UNIVERSITY OF KENTUCKY ALUMNI ASSOCIATION
2023-2024
DEAR WILDCATS,
Iam pleased to present the UK Alumni Association’s 2023-2024 Annual Report, a reflection of our commitment, growth and achievements throughout the past year. This report captures the collective efforts of our dedicated team, volunteers and the broader campus community, all united in our mission to advance the University of Kentucky.
During the year, we faced opportunities and challenges, and through it all, we have remained steadfast in our pursuit of excellence. A highlight of the year was the official opening and dedication of Alumni Commons, the largest pedestrian corridor on the University of Kentucky campus, made possible through the financial support of the UK Alumni Association. Through this new campus landmark, our campus community was able to host a wide array of activities and foster a new sense of community in this beautiful space. In addition, we celebrated our newest class of alumni with a ceremonial walk through the gates of Alumni Commons at a new event called Wildcat Wrap-up. The gates symbolize the entrance and exit of Wildcats from campus life, and we are excited to institute the new tradition. I often think about the decades of memories that Wildcats of many generations have enjoyed in this space and look forward to more memories that will be made.
Other highlights of the year include:
• Increased campus partnerships, strengthening campus programs such as Homecoming, K Week and Family Weekend.
• Engaged alumni and stakeholders in the Cat Captures Calendar project, featuring photos taken by the Wildcat community.
• Achieved a 34% increase in registered users on the Wildcat Network, with alumni engagement spanning all 50 states, the District of Columbia, and 21 countries.
• Celebrated 135 Years of UK Women, a year-long program highlighting the accomplishments of University of Kentucky women, including recognition at UK Volleyball and Women’s Basketball games.
• Reached a record number of website viewers over the past year, alongside a focused effort to enhance social media and email effectiveness through innovative methods.
These highlights are a testament to the vision and resilience of our organization and the unwavering support of our alumni and friends.
As we look to the future, we are excited to continue embracing our strategic priorities outlined in our strategic plan. We are committed to exploring new pathways for growth and innovation, ensuring that the UK Alumni Association remains an effective resource for the university, our alumni and friends.
I extend my sincere gratitude to our alumni and campus community for your support. Your trust and collaboration are vital to our ongoing mission, and we look forward to achieving even greater heights together.
Sincerely,
Jill H. Smith ’05, ’11 Executive Director, UK Alumni Association Associate Vice President for Alumni Engagement
OUR PURPOSE, VALUES & PRIORITIES
OUR PURPOSE
The UK Alumni Association creates opportunities that connect alumni and friends, fosters loyalty to the university and enhances the lifelong UK experience while preserving the university’s history.
OUR VALUES
• Building Community
• Promoting Diversity and Inclusion
• Achieving Excellence
OUR PRIORITIES
• Grow the Next Generation
• Empower Alumni
• Expand Reach
• Drive Impact
The 2023-2024 academic year marked five years since the UK Alumni Association’s new membership model went into effect. Due to loyal alumni and friends, our Active/Life Member combined count reached an all-time high at the conclusion of the academic year. We are grateful for the continued support from our Wildcats.
SUCCESSES &
ALUMNI COMMONS: THE HEART OF CAMPUS
In September 2023, the University of Kentucky proudly dedicated Alumni Commons, a vibrant gathering space that has quickly become the heart of campus. Over the past fiscal year, Alumni Commons has hosted diverse events and fostered a strong sense of community. From shared experiences like watching the solar eclipse to launching new student traditions, the Alumni Commons serves as a dynamic hub for Wildcats.
Graduating students often choose this iconic spot for photos, and the swings have become a favorite place to relax with friends. A standout moment of the year was the new tradition introduced at Wildcat Wrap-Up, where students ceremonially passed through the Alumni Commons gates, marking their transition into the UK alumni family.
Looking forward, Alumni Commons will continue to embody the spirit of UK, connecting past, present, and future Wildcats through shared experiences and cherished memories.
BUILDING CONNECTIONS ACROSS CAMPUS
Strengthening campus partnerships has been a cornerstone of our efforts this year, allowing us to better serve the university community. We forged new collaborations with the Alumni Affairs Council, providing funding and programming support to 10 colleges and units that led to numerous events in conjunction with various student organizations, colleges and departments.
