Kernel Editorial: Capilouto puts students first in investiture speech

UK officially welcomed Dr. Eli Capilouto as its 12th president Tuesday during his investiture.

The ceremony itself was full of pomp and circumstance, and Capilouto spoke with the quiet dignity he has shown time and again during his first few months in office.

When the president’s medal was placed around his neck, the audience in the Singletary Center rose to its feet, and Capilouto grinned and humbly received the welcome.

Capilouto has only been on campus three and half months, but he seems to have already made an impact on many people.

He has spent his first months at UK listening to the needs of campus, and he seems to recognize the most pressing issues that need to be addressed to move the university forward.

He spoke of the need to update campus buildings, especially classrooms, to offer students better opportunities to prepare for life after UK. The university currently has 12 buildings that should be torn down. He said that a long-term plan for building new facilities is wiser than continually spending money on patching holes each day.

Hearing a president talk about the needs of students is refreshing. UK should be a place that puts students first, and Capilouto seems to know that.

Since he has taken the time to listen to different parties on campus and around the commonwealth, Capilouto seems to know there is no time to waste in making UK a better place for its students and the citizens of this state.

“We cannot wait or be held back because we’re afraid to take the first two steps,” Capilouto said.

Capilouto is just beginning his journey as president, but it appears that he is willing to take the steps in the right direction for his new university.

And his investiture is the perfect time for this — until now — quiet president to start announcing his plans.