University of Pikeville on Founders Day announced the public phase of a $50,000,000 capital campaign after raising $38,071,704 during a private "silent" phase, university speakers said. The campaign will prioritize the Tanner College of Dental Medicine, a 500‑acre athletic complex called Bear Mountain, and expanded student scholarships.

The campaign, which university speakers said began in January 2023, reached the commonly used fundraising threshold—securing roughly 75% of the $50 million goal—before the public launch. Laura Damron, assistant vice president for advancement and alumni relations, said the public phase will include broader marketing and outreach to invite smaller gifts from alumni and community members.

The university described a three‑pronged strategy for the campaign: (1) build the Tanner College of Dental Medicine, which university speakers said is planned as an accelerated three‑year dental program intended to put dentists into underserved communities sooner; (2) develop Bear Mountain, a 500‑acre athletic complex university leaders said will benefit both students and the surrounding community; and (3) expand scholarships to support students from Appalachia.

Will Tanner, newly accepted to the university's board of trustees, told the audience he and his family are committed to the region and to UPIKE’s mission. "This institution is a force for so much good throughout Appalachia, for education in general and for health care in particular," Tanner said, describing family ties to eastern Kentucky and the rationale for philanthropic support.

Speakers said the university engaged a fundraising consultant, Ashley Roundtree of Louisville, to assess capacity and recommended a realistic goal; university leaders said they negotiated with the consultant and set the $50 million target. Officials also said the university’s grants office will continue pursuing grant funding alongside private philanthropy but that the campaign is expected to be funded primarily by private gifts.

University speakers described the campaign's fundraising strategy: the silent phase targeted large gifts and major donors to reach roughly 75% of the goal before the public announcement. Damron said the public phase will shift to wider community appeals — for example, asking for gifts at various levels such as $100 and $1,000 to broaden participation.

Chairman Dotson, chair of the university’s board of trustees, and other trustees attended the announcement. Dotson urged support for the campaign, telling the audience that "giving back is important" and recounting personal examples of donors whose gifts helped the university grow. Speakers credited the Tanner family and other major donors with helping the campaign reach its current milestone.

University leaders framed the campaign as aimed at improving rural health care and educational opportunity across Appalachia by accelerating professional training and expanding student aid. They said a three‑year dental program is intended to shorten training time compared with a conventional four‑year program so new dentists enter communities sooner and with less debt, though specific accreditation or timeline details were not provided at the event.

The university said it had raised $38,071,704 toward the $50,000,000 target and is moving to public outreach to secure the remaining funds. Founders Day festivities, including a campus picnic, followed the announcement.

Notes on what was not specified in the meeting: the announcement did not specify an exact construction timeline or projected operating budget for the Tanner College of Dental Medicine, the anticipated capital costs beyond the $50 million campaign goal, specific donor gift amounts beyond aggregated totals, or accreditation steps and timelines for the proposed three‑year dental curriculum.