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University of Kentucky Settles Defamation Lawsuits with Faculty Member

Photo of students on the University of Kentucky campus

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News Summary

The University of Kentucky has reached a tentative settlement with Buck Ryan, a faculty member involved in defamation lawsuits that date back more than six years. The details of the settlement were confirmed by a university spokesperson, although specific amounts remain undisclosed. The legal battles, initiated by Ryan, revolved around allegations of exploiting his faculty role for personal gain through mandatory student purchases of his book. The resolution of these lawsuits marks a significant shift for both parties as they navigate their future in the academic landscape.

Lexington, KY — The University of Kentucky has reached a tentative settlement with Buck Ryan, a tenured faculty member in the School of Journalism and Media, in a series of defamation lawsuits that have spanned over six years. The settlement was confirmed on May 9, 2025, by UK spokesperson Jay Blanton, although the specific amounts involved have not been publicly disclosed.

Buck Ryan initiated the legal proceedings with a civil lawsuit filed in December 2019 against UK’s provost, David Blackwell, and chief audit executive Joseph Reed. The lawsuit claimed defamation stemming from allegations that Ryan exploited his faculty position for personal financial gain by mandating students to purchase a book he authored.

In addition to the first lawsuit, Ryan subsequently filed a second defamation lawsuit in December 2019. This suit involved the school’s board of trustees and a student who had filed a Title IX complaint against him. Throughout the duration of the lawsuits, Ryan remained a paid employee of the university. Records indicate he earned $123,210 during the 2024-2025 academic year, and as of May 2025, he was still on the university’s payroll.

Chris Blanton, the UK spokesperson, emphasized that the university was pleased to see the legal disputes resolved, especially after a prolonged period of uncertainty for both the institution and Ryan. However, Robert Abell, Ryan’s attorney, was unavailable for comment on the day the settlement was announced, leaving several questions regarding the outcome and future implications unanswered.

The backdrop to these legal actions involves a series of events dating back to November 2018 when Ryan was notified by university officials that he would no longer be teaching Journalism 101. This decision was reportedly influenced by student complaints regarding his teaching performance, as well as a notable decline in course enrollment.

In a further escalation of the situation, Ryan filed a third lawsuit in late 2019 in federal court, accusing the university of defamation and retaliation following his contestation of attempts to terminate his employment. However, this federal lawsuit was dismissed by U.S. District Court Judge Karen Caldwell in November 2019, adding to the complexities surrounding his legal battles against the university.

The tentative settlement signifies a significant moment for both Buck Ryan and the University of Kentucky, suggesting that both parties may prefer to move past the litigation and focus on their respective futures. The outcome of the settlement may influence not just Ryan’s ongoing position at the university but also the larger conversation about faculty conduct, student rights, and institutional responses to allegations in academic settings.

As this situation evolves, the specifics of the settlement and any potential changes in Ryan’s role at the University of Kentucky remain a point of interest for both the academic community and the public.