Jean Ritchie, folk singer and UK graduate, being presented the
school's first Founders Day award by President Donovan.
According to the April 4, 1944 Board of Trustees Minutes
President Donovan recommend that the University celebrate the
day of its founding. "Some time ago I requested Professor E. L.
Gillis, who is probably as familiar with the history of the
University as any man connected with it, to study various dates
that might be considered as an appropriate date on which to
celebrate a Founders Day Program. After considerable research,
Professor Gillis has suggested that February 22 would be a very
appropriate time for such a celebration. It was on February 22,
1865, that the General Assembly of Kentucky approved a bill
establishing an Agricultural and Mechanical College in
connection with Kentucky University (now Transylvania).
Therefore, February 22, 1865 is the date on which the University
of Kentucky actually came into existence as a state
institution."