UofL announces largest donation to Cardinal Covenant program

February 5, 2015:

Today the University of Louisville received its largest gift ever to the Cardinal Covenant program, which aides eligible low-income students by covering the cost of their tuition, room, board and books. The donation of $1.5 million comes from Drs. Robert and Joyce Hughes, UofL School of Medicine alums.

"Joyce and I strongly believe in education and knowledge as the greatest gift in life," said Robert Hughes.  "We want to make that gift possible for as many students, present and future, as we can."

Two current UofL Cardinal Covenant students, Anna Brashear and Casey Sanders, spoke during the announcement, genuinely thanking the Hughes for their generosity and support. The each shared about their backgrounds and experiences in the Cardinal Covenant program.

“It was always my dream to become a college student. When I was little, no one had to tell me [to go to college], it’s just what I’ve always wanted to do,” said Casey, who is a sophomore. Casey went on to note that he is the first in his family to even consider going to college, and has become a role model for his younger brother.

The university will also use $500,000 from a previous unrestricted gift from the late Owsley Brown Frazier to match the Hughes' donation.

"This is an incredible gift which will extend the reach of the Cardinal Covenant program to many more students who never dreamed they'd have a chance to obtain a college degree," said UofL President James Ramsey.

The Cardinal Covenant program began in 2007, responding to the challenge for low-income Kentucky families to send their students to college. 180 Cardinal Covenant students have graduated, while there are 278 current students participating in the program. For more about Cardinal Covenant, click here.