Kentucky University Presidents Applaud McConnell's Direct Help For Kentucky Universities.

The Presidents of Kentucky's largest universities (pictured with Senator Mitch McConnell, who is at the top end) are on your near right, James Ramsey of U of L. On top, to your near right is Gary Ransdell of WKU, followed by James Votruba of NKU) have penned an op-ed praising Kentucky's Senior Senator, Mitch McConnell, for all the great things he has done on behalf of Kentucky's higher education. Here are excerpts:

Sen. Mitch McConnell has used his seniority and considerable influence in the United States Senate to move Kentucky's universities forward in extraordinary ways that allow us to serve Kentuckians and improve the quality of life for our commonwealth's citizens. ...

We would argue that federal dollars are going to be spent, and we much prefer to have them spent at Kentucky's universities where we know best how to solve real-life problems that plague Kentuckians than at universities that will never touch the lives of Kentuckians. ...

To lose the critical federal funding that Sen. McConnell directs to Kentucky's universities would be devastating. Those federal funds not only benefit our universities, but they directly impact Kentuckians who badly need the services and programs these funds support.

So together we thank Sen. McConnell for what he has done to help us advance higher education in Kentucky. He certainly does deserve proper credit, and we'll continue to thank him when an opportunity is presented.

James Ramsey is president of University of Louisville, Gary A. Ransdell is president of Western Kentucky University, and James C. Votruba is president of Northern Kentucky University.