
Get in Touch
Contact Information
Do you have an interest or passion for the humanities? We welcome inquiries and potential partnerships from all students, staff, faculty and the community at large.
- Phone: 859-257-1537
- Fax: 859-257-4543
- Address: 218 E. Maxwell St. Lexington, KY 40506 (upstairs of Bingham Davis House)
The Gaines office is open weekdays from 8:00 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. throughout the academic year. Those needing accessibility accommodations are encouraged to reach out prior their visit so that Gaines staff may provide adequate options.
Gaines Board
The Gaines Center is proud to have support from these outstanding Kentuckians who wish to use their passion and influence to improve humanities throughout the Commonwealth.
Jennifer B. Coffman
Jennifer is a former Gaines Fellow and retired U.S. District Judge for Eastern and Western Districts of Kentucky.
Clay Dunn
Clay is the Online Community Director at Share Our Strength and creator/writer of TheBitenWord.com.
John Edinger
"Jed" is co-owner of J. Edinger & Son, Inc. a family-owned and operated truck equipment company that specializes in the fabrication, installation and servicing of a variety of vocational vehicles.
Carol Farmer
Carol Farmer is active advocate for Kentucky's equine industry and owner of Shadowlawn Farm in Midway, KY.
Melody Flowers
Melody is a former Gaines Fellow and currently services as the University of Kentucky's Executive Director for Strategic Analysis and Policy.
Joan B. Gaines
Joan Gaines, and her husband John, founded the UK Gaines Center for the Humanities in 1984.
Thomas Gaines
Thomas is the CEO of KBC International Inc. and Gaines Thoroughbreds. He is the son of the Center founders John and Joan Gaines.
Jim Gray
Jim Gray is the Secretary of Transportation for the Commonwealth of Kentucky and former Lexington Mayor.
Steve Grossman (Chair)
Steve is the Senior Vice President of Hilliard Lyons and Chair of the Board of Trustees for the Lexington Downtown Development Authority.
Donna S. Hall
Donna is an active philanthropist who supports a number of organizations such as the Everglades Foundation Chairman’s Advisory Council, the Naples Botanical Garden board and Berea College's Board of Trustees.
Adam Kegley
Adam is a former Gaines Fellow and member of Frost, Brown, Todd LLC.
Josephine D. Richardson
Josephine is a restaurateur and bookshop owner based in Whitesburg, KY where she is an active advocate for Appalachian writers, artisans and craftspeople.
Daniel Rowland
Dan is professor emeritus in the University of Kentucky Department of History and former director of the Gaines Center.
Josh Santana
Josh is a founding partner at Santana and Fay, LLC.
Scott Shapiro
Scott is a senior advisor in the Lexington Mayor's Office and former Gaines Fellow.
Jay Varellas
Jay is a partner of Varellas & Varellas in Lexington, a past recipient of the prestigious Truman Scholarship and former Gaines Fellow.
Holly Wiedemann
Holly is founding principal and President of AU Associates, Inc. She has specifically worked in the renovation, creation, adaptive reuse, and development of affordable housing since 1986. She serves on multiple boards including Lexington Center/Rupp Arena Board, the Cleveland Branch of the Federal Reserve Bank, National Housing and Rehabilitation Association, the Triangle Foundation and Fayette Alliance.
James Woolery
James is the founder and managing partner of Woolery & Co in New York City.
Gaines Faculty Advisory Committee
Stephen Davis
Stephen Davis is an Associate Professor in the College of Arts & Sciences. He is affiliated with the Department of African American and Africana Studies, the Department of History, the Social Theory Program, and the Commonwealth Institute for Black Studies.
Herman D. Farrell III
Herman D. Farrell III is a Professor in the College of Fine Arts, Department of Theatre and Dance.
Karyn Hinkle
Karyn Hinkle, a Gaines alumna, is a visual and performing arts librarian based in the Lucille Caudill Little Fine Arts Library.
Lou Hirsch
Lou Hirsch is an Assistant Professor in the College of Agriculture, Food, and Environment, Department of Plant Pathology.
Gail Hoyt
Gail Hoyt is a Professor of Economics in the Gatton College of Business and Economics.
Darshak Patel
Darshak Patel is a Senior Lecturer of Economics in the Gatton College of Business and Economics.
Rebekah Radtke
Rebekah Radtke is an Associate Professor in the College of Design, School of Interiors.
Leon Sachs
Leon Sachs is an Associate Professor in the College of Arts & Sciences, Department of Modern and Classical Languages, Literatures, and Cultures.
Ryan Voogt
Ryan Voogt is a Lecturer in the Lewis Honors College.
Crystal Wilkinson
Crystal Wilkinson is an Associate Professor in the College of Arts & Sciences. She is affiliated with the Department of English, the Appalachian Center, the Department of African American and Africana Studies, and the Commonwealth Institute for Black Studies.