News
By Gail Hairston
University of Kentucky alumna Christine Ann Elder has been appointed the new United States Ambassador to the West African nation of Liberia.
At her welcoming ceremony, Ambassador Elder, a career member of the Senior Foreign Service expressed gratitude for the level of cooperation that currently exists between the two countries.
“The U.S. government wouldn’t have done what she has and [is] doing in the country without the cordial level of cooperation from the Liberian people and government,” Elder said.
Ambassador Elder was making reference to the numerous interventions that the U.S. government has been making in several sectors in Liberia, including governance, security, education, agriculture, health and others.
Although Liberia and the U.S. are traditional partners, Ambassador Elder described the current
By Whitney Hale
Last week the University of Kentucky Board of Trustees approved three new areas of study to pursue at the university. Starting this fall, UK students may choose two new bachelor's degrees in liberal studies and digital media and design. In addition, graduate students can pursue a new master's degree in research methods in education. The new major in liberal studies in the College of Arts and Sciences will allow students to: design individualized programs of study in the humanities, social sciences, and natural and mathematical sciences; develop a breadth of knowledge reflective of a liberal arts education; develop critical thinking and writing skills; and synthesize problem-solving strategies. The target audience for the degree is expected to be diverse,
By Samantha Ponder
University of Kentucky alumna Rebecca Adkins Fletcher is one of the editors of the new book "Appalachia Revisited: New Perspectives on Place, Tradition, and Progress," published by University Press of Kentucky (UPK). The book's contributors explore how the Appalachia region has changed in recent years.
"Appalachia Revisited" is the story of how the Appalachia region is being viewed within and beyond its borders. Fletcher and co-editor, William Schumann, gather both scholars and nonprofit practitioners to explore how Appalachia is being observed after some of its most recent changes.
Inside the new book, readers will find a variety of different topics that are being studied, including race and gender,
I am indebted to the training I received in Gender & Women’s Studies at University of Kentucky. I came to GWS as a Psychology major interested in bridging theory and praxis in an Honors thesis project. I enrolled in my first GWS class, Social Movements, with Srimati Basu after seeing a flier on campus. Srimati’s enthusiasm for—and willingness to advise—my project was a warm welcome to the department’s diverse, interdisciplinary community of scholars, whose passion for teaching and commitment to students’ success fostered my growth as an academic, writer, and social justice advocate. Srimati suggested new methods and itineraries for my research, Carol Mason encouraged brevity and precision in my writing, Jan Oaks and Patricia Cooper introduced exciting scholarly terrains on film and spirituality, and Susan Bordo consistently supported my community activism and interest in graduate
By Whitney Hale, Mack McCormick
As the eyes of horse racing enthusiasts worldwide turn to New York and the Belmont Stakes this week, another storied racetrack prepares for its summer meet less than 200 miles north. The Saratoga Race Course owes much of its history to its sometimes forgotten founder, a brawler turned congressman, John Morrissey.
From gang member, political muscle and prizefighter to New York state senator, United States congressman and industry leader of the sport of kings — John Morrissey (1831–1878) was all of these and more. When the Morrissey family arrived in America in 1831, there were not many doors open for Irish immigrants, but he did not let his bloodline stop him. He was the kind of man who would challenge the infamous William Poole, better known as “Bill the Butcher,” just to make a name for
By Gail Hairston
(March 21, 2016) — The extraordinary photography of Ethelee Davidson Baxter will be on exhibit in the first floor atrium of the University of Kentucky William T. Young Library from March 21 through April 22. The theme of Baxter’s exhibit is “Diversity of Lifestyles: Women Around the World.”
Baxter, who was named to the UK College of Arts and Sciences Hall of Fame in 2014, found a second career in photography after many years presiding in a courtroom. Her work can be viewed at http://www.leebaxterphotography.com/index.html#.VusiJ_krLhd.
“Travel has always been my passion, especially travel to remote and unusual destinations. Since my retirement
Watch why Gurney Norman, a renowned writer, is thrilled to be named a 2016 Great Teacher and why he loves working one-on-one with the young writers his classes within UK's College of Arts and Sciences.
