By Ralph Derickson

The board created a College of Design, combining the School of Interior Design (presently in the College of Human Environmental Sciences), a new School of Architecture (replacing the College of Architecture) and a new Department of Historic Preservation (presently the Master of Historic Preservation program in the College of Architecture).

Richard Barbella

Barbella Speaks to the UK Board of Trustees

Michael T. Nietzel,
UK provost

Wendy Baldwin,
UK vice president for research

Paul Van Booven,
UK general counsel

Lexington, Ky. (Oct. 29, 2002) -- The University of Kentucky Board of Trustees today filled three central administrative posts, appointing Michael T. Nietzel as the university's first provost, UK graduate Wendy Baldwin as vice president for research, and UK College of Law graduate Paul C. Van Booven as UK's new general counsel.

The board also accepted a $1 million gift from Powerball winner Richard A. Barbella, a UK graduate and 28-year employee. The gift will be used to create and establish the Richard A. Barbella General Fund Endowment.

"This generous gift to UK's general fund will allow us to use the money where we need it the most - salaries, scholarships or other operations or projects," UK President Lee T. Todd Jr. said. "Mr. Barbella's gift to the University of Kentucky is a testament of his love and loyalty for his alma mater."

Barbella, a budget administrator at UK, won a $41.5 million Powerball jackpot in July. He holds both a bachelor's and master's degree from UK. He will retire on Nov. 1, 2002.

In other action, the board created a College of Design, combining the School of Interior Design (presently in the College of Human Environmental Sciences), a new School of Architecture (replacing the College of Architecture) and a new Department of Historic Preservation (presently the Master of Historic Preservation program in the College of Architecture).

Discussion of merging these disciplines has taken place at UK for the past two years. The faculties from the affected programs reviewed the issue thoroughly, and professional organizations and visiting committees for the programs encouraged the movement to a College of Design. The changes were among many recommended by a UK Futures Task Force appointed by President Todd soon after he assumed office last year.

Nietzel has been acting provost since July 2001, when Todd moved the university from a chancellor style of governance to a provost system. Nietzel's former UK administrative posts include dean of the Graduate School (1997-2001), chairman of the Department of Psychology (1991-1997), and three terms as director of the Clinical Psychology Program during the 1970s and 1980s.

Nietzel received his undergraduate degree from Wheaton College and his master's and doctorate degrees in clinical psychology from the University of Illinois, Urbana-Champaign. He is a professor of psychology, with a joint appointment in the UK College of Law. He is a licensed clinical psychologist with a specialization in forensic psychology. He has authored or co-authored 13 books on clinical and forensic psychology.

"Dr. Nietzel is an outstanding academician and academic leader," said Todd. "He knows the university and its people, and his loyalty and commitment to the university are unparalleled. He had an outstanding year as acting provost, and I am totally confident that he is the best choice."

As deputy director of Extramural Research at the National Institutes of Health (NIH), Baldwin advises the director on extramural policy issues and is responsible for developing and overseeing policies and procedures for extramural research and training programs. In addition, she works closely with other federal agencies and private foundations to develop co-funding for strategic initiatives.

She graduated magna cum laude from Stetson University, Deland, Fla., in 1967 with a bachelor's degree in sociology and received her master's and doctorate degrees from UK in 1970 and 1973, respectively. In 1973, Baldwin began a 20-year period of service to the National Institute of Child Health and Human Development. Since 1993, Baldwin has served in her current capacity at NIH.

UK's new general counsel, Van Booven, has been with the UK Office of Legal Counsel since 1989. A UK College of Law graduate, Van Booven has served as managing editor of the Kentucky Law Journal, assistant dean of the college from 1976 to 1979, associate dean from 1979 through 1989, and chair of the University Judicial Board from 1980 through 1989.

A native of Hopkinsville, Van Booven has a bachelor of arts degree in economics from DePauw University. Before being named UK's general counsel, Van Booven served as acting general counsel twice, from April through September in 1994 and from May of this year until today.