By Alan Lytle
Hebron, KY – Eli Capilouto -- provost of the University of Alabama at Birmingham -- was selected Sunday by the UK Board of Trustees as the preferred candidate to be the 12th president of the University of Kentucky.
Capilouto, 61, has been provost at UAB since 2005. In that capacity, he serves as the chief academic officer for a university with 11 schools and colleges, 17,543 students and some $460 million in annual external research.
The UK Board of Trustees selected Capilouto as its preferred candidate for the presidency after deliberating Sunday afternoon at a hotel in Northern Kentucky. Capilouto was one several finalists interviewed over a two-day period by the board.
According to a university release, Trustee Chair Britt Brockman said Capilouto "represents the right blend of intellect, experience and innovative leadership to become UK's next president. That combination of skills and attributes is exactly what our institution needs right now as we continue our drive to become a Top 20 public research institution in the midst of challenging economic times."
"I am excited about the possibility of helping lead an institution that clearly has an ambitious spirit among its faculty, students and staff as evidenced by its push to become a Top 20 public research institution," Capilouto said. "UAB's first president once remarked that 'we do a great disservice when we dream too little dreams.' I'm thrilled at the idea of joining an institution and leading one that clearly is dreaming big dreams for the Commonwealth of Kentucky."
Capilouto, a native of Alabama, has served in a variety of administrative positions at UAB as a Dean in the School of Public Health and senior executive administrator. He holds a bachelor's degree from the University of Alabama, a Doctorate of Dentistry and Master's of Public Health from UAB and a Doctorate in Health Policy and Management from the Harvard University School of Public Health.
Capilouto will travel to Lexington for a series of forums on Monday with faculty, staff and students as well as other meetings. The Board of Trustees will meet on Tuesday, May 3, to consider whether to extend a formal offer to Capilouto to become UK's 12th president on May 1.