Contemporary_history University_of_Kentucky

the engineering plaza.

in 1997, kentucky general assembly reorganized community college system, withdrawing university s jurisdiction lexington community college. other colleges merged kentucky technical college system , placed under separate board of control.

on april 3, 1998, work began on william t. young library, largest university project @ time of completion. six-level william t. young library constructed on south campus , largest book endowment among public university libraries in country. william t. young got fortune selling peanut butter company procter & gamble in 1955. 9 years after completion of william t. young library, on april 13, 2007, entire city block of neighborhood homes demolished , ground broken biological pharmaceutical complex building, largest academic building in state of kentucky, , 1 of largest in united states.

the chemistry-physics building

the biological pharmaceutical complex building complements adjacent biomedical biological science research building, , expected part of new university research campus. other recent announcements include construction of new $450 million albert b. chandler hospital, 1 of largest projects in state s history in terms of size , economic impact.

in 1997, kentucky general assembly formed compact university. top 20 plan mandates university of kentucky becomes top 20 public research university 2020. according compact, states top 20 universities feature higher average household incomes, higher education attainments, healthier lives , more financial security. result, fewer citizens live in poverty , result, fewer public dollars spent on health care. plan spur technological advancements due university-based research , increase marketability of state investors.

the main building in foreground , patterson office tower in background

as part of top 20 plan, university plans to,

the top 20 plan has produced results,

in 2000, finance top 20 plan, university launched campaign university of kentucky , $600 million fundraising effort used enhance facilities, academic programs, public service, , scholarships. passed goal , effort raised $1 billion. in march 2007, $1.022 billion raised, months before fundraising effort set end.

according statewide facilities condition assessment report released on april 4, 2007, university needs $12.5 billion complete 1997 mandate become top 20 institution.

the university of kentucky has endowment of $831.8 million, of 2007. prior endowments $538.4 million in 2005 , $195.1 million in 1997, rapid increases partially attributed top 20 plan. currently, william t. young library book endowment largest among public universities in united states.