1 31st Annual Lyman T. Johnson Awards Recognition: Upholding the Torch of Excellence October 14, 2022 Portrait by Imar Hutchins
Agenda
MASTER OF CEREMONIES
PERFORMERS
Mr. Antoine S. Huffman President, UK Alumni Association
UK Jazz Trio School of Fine Arts, University of Kentucky
WELCOME
Dr. Eli I. Capilouto 12th President, University of Kentucky
Dr. Katrice Albert Vice President, Office for Institutional Diversity
PRESENTATION Dr. Eli I. Capilouto OF AWARDS
12th President, University of Kentucky
Dr. Katrice Albert Vice President, Office for Institutional Diversity
Mr. Lee A. Jackson President, Lyman T. Johnson Alumni Group
CLOSING REMARKS
Mr. Lee A. Jackson President, Lyman T. Johnson Alumni Group
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Lyman T. Johnson
June 12, 1906 – October 3, 1997
B.A, ’30, Virginia Union University
M.A., ’31, University of Michigan
Admitted, ’49, University of Kentucky
Honorary Doctorate, ’79, University of Kentucky
With the tenacity of his grandfather who had the audacity to buy his own freedom from slavery, and the commitment to educational excellence set by his father who was principal of his school, Lyman T. Johnson had the foundation he needed to challenge the status quo in his landmark court case, which opened the University of Kentucky to African American students in 1949. That summer, nearly 30 African American students enrolled in graduate and professional programs at UK. Johnson did not finish his graduate studies at UK, but he was awarded an honorary degree in 1979. An educator and civil rights activist, he dedicated his life to fighting against segregation and racial inequalities in Kentucky.
An ordinary errand for his father planted the seeds of activism in his spirit when he was just an eighth grader. His father, the principal of the all-black school, sent him to the superintendent’s office in the all-white school. Johnson witnessed with his own eyes the truth of Jim Crow laws that created separate but unequal facilities. That visit roused his righteous anger at the inequalities of racial discrimination, and he was determined to do what he could to challenge it wherever it existed.
In addition to opening the door for thousands of minority students to attend UK, he also led struggles to integrate neighborhoods, swimming pools, schools and restaurants. Johnson also led the Louisville chapter of the NAACP for six years. His biographer wrote, “Every door marked ‘White Only’ was a challenge and an invitation to be forced open. He never asked whether such doors should be opened, only when and how.”
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Scholarship Information
To honor the work of Lyman T. Johnson and his effort to open the door for thousands of minority students to attend UK, the Lyman T. Johnson African American Alumni Group established an undergraduate scholarship in his name. This fund provides financial assistance to students of color in their pursuit of higher education.
Since 2008, the alumni group has awarded one or two scholarships each year based upon the funds available. Financial need remains the largest obstacle for our students. We have recently endowed the Lyman T. Johnson Scholarship to ensure funds are available to minority students for generations to come. Our goal is to raise $500,000 to fund approximately 20 scholarships annually. Together, we can enable more students to succeed.
If you are interested in investing in the Lyman T. Johnson African American Alumni Scholarship, you can do so online by visiting networkforgood.com and searching for “Lyman T. Johnson” or you can complete a pledge card located on your table. If you have questions regarding making a gift of securities or a planned estate gift, please contact Marci Hicks, Director of Philanthropy, at (859) 323-7882 or at marci.hicks@uky.edu.
2021 – 2022 Lyman T. Johnson Scholarship Recipients
Lauren Doucette
Palmer–
T. Johnson Scholarship Recipients
Steed
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Joseph
2022
2023 Lyman
Gabrielle Copeland Bryson
List of Awardees by College
Torch Bearer
Torch of Excellence
Agriculture, Food & Environment
Ariel Baldon, 2022
Arts & Sciences
Alexa Halliburton, 2021
Shanita Jackson, 2021
Christian Keeve, 2021
Kimi Medina-Castellano, 2021
Nevaeh Eggleston, 2022
Dr. Christien Russell, 2022
Aminata Cairo, 2021 Nathan Moore, 2021
Erika Simpson, 2021 Anthony Jones, 2022
Gatton College of Business & Economics
Kendall DuLaney, 2021
Mercy Kajo Evanson, 2022
Keisha Raspberry, 2021
Demetruis Shandale Edwards, 2022
Communication & Information
Sabriel Metcalf, 2021
Camille Wright, 2021
Kayla Gales, 2022
Christina Walker, 2022
Yalonda JD Green, 2021
Erin Ashley Simon, 2022
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Torch Bearer
Dentistry
Dr. My’Chelle McCreary-Gochett, 2021
Erick Joseph, 2022
Design
Kay Bailey, 2021
Destiny Laing, 2022
Education
Andrea Perrin, 2021
James Murray, 2022
Engineering
Jayla McCoy, 2021
Seun Adekunle, 2022
Fine Arts
Aliciona Strothers, 2021
Shaylee Allen, 2022
Torch of Excellence
Dr. Canise Y. Bean, 2021
Dr. Pamella Shaw, 2022
Portia Shields, 2021
Lawson Dyson, 2022
Jamila Jackson, 2021
Dr. Felicia Cumings Smith, 2022
Maya Bentley Anthony, 2021 Austin Mitchell, 2022
Garry Bibbs, 2021
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List of Awardees by College
Torch Bearer
Health Sciences
Jasa Harris, 2021
Casey Carter, 2022
Torch of Excellence
Mariah Morton, 2021
Geoffrey Staton, 2022
J. David Rosenberg College of Law
Kelly Daniel, 2021
Shantale Davis, 2022
Medicine
Emmanuel Dike-Udensi, 2021
Alexis Smith, 2021
Kaylin Batey, 2022
Edric Winford, 2022
Nursing
Nadja Nelson, 2021
Tyra C. Fondren, 2022
Pharmacy
Tamyah Pipkin, 2021
Ja’Nice Smith, 2022
John W. Stewart, 2021
Chauncey E. Brummer, 2022
Dr. George C. Hill, 2021
Dr. Ayodele Osasona, 2022
Dr. Adebola Adegboyega, 2021
Brittany Fiero, 2022
Dr. Verneda Hawkins, 2021
Moses Oyewumi, 2022
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Daniela
Princess
Torch Bearer
of Excellence
Regina Washington,
Bryant,
Social Work
Kendra
The Graduate School
Aria Byrd,
Lewis Honors College
Bisimwa “Jack” Nzerhumana, 2021
Faith Makumbi,
Libraries
Olivia La’Trish Morris-Bush,
Devonia
Dexter Horne,
Esias Bedingar, 2021
Pamela Williams,
To learn more about our awardees and their vast achievements, please scan the QR code or visit www.ukalumni.net/ltjrecipients to read their full biographies.
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Torch
Nakinoja, 2021
Agbozo, 2022 Dr.
2021 Kia
2022 Public Health
Mulder, 2022
Love-Vaughn, 2022
2021
2021
2022
Dr.
2022
2021
Thank You Sponsors
Platinum Level
White Level
Ashley|Rountree and Associates
College of Agriculture, Food & Environment
College of Arts & Sciences
College of Communication & Information
College of Dentistry
College of Design College of Education College of Engineering College of Fine Arts College of Health Sciences
College of Medicine
College of Nursing
College of Pharmacy
College of Public Health
College of Social Work
Gatton College of Business & Economics
J. David Rosenberg College of Law
Kappa Tau Alumni Association, Inc. Lewis Honors College
Liberty Mutual
The Graduate School
UK Federal Credit Union
UK Philanthropy and Alumni Engagement
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