President's Reports — Office of the President

2024 October November President's Report: In a time when many institutions of higher education struggle to recruit and retain students, the University of Louisville is enjoying all-time-high enrollment and retention numbers. There are several programs and resources which make that possible, among which is the new Comeback Cards debt forgivemess program. Financial stewardship remains strong as seen through the record-breaking Raise Some L fundraising campaign. Strategic partnerships with area schoos and businesses maintain UofL's standing as a premier metropolitan university.
2024 August / September Presidents Report: The 2024-25 academic year got off to a strong start at the University of Louisville. Increases in undergraduate and overal enrollment as well as a near-capacity residence hall occupancy rate mean campus will be bustling this year. The university garnered national attention with it's groundbreaking research in urban area tree canopies and national recognition for first-generation, law school and military student support initiatives. Several students punched their tickets to compete in the 2024 Summer Olympics in Paris. It's no wonder UofL was recently ranked among the world's top 500 universities by the Center for World University Rankings.
2024 April-May President's Report: There is never a shortage of good news to share at the end of the academic year. Degrees were conferred to more than 3,100 students at the University of Louisville's spring 2024 commencement. Thanks to a $50 million commitment from the Kentucky General Assembly (with an additional $302 million in agency bond authority), UofL can move forward with several major projects. Connections strengthen with strategic business partners such as Canon Solutions America and community strategic partners such as Central High School. Research funding continues to boost university resources and recognition.
2024 President's Report February - March: The spring semester kicked off with several accomplishments and accolades for the University of Louisville. Construction began on the J.B. Speed School of Engineering's new hub for next-generation engineering education and research. The university's research in artificial intelligence as well as immune system genetics moves forward. Students are discovering new opportunities in franchise management and behavioral health. Our online programs continue to rank among the "Best Online Programs" in U.S. News and World Report, and UofL President Kim Schatzel was named among Louisville Business First's most influential people in business and communities.
2024 President's Report Dec-Jan: The University of Louisville wrapped up the calendar year on several high notes. More than $11 million in research will support the university's research in eating disorders, and more than $6 million in grants will enhance training for nursing professionals. The 2024 Grawemeyer Award winners were announced, and approximately 2,300 degrees were conferred at UofL's December commencement.
2023 President's Report October - November [PDF]: The University of Louisville takes great pride in its ongoing status as Carnegie Foundation Research 1 (R1) and Community Engaged University. The Carnegie Classification of Institutions of Higher Education is the nation’s leading framework for categorizing diverse U.S. higher education institutions. This President's Report showcases some of the many ways UofL addresses and solves grand challenges that impact humanity as well as the university's community engagement initiatives that create thriving futures for not only our students, but for our community and society as well.
2023 August - September Presidents Report: More than 3,900 new students arrived at the University of Louisville during Welcome Week 2023, filling campus residences to capacity. As students and professors were settling back into their course schedules, UofL President Kim Schatzel introduced her strategic priorities to the university community based on feedback from more than 30 listening sessions that she held earlier this year. Research continues to flourish with major funding and breakthroughs. And the university remains a strong community resource for the City of Louisville.
2023 Presidents Report April-May: Springtime brings much excitement to the UofL community. In early April, the university celebrated Founders Day, which marked the university's 225th year. More than 3,600 students earned their degrees at the conclusion of the spring semester. The UofL Hospital Trauma Center stood strong in the face of the April 10 mass shooting in downtown Louisville. And Kentucky's only Truman Scholar hails from UofL's J.B. Speed School of Engineering.
2023 President's Report Feb-Mar: This President’s Report is Kim Schatzel’s first as the University of Louisville’s new president. Upon her arrival, Dr. Schatzel finds herself amid several exciting university-wide initiatives. UofL’s largest-run student-led philanthropy initiative, raiseRED, hits it out of the park by raising $550,000. The Cardinal Commitment extends to non-Pell-eligible students. The university welcomes John Miller, Jr. as the Raymond A. Kent School of Social Work and Family Science dean. Research extends beyond the campus, and online programs continue to thrive.
2022 November - December President's Report: The University of Louisville ended 2022 on several high notes. In November, the university announced the appointment of Dr. Kim Schatzel as UofL's 19th president. Dr. Schatzel comes to UofL from Towson University, where she has served as president since 2016. Diversity, Equity and Inclusion remain a priority at UofL. For the ninth consecutive year, INSIGHT into Diversity has given UofL its Higher Education Excellence in Diversity Award. Significant investments in UofL's research efforts continue to strengthen the university's position as a premier metropolitan university. Special thanks from Lori Gonzalez to the university community for the opportunity to serve as UofL's interim president over the past year.
