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University of Kentucky Receives $2.5M Donation Toward Renovation Project

  • By Matt Jones
  • 12/12/24

The University of Kentucky in Lexington, Ky., recently announced that it has accepted a $2.5-million donation that will transform Pence Hall into the home of the university’s College of Communication and Information, according to a news release. The gift came from Misdee Wrigley Miller, philanthropist, entrepreneur, horsewoman, and journalist; and her husband, businessman and polo player James Miller.

The project will add 24,000 square feet to the existing building, which will house the Dean’s Office, Department of Communication, School of Journalism and Media, Student Success, Student Media, Technology Services, and more, according to the university website. New amenities will include five classrooms, a large auditorium space, a seminar room, two computer labs, a whitebox studio, and indoor and outdoor gathering spaces. The project has a total cost of $32 million and an estimated completion date of summer 2025.

“Kentucky offers everything visually that is needed to produce films and TV shows — beautiful rolling hills, lakes, charming small towns, urban areas, horse farms, bourbon distilleries,” said Wrigley Miller, who serves as the owner and CEO of Wrigley Media Group and LEX Studios. “The people element is where a substantial amount of growth and opportunity lies. My goal in supporting the future home of the UK College of Communication and Information is to expand and enrich the educational opportunities offered in Kentucky. The results will be an educated, local crew base that is skilled to produce the film and TV industry work that is headed our way. The film and TV crews that are coming to Kentucky need to hire Kentuckians… and they will!”

The project is part of the university’s Asset Preservation initiative, which aims to preserve existing campus buildings and create future-ready learning spaces. The university has also announced that the building’s administrative level and second-floor auditorium will be named in Wrigley Miller’s honor, according to the news release.

About the Author

Matt Jones is senior editor of Spaces4Learning. He can be reached at [email protected].

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