Kim Dobbs and five students at the Bearcat Bench

UC scholarship recipients and donor enjoy bond

Kim Dobbs says philanthropy rooted in gratitude and friendship

By Julia Mace Email Julia

6 minute read July 24, 2025

These student-athletes benefit from scholarships created by Kim and her late husband, Robert (Bob) Dobbs, BBA ’76, MBA ’88. In 2024, Dobbs made a planned gift supporting four scholarships for student-athletes on UC’s dance team, women’s tennis, the volleyball team and UC cheerleaders. These scholarships have supported 15 students since their inception. Dobbs has been giving to the university since 1978.

Dobbs and the students regularly dine together and talk about an upcoming gathering. Current scholarship recipients are Brooke Atwood, CECH ’26, a member of UC’s dance team; Callie Flanagan, CAHS, ‘25, a member of UC women’s tennis; Janelle Green, CECH ‘27 a member of UC’s volleyball team; and Jordan Chaitoff, CECH ’27; Macaylee Nelson, CECH ’27 and Reid Ryan, CECH ’26, UC cheerleaders.

A Bearcat family

The student-athletes say that Dobbs’ generosity extends far beyond scholarship support. She attends games and matches, hosts dinners — 60 cheerleaders have been at her house at one time — and meets parents.

“I have had the opportunity to create relationships with other student-athletes that I probably would have never met without Kim,” says Atwood. “Kim is the first person I call when I am dealing with a stressful situation, either school or dance, and she always provides great support and encouragement to keep being myself.”

“To know Kim is to love Kim,” says Green. “She is such a light to be around, and I know how special it is to have someone support me, and it means the world that she comes to all my games that she can.”

The retired kindergarten teacher points out that throughout her history of giving and volunteering for her alma mater, the connection with students is her favorite experience.

“I am so impressed by these young people, and how they balance things, and the involvement that they have,” she says, noting that scholarship Reid Ryan was one of her kindergarten students.

“My scholarship means a lot to me,” Ryan says. “An important part of becoming an educator is being able to create community and relationships. Through this scholarship, I am inspired by Kim to build upon and better the communities I am a part of.”

A unique UC story

Dobbs’ UC story began with a blind date to Homecoming in 1974. The date led to her 42-year marriage to Bob, their three children, also Bearcats, and six grandchildren. Bob has often been called the ultimate Bearcat and was considered a champion of his alma mater, a visionary leader, a generous philanthropist, and a great friend.

The first donation the Dobbs gave to UC — he was a recent graduate; she was a student — was $25 to the newly established UCATS. Bob joined the philanthropic arm of UC Athletics as a board member, and this was the beginning of the Dobbs’ time as UC volunteers. They met many incredible role models through this early involvement and witnessed the benefits of giving.

A joyful endeavor

Dobbs’ unique impact includes co-chairing the UC Bicentennial Commission with Bob; writing a pair of UC-themed children’s books and serving on the College of Education, Criminal Justice, and Human Services’ Dean’s Advisory Council. She is currently vice chair of the UC Alumni Association and a UC Foundation Board of Trustees member. She has been honored with the School of Education’s Distinguished Alumni Award; the Alumni Association’s Robert E. Dobbs Distinguished Service Award and the UC Athletics Strubbe Award.

In 2023, Dobbs and her family gifted the Bearcat Bench on UC’s MainStreet in memory of Bob. Quickly becoming a popular destination for photo shoots, alumni and students often rub the Bearcat’s nose for good luck.

Each of us can make a huge impact in ways that are ours alone.

Kim Dobbs BSED ’78

A passion for education

Dobbs included UC in her 30-year career as a kindergarten teacher in the Oak Hills Local School District. She regularly hosted Bearcat Day for her students and recalls with amusement that her passion for the Bearcats “converted” some children of University of Kentucky Wildcats into Bearcats.

Her father, Eugene Kramer, BSED ’48, Med ’55, was also an educator and instilled in her the importance of higher education. A beloved principal in the Oak Hills Local School District, he was the manager of the UC baseball team during his college years. The Eugene L. Kramer Endowed Scholarship Fund honors his memory and supports student-athletes.

“Everyone has their own unique and powerful UC story —your own personal reasons to be thankful,” says Dobbs. “Each of us can make a huge impact in ways that are ours alone. It’s a joyful endeavor because it’s rooted in gratitude and friendship.”

Featured image at top: Kim Dobbs and students at the Bearcat Bench. Photo/Chris Radcliffe for the UC Foundation.

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