The University of Kentucky held a dedication ceremony on June 13 to honor Woodland Glen III being renamed Stanley and Karen Pigman Hall.

The ceremony was held to “recognize Stanley and Karen Pigman’s impact on the college,” according to a press release from UK issued the following day.

Pigman Hall houses students in the UK’s College of Engineering Living Learning Program (ELLP). 

According to the ELLP website, Pigman Hall has “state-of-the-art classrooms where students can participate in first-year engineering courses.”

This residential experience integrates students into the engineering community with academic and professional development programs. 

UK president Eli Capilouto spoke at the ceremony alongside other special guests such as the Dean of the College of Engineering Rudy Bucheit, according to the release.

“Our university is better because of Stan and Karen,” Capilouto said.

Stanley Pigman accepted a scholarship from UK to study mining engineering and graduated with a bachelor’s in engineering in 1981, the release said.

From then on, Pigman was dedicated to transforming the lives of students.

According to the release, Karen Pigman graduated in 1975 from Western Carolina University. Though she earned her degree in interior design, she is a full-time philanthropist and spends time mentoring students at UK. 

The Pigmans have financially supported the engineering students of UK for more than two decades.

The release said the L. Stanley Pigman Scholarship Program supports over 120 undergraduate engineering students.

The Pigman’s philanthropic impact to UK totals over $55 million today.

Capilouto attributed the changes to be made by the next generation of engineers to Stanley and Karen Pigman’s devotion to UK engineering students, according to the release. 

“Because of the Pigman’s generosity, hundreds – and eventually thousands – of engineers will help advance our Commonwealth, country and world,” Capilouto said.