McConnell Center hosts 35th anniversary celebration

The McConnell Center celebrated its 35th anniversary on September 18, 2026, with a special event at the Speed Art Museum. The evening brought together McConnell Scholar alumni and current students, University of Louisville faculty and staff, past and present participants in the Teacher Scholars Program and Strategic Broadening Seminar, and friends and supporters of the Center to honor three and a half decades of leadership, civic education and public service.

The celebration recognized the many individuals whose vision, dedication and generosity helped establish the McConnell Center and shape its legacy.

A cherished McConnell Center tradition is the presentation of personalized Louisville Slugger bats to distinguished speakers and every student who graduates from the four-year McConnell Scholars Program. Because this tradition was not introduced until the late 2000s, Kathleen Price, Alumni Relations Coordinator for the McConnell Scholars Student Council, joined Dr. Gary Gregg, director of the McConnell Center, in presenting bats to alumni in attendance who had not yet received one.

Dr. Gregg also announced a new distinction, the Key to the McConnell Center, recognizing individuals whose extraordinary contributions have made a lasting impact on the Center and its students. The inaugural honoree will be Senator Mitch McConnell, whose award will be presented at a later date. Five additional honorees were recognized during the celebration:

• Elaine Chao, 18th U.S. Secretary of Transportation and 24th U.S. Secretary of Labor
• Paul Weber, McConnell Center founding director (represented by Maddie Reno)
• Jenny Sawyer, University of Louisville director of admissions
• John Kleber, Senior McConnell Center fellow and Kentucky historian
• Dale Billingsley, University of Louisville professor emeritus of English

The evening also featured remarks from individuals whose lives and careers have been shaped by the McConnell Center and its mission. Speakers reflected on Senator McConnell's influence, the Center's impact on the University of Louisville and the Commonwealth of Kentucky, and the importance of providing exceptional educational opportunities to the state's most promising students.

Speakers included:

• Grace Fields, chair of the McConnell Scholars Council
• Christy Trout Von Tatenhove '99, McConnell Scholar alumna, who offered a toast in memory of the program's former director, the late Paul Weber
• Bridget Bush, chair of the McConnell Center Board of Advisors
• Dr. Gerry Bradley, 20th president of the University of Louisville
• Rep. David Osborne, speaker of the Kentucky House of Representatives
• Secretary Elaine Chao, 18th U.S. Secretary of Transportation and 24th U.S. Secretary of Labor
• Dr. Gary Gregg, director of the McConnell Center

Dr. Gregg concluded the evening by thanking guests and speakers for their support and reflecting on his more than 25 years as director of the McConnell Center. He shared memories of the friendships, intellectual growth and meaningful experiences that have defined his time with the Center.

As the celebration drew to a close, Dr. Gregg welcomed guests to the next chapter of the McConnell Center and highlighted a new project produced by the Center this year. The new publication, Distinction and Diversity: The McConnell Center Distinguished Speakers Series since 1993, celebrates the Center's Distinguished Speakers Series, which began on October 5, 1993, with a visit from former U.S. Secretary of State George Shultz. Over the past three decades, the series has brought an extraordinary range of distinguished voices to the University of Louisville. Each visit has offered students and the wider community a valuable opportunity to learn from influential leaders and thinkers.

The McConnell Center is grateful to everyone who has contributed to its first 35 years and looks forward to continuing its mission of developing informed, engaged, and principled leaders.

To learn more about Distinction and Diversity or purchase a copy, visit the McConnell Center's publication page.