Un iversit y of Kent uck y A lu m n i Associat ion
Alumni
Summer 2020
KNOCKED DOWN, NOT OUT UK CAMPUS RALLIES AGAINST COVID-19
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Contents 12
KNOCKED DOWN, NOT OUT
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JAMES B. BEAM INSTITUTE PROVIDES SANITIZER TO HEALTH CARE WORKERS
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EILEEN DUNNINGTON: HELPING WITH SANCTUARY FOR AT-RISK PRIMATES
By Linda Perry The UK campus rallies against COVID-19 to save lives; keep students, faculty and staff safe; and continue to supply key services and programs to the public.
By Aimee Nielson, Jeff Franklin and Mallory Olson James B. Beam Institute for Kentucky Spirits, working with university and industry partners, made 300 gallons of sanitizer.
By Hal Morris Eileen Dunnington is executive director of the Primate Rescue Center where at-risk primates receive safe shelter to live their best lives.
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SYDNEY S. TAYLOR: PURSUING HER DREAMS IN PUBLIC HEALTH
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TAKING FLIGHT: JOSEPH FELICIANO KNEW HE WAS DESTINED TO WORK FOR NASA
By Linda Perry and Molly Williamson Undergraduate scholarships at UK led Sydney S. Taylor to continue her education in hopes of becoming an environmental health officer monitoring water or food-borne infectious diseases.
By Molly Williamson As a first-generation student, Joseph Feliciano pushed himself to achieve, aiming for a chance to eventually work for NASA.
ON THE COVER
UK reacts to COVID-19 and creates innovative solutions to protect our community and first responders.
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SOPHIA DECKER: DISCOVERING UK’S HIDDEN GEM
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WILDCAT LOVE!
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JAMYLE CANNON: CNN HERO GIVES YOUTH A FIGHTING CHANCE
By Ann Blackford Sophia Decker fell in love with Latin and Ancient Greek and sought instruction from the world-renowned UK Institute for Latin Studies.
Photo: Mark Cornelison Our UK Wildcat cheers for our newest Class of 2020 graduates and their wonderful achievements.
By Lindsey Piercy Jamyle Cannon launched a nonprofit boxing club in Chicago for young students, while also providing them with tutoring and mentorship.
Plus... 5 From the President 6 Pride in Blue 8 News 11 Research 32 Club News
36 Sports 40 Class Notes 52 In Memoriam 54 Creative Juices 56 Quick Take
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BOARD OF DIRECTORS
KENTUCKY ALUMNI MAGAZINE Vol. 92 No. 2 Summer 2020 Kentucky Alumni (ISSN 732-6297) is published quarterly by the University of Kentucky Alumni Association, Lexington, Kentucky, for its members. © 2020 University of Kentucky Alumni Association, except where noted. Views and opinions expressed in Kentucky Alumni do not necessarily represent the opinions of its editors, the UK Alumni Association nor the University of Kentucky.
HOW TO REACH US Kentucky Alumni UK Alumni Association King Alumni House Lexington, KY 40506-0119 Telephone: 859-257-8905 800-269-ALUM Fax: 859-323-1063 Email: ukalumni@uky.edu
UPDATE YOUR RECORD UK Alumni Association King Alumni House Lexington, KY 40506-0119 Telephone: 859-257-8800 Fax: 859-323-1063 Email: ukalumni@uky.edu Web: www.ukalumni.net For duplicate mailings, please send both mailing labels to the address above. Member: Council for Advancement and Support of Education
ASSOCIATION STAFF Executive Director: Jill Smith ’05, ’11 Editor/Sr. Associate Director: Meredith Weber Managing Editor: Linda Perry ’84 Marketing/Promotion Specialist: Hal Morris Graphic Designer: Whitney Stamper Brenda Bain ’15: Records Data Entry Nancy Culp: Administrative Services Assistant Caroline Francis ’88, ’93, ’02: Director, Alumni Career Services Jack Gallt ’84: Sr. Associate Director Leslie Hayes: Membership and Marketing Specialist Kelly Hinkel ’11 ’18: Marketing & Communications Coordinator Marci Hicks ’87: Director of Philanthropy Albert Kalim ’03 ’16: Webmaster Jesse McInturf ’10: Principal Accountant Mark Pearson: Computer Support Specialist II William Raney ’14: House Support Barbara Royalty-Tatum: Administrative Services Assistant Kathryn Schaffer ’12: Alumni Engagement Coordinator Amanda Schagane ’09 AS, ’10 ED: Associate Director Samantha Seitz: Program Coordinator Hannah Simms ’14, ’17: Alumni Engagement Coordinator Pam Webb: Administrative Services Assistant Danielle Wilson ’16: Administrative Support Associate I
Officers Taunya Phillips ’87 EN, ’04 BE: President Hannah Miner Myers ’93 ED: President-elect Mary L. Shelman ’81 EN: Treasurer Jill Smith ’05 BE, ’11 AFE: Secretary District Michael W. Anderson ’92 BE Jeffrey L. Ashley ’89 CI Robert Price Atkinson ’97 CI Nicole Ramsey Blackwelder ’86 ’87 PHA Jacob V. Broderick ’05 BE John S. Cain ’86 BE Shane T. Carlin ’95 AFE Andrew M. Cecil ’99 AS Kevin L. Collins ’84 EN Shiela D. Corley ’94 AS, ’95 AFE William “Bill” M. Corum ’64 BE D. Michael Coyle ’62 BE, ’65 LAW Robert “Rob” L. Crady III ’94 BE Amanda Mills Cutright ’06 CI Bruce E. Danhauer ’77 AFE Erin Endersby ’01 EN Abra Akers Endsley ’98 ’01 CI Erik N. Evans ’82 BE Robert Michael Gray ’80 ’81 BE Austin H. Hays ’03 BE Emily C. Henderson ’01 PHA Vicki S. Hiestand ’93 BE Mark Hogge ’97 EN John T. “Jay” Hornback ’04 EN Dr. H. Fred Howard ’79 AS, ’82 DE Dr. Michael H. Huang ’89 AS, ’93 MED Tanya Bauer Jones ’81 BE Dr. Frank Kendrick ’90 ’92 DE Shelia M. Key ’91 PHA Leo M. Labrillazo ’90 FA Susan L. Liszeski ’84 AFE Beatty L. London ’00 BE Thomas K. Mathews ’93 AS Janie McKenzie-Wells ’83 AS, ’86 LAW Herbert A. Miller Jr. ’72 AS, ’76 LAW Grant T. Mills ’09 AS Ashley “Tip” Mixson III ’80 BE Dr. W. Mark Myers ’87 DE Tonya B. Parsons ’91 AS Abigail O. Payne ’05 CI Porter G. Peeples Sr. ’68 ED Ronald “Ronnie” M. Perchik ’82 BE R. Brian Perkins ’97 EN Nicholas C. Phelps ’08 BE Charles “Chad” D. Polk ’94 DES Jim A. Richardson ’70 AS, ’72 ED Robert J. Riddle ’11 AFE Sean Riddle ’12 AFE John D. Ryan ’92 ’95 BE Philip Schardein ’02 BE Lynn Spadaccini ’80 AFE George B. Spragens ’93 BE R. Michael Stacy ’95 BE Lee H. Stewart ’92 CI Mary “Kekee” Szorcsik ’72 BE Jonell Tobin ’68 ’95 BE Kendra Lorene Wadsworth ’06 ED Lori E. Wells ’96 BE Amelia Brown Wilson ’03 ’06 AFE, ’11 ED Scott Wittich ’75 BE At Large Phillip D. Elder ’86 AFE Antoine Huffman ’05 CI Jennifer A. Parks ’77 AS Jane Cobb Pickering ’74 ED Quentin R. Tyler ’02 ’05 AFE, ’11 AS Nicholas D. Wilson ’03 AS, ’05 GS
College Michelle McDonald ’84 AFE, ’92 ED: Agriculture Winn F. Williams ’71 AS: Arts & Sciences James B. Bryant ’67 BE: Business & Economics Jeremy L. Jarvi ’02 CI: Communication & Information Dr. Clifford J. Lowdenback ’99 AS, ’03 DE: Dentistry Lu Ann Holmes ’79 DES: Design Cathy Crum Bell ’76 ED: Education James E. Cantrell ’76 EN: Engineering Joel W. Lovan ’77 FA: Fine Arts Barbara R. Sanders ’72 AS, ’76 ED: Health Sciences Janis E. Clark ’78 GS, ’85 LAW: Law Dr. Emery A. Wilson ’68 ’72 MED: Medicine Patricia K. Howard ’83 ’90 ’04 NUR: Nursing Lynn Harrelson ’73 PHA: Pharmacy Keith R. Knapp ’78 AS, ’05 PH: Public Health Willis K. Bright Jr. ’66 SW: Social Work Alumni Trustees Dr. Michael A. Christian ’76 AS, ’80 DE Cammie DeShields Grant ’77 LCC, ’79 ED Rachel Watts Webb ’05 CI Appointed Jo Hern Curris ’63 AS, ’75 LAW: Honorary Katie Eiserman ’01 ED: Athletics Thomas W. Harris ’85 AS: University Relations Kelly Sullivan Holland ’93 AS ’98 ED: Honorary Stan R. Key ’72 ED: Honorary D. Michael Richey ’74 ’79 AFE: Philanthropy Marian Moore Sims ’72 ’76 ED: Honorary Bobby C. Whitaker ’58 CI: Honorary Katherine D. Speece: Student Government Association Vacant: University Senate Living Past Presidents George L. Atkins Jr. ’63 BE Richard A. Bean ’69 BE Michael A. Burleson ’74 PHA Bruce K. Davis ’71 LAW Scott E. Davis ’73 BE Marianne Smith Edge ’77 AFE Franklin H. Farris Jr. ’72 BE Dr. Paul E. Fenwick ’52 AFE William G. Francis ’68 AS, ’73 LAW W. P. Friedrich ’71 EN Dan Gipson ’69 EN Brenda B. Gosney ’70 HS, ’75 ED Cammie DeShields Grant ’77 LCC, ’79 ED John R. Guthrie ’63 CI Ann B. Haney ’71 AS Diane M. Massie ’79 CI Robert E. Miller Susan V. Mustian ’84 BE John C. Nichols II ’53 BE Dr. George A. Ochs IV ’74 DE Sandra Bugie Patterson ’68 AS Robert F. Pickard ’57 ’61 EN Paula L. Pope ’73 ’75 ED David B. Ratterman ’68 EN G. David Ravencraft ’59 BE William Schuetze ’72 LAW David L. Shelton ’66 BE J. Fritz Skeen ’72 ’73 BE J. Tim Skinner ’80 DES James W. Stuckert ’60 EN, ’61 BE Hank B. Thompson Jr. ’71 CI Myra L. Tobin ’62 AFE J. Thomas Tucker ’56 BE Henry R. Wilhoit Jr. ’60 LAW Elaine A. Wilson ’68 SW Richard M. Womack ’53 AFE
www. u kal u mni. net
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COVID-19 CLOSURE UPDATE The Club at UK’s Spindletop Hall is continuing to plan activities for a summer opening once the COVID-19 social distancing ban is lifted.
Membership Promotion Details Email: membership@spindletophall.org A Membership application can be downloaded from www.spindletophall.org
MEMBERS ENJOY: 3 Heated Pools plus a Baby Pool 8 Tennis Courts 7 Pickleball Courts 2 Chipping & Putting Greens Roxie’s Member Dining with Veranda The Spectacular Spindletop Hall Mansion Access to Lexington’s Legacy Trail Basketball & Volleyball Courts
Life Members of the UK Alumni Association can join The Club at any time with No Initiation Fee.
Summer Tiki Bar and Grill
Incredibly affordable Young Alumni/Student Memberships are available to Members of the UK Alumni Association, ages 21 to 29.
Expansive Grounds
Are you UK Faculty or Staff? Please inquire about payroll deduction of dues.
Picnic Areas
Special Club Events Summer Camps
Phone: 859-255-2777 / 3414 Iron Works Pike, Lexington, KY 40511
You g Belonre! He
From the President sion and care. Together, we are formulating plans to reinvent and reimagine what is normal. We plan to open in August for our fall semester, but — because we are committed to ensuring the health of our community — we are planning for every single contingency. We are exploring how to create the best possible educational experience, in every possible scenario — even if that means changing the way we’ve done things in the past. Through all of this, I have never believed more deeply — or with a greater sense of determination because of all I see — that we will do more than survive this crisis. We will be better. Our brightest days, I am convinced, are still ahead of us. We saw evidence of our brighter future at our May Board of Trustees meeting, at which time the board approved the naming of Woodland Glen II residence hall for Don and Mira Ball in recognition of their longstanding philanthropic service to UK. Additionally, the UK Athletics baseball, soccer and softball athletic complex on Alumni Drive will be named the Barnhart Family Athletics Complex at the request of Vickie and Wendell Bell, important supporters of UK Athletics. Both announcements are testaments to the faith our community has in this place. We will continue to fulfill our promise — to educate the next generation of leaders; to heal those who turn to us in times of need; to push forward discovery; and to serve the Commonwealth as the University of, for and with Kentucky. This is what we do. This is who we are. We invite you to stay updated with our efforts at www.uky.edu/coronavirus. Sincerely,
Eli Capilouto President Photo: Mark Cornelison, UK Public Relations & Marketing
T
he last several months have presented challenges unlike any I have faced in more than 40 years in higher education. The COVID-19 pandemic has, in many ways, redefined how we carry out our missions to educate, discover, heal and serve. Our community has been forced to separate rather than congregate. However, despite the uncertainty and anxiety that surrounds us, I have hope — hope that is grounded in a deep faith in this university and the people who make it such a special community. I want to highlight a few ways our community has come together to serve each other and the people of Kentucky: • UK HealthCare has continued to provide world-class care to our sickest patients and has been a beacon of hope for the Commonwealth during this time. • As we did during the 1918 flu epidemic with the Buell Armory, UK HealthCare partnered with UK Athletics to transform Nutter Field House into a 400-bed hospital to prepare for a potential surge in COVID-19 patients. • With the same tenacity, our researchers have not stopped. In fact, they have charged headfirst into this public health crisis to find the answers our state and world needs during a global crisis. • UK’s James B. Beam Institute for Kentucky Spirits worked quickly and efficiently to produce hand sanitizer and to create an instructional video for distillers. • The College of Design became the hub for the production and design of personal protective equipment for health care workers. • Faculty rapidly adjusted their courses to deliver outstanding education online. • Our team in Student and Academic Life is reassuring students that they are supported even while we are separated. That included a team of staff volunteers calling every single UK student to check in. That’s more than 30,000 phone calls. • Our Information Technology Services team reached out to students with connectivity issues and mailed hundreds of personal wireless hotspots and iPads. • From online Merit Weekends to virtual campus tours, our people also are providing prospective students with opportunities — in new ways and on different platforms. • Our Office of Student Financial Aid is working with individual students who have been impacted by COVID-19 to provide nearly $9 million in emergency funding under the provisions of the federal Coronavirus Aid, Relief and Economic Security (CARES) Act. These are just a few examples among many. As our people have demonstrated, your university is firmly focused on students and on our mission to serve this Commonwealth. Make no mistake, the last few months have been painful for the UK family, as we are working to reconcile a more than $70 million budget shortfall. But I want to assure our community that every decision has been, and will continue to be, made with diligence, compas-
Staff at the UK Albert B. Chandler Hospital used PPE while at their work stations during the pandemic. www. u kal u mni. net
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Pride in Blue Photo: Hal Morris
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Taunya Phillips enjoyed participating in the First Saturday in May Virtual 5K.
