critical of the dean appointment

Kentucky Democratic Gov. Andy Beshear said Tuesday that he is “losing confidence and growing increasingly concerned” with the management of the University of Kentucky following recent hiring decisions. 

Beshear, who has the authority to make appointments to all Kentucky public university boards, said in a social media post that he was concerned about “the creation of a new $1 million job that has no defined duties and the announcement that the new dean of law was the only candidate not recommended by law school faculty.” 

Though the governor did not directly name the individuals, UK Athletics Director Mitch Barnhart plans to retire from his role in June to become the first executive-in-residence of the UK Sport and Workforce Initiative with an annual salary of $950,000, and some new benefits, like 10 tickets for all men’s basketball, football and baseball home games throughout his and his wife’s lifetimes.

U.S. District Judge Gregory 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. 

The Louisville Courier Journal reported Tuesday morning associate deans had alerted Provost Robert S. DiPaola that faculty felt Van Tatenhove was an “unacceptable” candidate. 

“I’ve been told that despite previously saying the dean must be approved by UK’s Board of Trustees, the university has shifted and now states that approval is not needed,” Beshear said. “I worry that these actions are related to certain donors pushing partisan and undue outside influence onto the university. I hope students, faculty, trustees and the community attend this week’s board meetings and ask the tough questions that should be answered.” 

The UK Board of Trustees will hold meetings at the Lexington campus on Thursday and Friday. 

A UK spokesperson provided a response to the governor’s concerns about the appointment of Van Tatenhove. 

“We appreciate and always respect the Governor’s interest and feedback. We take it seriously, but respectfully disagree with his assessment,” said spokesperson Jay Blanton. “In Judge Van Tatenhove we have someone who will be an outstanding Dean for the Rosenberg College of Law. With 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, he is the right leader, with the right skills and the right background and expertise at a critical moment for the College.”

The Lantern also had asked UK to respond to the concerns raised by the governor that appear to refer to Barnhart’s new position.

As governor, Beshear has the power to appoint 13 members of UK’s board, which are confirmed by the state Senate. Before the 2026 legislative session ended, the Senate approved four of Beshear’s appointments — Leon Williams, Paul Case, Elaine Wilson and former Transportation Secretary and Lexington Mayor Jim Gray, who recently got a new part-time position in the Beshear administration. 

President Eli Capilouto is the president of the university, and has served in that role since 2011.

This story has been updated with additional comments.