By Marc C. Whitt
(Jan. 27, 2016) — Eight academic initiatives at the University of Kentucky have been cumulatively awarded $243,035 by the UK Women & Philanthropy Network, an organization committed to bringing together women who “share the ambition of building a better UK” through philanthropy, announced Paula Pope, director of special projects in the UK Office of Philanthropy.
“The selected proposals for 2015 were excellent as the membership found them to demonstrate creativity, innovation and a commitment to student success,” Pope said. “2015 marked a record year for the Women & Philanthropy Network as it awarded nearly $244,000 for academic grants. We are most grateful to this organization’s leaders and members for their commitment to UK’s students and their
By Whitney Harder
(Oct. 19, 2015) — Capturing the attention of little minds and chem-enthusiasts across Lexington, the University of Kentucky Department of Chemistry will once again host its Chemistry Demonstration Show at 7 p.m. this Friday, Oct. 23. The show will take place in Room 139 of the UK Chemistry-Physics Building, 505 Rose Street.
Chemistry students, faculty and staff will conduct interactive and exciting demonstrations that showcase chemistry. The event celebrates National Chemistry Week and Mole Day, which commemorates Avogadro's Number (6.02 x 1023), a basic measuring unit in chemistry. The theme for this year is "
By Blair Hoover
(Sept. 10, 2015) — A panel of specialists will discuss both journalism and event marketing aspects of Thoroughbred horse racing for the 2015 Gidel/Lombardo Sports Communication Series. The panel discussion is free and open to the public. The discussion will be held in the W.T. Young Library Auditorium beginning at 6 p.m. Tuesday, Sept. 15.
Jim Mulvihill, director of media and industry relations at the National Thoroughbred Racing Association, will serve as moderator. The National Thoroughbred Racing Association is an industry coalition of more than 100 horse racing interests. Mulvihill is also president of the Turf Publicists of America. He has held a variety of public relations and communications positions within and outside of racing, including heading the press offices at Fair Grounds Race Course and
By Jenny Wells
(May 18, 2015) — May 9, approximately 3,000 students participated in the University of Kentucky May 2015 Commencement Ceremonies. Full videos of each ceremony are now available online (see below) and will also air on UKTV Channel 16 (on Time Warner Cable in Lexington) starting next week.
UKTV will air the ceremonies every Friday, Saturday and Sunday at 9 a.m., 1 p.m. and 6 p.m. beginning May 22 and continuing through June 7. The Graduate and Professional Ceremony will air during the 9 a.m. time slots, with the Undergraduate Ceremonies following at the 1 and 6 p.m. times.
All ceremonies took place Saturday, May 9 in Rupp Arena. Read more about the May 2015 Commencement Ceremonies.
The 9 a.m. Graduate and Professional
by Sarah Schuetze
“I’m an old school advisor,” A&S Academic Advisor Joe Lewis said as he explained why his office door is always open. For Lewis “old school” means being a helpful resource for students, being familiar with their academic history, and helping them meet their graduation goals. The A&S Office of Advising has made being “old school” much more effective by introducing “new school” technology.
The office handles more than 7,000 student appointments in the academic year. During priority registration, they can have more than 100 students a day with up to 30 students at one time waiting to see one of the College’s ten advisors.
Communication between the front desk and advisors “became the classic Abbot and Costello ‘Who’s on first, what’s on second?’ situation,” as Travis McKenzie,
The College of Arts & Sciences is proud to announce the recipients of this year’s College teaching awards, They are Renee Fatemi, physics and astronomy (Outstanding Teaching Award), Moisés Castillo, Hispanic Studies (Outstanding Teaching Award), Charley Carlson, psychology (Outstanding Teaching Award), Anna Voskresensky,
By Gail Hairston
(April 10, 2015) — The University of Kentucky College of Arts and Sciences hosts its annual Alumni Speaker Series to coincide with one of the speaker’s induction into the UK Alumni Association’s Hall of Distinguished Alumni, April 17.
The college’s honored guests will be the U.S. ambassador to the Organization for Economic Co-operation and Development (OECD) in France from 1997-2001, Amy L. Bondurant, and her husband David E. Dunn, an international advisor to the sultan of Oman and a partner at Patton Boggs LLP since 1980.
