December EDC Newsletter - UK receives $150 mil donation from The Bill Gatton Foundation | UK announces AI partnership with Microsoft

UK EDC News | December 2025

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Talent Update

UK honors grad blends engineering and management on path to Toyota

As she prepares to cross the Commencement stage Dec. 19, Evelyn Hinz is reflecting on a University of Kentucky journey that brought together engineering, business and honors — and ultimately shaped the start of her career.

A mechanical engineering major from Lexington, Hinz is part of the Scholars in Engineering and Management (SEAM) Pathway, a distinctive program housed in the Lewis Honors College that spans the Stanley and Karen Pigman College of Engineering and the Gatton College of Business and Economics.

That blend of engineering and management — along with UK’s longstanding partnership with Toyota — helped open doors early in Hinz’ college career.

Innovation Update

UK researchers partner with KY communities to reduce lung cancer stigma

During National Lung Cancer Screening Awareness Month, University of Kentucky researchers were traveling across the Commonwealth to talk to Kentuckians about lung health. It’s a project built for and with Kentuckians.

Through community-engaged, participatory research, the team is gathering information directly from residents about resonant messaging and how to reduce the stigma that keeps many people from getting screened. The project is led by Erin Hester, Ph.D., assistant professor of integrated strategic communication in the UK College of Communication and Information, in collaboration with postdoctoral scholar Adam Tristán, Ph.D., and undergraduate student Megan Delgado.

Economic Engagement Update

ASGC of Kentucky and University of Kentucky partner for OSHA training sessions

The Associated General Contractors of Kentucky and the University of Kentucky are partnering to offer quarterly OSHA 10-Hour Construction training sessions at UK’s CoRE building on the Coldstream Research Campus. The first sessions are scheduled for Jan. 12 and Feb. 13.

The OSHA-10 program provides entry-level construction workers, students and community members with essential safety training aimed at reducing workplace hazards. The course covers hazard recognition, safe work practices and workers’ rights and responsibilities under OSHA regulations. Registration is $129 per participant.

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Place Update

UK receives $150 million gift from The Bill Gatton Foundation to create arts district

The University of Kentucky Board of Trustees accepted a $150 million gift from The Bill Gatton Foundation to construct a new arts district, including a new College of Fine Arts building and a several-hundred seat theater.

The gift is the single largest in UK’s history.

The gift will make possible:

Relocation and construction of a new College of Fine Arts Building along South Broadway.
Construction of a several-hundred-seat theater that will house performances of dance, music and theater.
Creation of a pavilion, with a park that will connect several blocks on and near South Broadway and Bolivar Street, near UK’s existing School of Arts and Visual Studies (SA/VS) Building.

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Partnership Update

University of Kentucky among nation’s 1st institutions to partner with Microsoft on responsible AI innovation

The University of Kentucky has announced it will collaborate with Microsoft to advance the responsible use of artificial intelligence (AI) and strengthen learning, innovation and care across the Commonwealth.

Operationalized through the university’s recently launched Commonwealth AI Transdisciplinary Strategy (CATS AI), Microsoft becomes a corporate partner in the Advancing Kentucky Together (AKT) Network, joining a growing coalition of education, health care, community and civic partners committed to expanding opportunities and improving the lives of Kentuckians.

UK is one of the first institutions in the nation to collaborate with Microsoft in building a comprehensive, stakeholder-engaged framework for artificial intelligence.

What We’re Reading, Watching & Listening To

A monthly peek into the media inspiring EDC members — and how it’s shaping their work.

Project Hail Mary by Andy Weir

Type: Book

Shared by: Landon Borders, Sr. Executive Director, Technology Development, Product Management & R&D Partnerships

Summary/How it has shaped Landon's work:

Project Hail Mary is a science fiction novel about a lone astronaut tasked with saving humanity from an extinction-level event. What struck me most was how global collaboration became the linchpin for success—nations, scientists, and industries pooling resources and expertise to solve an unprecedented challenge. This mirrors the essence of some of our most crucial work at the University of Kentucky: building partnerships across academia, industry, and government to tackle complex problems and drive innovation. It’s a reminder that transformative progress happens when we break down silos and align around shared goals.

Final Takeaway:

When such great odds are at stake, cooperation becomes the most powerful technology. This idea resonates deeply with economic development and R&D partnerships—our greatest breakthroughs come when we unite diverse capabilities toward a common mission: to advance Kentucky together.

Central Kentucky Job Club:

Stream previous Job Club sessions that are relevant to your job search at the recording link below

Topics Include:

Strategies for Career Success

Taking a Career from Good to Great

AI Powered Job Search

Mental Health in the Job Search

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EDC Communication

The news featured here does not exclusively represent the work of the EDC, but rather highlights the contributions of various collaborators. We are honored to showcase the remarkable achievements taking place across the University of Kentucky.

The EDC Mission:

To proactively grow economic

prosperity in the Commonwealth by focusing on the areas of Talent, Innovation, Place, Partnership, and Economic Engagement.