Bellarmine University 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’s annual Knight of Knights event honors the university’s 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.
“We are thrilled to honor Steve Trager, one of our most dedicated Trustees,” said Bellarmine President Susan M. Donovan. “We look forward to celebrating with Steve, his family and friends, and our President’s Society members at
Knight of Knights.”
Trager has been a change-maker both at Bellarmine University 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’s 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’s
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.
“As a Bellarmine parent and Trustee, I have seen firsthand the importance of Bellarmine to our community,” Trager said. “I am honored to be recognized as this year’s Knight, especially since the event provides financial support
that is crucial to helping many deserving students graduate with a Bellarmine degree.”
Trager is involved in several local community nonprofit organizations in addition to Bellarmine. The Louisville Jewish Community Center’s 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’s Power 50 List.
ABOUT KNIGHT OF KNIGHTS
Knights of Knights is an invitation-only, annual event for Bellarmine University’s President’s Society members. This year’s event will be held on October 22 at the Omni Louisville Hotel, 400 South Second St.
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.