David Roselle, Former University of Kentucky President dies at 84

Former University of Kentucky President David Roselle passed away on Monday, April 15, 2024, according to a letter from his family.

Roselle, aged 84, died “after a brief illness,” as stated in a draft of an obituary shared by his son, Arthur Roselle.

Current UK President Eli Capilouto paid tribute to Roselle, describing him as an “outstanding leader in higher education” who left a “profoundly important and positive impact” on the university.

“His tenure at UK in the late 1980s was marked by innovations in technology, the growth of our institution as a nationally recognized research institution, and a steadfast commitment to integrity in all aspects of our university,” Capilouto remarked. “He never wavered in his belief in the mission of institutions like ours and the importance of always doing things the right way.”

Roselle served as the president of UK from 1987 to 1989, during a challenging period when the university’s basketball program faced scrutiny from the NCAA.

After his time at UK, Roselle went on to lead the University of Delaware for 17 years. He later served as the executive director of the Winterthur Museum in Wilmington, Delaware, for over a decade until 2018.

Survived by his wife, Louise, their son Arthur and daughter Cynthia Koenig, along with their respective spouses and five grandchildren, Roselle’s funeral arrangements are yet to be announced.