July 17, 2025

University of Kentucky Settles Lawsuits with Professor

News Summary

The University of Kentucky has agreed to pay $500,000 to journalism professor Buck Ryan to settle two lawsuits, ending a contentious legal battle over defamation allegations from university officials. The resolution allows the university to cease investigations against Ryan, who has since retired. Ryan expressed a sense of vindication from the settlement, which signifies a complex conclusion to the disputes that impacted his career as a faculty member.

Lexington, Kentucky – The University of Kentucky has agreed to pay $500,000 to settle two lawsuits filed by journalism professor Buck Ryan, bringing an end to a two-year legal battle. The controversial case centered around allegations of defamation stemming from accusations made against Ryan by university officials.

Buck Ryan, a tenured faculty member at the University’s School of Journalism and Media, filed the first civil lawsuit in December 2019 in Fayette Circuit Court against then-provost David Blackwell and chief audit executive Joseph Reed. Ryan claimed that he was defamed when university leaders accused him of misusing his faculty position for financial gain by requiring students to purchase a book he authored.

In a second lawsuit, also filed in December 2019, Ryan targeted the university’s Board of Trustees and a student who lodged a Title IX complaint concerning Ryan. This complaint was part of a larger investigation that could have potentially led to the termination of his employment at the university.

As part of the resolution of this litigation, the University of Kentucky has agreed to cease its ongoing investigation into Ryan. Despite being embroiled in legal disputes, Ryan remained on the university’s payroll for six years, although he was not in a teaching role during much of that time. Instead, he took on various administrative positions.

University records indicate that Ryan earned $123,210 for the 2024-2025 school year. Having recently retired, he is also expected to receive professor emeritus status at the university, which honors retired faculty members who have made significant contributions to their field.

In the aftermath of the lawsuits, Ryan’s attorney confirmed that the professor feels a sense of vindication from the settlement outcome, which has also allowed the university to move forward from the contentious situation. A spokesperson for the University stated that they are pleased to have resolved the lawsuits and that they consider the matter concluded.

Background on the Lawsuits

The initial defamation lawsuit was a direct reaction to the university’s allegations against Ryan, suggesting unethical behavior in his professional conduct. These claims were serious as they implied that Ryan was leveraging his academic position for personal profit through the sale of his book, which he required students to buy as part of the course materials.

The subsequent lawsuit against the Board of Trustees and the student stemmed from the broader implications of the initial claims. Ryan’s academic career faced potential jeopardy, prompting him to take legal action to defend his reputation and seek redress for the perceived injustices he encountered.

Future Implications

The financial settlement provides Ryan with a measure of reassurance as he steps into retirement. It signifies a complex end to a tumultuous period characterized by legal disputes and allegations that impacted his professional life. The resolution allows both parties to move on, with Ryan planning to enjoy his newly attained emeritus status, while the university can focus on rebuilding trust within its academic community.

The outcome remains a significant point of discussion within academic circles, emphasizing the importance of safeguarding faculty members’ reputations against unfounded claims and ensuring that appropriate processes are in place for addressing grievances within educational institutions.