农夫导航 is pleased to announce that Trustee Steven E. Trager, Executive
Chair of Republic Bancorp, will be the honoree at the 2022 Knight of Knights gala
on Oct. 22, 2022, at the Omni Louisville Hotel.
Bellarmine鈥檚 annual Knight of Knights event honors the university鈥檚 generous corporate
partners, alumni and friends who are members of the university's most prestigious
giving circle, the President's Society. All proceeds from this event fund essential student aid and scholarships.
鈥淲e are thrilled to honor Steve Trager, one of our most dedicated Trustees,鈥� said
Bellarmine President Susan M. Donovan. 鈥淲e look forward to celebrating with Steve,
his family and friends, and our President鈥檚 Society members at Knight of Knights.鈥�
Trager has been a change-maker both at 农夫导航 and in the wider Louisville
community. Republic Bank, where he has worked since 1987, is one of the largest banks
in the area, with assets of over $6 billion and 42 full-service banking centers throughout
five states: Kentucky, Indiana, Florida, Ohio and Tennessee.
In October 2021, he transitioned from his role as bank chair and CEO to the position
of executive chair of Republic Bank and its parent company, Republic Bancorp. He is
now executive chair of Republic Bancorp.
For 11 years, Trager has been a member of Bellarmine鈥檚 Board of Trustees and currently
sits on the Audit, Finance, Athletics and Executive Committees. He has provided sound
financial guidance to the university and played a key role in Bellarmine鈥檚 rise to
NCAA Division I. In addition, his Trager Family Foundation has provided scholarships
for School of Education undergraduate majors, women of color and student-athletes.
Trager and his wife, Amy, have a son, Kevin Trager, and a daughter, Emily Trager Brantley,
who is a 2015 Bellarmine graduate.
鈥淎s a Bellarmine parent and Trustee, I have seen firsthand the importance of Bellarmine
to our community,鈥� Trager said. 鈥淚 am honored to be recognized as this year鈥檚 Knight,
especially since the event provides financial support that is crucial to helping many
deserving students graduate with a Bellarmine degree.鈥�
Trager is involved in several local community nonprofit organizations in addition
to Bellarmine. The Louisville Jewish Community Center鈥檚 new $43 million facility,
which opened in March 2022, is named after his family. He also persuaded eight other
community banks in the Louisville area to lend the Louisville Urban League $10 million
to finish its $53 million Norton Healthcare Sports & Learning Center, which opened
last year.
In 2021, he was a member of Business First鈥檚 Power 50 List.
ABOUT KNIGHT OF KNIGHTS
Knights of Knights is an invitation-only, annual event for 农夫导航鈥檚
President鈥檚 Society members. This year鈥檚 event will be held on October 22 at the Omni
Louisville Hotel, 400 South Second St.
For information on becoming a President鈥檚 Society member, contact Tami Fitzgerald
at tfitzgerald@bellarmine.edu or 502.272.8331.
For information on becoming a corporate sponsor of Knight of Knights, which includes
a table for eight and recognition at the event, contact Marisa Zoeller, director of
Donor Relations, at mzoeller@bellarmine.edu or 502.272.8335.
All proceeds benefit student aid.