UK College of Agriculture lands $100 million gift

Late University of Kentucky alum and former trustee Carol Martin "Bill" Gatton has bestowed a gift of $100 million to the UK College of Agriculture, Food and Environment (CAFE) through The Bill Gatton Foundation. In a news release, Lexington-based UK notes this is the largest gift the school has ever received and calls the donation transformational.

Interestingly, UK's board of trustees had approved the single largest gift in the university's 158-year history in early May when Stanley and Karen Pigman pledged $34.5 million to UK Engineering.

This new gift, which was announced Thursday by UK and The Gatton Foundation, is contingent upon UK Board of Trustees' approval at its June meeting. In the release, UK said it believes this to be the largest donation to a college of agriculture in the United States.

To honor Gatton's parents, Edith Martin and Harry W. Gatton Sr., the college will be renamed as the Martin-Gatton College of Agriculture, Food and Environment.

"This is a transformational gift that will have a profound impact on CAFE and the University of Kentucky," UK President Eli Capilouto said in the release. "It will be a cornerstone in our efforts - and our singular mission - to advance Kentucky in everything that we do. Like Mr. Gatton did, we dream of a Kentucky tomorrow that is healthier, wealthier and wiser than it is today. This gift reflects his profound belief in this institution to be a partner for progress in our capacity and commitment to advance Kentucky."

Gatton, who passed away in April 2022, was a lifelong philanthropist and supporter of UK. He was a 1954 graduate of the university's College of Commerce, and he went on to become an incredibly successful businessman, entrepreneur and investor.

Gatton's gift to CAFE is the latest in a series of donations that have transformed the university, including record-breaking gifts to the Gatton College of Business and Economics, the university's Gatton Student Center and scholarships for students with unmet financial need through the UK LEADS initiative.

Nancy Cox, UK vice president for land-grant engagement and UK CAFE dean, said the college will form a task force of faculty and staff members who will consider how the gift will be used to support the Gatton Foundation's vision for scholarships, academic programming, infrastructure and research.

The University of Kentucky has total enrollment of more than 32,000 students. It has more than 200 academic programs and a $501 million research and development enterprise.

Gatton's strong ties to agriculture trace back to his childhood on a farm in Bremen, Kentucky, in Muhlenberg County, the release said. From an early age, he developed a strong work ethic, selling roadside produce during summers and gradually expanding his sales and clientele. Gatton's knack for business was evident even during his time as a student, as he began selling cars at a local dealership, a venture that later contributed significantly to his success.

While Gatton's agricultural background primarily stems from his father's side of the family, his mother, Edith Martin, came from a banking lineage with deep roots. Drawing inspiration from both his parents and his firsthand experiences on the farm, Gatton acquired invaluable knowledge about entrepreneurship, leadership and the value of hard work. During his freshman year at UK, he put these skills into action and served as the state president of the Kentucky Farmers of America, exemplifying his commitment to applying his agricultural expertise in practical ways.

The gift, as recognized by Bill Gatton Foundation Trustee Danny Dunn, is a testament to Gatton's unwavering belief in the transformative power of higher education, the release said.

Gatton's impact on the University of Kentucky exceeds $180 million. He is the university's single largest donor.

Cox expressed gratitude for the generosity of the Bill Gatton Foundation.

"Our college has served Kentucky and beyond for over 150 years with 'user-inspired science,' aiming to push boundaries in education and service," Cox said in the release. "We are grateful for the confidence placed in us by the Gatton Foundation, which will allow us to both accelerate our land-grant mission and create new programs to serve our citizens."

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