A Perfect Match

Friends answer Gifts Challenge

by Kathy Ibendahl

Agricultural Development

In an unprecedented financial and emotional commitment, friends of the College of Agriculture have taken advantage of the 1999 Research Challenge Trust Fund's matching monies to support College research for a total of $16,260,790.

The Research Challenge Trust Fund (RCTF), established by the Kentucky General Assembly in 1997, was created to propel UK toward “top twenty” status among the nation's major comprehensive research institutions by the year 2020. During the first phase of the RCTF, the state matched dollar-for-dollar up to $66.6 million in contributions to the University of Kentucky for endowed chairs, professorships, fellowships, and other research initiatives.

Jes E. and Clementine Mills Schlaikjer provided a $7.6 million bequest to the UK Department of Veterinary Science to establish three new chairs in equine infectious diseases, including the William Robert Mills Chair at $3.25 million, the Clementine Mills Schlaikjer Chair at $3.25 million, and the Jes E. Schlaikjer Chair at $1.18 million.

The RCTF matching funds will establish several endowments: the Albert G. Clay Endowed Chair in Equine Reproduction at $3.25 million; a $2.18 million major endowed research fund in the Department of Veterinary Science; a $1.25 million addition to the John A. and Elizabeth S. Knight Endowed Chair (total $2.25 million); and a $1 million endowment to support the John A. Morris Library in the Gluck Equine Research Center.

Brown and Williamson Tobacco Corporation has made a $250,000 pledge to the Department of Agronomy. Gifts of $50,000 annually for the next five years will create the Brown and Williamson Research Endowment Fund to support applied tobacco research needed by tobacco farm families as they strive to deal with the dramatic changes occurring in agriculture.

Mr. and Mrs. H. Bruce Price, Jr. of Maitland , Florida have established the Mr. and Mrs. H. Bruce Price, Jr. Professorship in Agricultural Economics. The Price's gift, along with the RCTF match, will provide a total of $100,000 to advance graduate programs and research in Agricultural Economics.

The first faculty member to hold the H. Bruce Price, Jr. Professorship will be Jerry Skees, whose research specialization is policy and risk management.

Friends, students, and colleagues of George Mitchell, professor emeritus in the Department of Animal Sciences, honored him this past fall by creating the George E. Mitchell Graduate Fellowship for students in Animal Sciences. Mitchell made a personal contribution that brought the fellowship total with the RCTF match to $240,000.

Nine Kentucky family-owned nursery and landscape companies are making a lasting impact on the state's nursery and landscape industry. Three named endowments and a general endowment, totaling more than $250,000, have been established to support nursery and landscape research through the Department of Horticulture. This dependable, consistent supply of support funds will allow faculty to increase research and educational programs addressing industry needs.

Richard and Greg Ammon of Ammon Wholesale Nursery and Landscape Company in Burlington , KY have created the Ammon Nursery/Landscape Research Endowment with their gift of $25,000. Larry and Carolyn Sanders of the James Sanders Nursery in Paducah , KY have put into place the James and Cora Sanders Nursery/Landscape Research Endowment in honor of Larry's parents. The couple committed $25,000 and have challenged the Paducah community to raise an additional $25,000. The Don Corum and National Nursery Products Endowment Fund has been established by Bob and Jan Corum of National Nursery Products in Crestwood , KY in memory of Bob's brother, Don, who worked with him in the nursery business. The Corums have committed $50,000, of which $25,000 has been matched so far.

In addition to these three named funds, more than $34,200 has been currently committed to the UK Nursery/Landscape Research Endowment.

All Research Challenge Trust Fund monies made available to the University of Kentucky at this time have been utilized; however, Governor Patton has indicated that he will request continuation of the program in 2000. The university has begun accepting gifts that will be submitted for matching when new funds become available.

We appreciate those who have generously given to support agricultural research during this exciting challenge. For more information on joining the next challenge by establishing an endowed chair, professorship, fellowship, or research initiative, or to contribute to an existing fund, please contact the Agriculture Alumni and Development Office at 606/257-7200.

top