UK Board Chairman Edward T. "Ned" Breathitt cited the suggestions of several fellow board members, along with numerous alumni and friends, as the reason for today’s action. "We believe that President Wethington is doing an outstanding job of leading this institution and we wanted to send a clear signal that his leadership will continue."

Breathitt, a former Kentucky governor, said it is "exceedingly important that the University of Kentucky continue its lead role in ensuring the successful achievement of the goals set forth by Governor Patton and the General Assembly with regard to the Research Challenge Trust Fund and the entire initiative to enhance higher education in the Commonwealth."

The Board of Trustees authorized Breathitt to negotiate specific salary terms of Wethington’s contract extension. Breathitt said he will survey UK’s benchmark institutions, other universities in the Southeastern Conference, and "each and every member of the board" in determining the final terms of the contract.

Breathitt said that a search committee to select the next UK president likely would be formed during the year 2002 to ensure an orderly transition to a new administration.