Ramsey's top supporter quits foundation board

Dr. Bob Hughes, who was the strongest supporter of ex-University of Louisville President James Ramsey, is resigning his seat on the university’s foundation board.

Hughes, who unsuccessfully fought to retain Ramsey as president of the university and foundation, sent a copy of his resignation letter on Tuesday to the Courier-Journal.

In the one-page letter addressed to Brucie Moore, who succeeded him as foundation chairman after the board of trustees demanded changes in its leadership, Hughes said that “over the past year,” it had become “increasingly difficult for me personally” to watch the work of Ramsey and his top aides “attacked and halted to the detriment of the university and the individuals who worked so hard to support it.”

Hughes said the work of Ramsey, former Provost Shirley Willihnganz and chief of staff Kathleen Smith was “transformational.”

Willihnganz retired as provost but remains at the university as a professor. Smith retired from the university and has been placed on paid leave at the foundation. Ramsey was forced to resign as university and foundation president.

Hughes, a physician who practices in Murray and remains on the board of trustees, says in the letter that he wishes “nothing but the best” for the university and foundation. But he adds that he has seen “many loyal donors and supporters being attacked publicly and privately” for supporting Ramsey’s “remarkable team that brought so many successes” to the university.

Hughes opposed a proposed no-confidence vote on Ramsey in March that was thwarted for procedural reasons. He also supported Gov. Matt Bevin’s decision to abolish the old board and appoint a new one – moves that Franklin Circuit Judge Phillip Shepherd has found unconstitutional. Bevin’s office has asked Shepherd to reconsider his ruling.

Under the threat of being sued by the board of trustees, the foundation took several steps, including removing two officers – one of them Hughes – and agreeing to hire an outside firm to conduct a forensic audit.

Larry Benz, chairman of the board of trustees, had called the foundation a community “eyesore,” citing its lack of transparency and allegations that it had misspent endowment and other funds it controls.

In closing, Hughes said in the letter that “it is time that I take a backseat and allow events to take their course for I can no longer alter nor influence them.”

Dr. Neville Pinto, the university's acting president, declined to comment. Foundation chair Brucie Moore issued a statement Tuesday evening.

“I regret that Dr. Hughes doesn’t agree with the direction the Foundation is now taking," Moore said said. "I’ve always considered Dr. Hughes a friend, and I believe he has rendered faithful service to the University and its Foundation. Bob has given generously of his time and treasure for the good of U of L, and for that he is to be commended.

“As foundation chairwoman, I am committed to building confidence among key stakeholders such as faculty, staff, students, donors, and alumni in an organization that is vital to the future success of the University of Louisville. We are making great progress in the areas of transparency and the restoration of a harmonious relationship with the Board of Trustees, and we will continue on that path.”

Reporter Andrew Wolfson can be reached at (502) 582-7189 or awolfson@courier-journal.com