Hardymon gift advances UK's flagship financial wellness program

LEXINGTON, Ky. — A $1 million gift from a University of Kentucky alumnus is expanding the reach of UK Invests, the university's groundbreaking financial education initiative that combines investment accounts with rewards for healthy behaviors, according to a university announcement.

James F. Hardymon, a retired corporate executive and former board chair, donated the funds to strengthen UK Invests, bringing his total support of the program to $2 million. The UK Invests initiative, launched in 2022, has become a national model for integrating financial literacy education with student success initiatives.

The program allows students to complete online financial education modules, open brokerage accounts and earn monetary rewards for participating in activities tied to campus life and wellness. Students can earn up to $500 annually by attending financial literacy sessions, building employability skills, participating in campus events and prioritizing physical and mental health. The earned funds are deposited directly into individual investment accounts managed through a partnership with Fidelity Investments.

Early results demonstrate measurable impact on student success. In the 2024 cohort, first-year students with UK Invests accounts earned a 3.27 grade point average, compared to 2.93 for those without accounts. Retention rates also show significant differences: 89 percent of participating students returned for a second fall, compared to 81 percent of non-participants. Since its inception, more than 14,000 students have earned over $2.4 million through the program, which now holds combined student asset values exceeding $6.2 million.

"UK Invests reflects our commitment to preparing students not only for careers, but for lives of meaning and purpose," said Kirsten Turner, vice president for Student Success. "With this generous support, we can deepen and expand access to financial education across our campus community."

Hardymon, a native of Maysville, earned bachelor's and master's degrees in civil engineering from UK in 1956 and 1958. After military service, he built a distinguished career that included executive roles at Emerson Electric and serving as CEO of Textron Inc. He has maintained deep ties to the university through service on the Board of Trustees from 1992-1999 and 2003-2009. His generosity extends across campus, with several facilities bearing his name, including the James F. Hardymon Building and the James and Gay Hardymon Center for Student Success.

UK Invests remains available to all undergraduate, graduate and professional students, as well as university employees, distinguishing UK as a national leader in addressing student financial security during and after college.