The University of Kentucky has announced a $20 million gift from its most generous donor to build a new student center on its Lexington campus.
The donation from UK graduate Carol Martin "Bill" Gatton is the largest gift in the school's nearly 150-year history. It's the lead gift in the construction of the new student center — a $175 million, self-financed renovation and expansion scheduled to open in 2017.
UK President Eli Capilouto announced the donation Thursday.
The new student center will include student activity and study spaces, dining and retail operations and a bookstore.
Gatton's contributions to his alma mater exceed $45 million. UK's business school is named after Gatton.
The new student center is the latest in more than $1 billion in construction projects at the state's flagship university.