Steve Wilson’s resignation from the UofL board

Good news that Steve Wilson has resigned from the University of Louisville board of trustees, saying he wanted to open up a spot for an African American on the board. He often seemed to be working against the university.

Wilson has been a source of irritation for many of the school’s supporters. He suggested for one thing that the UofL Foundation be folded into the university and overseen by the board of trustees. The problem with that is the foundation would be subject to the dictates of political appointees appointed by the Governor.

Politics being what they are in Kentucky, with a state administration often headed by UK graduates, the loss of an autonomous UofL Foundation could be a major blow to the university.

Wilson went so far as to request that the UofL Foundation be audited by State Auditor Ben Edelen. A recipient of a political contribution from a member of the Wilson family during his 2014 election campaign, Edelen agreed to do so. Possibly just a coincidence but Wilson is obviously looking forward to the results of the audit.

He was also critical of the remuneration arrangements for President Jim Ramsey and key members of his staff who have been responsible for numerous breakthroughs for the university. Among them, a successful fundraising drive to raise the university’s endowment to over $1 billion for the first time and UofL’s inclusion into the prestigious Atlantic Coast Conference.

Wilson reportedly submitted an earlier resignation to the Governor about a year ago. However, Governor Steve Beshear, a UK graduate, refused to accept it, urging Wilson to stay on. Recently Beshear appointed Larry Hayes, former secretary of the state’s economic development cabinet, to the board, replacing Dr. Kevin Cosby and leaving the board without an African American member.

Wilson never seemed to fit in with the board. The Governor’s misstep over the lack of minority participation on the board provided a convenient opportunity for Wilson to step aside.