Lafferty Society

The Lafferty Society was established in 1977 to encourage giving to the College by its most supportive graduates and friends. It brings together individuals who share a desire to provide enduring and generous support and services for the College. Lafferty Society Fellows, most but not all of whom are graduates of the College of Law, assume a special role in the College community.

To qualify for membership in the Lafferty Society, one can make a gift to the University of $10,000 or more in cash, securities or personal property having this accepted appraised value; indicate the intention to contribute $10,000 or more to the College within a ten-year period (such a pledge to be payable at the rate of $1,000 or more annually); or signify, by appropriate means, the intention to give $50,000 or more by means of a bequest, some form of permanent life insurance, or with a charitable remainder or other trust agreement. Such gifts qualify the donor for the designation ãUniversity Fellow, and, if half or more of the gift is for the College of Law, for membership in the Lafferty Society.

The qualifying gift to the College may be unrestricted, or it may be designated for a special use within the College agreed to by the donor and the College.

The Lafferty Society is named in honor of Judge William T. Lafferty, a native of Cynthiana, Kentucky. Judge Lafferty was a graduate of State College, the predecessor of the University of Kentucky. He was a practitioner, judge, legislator, and was the moving force behind the creation of the University and the founding of the College of Law. Judge Lafferty served as the first Dean of the College of Law, from the founding of the law school in 1908 until his death in 1922.

The Lafferty Society is a memorial to this individual. It exists today to advance his ambitions for the University and the College of Law, and his devotion to the pursuit of excellence in legal education.