The University of Kentucky has announced a $22 million gift in support of its College of Medicine from alumnus Michael D. Rankin ('80).

The second-largest gift in university history includes $12 million for the existing Michael Rankin MD Community Scholarship Endowment, which assists medical students from rural Kentucky counties with unmet financial need. The remaining $10 million will help fund construction of a health education building that will include approximately 380,000 square feet for classrooms; simulation suites; conference rooms; support for newer technologies such as distance learning, immersive video, and telemedicine instruction; and office and support space for the College of Medicine, College of Public Health, and other healthcare-related colleges.

Rankin has served as president of the UK Medical Alumni Association and associated board, as chair of the Dean's Advisory Council, and as a volunteer faculty in the UK Department of Family and Community Medicine.

"I felt strongly that it was important for me to step up and establish a scholarship so students could concentrate on their studies and not have to worry about food insecurity or where they were going to live," said Rankin, who worked for six years as an electrical engineer to help pay for medical school. "We need more doctors from all across the state, and if this helps support students who otherwise would have difficulty completing their studies, then we have accomplished our goal."