2022 September-October President's Report: The University of Louisville experience extends beyond the classroom. It's about more than tests and term papers. It's an experience where our students, faculty and staff are active participants in groundbreaking research and strong community partnerships. This President's Report points to just a few of many recent examples of how the University of Louisville remains dynamically connected to the local and global community. These connections demonstrate a powerful impact on the economic, social and cultural health and well-being of Louisville, the Commonwealth of Kentucky and beyond.
2022 July-August President's Report: UofL's work continued at a steady pace throughout the summer. Discoveries in colon cancer research, investments in health care and health equity as well as new resources for workforce development strengthened UofL's commitment to be a great place to discover and connect. Our Cardinal Principle of "Community of Care" was seen through the many efforts to assist those impacted by the flooding in eastern Kentucky. And one of our largest incoming freshman classes in recent history was met with the opening of two new residence halls.
2022 April - May President's Report: The University of Louisville celebrates the conclusion of another successful academic year with the May 2022 Commencement exercises. Connections to the community remain strong as seen with the inaugural Black Business Summit and UofL Health's expansion of family medicine services in south Louisville. Research and innovation see new horizons with the Launchit entrepreneurial bootcamp and the announcement of the Christina Lee Brown Envirome Institute-New Vision of Health Campus.
2022 February - March President's Report: The University of Louisville kicks off 2022 with a return to in-person instruction thanks to our high COVID-19 vaccination rates and ongoing safety protocols. Our men's and women's basketball programs embrace strong leadership, and UofL Health prepares for a significant expansion. Diversity, equity and inclusion remain mission-critical, and researchers turn up interesting findings about what happens at the end of life.
2021 President's Report November-December: The University of Louisville welcomes its new interim president, Dr. Lori Stewart Gonzalez. The 2019-2022 Strategic Plan moves onward with the new Center for Engaged Learning, and the power of ideas are celebrated with the 2022 Grawemeyer Award winners. The ongoing success of UofL Health is also among our exciting highlights.
2021 President's Report September - October: Despite facing several challenges, there has been much progress for the UofL community this fall, including a record-breaking $201.5 million secured for research funding and the University of Louisville and UofL Health-Jewish Hospital surgical team’s success with the first-in-the-world implementation of a total artificial heart device in a female patient.
2021 Presidents Report July-August: After a challenging year, the return to UofL’s campus kicks off with the christening of the new Belknap Residence Hall and over 90 Welcome Week events for incoming first- and second-year students.
2021 President's Report May-June: Historic outdoor commencement ceremonies at Cardinal Stadium and a UofL junior chosen as Kentucky's only 2021 Truman Scholar are just a few of our exciting highlights.
2021 Presidents Report Feb-Mar: The spring semester marks the one-year anniversary of the start of the pandemic, the formation of UofL Health and the tragic loss of Breonna Taylor. [PDF]
2021 Presidents Report Dec-Jan: A look back at an unprecedented year and reflections from our graduates.
2020 Presidents Report Oct-Nov: A fall semester like no other. UofL has leaned into its new normal and continues to lead in the face of the pandemic and nation's anti-racism movement.
2020 May June President's Report: UofL is leading the way in adapting quickly and responding to the COVID-19 pandemic. President Neeli Bendapudi addresses recent events of racial injustice and emphasizes UofL’s commitment to the Cardinal Principle of Diversity and Inclusion. [PDF]
2020 March - April President's Report: Students, faculty, staff, alumni and community supporters have stepped up in unique and important ways to support the university's response to the COVID-19 pandemic. [PDF]
2019 December 2020 January President's Report: University of Louisville is ringing in the new year with highlights such as two multi-million grant awards funding collaborative research, on campus appearances by world-changing winners of the Grawemeyer Awards and a visit by Secretary of State Mike Pompeo. [PDF]
2019 Sept-Oct President's Report: UofL has launched a strategic plan to guide its future as the university moves forward with the acquisition of KentuckyOne Health’s Louisville assets, including Jewish Hospital. [PDF]
2019 May-June President's Report: A massive graduating class and new UofL-industry partnerships aimed at boosting technology skills among Kentucky's workers are just a few of the exciting milestones for the spring 2019 semester. [PDF]
2019 Mar-Apr President's Report: 2019 March/April President’s Report Donors have stepped up to support the university’s direction and researchers have discovered a new molecule that shows promise in preventing cancer. [PDF]
2019 Jan-Feb President's Report: UofL has launched a strategic planning process and is achieving new heights in academic success, research and diversity. [PDF]