Residence Hall Named For Former UK President Roselle

LEXINGTON, Ky. -- A residence hall for first year University of Kentucky Fine Arts students now bears the name of UK’s 9th President.  At a ceremony on Tuesday, the former North Hall, a 144-bed complex, which opened in 2005, was re-christened Roselle Hall in honor of David P. Roselle, who held the post from July 1987 through December 1989.

His tenure is perhaps best defined by his response to a recruiting scandal that engulfed the UK basketball program; resulting  in the resignations of Coach Eddie Sutton & Athletic Director Cliff Hagan, followed by the subsequent transfers of high-profile players. 

In saluting his predecessor, UK President Eli Capilouto says the school owes a considerable debt of gratitude to Roselle.

“He navigated us through some very challenging times.  And his work yielded a more honest institution, reinforcing a foundation upon which we can be very proud.”

In accepting the honor, Roselle acknowledged the many hours he spent traveling the state explaining his position that a thorough NCAA investigation , while unwelcome, was necessary.

“And I hope our efforts, on behalf of the basketball team in particular, will always be remembered as a time when the honor, the integrity, the ethics, of the University of Kentucky took center stage.”

Roselle went on to a 17 year tenure as president of the University of Delaware.  He currently is interim director of the Winterthur Museum, Garden, and Library in Delaware.