Our involvement extended to large-scale events like K Week, Homecoming and the
Founders Day Festival, as well as Parent and Family Weekend, which deepened ties with students’ families.
These collaborations have created meaningful touchpoints for alumni, parents, and friends to engage with the university. As we look ahead, we remain committed to growing these partnerships to enhance the UK experience for all.
HOMECOMING 2023: A CELEBRATION OF TRADITION AND PRIDE
Homecoming 2023 was a spectacular week-long celebration featuring over 70 events in partnership with more than 30 campus organizations and units as we welcomed Wildcats near and far. From a special podcast episode spotlighting distinguished alumni, Homecoming Queens and Golden Wildcats, to honoring trailblazer Lyman T. Johnson, the week celebrated UK’s rich legacy and vibrant community.
IMPACTS
Throughout the year, the UK Alumni Association made a significant impact in numerous ways. Below are a few highlights demonstrating the association’s impact.
The extensive calendar of events and activities allowed for the beloved traditions to return alongside new ones, bringing Wildcats together to share in the pride and spirit of UK. Overwhelmingly positive feedback from students, faculty, staff, alumni and other attendees set the stage for an even bigger and better Homecoming in 2024, and beyond.
EMPOWERING CAREERS THROUGH MENTORSHIP
Career support and mentorship for graduates remained a top priority this fiscal year. Engagement through Wildcat Network, the university's online alumni community, saw a 34% increase in registered users. Participation spanned alumni located across all 50 U.S. states, the District of Columbia and 21 countries around the world. Popular programs like Career Management Week and Leadership Week returned, alongside new workshops and initiatives.
The UK Alumni Association also took over management of the university's Job Club and launched a new ambassador mentoring program in partnership with the Board of Directors and Leadership Advisory Council, further expanding its suite of career-focused initiatives to support graduates at all stages of their professional journeys.
ENGAGING THE NEXT GENERATION OF WILDCATS
This year saw unprecedented growth in student engagement. With over 70 Homecoming events—the largest schedule to date—and our biggest-ever class of Alumni Ambassadors, we’ve expanded our student leadership pipeline.
Partnerships with the Student Government Association and Student Activities Board bolstered campus-wide initiatives like Wildcat Wednesday and Wildcat Wrap-Up, as well as pregame hospitality events.
Our student recruitment efforts included student send-offs, letter-writing campaigns, and record attendance at the Scholarship Dinner celebrating donors and recipients. Campus tour gift bags and UK swag for teachers to display in their classrooms helped build connections with prospective students and their families.
These efforts highlight our dedication to enhancing the student experience and bridging connections between students, alumni, and the university. We look forward to building on this momentum.
ALUMNI
DAY FOR UK
69 ALUMNI CLUBS 4,006
NUMBER OF GIFTS $1,960,556.28
VOLUNTEER ENGAGEMENT: STRENGTHENING THE WILDCAT COMMUNITY
Volunteer engagement reached new heights this year, offering diverse opportunities for alumni and friends to give back. Volunteers participated in heartfelt student recruitment letters, congratulatory postcards for scholarship recipients, and a new mentoring program that connected alumni with students seeking career guidance.
Signature events relied on volunteer support, while the Cat Captures Calendar invited the community to showcase their UK pride through photography. Social media influencers helped amplify our mission, creating broader connections and a lasting impact.
These initiatives highlight the power of volunteers in strengthening the Wildcat community and advancing the university’s mission.
19,365 LIFE MEMBERS
68,590 ACTIVE MEMBERS
AMOUNT RAISED $556,202.47
AMOUNT RAISED BY ALUMNI
3,009 TOTAL DONORS 1,544
24,454
FACEBOOK FOLLOWERS
10,306 X FOLLOWERS
6,614
INSTAGRAM FOLLOWERS
3,380
LINKEDIN FOLLOWERS
566
TIKTOK FOLLOWERS
4,226,427
WEBSITE VIEWS
16,677
MOBILE APP DOWNLOADS
160,000+
MAGAZINE READERSHIP
