In the year since his inauguration as the University of Louisville’s 20th president, Gerry Bradley has adopted the theme of “Forward Together” for his administration. In line with that philosophy, UofL is announcing a reconciliation with John Schnatter, founder of Papa John’s and a former member of the university’s Board of Trustees.
“Recently, we had the opportunity to meet with John, who has contributed greatly to the university and the Louisville community over many years,” said Bradley. “In that meeting, we learned a lot of facts and details regarding the circumstances that regrettably led to UofL parting ways with John in 2018.
“While we recognize that the decisions made years ago were based on the information available at the time, we have gained a greater perspective of the facts that have emerged since then. Considering these developments, UofL now acknowledges the university would have approached the situation differently based on our current understanding and believe the best path forward is to unite in our shared commitment to supporting UofL.”
In addition to serving as a trustee, Schnatter was a major benefactor who spearheaded numerous initiatives for UofL, including the creation of its football stadium and the formation of the John H. Schnatter Center for Free Enterprise.
Recent discussions with Schnatter have revealed a desire to re-engage with the university, an appreciation of UofL’s recently adopted five-year strategic plan and an alignment with Bradley’s stated vision for UofL.
“We recognize and greatly appreciate everything John has done for our university and the Greater Louisville community over the years, and we look forward to future collaborations with him that will benefit our students, our faculty and all of Card Nation,” Bradley said. “We are excited about the opportunity to move forward with everyone who embraces the mission and vision of the University of Louisville.”
