of Kentucky as we continue transforming our campus for faculty, staff and students,” said Capilouto. “We are grateful to the Forcht family for this generous gift which will help build a modern business facility that will educate and prepare students to compete and succeed in a global economy.”
Forcht Bank Chairman, Terry Forcht, echoed this statement by saying, “We believe in the mission of the Gatton College of Business & Economics to provide a quality education for future entrepreneurs and business leaders in Kentucky. Education is the key to moving our state forward and we want to support it in every way we can.”
The Forcht Bank gift will fund the grand staircase in the newly renovated Gatton College facility. Located at the main entrance of the expanded facility, “the staircase will be a focal point of the building,” described UK Gatton College Dean David W. Blackwell. “The grand staircase is the primary access to the atrium, which we refer to as the ‘living room of the building. It also provides ‘stadium seating’ where students can relax and study between classes. It is a spectacular feature of the new Gatton College facility.”