Alumni News

By Kara Beth Poe

(Dec. 9, 2024) LOUISVILLE, Ky. – Matt Lehman ('99) was elected to represent the 67th District in Kentucky’s House of Representatives and Trey Pippin (' 12) was elected to Daviess County Public Schools Board of Education

Trey Pippin, of Owensboro, KY., was elected to the DCPS Board of Education's 5th District seat, defeating incumbent Dale Stewart. According to the Owensboro Times, Pippin expressed "gratitude for the community's support of his vision, which he described as a 'future-ready education' for DCPS students."

"I am grateful for the opportunity to serve on the Daviess County Public Schools Board of Education," said Pippin."My focus is on fostering innovation and ensuring our students are future-ready, equipped with the tools and resources they need to succeed in an ever-changing world."

Pippin received his bachelor's degree in political science from the University of Louisville in 2012. During Trey's time as a McConnell Scholar, he interned with U.S. Senator Mitch  McConnell in his Washington D.C. office in the summer of 2011. He also went with his class during his junior year on an international trip to China (summer 2011), adventured to Harlaxton College to study abroad (fall 2009), and was a student assistant for the McConnell Center. 

Matt Lehman, of Newport, KY, was elected to represent the 67th District in Northern Campbell County in the Kentucky House of Representatives. Lehman's campaign platform focused on the significance of improving affordable housing, public school teachers' wages, and the opioid crisis. 

"Despite a generally difficult election cycle for Democrats, I worked to earn the trust of voters across the political spectrum in HD67," said Lehman. "That work resulted in a razor-thin 30-vote win. I look forward to representing the needs of Northern Kentucky's river cities and giving back to our Commonwealth."

Lehman received his bachelor's degree in political science from the University of Louisville in 1999 and a Master's Degree from Columbia University. During Matt's time as a McConnell Scholar, he was a member of the College Democrats and Pi Sigma Alpha. He also did the Vermont American Internship in Germany. 

"The McConnell Center was established to nurture the next generations of leadership for Kentucky," said McConnell Center Director Dr. Gary L. Gregg. "We are so proud of Trey and Matt and all the other Scholars who have stepped up to serve."

 Founded in 1991, the non-partisan McConnell Center at the University of Louisville seeks to identify, recruit, and nurture Kentucky's next generation of great leaders. Our core principles--- leadership, scholarship, and service--- guide us as we:

  1. Prepare top undergraduate students to become future leaders.
  2. Offer civic education programs for teachers, students, and the public.
  3. Conduct strategic leadership development for the US Army.

The application for the McConnell Scholars Class of 2029 will be due December 15th. Visit our website for more information about the McConnell Scholars Program and to access the application.