The University of Kentucky has selected its next provost.
David Blackwell, the current dean of the school’s Gatton College of Business and Economics, will take over the post on January 8th. During an earlier candidate forum, Blackwell said UK must yield results for students both during their tenure and after.
"Parents and their children are looking at not only student success issues on campus, but employment success," Blackwell said. "To be competitive, we're going to have to show that we are able to bring in students from modest backgrounds and actually transform their lives and help them move up the academic and economic ladder."
UK President Eli Capilouto announced his choice in a campus-wide email Tuesday, saying Blackwell brings years of experience and a record of success to the varied challenges the university faces, especially recruiting and retaining students.
Blackwell’s selection as a finalists did draw some backlash among students, about ten of whom protested at a candidate forum – according to the Kentucky Kernel. The demonstrators objected to the college’s acceptance of funds from the Charles Koch Foundation.
