U.S. District Judge Gregory Van Tatenhove's appointment was controversial from the start — with some faculty worried the choice of the former legislative aide to Sen. Mitch McConnell was too political and questioning whether Van Tatenhove met the proper academic requirements for the position.
Van Tatenhove was asked about those political concerns.
"Over 20 years ago, my job description has included the requirement that I stay out of partisan politics, and I've adhered to that carefully. I adhered to it during this search process and that important value does not end now. Frankly, it will be part of my deanship," he said.
Now, suspended law professor Ramsi Woodcock is filing suit over the choice, arguing the selection of Van Tatenhove runs against his expressive association First Amendment rights. The Lexington Herald-Leader also reports Woodcock alleges three men conspired to violate Constitutional rights in choosing Van Tatenhove over faculty objections.
Woodcock drew controversy himself in 2025 for posting a petition demanding "every country in the world make war on Israel immediately until such time as Israel has submitted permanently and unconditionally to the government of Palestine."
UK took the professor off teaching duties and launched an investigation, sending out a campus-wide email describing Woodcock's views as "repugnant."