In a statement Tuesday, Beshear took issue with the selection of a new law school dean who was the only candidate not recommended by UK faculty. The governor said he'd been told that the dean must be approved by the UK Board of Trustees, and expressed worries that the policy had been abandoned and the hiring decision might be tied to partisan and undue outside influence on the university.
The comments referred to Eastern District of Kentucky Judge Gregory Van Tatenhove, who has been chosen to lead the law school.
The governor also questioned the recent creation of a new $1 million position for outgoing Athletics Director Mitch Barnhart without immediately defining the duties of the role.
A statement from Gov. Beshear. pic.twitter.com/DgoI8NjfGO
— Governor Andy Beshear (@GovAndyBeshear) April 21, 2026
UK released this video in March touching on Barnhart's new position.
In response to the hiring concerns, UK spokesman Jay Blanton said the university "respectfully disagrees" with the governor's assessment. Blanton went on to praise Van Tatenhove as the "right leader, with the right skills, and the right background and expertise at a critical moment for the college."
Beshear is urging students, faculty, trustees, and the community to attend this week's board meetings and "ask the tough questions that need to be answered."