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o say the events of 2020 have been unlike anything any of us have ever experienced would be an understatement. The COVID-19 pandemic shut down almost everything, and the University of Kentucky was no exception. Classes went online in March and no Commencement ceremony was held for the first time in 50 years. But you can take pride knowing that, through this unprecedented time in our history, the UK Alumni Association has risen to the challenge in numerous ways. It has shown what is truly possible when we all band together. Members of our wonderful staff, while working mostly from home, continue to serve our alumni without missing a beat. Alumni Career Services, no longer able to have in-person meetings, events and career counseling sessions, reversed course and began offering online meetings. Job Club and Drop-in Hours went virtual through Zoom meetings. It also began offering online networking opportunities, inviting alumni from around the world to come together. The response has been overwhelmingly positive in terms of the number of participants and their appreciation for these opportunities. On what was supposed to be Derby Day, the UK community participated in the First Saturday in May Virtual 5K. The event from the alumni association had 1,037 registrants, 37 states represented, and raised approximately $17,000 for the UK Basic Needs and Persistence Fund. The UK Alumni Association Board of Directors held its April meetings via Zoom and will do so again for our Summer Workshop. While we would have rather been together, it was still wonderful to check in and see all our volunteers. In the midst of all of this, we also welcomed a new class of alumni into the UK family. Each graduate was sent a UK alumni lapel pin, letting them know that while we may not be together, they will always
K E N TUCKY A LU MN I MAG A ZIN E Summer 2020
be with us. The UK Class of 1970, now preparing for its 50th year reunion, which also did not have a ceremony as a result of the Vietnam War protests on campus, wrote a letter to this year’s graduates sympathizing with them and encouraging them to keep the University of Kentucky near and dear to their hearts. This issue of the magazine also brings you my last letter as president of the UK Alumni Association. This past year has been one of the best of my life. It has been an honor to represent the Wildcat family at so many memorable events. It has been my pleasure to meet many of you along the way, to interact with students, and of course, to cheer on Big Blue at sporting events. I was delighted to connect with so many people with whom I share a common bond — love of the University of Kentucky. I am proud that, over this past year, the UK Alumni Association rose to the challenge of approving a new board of directors governance model and starting the transition to it. This accomplishment, set in motion by our 2015-2020 strategic plan, will serve us well for many years to come. One day, we will return to some semblance of normalcy. We will be able to celebrate Homecoming, graduations and game watch parties together again. Until then, stay safe and keep the University of Kentucky community in your thoughts. Go Cats!
Taunya Phillips ’87 EN, ’04 BE UK Alumni Association President
74 YEARS OF SERVING KENTUCKY.
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News The UK Coldstream Research Campus will soon be home to a new, $15 million research laboratory that will house early stage, high-tech companies, some being incubated on UK’s main campus. The UK Board of Trustees approved construction of the facility along with the authorization for the university to create a public-private partnership with a developer to construct and own the building. Kentucky Technology Inc. (KTI), a subsidiary of the UK Research Foundation, will master lease 20,000 square feet of the new building’s estimated 40,000 square feet. KTI plans to sublease its space to appropriate high-tech companies. George Ward, executive director of the Coldstream Research Campus, said the building will fill a facilities gap between small labs leased to companies in the UK Advanced Science and Technology Commercialization Center (ASTeCC) building, and larger facilities used by established companies at Coldstream and other locations in the state.
Photo: Mark Cornelison , UK Public Relations & Marketing
UK APPROVES CONSTRUCTION OF $15M COLDSTREAM RESEARCH LAB
“There is a very small inventory of available laboratory space for these growing companies currently, and by providing this facility at Coldstream, Lexington will benefit from the well-paying jobs these companies are creating,” Ward said. The project was authorized by the 2018 Kentucky General Assembly and will be funded by the developer. Construction is expected to be completed in early 2022. ■
Photo: UK College of Fine Arts
EVERETT McCORVEY WINS SEC FACULTY ACHIEVEMENT AWARD
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Everett McCorvey, professor of voice in the UK School of Music and director of UK Opera Theatre, has been named winner of the 2020 SEC Faculty Achievement Award for the University of Kentucky, the SEC announced in April. McCorvey is a highly accomplished tenor who has performed in iconic venues both nationally and internationally, including the Metropolitan Opera, Kennedy Center and Radio City Music Hall in the United States, and the Teatro Comunale in Florence, Italy, and Queen Elizabeth Hall in London. Vocal excellence is the hallmark of his work with choirs and singers in concerts, master classes and workshops around the world. He also founded the American Spiritual Ensemble, a group of singers who perform spirituals and
K E N TUCKY A LU MN I MAG A ZIN E Summer 2020
compositions of African-American composers. “With a true gift in musical arts, Dr. Everett McCorvey has brought our campus a deep and revitalized sense of culture, as well as a broader understanding of the field of music and how it contributes to a healthier, more constructive society,” says David Blackwell, UK provost. “He is the epitome of what it means to be a servant leader — what it means to be a member of the University of, for, and with Kentucky.” To receive an SEC Faculty Achievement Award, the faculty member must have achieved the rank of full professor; have a record of extraordinary teaching, particularly at the undergraduate level; and have a record of research that is recognized nationally and/or internationally. Winners receive a $5,000 honorarium and become their campus nominee for the SEC Professor of the Year Award. ■
Photo: UK Public Relations & Marketing
LAW STUDENTS WIN NATIONAL ABA TAX CHALLENGE
UK OFFERS UNIQUE DUAL CREDIT PROGRAM
Third-year J. David Rosenberg College of Law students Amanda Krugler of Florissant, Missouri, and Scott Sullivan of Fort Wayne, Indiana, were awarded first place in the American Bar Association 19th Annual Law Student Tax Challenge, J.D. Division. The contest, open to both J.D. and LL.M. law students, gives students an opportunity to research, write about and present their analyses of a real-life tax problem. This year, a record number of teams (84) submitted memos for the written portion of the J.D. competition. Six teams, including Krugler and Sullivan, were selected to present oral arguments before a panel of tax lawyers and tax court judges attending the Section of Taxation 2020 Midyear Tax Meeting in Boca Raton, Florida. Jennifer Bird-Pollan, Robert G. Lawson Professor of Law, teaches a variety of tax law courses at UK and served as the team’s coach for the challenge. “This is a great opportunity for students to really dig in on a practical set of questions and see what it’s really like to be a tax associate at a law firm,” Bird-Pollan said. ■
Digital technology is putting a new perspective on courses for high school students. With UK’s new dual credit program, taught by both high school teachers and UK faculty members, students can earn both high school and college credits. Juniors and seniors at some Kentucky high schools can become UK Next Generation Scholars, taking “live” UK classes in which college instructors help to teach the courses via interactive video. Providing high school students with the opportunity to experience college classes and gain college credit early is important in the effort to move more Kentuckians into higher education. “We will be working with a diverse population of high school students to increase college-going rates across the Commonwealth,” said Christine Harper, UK’s associate provost for enrollment management. Typically, in dual credit courses, a high school instructor teaches the college material. But the UK model partners college faculty with high school teachers and allows for virtual “face-to-face” instruction. This approach was developed by the Center for Next Generation Leadership at the College of Education. “Schools are paying particular attention to what it takes to prepare students to meet the demands of a fast-changing career landscape,” said Lu Young, Center for Next Generation Leadership executive director and associate clinical professor in the UK College of Education. In the decade since the center began at UK, hundreds of Kentucky school leaders have worked with the center to redesign the school experience for contemporary life, learning, and careers. Four of the schools that have participated in the center’s leadership academy are serving as pilot sites for the dual credit initiative: Paris Independent High School, Marshall County High School, Elkhorn Crossing School in Scott County, and STEAM Academy in Fayette County. Additional high schools will be added in fall 2021. UK colleges contributing to the available courses include Arts and Sciences, Communication and Information, Design and Education. For more information visit www.uky.edu/sal/dual-credit. ■
RESOURCE CENTER FOR KINSHIP CAREGIVERS Nearly 2.7 million children across the Unites States are in the care of relatives. More and more family members are providing safe homes to children of parents struggling with substance misuse and mental health issues. For some, it’s a challenge with little help available as they become full-time parents again. But there are immense benefits of kinship arrangements — a form of care that allows children to grow up in a family environment. Studies show these children have healthier behavioral and emotional outcomes. But emerging research also takes a closer look at the struggles relatives often face when caring for young family members. Data suggests that kinship rates throughout the Commonwealth are among the highest in the country. To provide
much-needed support for these families, the College of Social Work has launched the Kentucky Kinship Resource Center (KKRC), the first of its kind in the state. “The dynamics associated with kinship care are uniquely complex,” Missy Segress, director of centers and labs said. “While systems often spend time focused on foster care, kinship care can be forgotten.” KKRC provides services such as comprehensive education and training programs, innovative peer support and mentoring initiatives, and broad-based advocacy, helping to provide a safety net for caregivers. This will ensure that all current and prospective kinship caregivers are connected to resources and services they need for the well-being of the children — and to care for themselves. ■ www. u kal u mni. net
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Haas credits Kakie Urch, associate professor in the School of Journalism and Media in the College of Communication and Information, for serving as a mentor during her time at UK. She is also grateful for the mentorship of the Kernel media advisors, specifically design advisor May May Barton. Upon completing her bachelor’s degree in May, Haas plans to start a master’s program in magazine journalism at City, University of London this fall. ■
Photo: UK Public Relations & Marketing
GAINES CENTER FOR THE HUMANITIES NAMES 12 NEW SCHOLARS FOR 2020
The Gaines Center for the Humanities has selected 12 undergraduate students as new scholars for the Gaines Fellowship Program, recognizing outstanding academic performance, demonstrated ability to conduct independent research, an interest in public issues and a desire to enhance understanding of the human condition through the humanities.
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Founded in 1984 by a generous gift from John and Joan Gaines, the center functions as a laboratory for imaginative and innovative education, while enriching the study of humanities at UK. These scholars are required to take a specially designed, four-credit hour per semester seminar during both semesters of their junior year. Each junior fellow must also complete a service project to benefit a community, whether it be campus, Lexington, the fellow’s hometown, or a community further afield. In their senior year, each fellow must complete a major independent study thesis project. The new Gaines Fellows and their area of study are: • Benjamin Cortas, of Louisville, physics and mathematics • Alex Davis, of Keller, Texas, equine science and management, and pre-veterinary medicine • Lexi Gauger, of New Richmond,
K E N TUCKY A LU MN I MAG A ZIN E Summer 2020
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Ohio, sustainable agriculture and community food systems Eva Grossi, of Lexington, arts administration and theatre Natalie Harrington, of Franklin, Tennessee, secondary English education Ellie Kinnicutt, of Lexington, communication and journalism Braden Kirkpatrick, of Franklin, international studies, and environmental and sustainability studies Shelby McCubbin, of Lexington, neuroscience, and gender and women’s studies Olivia Morris-Bush, of Midway, political science and geography Mary Sherman, of Peoria, Illinois, political science and Spanish Teja Sudhaker, of Lexington, psychology, and gender and women’s studies, creative writing Iyahna Wilson, of Concord, North Carolina, agriculture education ■
Photo: UK Public Relations & Marketing
Journalism senior Lauryn Haas has been accepted to Fulbright Germany’s Berlin Capital Program, a weeklong experience that gives 15 young journalists the opportunity to take a closer look at the German media landscape and gain a deeper awareness of the political, economic and cultural environment in Germany and Europe. This year’s participants will explore the role of the media in nurturing democracy. From Toledo, Ohio, Haas has been involved with the Kentucky Kernel since her freshman year and has held numerous leadership positions with the KRNL Lifestyle + Fashion magazine. She is a member of Lewis Honors College, a Patterson Scholar and has completed several local internships. She has also worked as a field technician and content coordinator at Green Forests Work. “When I was considering which major to pursue, I knew I wanted to do something that would allow me to use my voice to share others’ stories,” she said. “The journalism major was perfect for me because I am learning how to utilize my passion for writing in a professional and meaningful way.”
Photo: UK Public Relations & Marketing
UK SENIOR SELECTED FOR FULBRIGHT GERMANY’S BERLIN CAPITAL PROGRAM
Research NEW BREATH TEST TO DIAGNOSE LUNG DISEASE
UK RESEARCH COULD HELP PREDICT PROGRESSION OF PARKINSON’S DISEASE Researchers from the UK College of Medicine are leading a clinical study that could provide a promising new method for early detection of Parkinson’s disease. A pilot grant from the UK Center for Clinical and Translational Science (CCTS) will advance neuroscience researcher George Quintero’s studies on Parkinson’s disease to a clinical investigation, which will be co-led by UK Assistant Professor of Neurology Zain Guduru and Quintero. Parkinson’s disease is a nervous system disorder that affects dopamine-producing neurons in an area of the brain that controls movement. Currently, there is no way to diagnose the disease before symptoms — including tremors, stiffness and slowing of movement — occur. Although there is no cure for the disease, identification of Parkinson’s at the earliest possible stage may provide the best opportunity for the use of therapies to relieve symptoms. Previous research by a team that included Quintero, Zhiming Zhang, Anders Andersen and Greg Gerhardt from the UK Department of Neuroscience found that apomorphine, an FDA-approved therapy for Parkinson’s, activated areas of the brain affected by the disease. In the new clinical investigation, patients with Parkinson’s will undergo MRI brain scans before and after taking apomorphine. The same procedure will be performed with another group of patients that have a similar movement disorder called essential tremor. Although the symptoms of essential tremor are similar to Parkinson’s, the cause of the disorder is not related to dopamine production. “If apomorphine causes a different brain response in the two groups of patients, it could be a promising method for earlier detection of Parkinson’s,” says Quintero. “And this leads to earlier interventions that can benefit patients.” ■
Researchers are working to find innovative solutions to help flatten the COVID-19 curve. The research of Jamie Sturgill, assistant professor in the UK College of Medicine Department of Internal Medicine, focuses heavily on lung disease. Sturgill has created a new way to find biomarkers for lung disease by testing a person’s breath. “This is completely noninvasive. A patient literally breaths into a tube, we collect the breath sample and then look for markers for inflammation,” Sturgill says. “This can help detect asthma, chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) and emphysema.” While this type of breath test is still in the research phase, Sturgill believes it could be effective in fighting COVID-19. Using Sturgill’s innovative breath test, a sample would be taken through a tube, eliminating possibly dangerous aerosol releases. The tube condenses the breath, turning it into condensed water droplets. The sample is then taken to the lab to look for signs of virus and inflammation. Sturgill believes her research will help with early screening and detection for lung diseases, and she hopes it will continue to evolve, eventually being used as a possible method of testing for COVID-19. ■
UK USES BIG DATA TO COMBAT CATASTROPHES Wei Ren, a UK scientist, is a part of a national research project that will analyze big data to develop new risk prediction tools for a natural disaster or catastrophic event. Ren, assistant professor in the UK College of Agriculture, Food and Environment, is a member of the Predictive Risk Investigation System for Multilayer Dynamic Interconnection Analysis, also known as PRISM, with scientists from nine other universities and organizations. Through a $2.4 million grant from the National Science Foundation, group members aim to use big data to identify risk factors for catastrophic events across several sectors. The group includes scientists with expertise in agriculture, climate, computer science, data science, ecology, energy, finance, hydrology, space weather and statistics. The researchers will focus their efforts on identifying risk interconnections, and systemically important risk indicators across the different domains. This will allow them to predict potential hazards and to lessen the possible system-wide losses once they have occurred. They plan to build large data sets across all sectors to create an interactive data library. Once the library is developed, they will use cutting-edge data analysis to identify critical risk indicators. They also will look for anomalies in the data that might lead to new insights. Ren will use historical and contemporary data sets to develop shortterm, mid-level and long-term risk indicators for potential natural disasters in agriculture, such as droughts or floods. The goal is to help create early warnings for catastrophes and improve preparedness for devastating events worldwide. ■ W W W.RESEARCH.UK Y.EDU www. u kal u mni. net
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KNOCKED DOWN UK Campus Rallies Against COVID-19 12
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By Linda Perry
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h ese uncertain times. Social distancing. A new nor-
mal. Shelter in place. Since late winter, life as we know it changed due to COVID-19. There are predictions that our world will need to continue to be on guard in the future, until this newest deadly coronavirus is eradicated from Earth. This will mean adjustments — both small and large — for everyone. Early on, little was known about how this new scenario would play out. Nevertheless, administrators at the University of Kentucky, like at other major educational facilities around the world, realized that immediate action was necessary to save lives; keep students, faculty and staff safe; and continue as much as possible to supply key services and programs to the public.