Addressing a range of topics about their careers, Bondurant and Dunn will speak at 10 a.m. Friday, April 17, in the UK Athletics Association Auditorium in the William T. Young Library. A reception will follow in the gallery, next to the auditorium.
The UK Alumni Association will induct
Banner Photo: Jacob Welch (center), lifetime member of the Delta of Kentucky chapter at the University of Kentucky, received the XXXIX National Lambda Alpha Scholarship Award honored by a check for $5000, a Charles R. Jenkins Certificate of Distinguished Achievement Award and a plaque. Jacob’s chapter faculty sponsor is George M. Crothers, Ph. D. (right). Also pictured Scott Huston, Ph.D (left).
This story originally appeared in the Lambda Alpha Annual Newsletter (Number 29)
In the fall of 2014, I will begin doctoral studies in anthropology at Yale University. This ambition to further advance my education in archaeology was forged while completing my baccalaureate degree at the University of Kentucky. It was during this time that I was awarded the opportunity to spend two summers carrying out archaeological investigations for the Uci-Cansahcab
By Guy Spriggs
Concussions and brain injury have become topics of social concern in response to controversies involving sports – namely the National Football League. But Tanea Reed, who earned her doctorate from the Department of Chemistry in the College of Arts & Sciences at the University of Kentucky, has been researching therapeutic interventions in traumatic brain injury since long before concussions became matters of public concern.
While Reed’s research predates popular interest in issues related to traumatic brain injury, she says her interest in this field is a direct result of her time spent working on her doctorate at UK – specifically
By Sarah Schuetze
Despite differences in subject matter and methods, students in disciplines like biology and English have some common ground: they are part of the College of Arts and Sciences. Recently, this common ground connected two University of Kentucky alumni who graduated over 30 years apart.
Bob Burke graduated from UK with a degree in sociology in 1970 and Casey Robinson with a degree in Mathematical Economics in 2014. Their shared ties to A&S led to a valuable opportunity for Robinson, made possible by Burke. On a sunny day last spring, Robinson and Burke met for lunch
by Gail Hairston
(Oct. 10, 2014) — The University of Kentucky College of Arts and Sciences Hall of Fame induction and festivities are slated Friday, Oct. 10, at 3:30 p.m. in the Recital Hall of the UK Singletary Center for the Arts.
Honorees include:
2014 ALUMNI INDUCTEES
Ethelee Davidson BaxterHer Honor Ethelee Davidson Baxter was born in Jackson, Kentucky, in 1939 and was raised in Lexington, Kentucky. Baxter graduated from Lafayette High School in 1957 and was inducted into the first class of the Lafayette High School Hall of Fame in 1989. She graduated from the University of Kentucky in 1961 with a bachelor's degree in English, speech and drama. While at UK, she was a Wildcat cheerleader, president of the Blue Marlins synchronized swimming team, and a member of the Kappa Alpha Theta
This press release appreas courtesy of Kentucky Heritage Council/State Historic Preservation Office.
FRANKFORT, Ky. – Gov. Steve Beshear has proclaimed September as Kentucky Archaeology Month, to commemorate the contributions made through the professional practice of archaeology toward the public’s understanding of – and appreciation for – the Commonwealth’s rich cultural heritage.
The designation also recognizes the success of Living Archaeology Weekend (LAW), Kentucky’s oldest and largest public archaeology event, which has taken place since 1989 in Red River Gorge. The 26th annual event will be Sept. 19-20 at Gladie Visitor Center.
The proclamation credits the
The University of Kentucky has been presenting the Sullivan Award to students, faculty, and staff since 1927. This award recognizes individuals who evince a sense of love and helpfulness for other communities, at home and abroad.
This year’s UK recipient is graduating senior Andrew Ritzel. A Biology and Spanish major, Ritzel is being recognized for his involvement and leadership with UK’s Alternative Spring Break (ASB) Program and for creating a formal partnership between UK and Shoulder-to-Shoulder Global.
Ritzel’s involvement started when he was a first-year student here at UK. “Coming into college, the Alternative Spring Break Program was something I had heard about at other universities. I was really interested in the program, so I went to one of the information sessions at the beginning of the school year. I learned that UK’s ASB program was launching a
