Dr. Joseph J. McGowan, president of Bellarmine University, which awarded an honorary degree to Robert F. Sexton in May, released this statement about the death of Mr. Sexton, a Kentucky education expert:

“More than any other single individual, Mr. Sexton helped transform the culture of Kentucky so that it recognizes and values the importance of educational attainment for all citizens. Because of Bob Sexton, Kentucky adults can no longer use a child’s geography, ethnicity, poverty, or other circumstance of birth, to excuse themselves from their responsibility to educate that child. Instead, Kentuckians now know that all children can learn at high levels, provided they are given the time, opportunity and support they need to do so.”