Photos: Mark Cornelison and Pete Comparoni, UK Public Relations & Marketing
Marcia Alverson, left, and Amy Richardson, right, fit a powered airpurifying respirator suit on Bailey Adamson before she enters a COVID-19 patient’s room at the UK Albert B. Chandler Hospital. President Eli Capilouto’s first communication about the novel coronavirus was Jan. 23 when he noted that no cases of the virus had been confirmed in Kentucky but asked anyone who had traveled to China and developed symptoms to contact University Health Services. As the situation developed, other messages followed over the course of weeks. UK moved swiftly, appointing work groups to handle different facets of the developing situation, travel restrictions, efforts to contact Education Abroad students in China and continued health related information. On March 6, Capilouto informed the campus that Kentucky’s first confirmed COVID-19 patient was in the UK Albert B. Chandler Hospital. On March 11, he announced online or alternative learning would begin following Spring Break until April 3. Also that day, efforts began to bring all Education Abroad students home following a national suspension of most European travel. By March 17, the situation called for even more dramatic measures. Capilouto announced the decisions to extend remote learning through the end of the semester, have students move out of campus housing, postpone Commencement and have nonessential staff work remotely. In a message April 3, he announced summer school would move to fully-remote learning, housing and dining credits were being offered to students who had to leave campus housing early and UK HealthCare had plans to set up a field hospital for anticipated COVID-19 patients. Researchers and faculty from multiple disciplines across UK came together as part of the global effort to treat, understand and eradicate COVID-19. The COVID-19 Unified Research Experts (CURE) Alliance team, a new workgroup within the College of Medicine, focused on advising COVID-19 patient care and clinical trials based on emerging research and potential treatment options. The team includes experts in virology,
infectious disease and epidemiology, pharmacy, lung biology and physiology, respiratory disorders and clinical trials. The rippling effect of need brought about by COVID-19 is being met in many ways by many people across UK. For example, the College of Agriculture, Food and Environment James B. Beam Institute for Kentucky Spirits has made hand sanitizer and created an instructional video for distillers who want to do the same. The college’s Community and Economic Development Initiative of Kentucky and Kentucky Small Business Development Center assisted small businesses suffering during the health crisis. The College of Design designed and produced face shields for health care workers to prevent the spread of germs. The College of Fine Arts worked with UK HealthCare on 3D printing face masks for front-line workers. The College of Public Health faculty and students assisted the Fayette County Health Department’s efforts to contain the virus. UK Dining partner Aramark, UK’s Food Connection, and Bluegrass Farm to Table found a new outlet for local farmers whose products were no longer needed by UK Dining when students left campus. Also, UK Dining chefs prepared 200-300 meals a day with donated food for organizations including The Nathaniel Mission, Lighthouse Ministries, Moveable Feast, The LEE Initiative and Fayette County Public Schools. Each college found impactful ways to contribute.
Meanwhile, Kentucky Gov. Andy Beasher called for social distancing and work by only employees in essential businesses. The Commonwealth and the University of Kentucky were in new territory. It is too early to know where the COVID-19 story ends: does summer see a reopening of all businesses and return to normal life, do people develop immunity to the virus, does the virus mutate into a milder form, does the illness come roaring back in the fall and winter, what modifications are made to airplane travel, how and when do schools reopen — the questions are almost endless. What is clear is that dedicated people at the University of Kentucky — UK HealthCare and UK colleges, departments and units — were able to take the initial hit of the dramatic impact of the virus and create innovative, workable solutions for academics, community services and programs, and protect our heroic first responders working to save lives. UK expects to have a final campus plan in place in mid-June for the fall semester, keeping in mind that it will continue to be flexible as health conditions, as well as state and federal guidance related to the virus, evolve. And when campus returns to “normal,” one thing is clear. It will be a return to safe and reinvented normal operations, designed to make UK stronger in wake of this health care crisis. ■
UK HEALTHCARE
Dr. Peter Morris, chief, Division of Pulmonary, Critical Care and Sleep Medicine, center, attends to a COVID-19 patient at the Albert B. Chandler Hospital.
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Tucked away on the 6th floor of the UK Albert B. Chandler Hospital, UK HealthCare’s clinical microbiology lab is home to one of the most important factors in fighting the COVID-19 pandemic — patient testing. Since March 21, the lab has been testing for COVID-19 for UK HealthCare patients. UK lead molecular biologist Ben Cobb is shown processing tests for the virus. The testing uses the Abbott M2000 instrument, which allows UK’s lab scientists to test up to 94 samples in a single run.
COVID-19 TESTING UK GUIDING PURPOSE AND PRIORITIES The coronavirus (COVID-19) is an unprecedented public health challenge, one that changes shape and direction by the day, and sometimes by the hour. UK continues to respond to this evolving situation, guided by the following: • The health of the Wildcat community including faculty, staff, students, patients and visitors is a top priority at UK. • We will continue our ongoing operations. • We will ensure ongoing, timely and factual information and communication to the campus community and impacted audiences. • We will support the entire UK community. • Finances come second.
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NUTTER FIELD HOSPITAL In expectation of a surge in COVID-19 cases, UK HealthCare established a 400-bed field hospital in Nutter Field House, the UK football team’s practice facility on the south side of campus near Kroger Field. Work began April 3, and the field hospital was ready in less than two weeks.The field hospital featured partitioned rooms, nursing stations, shower, restroom and handwashing units, as well as towel and laundry service. It’s a wonderful example of partnership between UK HealthCare and Athletics, led by Mitch Barnhart, working in collaboration with Lexington-area hospitals, the state health commissioner and Gov. Andy Beshear.
FACE MASK MANUFACTURING
Apricot and white ribbons were placed at UK HealthCare to show appreciation and support for nurses and frontline workers during the COVID-19 pandemic.
Afif Alahmad, pictured at left, digital technology graduate assistant, worked in the College of Design to produce face masks in April for UK HealthCare. The College of Design became the hub and point of contact for the design and production of these face shields to prevent the spread of germs. Joe Brewer, director of facilities in the college, spearheaded the effort to synchronize members of campus to help with this production. The College of Design developed the prototype with input from Jason McReynolds, chief technology officer/ associate CIO, and Dr. Ashley MontgomeryYates, assistant chief medical officer for inpatient service at UK HealthCare. Doug Klein, director of the UK College of Engineering Innovation Center offered engineering’s 3D printing services to the College of Design to make the bands for the face shields.
SHOWING APPRECIATION www. u kal u mni. net
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ONLINE ACADEMICS
David Stephenson, assistant professor in the UK College of Communication and Information School of Journalism and Media, conducts an online class in virtual reality from home. In addition to interaction with their class professors, all 30,000 UK students received phone calls from the friendly voices of university employees, checking in to see how their transition had been from in-person classes to remote learning. Ella Webster, a freshman, continues her music education online at home with a digital device after students did not return to campus following spring break. In the wake of COVID-19 disrupting traditional classes and sending UK students, faculty and staff into a flurry of transitioning in-person classes to mostly an online format, the university gave undergraduate students an option of making their spring 2020 classes pass/fail.
DOES SOCIAL DISTANCING WORK?
SILENT REFLECTIONS A courteous, yet sad, reminder for all those at UK HealthCare this spring. 16
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According to a new report by the Institute for the Study of Free Enterprise at the University of Kentucky, confirmed COVID-19 cases in the Commonwealth would have reached a staggering 45,000 by April 25 without any state-imposed measures. For comparison, the total confirmed COVID-19 cases at the time of this report is fewer than 4,000. The study, coauthored by Charles Courtemanche and Aaron Yelowitz, both professors and researchers in the UK Gatton College of Business and Economics, also suggests the state’s measures have prevented more than 90 percent of confirmed cases, which means approximately 2,000 lives have been saved so far.
Members of the Chicagoland UK Alumni Club practiced social distancing during the First Saturday in May Virtual 5K.
Photo: Submitted
ALUMNI CAREER SERVICES SHINES
UK VIRTUAL 5K UK ALUMNI ASSOCIATION PIVOTS TO HELP THE WILDCAT FAMILY The University of Kentucky Alumni Association exists to celebrate Wildcat spirit, serve all alumni, friends and students of UK, and keep Wildcats everywhere informed and connected. Considering the new environment that COVID-19 has brought about, our organization had to become creative about how to continue delivering helpful programs and services to our constituents, even though members of our staff were working from home. Using communications platforms, the association was able to pivot quickly in most areas. Sadly, our trips with the Traveling Wildcats program have been postponed for the foreseeable future, but our staff continues to work with our travel partners and alumni to answer questions. However, we made creative strides navigating this new landscape of meetings and programs online. Our previously scheduled April Board of Directors meeting was held for the first-time using Zoom. This worked surprisingly well as the association made the best use of the technology at hand, even managing to have a social get-together with breakout rooms the day before the actual board meeting. The association had launched an online Book
Club late last year, and it has been gaining traction with readers who wanted to discuss the latest literature with fellow UK alumni. But momentum increased significantly as alumni across the country were told to stay at home due to COVID-19. Details about joining are available at www.ukalumni. net/bookclub. We made Flat Wildcat coloring pages available for download at www. ukalumni.net/flatwildcat. This has been a good way to keep our Legacy families engaged during this time, as we provided a new coloring page each week. We also sent an email to Legacy families with suggestions of family things to do during this time. To promote healthy living and the Basic Needs and Persistence Fund to benefit UK students, we created the First Saturday in May Virtual 5K, due to the postponement of the Kentucky Derby. This allowed our participants to continue practicing social distancing from where they live while sporting their favorite UK or Derby Day attire. Our entry “field” was substantial for this race — 1,037 registrants, approximately $17,000 raised and 37 states represented. We were surprised by the number of entries and hope our participants remember to send us pics on social media! We interviewed and
One of the areas that we are most proud of is our Alumni Career Services offerings. During such uncertain times as these, we needed to engage our alums who suddenly were not secure in their jobs. To that end, we quickly retooled our career service offerings so that our alumni could continue to receive valuable information. We hosted our first Job Club program online via Zoom. We maxed out the number of allowable registrations with our Zoom license (100) and after that program, we got our license expanded. Job Club is a partnership between the UK Alumni Association, Fayette County Cooperative Extension Office and UK Human Resources. It is a resource for job seekers and employers and meets every other Tuesday at the Fayette County Extension Office. All programs for the foreseeable future will be held virtually. A link to the lineup of programs is available at www.ukalumni.net/jobclub. We also hosted a webinar entitled “Kentucky Unemployment Insurance Basics” and had over 300 attendees signed up to attend the Zoom event. Our Alumni Career Services team continues to respond to a number of inquiries from alumni as the economic situation unfolds. An email that contains helpful information about career resources was recently distributed to all alumni. Our team continues to work on creating more dedicated career programming during this time in order to assist alumni as they maneuver through economic recovery and new job opportunities. All details will be posted at www.ukalumni.net/career. selected our newest 2020-2021 UK Alumni Ambassadors via Zoom and are thrilled with the caliber of students who want to engage with our Wildcats this coming academic year. Our members from around the country assisted with a letter writing campaign to prospective UK students and we were able to send more than 4,000 letters of
encouragement to those students. The association partnered with the Office of Admission on this effort and we look forward to other ways to assist with student recruitment as we go forward. Our Enrollment Management team has also been hard at work and successfully found a way to host two Merit Weekends online. www. u kal u mni. net
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Photo: Mark Cornelison, UK Public Relations & Marketing
James B. T Beam Institute provides sanitizer to health care workers By Aimee Nielson, Jeff Franklin and Mallory Olson
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he COVID-19 pandemic is creating shortages of sanitizing products in hospitals. Across the nation, spirits distillers are stepping up to help and using their products and equipment to make hand sanitizer for health care workers. At the University of Kentucky, the James B. Beam Institute for Kentucky Spirits made sanitizer and went a step further by creating an instructional video for distillers who want to do the same. “There is a method that has evolved over the past few weeks using high-proof ethanol and glycerin,” says Seth DeBolt, director of the Beam Institute and horticulture professor in the UK College of Agriculture, Food and Environment. “We have had requests for sanitizer just within the university and also questions from craft distillers who are interested in producing it. The Food and Drug Administration regulations are very exact, and it’s very important to carefully follow them.” Beam Suntory donated 250 gallons of high-proof ethanol, and Alltech donated glycerin. The Beam Institute team combined the ingredients in the proper ratios, added water to help the glycerin become more pourable and added a commercial-grade hydrogen peroxide solution. The mixture yielded about 300 gallons of sanitizer. The multidisciplinary Beam Institute is naturally suited for projects of this nature, with experts in biotechnology, chemistry and engineering involved from across the university. “We have some amazing colleagues over there at the hospital who are on the front lines of this virus fight, and we have this whole other collection of faculty who can get together and support efforts like this,” DeBolt says. “It’s a fine example of what a land-grant university can do.” Bert Lynn, chemistry professor in the UK College of Arts and Sciences, was part of the project. “The end product is a little different from what you normally think of as hand sanitizer,” he says. “It has a more waterlike consistency. It has a strong smell. But it’s a product you can effectively work into your hands. It will cut down virus transmission, and the makeup is all FDA approved.”
“Jim Beam and UK HealthCare need to be recognized for their efforts and supplies,” Clark Kebodeaux, an associate professor in the College of Pharmacy, says. “We are just happy to help provide assistance with our students.” Students and faculty made sure to socially distance themselves while they worked. Alex Nilges, a student in the College of Pharmacy, credits her training for being able to help in a time of need. “I think it’s important that we use our resources to really focus on getting critical supplies to those who need it most,” she says. “Pharmacists and student pharmacists are particularly equipped to prepare and process compounds like this. It makes me proud to be a part of Team Kentucky.” After a 72-hour mandatory wait time between production and delivery, the team donated the demonstration batch to UK Albert B. Chandler Hospital. ■ Watch a video of the making of sanitizer at UK: www.ukalumni.net/sanitizer Brad Berron (left), Seth DeBolt (right) and other UK scientists label bottles before producing sanitizer for UK’s hospital.
