Giving Back Honors Foundation that Shaped Dr. Todd's Journey

For Dr. Steve Todd, a proud graduate of the University of Louisville School of Dentistry, giving back to his alma mater is more than philanthropy; it’s a way to honor the foundation that shaped his life and career. The University of Louisville wasn’t just where he earned his degrees; it was where he discovered his path, his purpose and a lifelong sense of pride in being a Cardinal.

A native of Henderson, Kentucky, Dr. Todd’s journey to UofL began on the track. Recruited in the mid-1970s with a full-ride athletic scholarship, he still remembers the excitement of being flown to Louisville for his campus visit.

“They flew me from Owensboro, took me around campus and downtown Louisville and then they flew me back home. Isn’t that cool?”

Dr. Todd quickly found his stride as both a student-athlete and a scholar. He majored in biology, drawn to the sciences and inspired by UofL’s academic rigor, graduating with honors.

“I was admitted to UofL’s dental school where I met Dr. Gambell; a great dental teacher that saw something in me. I enjoyed dental school and had a great career in dentistry.”

After 30 years, Dr. Todd retired from dentistry in 2014 and returned to school to pursue his early interest in medicine. He attended UofL’s medical school and now specializes in sleep medicine.

Throughout his career, Dr. Todd has stayed closely connected to the university. His giving is deeply rooted in gratitude for the opportunities that first brought him here.

“UofL has maintained a high standard of excellence. When I first went there, it was a private school, so it was a lot smaller. We were still playing ball at the Crawford Gym and Freedom Hall. UofL upheld a high standard for its academia and its commitment to sports and providing state-of-the-art facilities.”

His appreciation for that progress is matched only by his commitment to giving back. Dr. Todd’s generosity supports scholarship programs that help current and future students access the same life-changing opportunities he once received.

“Education is critical for young people to go to school and decide what future they want.”

He also reflected on the role higher education has played throughout his life, adding, “My default was always that if I wanted to do something, I went back to school because it always afforded me the ability to sort of spread my wings. Higher education has been paramount to me to be able to grow and expand my knowledge and the people that I associate with.”

The bond with UofL extends beyond his own story. His family has followed in his footsteps, building their own Cardinal legacies and finding their own opportunities through the university. With multiple family members earning UofL degrees, the Todd family has experienced firsthand how the university opens doors, shapes careers and strengthens connections across generations.

To Dr. Todd, supporting UofL means ensuring that the same doors that opened for him, and for his family, remain open for students who are ready to spread their wings just as he once did.