LEXINGTON, Ky. — Democratic Gov. Andy Beshear escalated his criticism Wednesday of University of Kentucky leadership, saying the institution "needs to reconsider its recent actions" and calling for "real oversight" of university decisions. The governor's statement, published on Kentucky Lantern, represents a rare public rebuke from a sitting governor of the state's flagship university.

Beshear's comments came a day after he said he was "losing confidence and growing increasingly concerned" with UK's management, citing two controversial decisions: a new $1 million position for outgoing Athletics Director Mitch Barnhart and the appointment of U.S. District Judge Gregory Van Tatenhove as dean of the J. David Rosenberg College of Law. Barnhart will retire June 30 and assume the newly created role of executive-in-residence for the UK Sport and Workforce Initiative.

"The fact that a political party defended the law school dean's appointment is telling," Beshear said Wednesday. "Kentuckians deserve a nonpartisan university that doesn't waste taxpayer dollars. We also deserve real oversight that will tell UK's administration no when it is making a mistake."

Van Tatenhove, a 1989 UK law alumnus, was appointed despite being the only finalist not recommended by law school faculty. According to published reports, law faculty formally objected to his candidacy in February, with associate deans alerting the provost that faculty felt Van Tatenhove was "unacceptable" as he lacked "qualifications to be granted tenure," which could jeopardize the school's accreditation.

Van Tatenhove, appointed to the federal bench by President George W. Bush and a former staffer to Republican U.S. Sen. Mitch McConnell, is connected to GOP megadonor Joe Craft through travel reimbursements, federal disclosure forms show. Craft, a coal executive, is a UK law alumnus and major donor to the university alongside his wife, former U.S. Ambassador Kelly Craft.

Republican Secretary of State Michael Adams responded to Beshear's criticism Wednesday, calling it a "hatchet job on a respected judge who happens to be a Republican." House Speaker David Osborne and Attorney General Russell Coleman also defended Van Tatenhove, with Osborne noting the judge has "an unwavering respect for the rule of law." Both lawmakers praised UK President Eli Capilouto's leadership.

The UK Board of Trustees meets Thursday and Friday at the Lexington campus.