Photo: Brian Volland
Maintaining social distance in the production process was a big priority for the team. Lynn said they were constantly checking their positions and making sure they were far enough apart. “It’s a challenge for scientists to work that way, but we did it and still got the work done,” he says. “I was glad to have the opportunity to pitch in and do something that has immediate benefit in this fight against the virus at UK’s hospital.” Brad Berron, professor of chemical engineering for the UK College of Engineering, led the sanitizer formulation and worked with distilleries on FDA regulations to make sure the product was of the highest quality. “It is heartwarming to see everyone pitch in on this effort,” he says. “Our team is always looking for ways to serve Kentucky, and we are fortunate to be in a position to help here. We are now working with other local distilleries to help them change over to hand sanitizer production.” DeBolt says he was amazed by the cooperation of so many university and industry partners to get this done in such a timely way. “I am humbled by our partnership with Beam Suntory and how focused they were in making this successful,” he says. “They sent us a semitruck to deliver product on very short notice. The people in health care are really the ones directly fighting the virus, but if we can make their job easier and help save their lives, or protect them in some small way, it’s something we just have to do.” Students and faculty in UK College of Pharmacy are doing their part to help, too. Several people worked to put the sanitizer into useable containers for the health care system to address shortages.
Photo: Mark Cornelison, UK Public Relations & Marketing
Conner Ball, 23, of Bedford, got resupplied with bottles by Associate Professor Clark Kebodeaux, right, as faculty and students from the UK College of Pharmacy bottled some of the 250 gallons of hand sanitizer to be donated to UK for healthcare workers and first responders.
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Traveling, exploring & adventuring
will soon return and the Traveling Wildcats will be here for you!
www.ukalumni.net/travel
YOUR OFFI CI ALHOME FOR COVERAGE OF YOUR KENTUCKY WI LDCATS
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@UK_ SPORTSNETWORK
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EILEEN DUNNINGTON ’03 AS
HELPING WITH SANCTUARY FOR AT-RISK PRIMATES
Photo: Tim Webb
By Hal Morris
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“I was invited to help volunteer at one of the annual events, the one day a year the supporters actually get to visit the sanctuary. Once I got here and saw the great work they were doing, I was hooked. After that, they couldn’t get rid of me.” Dunnington created her own internship program to work at the center to fulfill her graduation requirements, then started as a caregiver upon graduation. “The stars aligned,” she says, and Dunnington has been there since. The center houses many primates that were previously pets. “They’re adorable as babies, but in a few years become aggressive or just lonely. In the wild, they cling to their mothers for a year. To be pets, they have to be stolen from their mothers days after birth,” she says. The center is a 501c3 nonprofit relying on donations of money, supplies and in-kind services from individuals, service providers, foundations and corporate partners. “We provide lifetime care. None of the primates could be released into the wild for numerous reasons,” Dunnington says. “They don’t have the skills to survive on their own. Exposure to humans risks the wild population with illness and viruses. They really have nowhere to go.” Employees at the center were particularly careful with the primates this spring as COVID-19 spread around the world, not wanting to bring disease to the animals, both young and old. Some of the primates live anywhere from 20 to 30 years to up to 60 years for some species. “It’s quite a commitment, but our main goal is to provide the care they deserve,” she says. “We care for a group of nine chimpanzees. This group has been together over 20 years,” she says. “They’ve definitely bonded with each other. We also care for about 40 monkeys of 11 species living in smaller groups.” The center has a hands-off policy outside the enclosures and the only time the primates are handled is to sedate for medical checkups. “Though we provide the necessities, we don’t want to be the only ones they depend on for emotional needs. We want them to bond with those like them,” says Dunnington, who admits that workers grow very attached to the primates.
Photo: Primate Rescue Center
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ileen Dunnington initially focused on family and child therapy while studying psychology at the University of Kentucky. While she now cares for families, it is just not the way she imagined. Dunnington is the executive director of the Primate Rescue Center near Nicholasville, a place she has worked since earning a bachelor’s degree in psychology from the UK College of Arts & Sciences in 2003. The center — not a zoo — sits on 30 acres in central Kentucky, with buildings and grounds designed to afford the unwanted or at-risk primates a quiet, sheltered place to spend the rest of their lives. The organization works to end the trade in primates both in the United States and abroad, while also educating the public about how primates are caught in a breeder/dealer cycle. “As I progressed though my degree, I just wanted to take a different direction with it and began doing research,” she says. “I credit Dr. Thomas Zentall’s animal mind class to opening my eyes to the possibilities of psychology and animal behavior.” Dunnington has worked at the center since graduation and was named executive director in September 2017. She is responsible for the daily operations of the facility, such as managing the animal care programs, educational and outreach programs, donor relations, fundraising, and other administrative duties. As a small and efficient organization, Dunnington and her team all wear many different hats to accomplish their goals while always keeping the primates’ care, health and safety as their main priority. “It’s actually pretty surprising how often a psychology degree applies to work here,” she says. “It helps for human management, as well as animal management. It comes in quite handy for me sometimes.” Dunnington grew up in Lexington, but had never heard of the center, which was founded in 1987 and is located in rural Jessamine County outside of Lexington. “I always say it was a bit of luck that brought us together,” she says. “I read about them, and my curiosity was piqued. I inquired about their programs and saw they had a volunteer program, but no internship program.
Peanut, a capuchin, arrived at the PRC after being purchased by an undercover agent during a drug operation in Rowan County. At first, Peanut showed visible signs of neglect and isolation (rocking, poor nutrition and health, etc.). However, she quickly responded to PRC’s rehabilitation efforts and made fast friends with Grady, also a capuchin, once she was introduced to an established capuchin group. “I feel, sometimes, that I’ve grown up with the chimpanzees,” she says. “I met some of them when they were in their teens, and now they’re in their mid-20s. It’s been a remarkable experience to know them as individuals for that long and make connections with them.” An experience Dunnington would not have had if not for the education she received at UK. “What UK was able to do was expose me to a lot of different aspects of psychology work through my degree requirements. With Dr. Thomas Zentall, I took a variety of classes, and it really opened my world to the possibilities of using my skills and knowledge in unique ways,” she says. “Without those, I don’t think I would have been prompted to look at an internship. I always felt I had the support and guidance to find what fulfilled me and find what my passions were.” Dunnington says her career path shows how her major could help in just about any job. “I’ve gone to Georgetown College and Eastern Kentucky University to discuss with their psychology students about this pathway where a lot of individuals’ eyes are really opened to what you can do with a psychology degree,” she says. “And that applies to a lot of facets of life.” ■ www. u kal u mni. net
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Photo: Submitted
PURSUING HER
Sydney S. Taylor inspected a cruise ship in Miami vessel port as part of her internship with the Vessel Sanitation Program.
DREAMS
Sydney S. Taylor ’18 PH discovered her passion in public health while at UK By Linda Perry and Molly Williamson
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s a high school senior at Hamilton Southeastern High School in Fishers, Indiana, Sydney S. Taylor was excited as most students are when they are applying for admission to a college or university. Sydney’s college outlook brightened the evening she attended a University of Kentucky SeeBlue Preview Night, where she met Don Witt, then-associate provost of enrollment management. She told him about her background and desire to go to school and grow professionally in the public health field. “That night, Mr. Witt told me he expected I would be offered admission with some scholarship assistance,” says Taylor, who graduated in 2018 from the UK College of Public Health with a bachelor’s degree in public health while also receiving a certificate in health communications. “UK gave me the opportunity to discover my potential as a college student, and it made me a better person. I graduated with cum laude honors, and my grades enabled me to earn scholarships throughout my UK experience. My hard work enabled me to attend the Indiana University School of Public Health graduate program on a graduate assistant fellowship.” At UK, she was a recipient of a William C. Parker Diversity Scholarship and a Provost Enhancement Scholars Scholarship. Taylor thrived at UK and was active on campus. She was a Wildcat Ambassador at the UK Visitor Center, where she regularly addressed prospective students and families about academic and social life on campus and conducted campus tours. Taylor was involved with the Underground Perspective, a diversity organization involved in community service and social gatherings; a Living, Learning
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healthcare mentor in the residence halls; a hospital volunteer at Baptist Health; food coordinator volunteer at God’s Pantry; and worked part time at the Stuckert Career Center. Taylor says it is hard to pinpoint her best memory of UK because there are many from which to choose, but she has always been enthusiastic about sharing the benefits of her major. “I enjoyed and supported Public Health Awareness Week, sponsored by the College of Public Health. We had a parade around campus to make other students more knowledgeable about the college and public health careers. We shared what we loved about public health and what we can do to help the public, while having fun at the same time,” she says. She is now in her final year at Indiana University-Bloomington, where she is earning a master’s degree in public health in environmental and occupational health. She is also earning a safety management certificate with the hopes of becoming an environmental health officer monitoring water or food-borne infectious diseases. “I could be involved in operational inspections or deployed if there is an infectious disease outbreak. For example, I might be helping with a quarantine program or support as a public health advisor, communicating ways of preventing further transmission of a virus,” she says. Last summer, Taylor earned an internship opportunity with the Commissioned Corps of the U.S. Public Health Service (USPHS) as a junior environmental health officer, conducting inspections on vessels and learning more about how she can apply her public health degree to serve her country. “During my internship, I
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was inspecting cruise ships for gastrointestinal illnesses, and my responsibilities included unannounced food and technical operations inspections,” she says. “These responsibilities would apply if I were deployed as an employee during an outbreak.” Taylor was stationed with the Vessel Sanitation Program as part of the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) in Atlanta. “We traveled to different vessel ports and performed out-briefs with the head staff and captain of the ships,” she says. “Environmental health and safety are my two public health areas of interest,” Taylor says. “It also allows me to serve my community and research ways to prevent disease and to learn more about how certain diseases affect food and water sources on populations.” Though she was not aware of the corps before applying to the internship program, Taylor feels she has found her true passion. She appreciated the corps’ focus on service, leadership, hard work and dedication, traits she continuously strives to exhibit in her life. “Working for the USPHS at the CDC was such a great opportunity for me,” Taylor says. “It raised my confidence and inspired me to finish my graduate program strong. But my transformation really began at UK. The administrative staff and faculty at UK invested in me. They realized my potential and gave me endless opportunities to succeed. My UK campus family provided me the support and resources I needed to discover my talents and to excel in my chosen field. I am grateful for my time at UK and Big Blue Nation will forever be in my heart.” ■
By Molly Williamson
Photo: Submitted
TAKING FLIGHT Joseph Feliciano knew he was destined to work for NASA
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s he approached graduation, senior Joseph Feliciano had a plan. The physics and mathematics major intended to earn a master’s in science in space systems engineering from Morehead State University. Final destination: NASA. The Elizabethtown native is already closer to his dream. Last summer, he spent 20 weeks interning for NASA at Marshall Space Flight Center in Huntsville, Alabama. He collected data from satellites and helped create code that he would then send to NASA engineers to help create better spacecraft and account for environmental and interplanetary space factors that may affect the spacecraft. “Working there was a dream,” Feliciano said. “NASA internships are so elite. It is like getting into the Super Bowl. Only one out of 2,000 applicants are accepted, and I am so thankful to everyone who helped me get there.” As a first-generation student, he considers himself somewhat of a pioneer. He pushes himself to achieve and is continually impressed with his accomplishments. His parents instilled in him self-discipline, determination and a good work ethic. Both veterans of the U.S. Army, they saved to provide him opportunities and as a result, he was able to attend his dream school. But he said his donors enabled him to focus on his education. As a scholarship student, he did not need to work and was able to immerse himself in his studies, join outside organizations and make connections that allowed him to further his education and build leadership skills. Scholarships and funding student success is a key goal of the university’s comprehensive campaign, Kentucky Can: The 21st Century Campaign. Donors like Feliciano’s are bringing UK closer to its $2.1 billion goal and transforming students’ lives. “I never had to worry about student debt or wonder if I had enough money to pay my tuition, room, board or books,” Feliciano said. “I am so thankful for that. I was determined to go to college, and my family and I have always put education first. Whatever I needed to do to better myself and further my education, we did. But, having scholarship support made the journey a little easier and provided me opportunities I never would have had without these scholarships.” He graduated in May with a double major in physics and mathematics from the UK College of Arts & Sciences. Feliciano attributes his acceptance to the NASA internship program in part to his parents’ support. They always taught him to believe in himself and to challenge himself to achieve more.
