Midway University trustee pledges $2 million to school

By Matthew Hunter

University of Kentucky School of Journalism and Media

Long-time Midway University trustee Jan Hunter announced at the trustees’ November meeting her family’s intention to donate $2 million to the school over the next two years.

Hunter (2006 photo)

In a university press release, Hunter commented on the timing of the announcement. "I recently heard someone say that 'The opportunity of a lifetime must be taken during the lifetime of the opportunity' and that spoke to me," she said. “There are so many positive things happening at Midway and we need to invest in the institution and rally others to do the same to keep building on our current momentum."

After years of falling enrollment, Midway welcomed men as undergraduates this fall and received its largest incoming class. To accommodate the growth and expansion, its residence halls and athletic facilities need enhancement, President Dr. John P. Marsden said.

“We plan to utilize this gift in the way that will touch the most students – improving their living space and enhancing our student center and athletic facilities,” Marsden said in the release, which said the school’s leadership team will draw out specifics “over the next few months” on how and where the funds will be spent.

This isn’t the first time the Hunters have been generous to the university. In 2013, Hunter and her husband, Dick, pledged $500,000 to the school shortly after Marsden started his tenure.  In February, she and trustee Belinda Metzger each gave $25,000 for upgrading athletic facilities.

Hunter has been a trustee since November 2000. She and her husband own Hunter Industries Inc. in San Diego, California, which manufactures irrigation systems.