“My mom has a will of iron,” Feliciano said. “She taught me to never let any obstacles stand in my way and to always be prepared to embrace any opportunity that came my way.” He also credits his “just try it” attitude. He did not know anyone at NASA or anyone with a connection to NASA, but he had faith in his skills. He knew that his University of Kentucky education provided him a solid foundation in physics, mathematics and computer science. It also taught him valuable problem solving and critical thinking skills that he knew would be essential at NASA. Then, he just went for it. “I knew I wanted to get practical experience before I graduated, and I knew I eventually wanted to work at NASA, so I figured I would at least apply,” Feliciano said. “The only thing they could say was no. Now, I have been a part of a project where they may publish the results. Whether my name is included, I can say that I assisted in getting the data and contributed to solidifying our footprint in space exploration.” Feliciano has always been interested in space exploration. He serves as a NASA ambassador and tells people about the organization’s goals: go to the moon by 2024, have a moon presence by 2028 and explore Mars by the mid-2030s. He enjoyed getting to learn the NASA culture, learn from engineers, experience Alabama and work at NASA during the 50th anniversary of the Apollo moon landing. “Coming to UK led me on a path that I cannot even believe I am on,” Feliciano said. “Though the journey is still ongoing, I am confident I will eventually work at NASA, and I am so thankful for the connections and friendships I have made and the guidance that I have received that have led me to this place.” ■ www. u kal u mni. net
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Sophia Decker ’19 AS: Discovering the Latin Program, UK’s Hidden Gem By Ann Blackford
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Photo: Submitted
eople often ask Christopher Decker of Los Angeles, California, why his daughter Sophia Decker, whom he describes as an extremely gifted student, particularly in languages, chose to attend the University of Kentucky. “I always respond by saying she fell in love with Latin and Ancient Greek. When I say there is only one accredited university in the U.S. where the classics faculty conduct class in the target language, people often guess it to be Harvard, Yale, Georgetown or Notre Dame. The correct answer is the University of Kentucky, and that is why Sophia chose to attend UK,” he says. Christopher Decker and his wife, Theresa Decker, were so impressed by UK’s Latin program where they watched their daughter thrive, that they recently gifted a $25,000 endowed fund to the UK Department of Modern and Classical Languages, Literatures and Cultures, housed in the UK College of Arts & Sciences. “Sophia was immediately attracted to the program at UK, which gave her an education in classical languages and literature unrivalled by any other institution in the United States,” Theresa Decker says. “While studying in Europe, she met students of classics from Poland, France and Germany, as well as other countries, and many of these students knew about the program at UK. Some even hoped to travel to Kentucky to take advantage of the program there.” Sophia Decker said that it is not every day that most people receive a text message in Latin. But for a classics major at UK, one of the only universities in the world where Latin is used as a language of instruction, it is a regular occurrence. She was also a linguistics major. “The culture of Living Latin is what led me to turn down a full scholarship to USC and move from Los Angeles to Lexington. At UK, I took several classes taught by Dr. Terence Tunberg and Dr. Milena Minkova. Both speak Latin with incredible fluency, and they have made it their mission to teach their students to do the same,” she says. “When we read Cicero’s ‘De Amicitia,’ one of the greatest treatises on friendship ever written, we discussed Cicero’s thoughts in the language that he thought them. Through classes like this, I met an entire community of students and professors who loved Latin just as much as I did. Suddenly,
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first full-immersion Latin seminar not affiliated with any religion to be founded in North America since World War II. The seminar currently attracts about 80 participants of all ages and backgrounds from six continents every summer. In 2001, Tunberg, along with his colleague Milena Minkova, professor and another worldwide recognized expert in spoken Latin, began the Graduate Certificate Curriculum at UK. The UK Institute for Latin Studies has garnered interest from around the world for the uniqueness of the curriculum and for the renowned level of faculty expertise located here. “UK distinguishes itself from other Latin programs because we teach Latin in whole historical context, which prepares people for other languages,” Tunberg says. “Students speak, write and live in the language.” Tunberg says that Latin functions as an international language and is considered the mother of all modern romance languages: French, Spanish, Italian and Portuguese. About 60 percent of all English words derive from Latin. In the vocabulary of sciences and technology, that statistic rises to over 90 percent. Other students under the tutelage of Tunberg and Minkova, like Katerina Banks, a senior classics and music major at UK, echo the same sentiment for the classics program as Sophia Decker. “I’ve been taking Latin since the 7th grade, and I wanted to come to UK because it’s one of the best in the country with the most highly recognized professors of active Latin in the world,” she says. “The culture of the institute is very encouraging. I have observed my professors teach in Latin, make jokes and converse on a variety of topics from ancient texts we are discussing in class
Photo: Submitted
Latin was a language I used to introduce myself to new people, have a conversation over dinner at The Local Taco, or just check in with my friends to see how they were doing. Nowhere but UK could I have glanced at my phone and seen a text message saying, ‘Quid agis?’” UK’s Living Latin program allowed Sophia Decker to master reading, writing, listening and speaking Latin. After graduation in spring 2019, she began religious life at a Carthusian monastery in France, where the nuns spend six to eight hours a day reciting or singing prayers in Latin or French. About 25 percent of the texts are in Latin and many change frequently. “By virtue of her education at UK, she understands all of these texts, as well as the nuns who have been living this life for many years,” Theresa Decker says. “This linguistic proficiency opens the door to spiritual practice which would otherwise be extremely daunting. The Carthusian order has a more than 900year history and all its literature is in Latin until very recently. Sophia can read and understand all of this and can even translate it for the other sisters who have lived this life much longer but don’t have the same proficiency in Latin. She uses the Latin she learned at UK every day, all day, and to do the things that are most important to her. She could live Carthusian religious life even if she hadn’t benefited from UK’s Living Latin program, but she would have far, far more to learn and work on just to get through each day and would progress much more slowly.” Terrence Tunberg, professor of Modern and Classical Languages, Literatures and Cultures at UK and a worldwide recognized pioneer in the revival of spoken Latin, founded Conventiculum Latinum (Latin get-together) at UK, the
Christopher and Theresa Decker, parents of Sophia Decker (left), hope their university gift will enable many young minds to deepen their love of Latin and Greek. to the rules of different sports games. We often have weekly Latin lunches to get together and chat about a variety of topics, including our daily lives and interests.” Tunberg says the generous gift the Decker’s made to the Latin program will be used entirely to support students in the program. “We know that there are many students who would benefit from academic offerings under the tutelage of these excellent scholars,” Theresa Decker says. “We hope our gift will enable many young minds to deepen their love of Latin and Greek, enrich their understanding of ancient authors, and develop a friendship with the past, which will in turn inform their approach to the future.” ■
In 2018, the university announced Kentucky Can: The 21st Century Campaign, a multi-year comprehensive philanthropy campaign focused on increasing opportunities for student success, funding innovative research, improving health care, strengthening the alumni network and supporting athletic programs. During the 2018-2019 fiscal year, UK received $212 million in gifts and commitments from 45,145 donors, all of which counted toward the Kentucky Can campaign. www. u kal u mni. net
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WILDCAT LOVE! Even though UK’s May 2020 Commencement ceremonies had to be postponed to ensure the health and safety of the UK community, we can always count on our Wildcat to be there in spirit to cheer for our newest graduates and their wonderful achievements. Congratulations, Class of 2020! You did it!
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Photo: Mark Cornelison, UK Public Relations & Marketing
JAMYLE CANNON UK ALUMNUS NAMED CNN HERO FOR GIVING YOUTH A FIGHTING CHANCE By Lindsey Piercy
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t’s a weeknight in Chicago. The city streets and sidewalks are crowded — filled with the hustle and bustle of people making their way home for the evening. How do you define home? For some, it’s a lavish penthouse with a spectacular view. For others, it’s a much smaller, overpriced apartment. But for hundreds of the city’s at-risk youth, the meaning of home is far less traditional. In a boxing club on Homan Avenue is where these teens feel safe. There’s a story behind every dodge, duck, bob and weave — a journey filled with more tribulations than triumphs. At the front of the class is a young man who’s attempting to take the fate of Chicago’s most vulnerable adolescents into his own hands. He, too, has a story. “There were times when the lights would be turned off,” Jam-
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yle Cannon says. “To think, we were so poor we don’t deserve water or electricity — that’s an experience that stands out about my childhood.” Cannon vividly remembers the challenges that came with growing up in a low-income neighborhood in Lexington. At a young age, he knew what it meant to struggle. Cannon often felt helpless as his family battled poverty and addiction. Those struggles made him question his place in this big world, and that uncertainty — about who he was and where he belonged — lead to angst. “I definitely had anger issues,” he says. In every sense of the word, Cannon felt like he had to fight — for himself and his family. He refused to let unfairness and inequality knock him down. “Fighting is really a part of me,” he says. “I knew how to behave in school and in front of adults, but I was fighting when I was away from those influences.”
Photo: Jenny Alvarez
Jamyle Cannon’s remarkable efforts to help Chicago’s most vulnerable adolescents has earned him a new title — CNN Hero.
Cannon followed his fists down a rocky road. At the age of 12, he had to undergo court ordered anger management classes after getting arrested for a fight. But there was one person whose positive influence outweighed Cannon’s urge to fight for all the wrong reasons. “The spirit of the grind — the spirit of the hustle that my mom exhibited is a staple of my upbringing,” says Cannon. Cannon’s mother single-handedly raised him and his three siblings. There were many days she would ride the bus with them to school, and when there wasn’t enough fare left for herself, she would walk to work. If that wasn’t tiring enough, Cannon’s mother would also walk to her college classes. With each step, she was walking toward a new path — a life that would inspire her children to do more, to be more. When Cannon was 14, his mother graduated from the University of Kentucky. And the lights were never turned off again. “When she graduated with a degree in social work, I watched our lives change almost immediately,” he says. “I wanted to follow in her footsteps, and I wanted to continue that upward trajectory.” Fast forward four years — Cannon kept his promise. In 2006, he enrolled at UK and declared social work as his major. Living up to his own expectations was a daunting task. One day, when the pressure felt too overwhelming, Cannon walked into the boxing gym on campus. “It felt like a family. One of the most difficult things I faced was finding a group of people to connect with,” he says. “It gave me a sense of belonging — it gave me sense of purpose.” Cannon started boxing competitively. To say he was talented would be an understatement. In 2009, Cannon was named National Collegiate Boxing Champion. But during his time at UK, he gained something even more valuable than titles and trophies. “Fighting in nationals took me on my first flight,” Cannon says. “It led me to parts of the country I’d never been before. It got me out of my sheltered world.” As UK expanded Cannon’s knowledge of the world, he realized other children were encountering education inequality — just as he once had. That’s when he began a never-ending pursuit to create change. In 2010, Cannon graduated with a bachelor’s degree from the UK College of Social Work and joined Teach For America. In 2012, equipped with a master’s degree in secondary education, Cannon moved to Chicago’s west side. He was told 47 percent of the men in that community were in prison or on parole. Teens disheartened by generational poverty, academic neglect and the trauma of community violence turned to the streets. In an effort to break the cycle, Cannon helped found a charter school. In addition to teaching, he also became the basketball coach. Holding team tryouts was an eye-opening experience. “I cut 58 kids on the first day,” he says.
Because they lacked the grades and skills to participate, he had to turn them away. “I recognized we need to do better by the kids,” Cannon says. Cannon reverted to what he knew best — fighting. This time, it was for all the right reasons. Cannon launched a boxing club. What started out as a small group of students learning a few moves in his classroom, grew from 10, to 20, to 40 and so on. As their kicks and jabs got more impressive, so did their grades. “We started bringing in tutors to help them out, started to have mandatory study sessions, and we also expanded the program to include kids from all over the community,” he says. When the program got too popular to be held within the charter school walls, Cannon opened The Bloc. The nonprofit — now in five schools — uses boxing as a hook to get kids in the door and then provides them with tutoring and mentorship. “Kids come to us to learn how to fight — that’s what they walk in the door for, and we recognize we have to harness that urge,” Cannon says. “We need to turn it into something positive and give them pathways to success.” And it’s working. Since 2016, the co-ed program has helped more than 300 students. Even more notable, the group has maintained a 100 percent high school graduation rate and 100 percent college acceptance rate among participants who apply. Cannon already has multiple college visits planned for this year. “Either there are kids who grew up in poorer communities — who tend to be black and brown — and either those kids are less talented, less intelligent, less motivated than their counterparts, or something unfair is happening,” he says. “I am under the impression that something unfair is happening.” Cannon’s remarkable efforts to right wrongs has earned him a new title. In addition to being a teacher, coach and mentor, he has most recently been named a CNN Hero. “We are so very proud of Jamyle, the work that he has done and, perhaps most importantly, the lives that he has positively impacted,” Jay Miller, dean of the College of Social Work, says. “He is a testament to our college and the university. I am thrilled that his impact has been honored in such a positive way.” CNN Heroes has been spotlighting the impactful work of people across the world since 2007. When asked if he feels like a hero, Cannon says, he is simply “doing his part.” And doing his part is far from glamorous. “Most days, I feel like I’m chasing my own reputation,” Cannon says. It’s a weeknight in Chicago. Cannon will walk inside his boxing club on Homan Avenue and most likely be confronted by a combative 15-year-old and a crying 10-year-old. They have a story to share — he will listen. Cannon doesn’t claim to have the solutions to all their problems. But he knows those kids — the ones who have been overlooked and underestimated — are worth fighting for. Perhaps, that’s what makes them feel at home. “Some say, ‘You can’t save them all.’ I don’t buy it. I think every kid is worthy,” says Cannon. ■ Watch a video about The Bloc: www.ukalumni.net/jcannon
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Club News
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1. Greater Houston UK Alumni Club members got together to help give back to their community during the club’s Cats For A Cause service project. This year the club selected Feed the Hunger – Packathon, which is a food packing event where participants produce thousands of nutritious meals that will be distributed through Feed the Hunger partners to children and families in need, both in America and internationally.
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2. The Hardin County UK Alumni Club volunteered to serve the community at Warm Blessings in Elizabethtown in December, serving over 120 meals to community members and providing backpacks that were filled with personal hygiene items. The club uses this as one of its Cats for a Cause events. As the year came to an end, the club accumulated 387 community hours. 3. Members of the Upstate SC UK Alumni Club turned out in good numbers for a men’s basketball Game Watch Party in March.
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4. Members of the Vero Beach UK Alumni Club packed into the Loft Bar at Big Shots Vero Beach to welcome former UK basketball star and motivational speaker Reggie Hanson and cheer on UK with a big win for the Cats over Florida. The club also finished a two week campaign to raise money for DanceBlue with $1,000 collected for the philanthropic organization. 5. Clark County UK Alumni Club members enjoyed their Game Watch Party as UK men’s basketball took on Tennessee. 6. The Tampa Bay UK Alumni Club hosted Reggie Hanson during its Game Watch Party that saw UK men’s basketball beat the Tennessee Vols in February.
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7. The Nation’s Capitol Region UK Alumni Club held its Cats for a Cause service event by raking leaves at the Korean War Memorial on the National Mall in preparation for Veterans Day last fall. www. u kal u mni. net
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A Big Blue Thanks
Thank you to all of our new Life Members*! Life Members are among our most loyal alumni and friends. We salute your commitment to strengthening UK’s alumni community and honor your dedication to the university’s past and future.
Phyllis Aileen-Donohew Alan H. Bailey Amy Beaman Phillip D. Beaman Jeanne Bicknell Steven Bicknell Doug Boggs Sharon Bowen Boggs Michael W. Bourque Amanda A. Brandenburg Jacob V. Broderick Sherri L. Broderick Linda C. Brumfield Suzonne H. Bunch W. Thomas Bunch II Cara Clark Busler Lynn Ellen Byers June M. Caummisar Angela Cobb Brandi D. Collins Cary J. Collins Margaret Elaine Collins William J. Collins Linda Cornett Wally Cornett Pam K. Correll Kelli Christine Crosby Shawna Crosby
Melanie Cruz Mr. Cruz Steven L. Deaton Patricia A. Dimon Angela K. Duell Michael P. Duell Alexa C. Eggert E. Robert Elliott Lisa M. Evans Sean Evans Warren Fegenbush Joseph M. Feliciano Andrew P. Foote Kelley S. Gamble Teena M. Gamble Patrick C. Gossum Jason C. Hadley Jerod Jeffrey Hagen Lori Hagen Melissa L. Hagen Robert S. Hall II Sarah Hall Jeanne J. Hamilton Angela Henderson Bradley T. Hendren Sara Jane Hendren Andrew J. Herb Crystal Herb
Nicole M. Heumphreus Jessica Highfield Johnny M. Highfield Jr. Jodie A. Hofacre Chandler G. Hostin Steven W. Howard Marlona K. Ice-Wedding Seigfred P. Jalalon Nicole James William Christopher James Bernard J. Jankowski Lynda M. Jankowski Christopher Kyle Joiner Kathryn W. Jordan Beth M. King Jeffrey W. King Debra A. Kipp Harold E. Kipp Jr. Derek Michael Lavery Benjamin E. Lee Harrison E. Lee Terry Lewis Christopher E. Lockwood Mary K. Lockwood Glen C. Logan Jr. Melissa Manning Lauren McElhone Sean M. McElhone
Jerald Messer David M. Milburn Julia Milburn Gary L. Moore Joyce S. Moore Marilyn E. Moore Jeffrey Nichols Susan Nichols William M. O’Bryan James D. Oldham Lynn E. Peter Kathleen S. Price Richard D. Price Byrian L. Ramsey Brent Ray Kimberly A. Ray John F. Richards Jr. Nancy S. Richards John P. Richey Margaret G. Richey Jesse Riggs Kimberly Riggs Linda D. Russell Ellisa R. Sanes Amanda Schagane Stefan Schagane Sara J. Senese Michael E. Shoemaker
Schyler Brooke Simpson Angela Smoller Matthew Stone Charles H. Stout Judith P. Stout Douglas W. Stump Charles A. Taylor II Emily Carol Taylor Stephen Nolan Taylor Matthew Thistleton Susan Thistleton Debra S. Turner John D. Turner Matthew L. Turner Ralph H. Von Derau Jennifer P. Voss Alison Wells Marjorie Splaine Wiggins Rebecca J. Williams Bradley David Wilson Madison Brooke Wondra Vanessa L. Wondra Valerie M. Young *New paid-in-full Life Members Jan. 1 – March 31, 2020
Be an even bigger part of the Wildcat wave of impact. Become a Life Member today! www.ukalumni.net/membership or call 800-269-ALUM (2586) 34
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Adventure
Escape
Connection
Knowledge
FIND ALL THIS AND MORE THROUGH THE UNIVERSITY OF KENTUCKY ALUMNI BOOK CLUB!
A perk of UK Alumni Association Membership, the book club is a private online community where alumni and friends can connect with each other and enjoy books related to lifelong learning, social issues, literature, psychology and other user-submitted ideas. It’s free — all you have to do is get a copy of the book and enjoy! Sign up and learn more at: www.pbc.guru/uky The book club is managed by PBC Guru. PBC Guru manages professional book clubs for companies and alumni associations and will be moderating the group to help make this program a great experience for all participants.
Photo: UK Athletics
Sports
The UK rifle team defended its national title in a shortened season by finishing ranked No. 1 in the final Collegiate Rifle Coaches Association Top 20.
KENTUCKY RIFLE ENDS SEASON RANKED NO. 1 It was a flawless season for the University of Kentucky rifle team, finishing the year undefeated and winning both the Great America Rifle Conference regular-season and tournament championships. The final accomplishment came as the Wildcats finished the season ranked No. 1 in the final Collegiate Rifle Coaches Association Top 20. The two-time national champions were the top qualifier for the 2020 NCAA Rifle Championships, which were cancelled due to the Covid-19 public health threat. The Wildcats finished the regular season with a perfect 15-0 record, winning the GARC regular-season championship for the first time since 2013 and the GARC Tournament championship for the first time since 2009. It is the first time the Wildcats have won both in the same year since 2009. During the season, Kentucky bested its previous school-record aggregate score of 4719 a total of four times, including the nation’s best overall score during the year of 4734 at Army on Jan. 19. UK also surpassed the previous school record with a 4724 vs. Memphis at home on Feb. 1 followed by back-to-back 4723s in a win at West Virginia on Feb. 15 and during the NCAA Qualifier in Lexington on Feb. 22. UK shined in both disciplines during the year, averaging a 2334.54 in smallbore and 2377.23 in air rifle for a team aggregate average of 4711.77. Four of the best nine smallbore team scores in the nation this season were recorded by the Wildcats, who scored 2342 or better four times – more than any other team in the nation. The Wildcats’ best air rifle team score was a 2390, which was the best in the nation this season. UK scored 2380 or better in air rifle six times while 36
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the rest of the nation combined for just five scores of 2380 or better in air rifle. Overall, UK not only had the highest team aggregate score in the nation this season of 4734 but scored above a 4715 an impressive six times while the rest of the nation combined to score over 4715 eight times. In fact, Kentucky had four scores of 4720 or better this season while there was only one other team in the country to eclipse the 4720 mark. Individually, the Wildcats were paced by five All-America performers, including Collegiate Rifle Coaches Association Shooter and Freshman of the Year, Mary Tucker, who was All-America combined first team by the CRCA and a smallbore, air rifle and combined All-GARC performer. Sophomore Will Shaner was also All-America first team by the CRCA and a smallbore, air rifle and combined All-GARC performer while fellow sophomore Ruby Gomes was AllGARC second team in air rifle and a second-team Collegiate All-American in the discipline. Junior Hailee Sigmon was a second-team Collegiate All-America honoree in smallbore and air rifle, while sophomore Richard Clark was an honorable mention Collegiate All-American in air rifle. Tucker and Shaner, who each qualified for the four-member Team USA Air Rifle Olympic Team earlier this year, combined to post eight of the nine smallbore scores of 593 or better this season while they also combined to earn six of the eight 599s that were scored in air rifle this season. Tucker and Shaner were the only two NCAA shooters to post an aggregate score of 1190 or better this season, with Tucker doing it seven times while Shaner did it twice. ■
WOMEN’S BASKETBALL: HOWARD NAMED ALL-AMERICAN, SEC PLAYER OF THE YEAR Kentucky guard Rhyne Howard racked up the postseason awards for the Wildcats, and established herself as one of top players in the country. Howard was named Southeastern Conference Player of the Year by league coaches, made numerous All-American teams and was on the shortlist of most major postseason awards as she put together one of the best seasons in UK history. The sophomore was second in the country in scoring at 23.4 points per game and led Kentucky with 6.5 rebounds and 3.1 3-pointers made per game, both ranking in the top-10 nationally. Howard hit a school-record 84 3-pointers and scored 25 points or more in five straight games, also a program first.
Behind Howard, the Wildcats went 22-8 overall, 10-6 in the SEC and advanced to the SEC Tournament semifinals. That was to be UK’s last game, however, as the NCA Tournament was cancelled due to the COVID-19 pandemic. In addition to her player of the year honor, Howard was named first team All-American by the Associated Press and United States Basketball Writers Association. The USBWA honor made her a finalist for the Ann Meyers Drysdale National Player of the Year award. Howard made the SEC All-Defensive Team and was a finalist for the Citizen Naismith Trophy, John R. Wooden Award, Cheryl Miller Award, and was an honorable mention selection to the Women’s Basketball Coaches Association All-American team. Kentucky lost four seniors off this year’s quad, but returns juniors KeKe McKinney (6.5 ppg, 4.7 rpg, 42 blocks, 34 assists, 23 steals, 23 3-pointers), Tatyana Wyatt (6.3 ppg, 3.7 rpg), Chasity Patterson (11.5 ppg, 25 steals,
Photo: Elliott Hes, UK Athletics
The Kentucky men won their 49th Southeastern Conference title and Immanuel Quickley was named SEC Player of the Year by league coaches. But the Wildcats’ pursuit of another SEC Tournament and NCAA crown was derailed as the COVID-19 pandemic cancelled both tournaments. UK finished 25-6 and 15-3 in the SEC. Quickley averaged 16.1 points per game and scored in double figures in the Wildcats’ final 20 games. The sophomore guard led the SEC in free throw percentage at 92.3, good enough for second in school history and third in the nation this year. For his efforts, Quickley was named ESPN’s Breakout Star of 2019-2020 and the United States Basketball Writers Association District IV Player of the Year. He was named second-team All-American by the National Association of Basketball Coaches, and was a third-team All-American selection by The Athletic,
CBS Sports and Bleacher Report. Several other Wildcats also enjoyed postseason honors. Junior forward Nick Richards was named first team All-SEC by the media and coaches. He averaged 14 points per game and led UK in rebounds (7.8), blocks (2.1) and double-doubles (10) and led the SEC with a 64.4 field goal percentage. Richards was first team All-District IV and made the SEC All-Defensive team. Sophomore guard Ashton Hagans made the SEC All-Defensive Team for the second-straight season and was one of four finalists for the Naismith National Defensive Player of the Year. He averaged 11.5 points, 6.4 assists and 3.9 rebounds and 1.9 steals per game. Freshman guard Tyrese Maxey was named the SEC All-Freshman Team and was a second team All-SEC pick by the coaches. He averaged 14 points, 4.3 rebounds and 3.2 assists per game. The National Association of Basketball Coaches also named John Calipari its Coach of the Year.
Immanuel Quickley
After the season, Quickley, Hagans, Richards, sophomore E.J. Montgomery and Maxey all declared for the NBA Draft. In addition to its recruiting class of Terrence Clarke, B.J. Boston, Lane Ware, Cam’Ron Fletcher, Isaiah Jackson and Devin Askew, UK brought in Creighton graduate transfer Davion Mintz and Rhode Island transfer Jacob Toppin. ■
Photo: Grace Bradley, UK Athletics
MEN’S BASKETBALL: QUICKLEY NAMED SEC PLAYER OF THE YEAR
Rhyne Howard
29 assists), sophomore Blair Green (5.8 ppg, 2.2 rpg, 30 assists, 22 3-pointers) and freshman Emma King. UK also adds Arizona transfer Dre’Una Edwards and junior Kameron Roach, who missed this past season with an injury, and has a solid incoming freshman class of Treasure Hunt, Erin Toller and Nyah Leveretter. ■ www. u kal u mni. net
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Katherine Wheeler ’09 AS: Pivoting Toward
Her Passion By Linda Perry
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he grew up in Lexington — pure horse country — so right away Katherine Wheeler had a passion for everything horse related while in elementary and middle school, taking riding lessons every week. “I was horse crazy,” she says. Eventually, her interests in horses would lead her to starting a company that manufactures Dapple Up, a horse shampoo. But she didn’t have a direct route to success. Because by the time she attended Henry Clay High School, she had moved on to other pursuits and stopped riding. When she entered the University of Kentucky, she was an undeclared major but later took several nontraditional classes with Gerald Smith, professor of history in the College of Arts and Sciences. She developed a keen interest in history and graduated from the college in 2009 with a bachelor’s degree in history. She has lots of fond memories of UK. “One that sticks out was when the UK Club Waterski Team hosted our very first waterski tournament,” she says. “We competed in the South Atlantic Conference and had teams from the conference come to a ski lake by Lake Cumberland.” She decided to take a gap year upon graduation to think about her next step, career-wise. “I actually had a job lined up to go sailing on the Greek side of Cypress,” says Wheeler. “But in November 2009 I met a farm manger for a new breeding and racing operation in Lexington from Azerbaijan. So my classes with Dr. Robert Olson in Middle Eastern history played right into this. I told him I had always been interested in being around horses. He needed some additional help, so the next morning I was there at 5:30, and I never looked back.” She started in the office and learned a lot about the thoroughbred industry, eventually becoming assistant farm manager. She later worked for Kenny McPeek, a well-known trainer in Lexington, as well as the National Thoroughbred Racing Association. “I wanted to learn as much as I could. I’m like a sponge. These were great networking opportunities, too,” she says. Along the way, she had a chance encounter with a person while at Churchill Downs who had a formula for shampoo that she realized would work well for horses. She was able to acquire it, and over the years, she tweaked the original formula and brought it to the marketplace for use by horse trainers, starting with places she frequented, like Ocala, Florida, Churchill Downs and Keeneland.
“It’s proudly made in Kentucky and not only good for horses, but all animals,” says Wheeler. “The purpose of Dapple Up was to create a shampoo that was mild enough for everyday use by horse owners, and especially at the racetrack, without exposure to unnecessary chemicals that are found in the majority of products.” She says the product is made with natural ingredients and essential oils that have antifungal, antibacterial and bug repelling properties, all things that are beneficial in a barn. A typical day for Wheeler now consists of farm visits, tack shop visits and problem solving. She admits that having a young company has its challenges. “One that stands out is taking a risk into the unknown and not having a full-time job with financial security,” she says. Her early jobs gave her experience in horse care, partnerships and various organizations that have been beneficial to her managing a company at such a young age. “There are still kinks to figure out, but that’s normal with business owners,” says Wheeler. “I usually travel to a new horse area (now in Pine Mountain, Georgia) and help out a trainer or farm part time while building Dapple Up in that market. I love to be hands-on with the horses and expand my horsemanship while traveling, so it seems to be working in my favor.” She says that her experiences at UK exposed her to diverse types of people from all different walks of life. “This really allowed me to be comfortable in my own shoes and understand how to connect with people. If you had asked me in college if I would own a horse shampoo company then, I would have laughed at you. I followed my passion to be around horses, and it led me to see a need and market for Dapple Up, while being around my passion of horses and animals,” she says. This spring, Wheeler’s company also launched a second product called Dapple Up Pup, a shampoo for dogs. She says her five-year goal is to continue expanding distribution of her products throughout the United States. Her advice to other young entrepreneurs is to just take a chance on an idea. “If you can believe it, then you can achieve it,” she says. “What good is an idea if you don’t do anything about it? I run into people daily that have dreams and ideas but don’t act on them. They are afraid of failure. If you don’t put yourself out there, then you cannot succeed.” ■ www. u kal u mni. net
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Class Notes 1960s Gordon F. De Jong ’60 ’63 AS lives in State College, Pennsylvania, and was named the 30th laureate of the International Union for Scientific Study of Population. He is a distinguished professor emeritus of sociology and demography and cofounder of the Penn State University Population Research Institute. Robert A. Stokes ’64 AS lives in Golden, Colorado and is the retired president and CEO of Versa Power Systems Inc. He was previously senior vice president of the Gas Technology Institute and holds a master’s degree and doctoral
degree in physics from Princeton University. Mitchell C. Frank ’69 CI lives in Cumming, Georgia, and is retired from the U.S. Army as an officer and a civilian worker. He retired as a major after a 20-year career, working as a signal officer in the United States, Europe and Korea. He then worked for 15 years in the Department of the Army at Fort Gordon, where he managed the development of training courses for Army Signal noncommissioned officers before moving to the position of directorate of training in the U.S. Signal Corp headquarters where he managed training development for signal officers
and NCOs. Clifford D. Roy ’69 EN lives in Greenville, South Carolina, and was inducted into the Finishing Hall of Fame Class of 2020 for outstanding achievement and service to the surface finishing industry. With more than 50 years of experience in the metal finishing industry, he is now the retired chairman of Roy Metal Finishing Inc., one of the leading finishing shops in North America.
1970s Larry E. Gossett ’70 ED lives in Germantown, Tennessee, and was inducted
James C. Cloyd ’76 PHA is the Morse Alumni Distinguished Teaching Professor, the Lawrence C. Weaver Endowed Chairman in Orphan Drug Development and director of the Center for Orphan Drug Research at the University of Minnesota College of Pharmacy in Minneapolis. He received the American Pharmacists Association 2020 Tyler Prize for Stimulation of Research.
Photos: ExploreUK
Frankie A. Ko ’76 EN was appointed an independent nonexecutive director, chairman of the Remuneration Committee and a member of the Audit Committee and Nomination Committee for Chiho Environmental Group Ltd. He is also a partner and an operating executive for AEA Investors, a global private investment firm.
Some members of the Kentucky State Class of 1901 got together for a class reunion in June 1904. Their original graduating class saw 42 students earn degrees from a ceremony held in the chapel of the Main Building. There were four graduating females that year: Alleen Lary and Nannie Butler (Physics: atmospheric electricity); Ella Campbell Williams (Botany: The development and history of the garden pansy); and Lelia Eleanor Jones (Pedagogy: Consolidation of schools and transportation of the pupil). Unfortunately, the male alums are not identifiable in this photo.
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into the Kentucky Aviation Museum Hall of Fame. He is a retired pilot and flew for 46 years for the U.S. Air Force and Federal Express Corp. Gossett also created an aviation fund through the Bluegrass Community Foundation, helping Kentucky youth participate in aviation educational opportunities.
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Susan Stokely Clary ’78 AS, ’81 LAW lives in Lexington and retired as the clerk of the Kentucky Supreme Court after a 25-year career. She had been clerk to three Supreme Court justices — Robert F. Stephens, Joseph E. Lambert and cur-
rent Chief Justice John D. Minton Jr. — and previously served as general counsel and court administrator for the court. Michael W. Hancock ’78 EN is deputy secretary for the Kentucky Transportation Cabinet in Frankfort. He has had a 40-year career with the cabinet in various capacities, including state highway engineer, before serving as secretary under former Gov. Steve Beshear.
1980s Richard M. Wehrle ’80 BE, ’83 LAW lives in Lexington and is a partner at Stites & Harbison PLLC, serving as chairman of the Trusts & Estate Planning Group in the firm’s Lexington and Louisville offices. He was previously a partner at Bowles Rice LLP in Lexington, handling trusts and estate planning. Ashley W. Ward ’81 AS, ’84 LAW is a partner at Stites & Harbison PLLC in the firm’s Lexington office, serving as the coleader of the Torts and Insurance Practice Group. He was inducted as a Fellow of American College of Trial Lawyers. *Daniel H. Miller ’82 BE is an attorney Stonecroft Title & Escrow in Lexington. He was elected president of the Bluegrass Council, Boy Scouts of America. Miller earned his law degree from
the University of Louisville Louis D. Brandeis School of Law. Charles E. Rolfson ’82 SW lives in Lithia, Florida, and is chief revenue officer for Vital Data Technology LLC, a health information technology company, which is headquartered in Newport Beach, California. He was previously chief revenue officer for HealthX. Michael J. Sivewright ’82 BE is market director, Atlanta region for Jones Lang LaSalle IP Inc., a commercial real estate company. He was named to the Atlanta Magazine 500 Most Powerful People for real estate. Samuel S. Buckley ’84 BE lives in Flanders, New Jersey, and is executive vice president of New York brokerage services for Newmark Knight Frank. He was previously senior vice president at RXR Realty. Tyler L. Gill ’84 LAW is an attorney at the Law Offices of Harold M. Johns in Elkton in an of counsel position. He is the retired district and circuit court judge for the 7th Judicial District serving Logan and Todd counties. Reid M. Helford ’86 AFE is a career educator at the University of Pittsburgh at Bradford in Pennsylvania. He was previously a transition coordinator for the Oregon Department of Corrections.
Years ago, it was a campus tradition to pick a May Queen to celebrate spring during May Day. Here, on May 27, 1936, one of the university’s co-eds (possibly Lois King) struck a pose for posterity on that special day.
Jason N. Roeback ’86 HS is chief operating officer for Allegheny Health Network Saint Vincent Hospital in Erie, Pennsylvania, and an adjunct lecturer in health management and leadership at Gannon University. He was previously CEO of Sharon Regional Health System. Brenda Wheeler Williams ’88 AFE is a landscape architect and principal and director of preservation planning at Quinn Evans in the firm’s Madison, Wisconsin, office. She received the 2020 Lifetime Achievement Award from the Wisconsin chapter of the American
Society of Landscape Architects. Edwin C. Hendrick ’89 CI is chief commercial officer for Prelude Corp. in Laguna Hills, California. He was previously senior vice president and chief commercial officer for Biocept Inc. Rhonda Lewis Creech ’88 ED is a professor of mathematics at Southeast Kentucky Community and Technical College in Cumberland. She was named to the Council of Postsecondary Education Faculty Advisory Network.
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Class Notes Cathy King Dodd ’88 BE is senior vice president and chief commercial officer for PolyOne Corp. in Cleveland. She had been the company’s vice president of marketing. Rebecca M. Cowen-Hirsch ’88 EN lives in Aldie, Virginia, and is senior vice president of government strategy and policy for Inmarsat Government Inc., a provider of global mobile satellite communications and a subsidiary of Inmarsat PLC. Nick Walker ’89 BE is a certified public accountant and managing partner of PricewaterhouseCoopers LLP in the Nashville, Tennessee, office. He was previously the company’s managing partner for Kentucky.
Inc. and is the founder of a nonprofit organization named Teen Tyme Productions and the “Just Teens” television show. Robert M. Chaffins ’92 BE is global head of supply chain, purchasing, logistics, customs and supplier quality for Nikola Motor Co., which is headquartered in Phoenix. He was previously senior manager of North American purchasing for Data Inc. Abra Akers Endsley ’98 ’01 CI lives in Richmond and recently earned a doctoral degree in leadership and policy studies. She
teaches public relations and communication at Eastern Kentucky University. Robert B. Hitch ’92 BE is head of liquefied natural gas for Pareto Commodities in London, England. He had been a vice president of portfolio management for Cheniere Energy Inc. Clara Lawrence Hyde ’92 NUR is the owner and director of Barkley Plantation Assisted Living in Cadiz and a member of Trigg County Board of Education. Tyrone A. Sturdivant ’92 BE is an associate professor teaching business and
management courses at Bluegrass Community and Technical College in Lexington. He was named to the Council on Postsecondary Education Academic Leadership Development Institute. Brent Wright ’93 AS lives in Glasgow and is associate dean for rural health innovation at the University of Louisville College of Medicine. He was named chairman of the board of the 2020 Foundation for a Healthy Kentucky. Wright earned his medical degree from the University of Louisville College of Medicine.
1990s Thomas E. Williams ’90 GS lives in Overland Park, Kansas, and in 2019 published his first novel, “President You: How a Thoughtful Ordinary Citizen Could Change the Most Complex Government on Earth.” Stacey N. Spencer ’91 CI lives in in Tampa, Florida, and is an inspirational and motivational speaker, entrepreneur, youth mentor and bullying prevention specialist, television host and producer. She is the owner of Stacey Spencer Consulting LLC and Teen Tyme, 44
The Road Testing Laboratory in the College of Engineering was bustling with students going through their paces in this photo from campus in 1923.
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Joan B. Blaylock ’97 GS is the library director of the Cyber Research Center, U.S. Army Cyber Center of Excellence in Fort Gordon, Georgia. She had been chief librarian for the U.S. Army Intelligence Center of Excellence at Fort Huachuca, Arizona.
UK education students in 1959 watch closed circuit television as part of an experiment testing the feasibility of using television to observe classroom proceedings. Leonard Ravitz, associate professor of education and his class observe a class at the University School, a school modeled on the educational philosophy of Dewey.
James D. Gordon ’94 DES, ’96 FA, ’98 ED is head volleyball coach and director of athletics at Morehead State University in Morehead. He had been Morehead’s interim athletics director. Kevin R. Smith ’94 BE is CEO of Sirtex Medical US Holdings Inc. in Woburn, Massachusetts. He was appointed to the board of directors of OncoSec Medical Inc. Before joining Sirtex in 2017, he was executive vice president of business development at Gel-e Inc., a startup company based at the University of Maryland specializing in advanced material hemostasis products. His previous positions include chief commercial officer of Sensium Healthcare along with global vice president of sales and marketing at Teleflex.
Eric J. Tarr ’94 HS lives in Scott Depot, West Virginia, and is a state senator in the West Virginia Legislature representing the 4th District. He was elected chairman of the Senate Finance Committee. Tarr is also the owner and CEO of Generations Physical Therapy Centers. Tiffany D. Welch ’96 BE is deputy director of the Office of the Auditor of Public Accounts Office of Technology and Special Audits in Frankfort. She had been the office’s performance and special examination branch manager. Earl H. Blair ’97 ED is an associate professor of safety management in the Indiana University School of Public Health in Bloomington.
LaTasha Buckner ’97 AS, ’00 LAW lives in Lexington and is chief of staff and general counsel for Kentucky Gov. Andy Beshear. She previously served as Kentucky’s assistant deputy attorney general. Michael J. Dorff ’97 AS is a professor of mathematics in the Brigham Young University Department of Math in Provo, Utah. He was named a Fellow of the Council on Undergraduate Research. Jerry B. Elliott ’97 AS is master distiller at Four Roses Bourbon in Lawrenceburg. He was named the Whiskey Magazine Master Distiller/Blender of the Year. Timothy A. Garrison ’97 AS is prelaw advisor at Clemson University College of Architecture, Arts and Humanities in Clemson, South Carolina. He was previously a professor of history and chairman of the Portland State University Department of History.
Sharon L. Gold ’97 AS, ’04 LAW is a partner at Wyatt Tarrant & Combs LLP in the firm’s Lexington office and is also the Midway city attorney. Steven M. Henderson ’97 ’99 EN, ’07 LAW is a partner at Stites & Harbison PLLC in the firm’s Louisville office. He was appointed chairman of the firm’s Construction Service Group. Jeffrey L. Larkin ’97 ’01 AFE is a distinguished professor of wildlife ecology and conservation in the Indiana University of Pennsylvania Department of Biology in Indiana, Pennsylvania. He is also the forest birds habitat coordinator for the American Bird Conservancy. Shambra L. Mulder ’97 AS, ’98 ’10 ED is the ombudsman for the Kentucky Cabinet for Health and Family Services in Frankfort. Shannon Machholz Castagnola ’99 CI lives in Lexington and is director of marketing and client relations for Woodford Thoroughbreds, which is based in Reddick, Florida. She was previously sales director of Woodford Thoroughbreds.
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Laura Cole receives ‘Oscars of Teaching’ award Laura Cole ’06 ’07 ED, head of the math department at Scott High School in Taylor Mill, is a recipient of the Milken Educator Awards, an initiative of the Milken Family Foundation, that rewards and inspires excellence in the world of education by honoring top educators around the country with $25,000 unrestricted awards. She was notified of the award during a surprise ceremony at her school. Not an accolade for “lifetime achievement” or the proverbial gold watch at the exit door, the Milken Educator Awards target early-to-mid career education professionals for their already impressive achievements and, more significantly, for the promise of what they will accomplish in the future. Cole teaches geometry, algebra II and a dual-credit college algebra course. She says she knows her students can do anything — and she helps them believe it, too. She groups her ninth- and 10th-graders by similar skill levels, adjusting the teams based on individual data, and uses online tutorials and Google Classroom throughout the year. When the district moved toward strategies to engage all students in quality tasks and learn collaboratively while teachers used formative assessments to adjust their instruction, she was among the first at Scott to adopt the new learning culture in her classrooms. Committed to reaching every student, she searches for details about each pupil’s math abilities, academic interests and outside activities before the year begins to help build rapport. She has elevated student performance in numeracy and literacy. Her students’ standardized test scores lead the district. Cole, who is originally from Louisville and lives in Edgewood, serves on Scott’s decision-making council and runs the math department professional learning community. She spends significant time on professional development, regularly mentoring practicum students, student teachers and colleagues. Through a grant from the Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation, she helps teachers across the district implement math standards and teaching strategies through workshops, classroom visits and modeling lessons via video. She has led training at the school, district, regional and state levels and has presented at the Southern Regional Education Board annual meeting. Her willingness to invest in others builds confidence in teachers who work with her and points up their contributions to student and school success, even as they continue to learn and polish their craft. Her students see her as a mentor, knowing that she cares about their lives, as well as their academic success. On weekends she comes to school to help students prepare for the ACT, encouraging them to aim high as they prepare for college and beyond. In conjunction with Kentucky State University, she co-teaches a distance learning dual credit college algebra class. She also keeps parents informed about how they can help their children succeed. Before beginning her career in Taylor Mill, Cole taught for one year in Tupelo, Miss. She earned a bachelor’s degree in 2006 and a master’s degree in 2007 from the UK College of Education. ■
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Class Notes Vivian Lasley-Bibbs ’99 HS lives in Lexington and is an epidemiologist and the acting director of the Kentucky Department of Public Health Office of Health Equality. She was named vice chairwoman of the board of directors of the Foundation for a Healthy Kentucky. Lasley-Bibbs is also founder and president of Navigating Obstacles in African American Health. John E. Calhoun ’99 DES is an architect and principal, architecture for OHM Advisors in the firm’s Nashville, Tennessee, office. He was previously a partner at Kennon Calhoun Workshop PLLC. Jeffrey T. Payne ’99 EN lives in Sacramento, California, and is the deputy regional director of technical services for the U.S. Bureau of Reclamation California-Great Basin office. He was previously director of water policy for the Friant Water Authority.
2000s Chanda C. Day ’00 ’02 BE is independent living sales director for Masonic Homes Kentucky in Louisville. She had been visitor services manager at the Kentucky Derby Museum. Julie M. Cayse ’03 BE is associate regional director for the Western region of the National Credit Union Administration in Tempe,
Arizona. She previously was director of risk management in the agency’s Office of Examination and Insurance. Christopher P. Roche ’03 GS is vice president of extremities at Exactech Inc. Gainesville, Florida. He had been senior director of engineering, extremities at the company. Jonathan R. Anderson ’04 BE is provost and vice president for academic affairs at Southern Utah University in Cedar City. He was previously provost and vice president of academic affairs at Middle Georgia State University. Ryan R. Supple ’06 BE is a principal at Graycliff Partners LP, an investment firm in New York. He was previously a vice president at Hammond Kennedy Whitney & Co. Inc. Joshua T. Ward ’06 BE is associate athletic director at Belmont University in Nashville, Tennessee. He was previously senior manager, ticket sales for the Tennessee Titans of the National Football League. J.D. Craigman ’08 AS is creative director and owner of Intravate Consultants in Miami. He has been a member of the 100 Black Men of South Florida, where he has served as chairman of the Leadership Academy, the 100 Black Men mentoring program.
OCTOBER 8-11, 2020
SAVE DATE the
2020 HOMECOMING & GOLDEN WILDCAT SOCIETY REUNION WATCH FOR DETAILS AT
WWW.UKHOMECOMING.COM
LE AVE A PER SONAL LEGACY and support the University of Kentucky with a Wildcat Alumni Plaza Paver.
www.wildcatalumniplaza.com 859-257-8905 (ALUM)
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Career Corner Francis with Caroline
RE-ENTERING THE WORKPLACE AFTER A GAP Gaps in work history are not unusual. How to successfully maneuver a re-entry, though, is key. Most employers want to know how you spent your time. Honesty is the best policy and helps address any red flags. When experiencing a gap, it is important to take part in professional development activities to keep skills up to date, especially with technology and industry trends. Continue to follow leading journals, blogs, websites and thought leaders in your field. Maintain your network, especially with former supervisors for references. After leaving a global enterprise, Basha Roberts ’76 BE took a career sabbatical after 30 years of work with only short vacations. She knew that continuing her education would be key to re-entering the technology workplace. She enrolled in a Coursera Blockchain class, attended a Cybersecurity Summit and enrolled in the Microsoft Partner program. During her time off, Roberts discovered that entrepreneurship was her true passion and returned to work in her technology company, LexTech LLC, as president. “Baby boomers really have a difficult time with work breaks,” she says. “Millennials are much better with work/life balance and taking breaks. I thoroughly enjoyed the balance of rest, creativity, family and educational time during my sabbatical. I am now back helping companies strategize on their business technology solutions and coaching entrepreneurs to grow and succeed.” Some use the time away from employment to research a career transition, update their skill set or strategically volunteer. Serving in a fundraising or leadership role with a nonprofit uses many transferable workplace skills such as event planning, budgeting and marketing. According to Kathryn Wallingford ’07 AS, now a minister for families and children at a local church, “At first, I was really ashamed of my five-year gap to raise three boys, but as I began looking for a job, I saw what my gap years had created for me. Without the distraction and stress of work, I had fallen in love with the world all over again. It was like I was 22 again and trying to discover who I was meant to be. I volunteered at a handful of organizations that a full-time job would have never allowed. As I looked for work, I stopped hiding those years and began treating it as my third graduate degree. My first was in biology, my second in education, and my third was a beautiful mixture of early childhood education and sociology. Everything I learned as a stay-at-home mom — whether it was a discovery from my ‘backyard classroom’ or my experiences volunteering for an organization with some of Lexington’s underserved populations — became a bullet point on my resume, and I ‘sold’ them proudly in each interview. Gap years are blessings.” UK Alumni Association Active and Life Members are eligible for two complimentary appointments per year with a certified career counselor. Call 859-257-8905 or 800-269 ALUM (2586) to schedule an appointment. Visit www.ukalumni.net/career to learn more about resume critiques, networking events, Central Kentucky Job Club and other Alumni Career Services. To post a job opening, employers may visit www.ukalumni.net/employers and email job leads to ukalumnicareer@uky.edu.
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Class Notes Emma Scharfenberger Off ’08 AS is an attorney and partner at Thompson Hine LLP in the corporate transactions and securities practice in the Cincinnati office. She earned her law degree from the University of Cincinnati College of Law. Off was previously with the firm Graydon Head & Ritchey LLP. Timothy A. Renfro ’08 AS is an attorney and partner at Swanson Martin & Bell LLP in Chicago. He earned his law degree from the Indiana University Maurer School of Law. Daniel R. Charles ’09 BE, ’10 GS is director, transaction services, for Katz Sapper & Miller, a certified public accounting firm in the company’s Nashville, Tennessee, office. Emily S. Herron ’09 AS lives in Beaver Dam, is a pilot and manager of the Madisonville Regional Airport. She also previously worked in education for nine years as a family resource youth service coordinator.
2010s Tannis Marley Primm ’10 AFE is senior sales manager for the National Thoroughbred Racing Association Advantage in Lexington. She had been the company’s equine benefits sales manager.
Chase M. Star ’10 AFE is an assistant professor in the Department of Soil and Crop Sciences in the Texas A&M University College of Agriculture & Life Sciences in College Station. He previously was a postdoctoral research associate in the University of Minnesota Department of Horticulture. Ashlee Iuliano Mattingly ’11 PHA is an assistant professor of pharmacy practice and science, and director of the PharmTech X Program in the Department of Pharmacy Practice and Science at the University of Maryland School of Pharmacy in Baltimore. Colin R. Bruckell ’12 LAW is a partner at Trevett Cristo PC in Rochester, New York. He is a member of the firm’s commercial real estate practice groups. William D. Martin ’12 AFE is head basketball coach at Missouri Western University in Saint Joseph. He was previously an assistant coach at the school. John A. Webb ’12 BE, ’12 EN is an attorney at Banner Witcoff, an intellectual property law firm in Chicago. He earned his law degree from the Northwestern University School of Law.
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Class Notes engagement at Jefferson Community and Technical College in Louisville. She was named to the Council on Postsecondary Education Academic Leadership Development Institute.
A Senior Breakfast Alumni Tea was the place to be on June 1, 1933, as shown by a nicely-packed group of attendees enjoying themselves on the summer lawn. (There is no explanation as to why a child is sitting on what looks to be the event’s serving table. That’s a mystery that will live on into history!)
Chanda G. Bell ’13 AFE is associate softball coach at Indiana University in Bloomington and pitching coach of the Chicago Bandits of National Pro Fastpitch, formerly the Women’s Pro Softball League. William C. Hoskins ’13 ED, ’16 HS is clinic manager for Cora Physical Therapy in Corbin, a branch of Cora Health Services Inc. Michael B. McNulty ’13 HS lives in Homer Glen, Illinois, and is minor league training coordinator for the Chicago Cubs organization of Major League Baseball. He was previously assistant athletic trainer for the Iowa Cubs, Chicago’s Triple-A affiliate.
rial Hospital in Russellville. She had been a physical therapist with Lifeline Home Health. Alissa L. Young ’13 ED is president and CEO of Hopkinsville Community College (HCC) and was named to the board of directors of the Foundation for a Healthy Kentucky. Since 1991, she has worked in various capacities at HCC, beginning as a faculty member teaching communication, and moving up through the ranks to chair her academic division, then serving as associate dean for academic extensions before progressing to serve as chief academic affairs officer and dean of academic affairs until she assumed the presidency in 2017.
Kelly A. Whittaker ’13 HS is director of rehabilitation services at Logan Memo50
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Sean A. McNulty ’14 ED is head track and field and cross country coach for Transylvania University in Lexington. He was previously the team’s triathlon coach. Indigo N. Cornelison ’15 BE is director of student
Gavin P. Washington ’16 ED is an assistant professor of physical education in the Kentucky State University School of Education and Human Development in Frankfort. He was appointed president-elect of the Kentucky Association of Health, Physical Education, Recreation and Dance. Emily L. Grasso ’18 AFE, BE is director of client relations for One Financial Services in Allentown, Pennsylvania. Bethany B. Davenport ’19 LAW is an associate at Bradley Arant Boult Cummings LLP in the firm’s Nashville, Tennessee, office.
Information in Class Notes is compiled from previously published items in newspapers and other media outlets, as well as items submitted by individual alumni. Send us your class note by emailing ukalumni@uky.edu or submitting your information in the online community at www.ukalumni.net/class. COLLEGE INDEX Agriculture, Food Fine Arts — FA & Environment — AFE The Graduate School — GS Arts & Sciences — AS Health Sciences — HS Business & Economics — BE Law — LAW Communication & Medicine — MED Information — CI Nursing — NUR Dentistry — DE Pharmacy — PHA Design — DES Public Health — PH Education — ED Social Work — SW Engineering — EN
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UK College of Pharmacy’s
Bold Approach to the COVID-19 Pandemic by Kristie Colón & Jacob Lewis
M
embers of the University of Kentucky College of Pharmacy (UKCOP) have joined together with other University of Kentucky (UK) colleges to form the COVID-19 Unified Research Experts (CURE) Alliance team. The goal of the CURE Alliance is to contribute to the international effort to understand, treat, and eventually eradicate COVID-19. Funding for the group comes from the College of Medicine, with additional support from UK’s Vice President of Research, Lisa Cassis. The College of Pharmacy joins UK HealthCare, the UK College of Medicine, and UK College of Public Health in their efforts to address the pandemic. Kip Guy, dean of the College of Pharmacy, is one of the critical members of the CURE Alliance and charged with coordinating the efforts of the College to develop an antibody assay to perform wide-scale community testing. The test would help distinguish between individuals who have contracted COVID-19 versus those who have not. The antibody test could have significant public health implications, allowing communities to identify where potential disease “hot spots” are while helping public health officials better contain transmission. “Our researchers and clinicians are rapidly adapting to the changing healthcare landscape and taking up the challenges offered to us by the COVID pandemic. A current critical need is to be able to identify individuals who have generated immunity to COVID after being infected. This will be particularly useful for understanding risks to healthcare workers and managing their return to work,” says Guy. Vincent Venditto, an assistant professor at UKCOP, working with College of Medicine’s Jerold Woodward and Jennifer Moylan, also lends his expertise in large scale antibody screening to the team. “Proteins produced by the immune system (called antibodies) help us determine if a person is infected. Regardless of symptoms, your immune system will produce antibodies to help fight this virus.
By detecting COVID-19 antibodies using a blood test, we can more accurately determine who is, or has been, infected and who has not,” says Venditto. The UK Colleges of Medicine and Pharmacy are working together to optimize the assay in order to get it to Venditto’s lab for high throughput screening. The College hopes to establish blood collection locations, potentially in pharmacies across Kentucky, to test communities that do not have access to the necessary infrastructure for adequate population screening of COVID-19. Venditto says this assay offers the potential to test hundreds of Kentuckian healthcare workers and residents each day. “If we partner with pharmacies across Kentucky, we would be able to reach people who aren’t within driving distance of a hospital,” says Venditto. In the United States, an estimated 90 percent of people live within 5 miles of a pharmacy, while Kentucky boasts a pharmacy in all 120 counties except one. Venditto is working closely with other UKCOP researchers, including Chang-Guo Zhan and HEAL Grant recipient Trish Freeman, who lend their expertise in protein expression and pharmacy advocacy/engagement, respectively. The College is also planning to partner with the UK team that oversees Wellness Health & You (WHY), a long-term, survey-based research project based in the Center for Clinical and Translational Science. WHY, which aims to understand how life experiences affect health across different communities, has more than 15,000 members who have expressed interest in participating in research studies about health and wellness. By engaging with the WHY cohort, the College may be able to help people self-report symptoms and provide information about COVID-19 testing. Meanwhile, leaders from UKCOP and UK's Markey Cancer Center and College of Medicine are focusing on building a protocol for a hydroxychloroquine-azithromycin clinical trial that would assess the use of the drugs in both the outpatient and
David Henson, M.D., Ph.D. student in the Venditto lab in the College of Pharmacy
inpatient settings and among patients with non-severe COVID-19 infection. This collaborative effort will examine the potential efficacy of the combination of hydroxychloroquine-azithromycin with the hopes of providing conclusive evidence that it reduces the severity and duration of COVID-19. Researchers began enrolling patients the first week of May under the direction of UK HealthCare's Infectious Disease Chief, Dr. Alice Thornton. Drs. Susanne Arnold and Zachary Porterfield are the principal investigators. Known for their outside-the-box approach, Guy and his team are aiming high. The College’s push for innovative and bold ideas comes at a time of considerable uncertainty but allows for increased collaboration among UK’s faculty. “The College of Pharmacy is in a unique position to address this pandemic from all sides,” says Guy. “We are one of the strongest colleges in the world when it comes to pharmacy—with a history of innovative education and research. We value and understand the necessity of scientific collaboration. We’re also located in an area with significant health disparities, some of the worst in the U.S. So, when something of this scale affects everyone we know, it’s our job to rise to the occasion.” Additional collaborators and consultants include Heather Bush and Kathleen Winter (College of Public Health); Robert DiPaola, Aaron Hesselson, Ann Coker, Rebecca Dutch, Vivek Rangnekar, Matt Gentry, Lou Hersh, C. Darrell Jennings, Craig Vander Kooi, Elijah Kakani, Ken Campbell (College of Medicine); Jared Hammill and Frank Romanelli (UKCOP); Scott Berry (College of Engineering); Zin Myint, Heidi Weiss, Donglin Yan, Therese Bocklage (Markey Cancer Center); and Jill Kolesar (UKCOP and Markey Cancer Center).
In Memoriam Terrell L. Noffsinger ’41 Auburn, Ky. Michael A. Rowady ’41 Winchester, Ky. Life Member, Fellow Edna Lykins Robbins ’45 Clay City, Ky.
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Don E. Fowls ’51 Blue Ash, Ohio Life Member
Martin B. Solomon Jr. ’55 Lexington, Ky. Life Member
Elizabeth Stoll Haley ’51 Versailles, Ky. Life Member
Louise Fallon Bryans ’56 Lexington, Ky.
James M. Hart Jr. ’51 Louisville, Ky.
Rex Hodge ’56 Cranberry Township, Pa. Life Member
Barbara Owen Criswell ’46 Wilmore, Ky. Life Member
Albert J. Macleod ’51 Westerville, Ohio
Donald B. Mackey ’56 Venice, Fla.
Carlene Ecton Milburn ’47 Louisville, Ky. Life Member
Herbert Brown ’52 Greenfield, Ind. Fellow
James M. Waldron ’56 Louisville, Ky.
Mary Silvers Hopper ’48 Knoxville, Tenn.
Robert B. Layman ’52 Mankato, Minn.
Joseph E. Isaac Jr. ’48 Lexington, Ky.
Marian Stone Marks ’52 Crozet, Va.
Joyce Harris Ockerman ’48 Lexington, Ky. Fellow
Ivan J. Goldfarb ’53 Beachwood, Ohio
Elsie Nelson Addy ’49 Sparks Glencoe, Md.
Joan Hager Grimes ’53 Milton, Ky. Life Member
James S. Chenault ’49 Richmond, Ky. Life Member
Patricia Eads Herren ’53 Lexington, Ky. Fellow
Frances White Payne ’49 Nashville, Tenn.
Jeanne G. Mueller ’53 Louisville, Ky.
Marcus L. Shearer Jr. ’49 Louisville, Ky.
Mary Mayer Richert ’54 Portland, Ore. Life Member
Joyce Haynes Estill ’50 Raleigh, N.C. Life Member
Martha Carter Van Meter ’54 Eastview, Ky.
Willard L. Carmical ’50 Harlan, Ky.
Richard A. Williams ’54 Crestview Hills, Ky.
Virgil Blair ’51 Leitchfield, Ky.
Patricia Mobley Kline ’55 La Porte City, Iowa
K E N TUCKY A LU MN I MAG A ZIN E Summer 2020
Margaret Rupert Bennett ’57 Columbia, Tenn. Marvin E. Davidson ’57 Elkton, Ky. Ann Cline Deatherage ’57 Ft Mitchell, Ky. Ann Wiemann McDonald ’57 Lexington, Ky. Life Member Millard F. Allen Jr. ’58 Lexington, Ky. George Bailey ’58 Columbus, Ohio Life Member Walter H. Perkins ’59 Jeffersonville, Ind. Life Member Barbara Anderson Rose ’59 Shelbyville, Ky. Glenn B. Shelton ’59 Huntsville, Ala. Jacqueline Mundell Weist ’59 Cincinnati, Ohio
Gerald B. Looney ’60 Franklin, Ohio William R. Toadvine ’60 Cynthiana, Ky. Sue Sisk Walker ’60 Knoxville, Tenn. Richard R. Amwake ’61 Canton, Ga. Harold T. Diamond ’61 Newport, Ky. Joseph G. Florence ’61 Sierra Madre, Calif. Charles J. McCormick ’61 Lexington, Ky. Joseph B. Murphy ’61 Lexington, Ky. Life Member, Fellow David A. Johnson ’62 Maineville, Ohio James C. Lee ’62 Brooksville, Fla. William P. Beeler ’63 Lebanon Junction, Ky. Life Member Joyce L. Dotson ’63 Shelbyville, Ky. Life Member Joyce Durham ’63 Columbia, Ky. John S. Mathis Sr. ’63 Finchville, Ky. John L. McMichael ’63 Harrogate, Tenn. David E. Murrell ’63 Louisville, Ky.
Carlos E. Pennington ’63 Lexington, Ky.
Claude P. Meers ’70 Louisville, Ky. Life Member
Camilo U. Paig ’75 Cordova, Tenn.
John H. Brock ’86 Pineville, Ky.
Brian W. Williamson ’75 Lexington, Ky.
Lynn Conrad Stidham ’87 Lexington, Ky.
Samuel B. Carl ’76 Louisville, Ky.
Joel A. Johnston ’89 Maceo, Ky.
David K. Crowell ’78 Versailles, Ky.
Anthony W. Smith ’90 Lexington, Ky.
Deborah Smith LaBoone ’76 Lexington, Ky.
Christopher T. Beyers ’92 Lexington, Ky.
Teresa Hensley Burgett ’78 Lexington, Ky.
John R. Burch ’92 Martin, Tenn.
Thomas L. Aud ’73 Jackson, Tenn.
Katherine K. Grisanti ’79 Louisville, Ky. Life Member, Fellow
Scott G. Basham ’94 Owensboro, Ky.
Cathy Reeves Crowley ’73 Lexington, Ky. Fellow
Paul N. Kerr ’79 Russellville, Ky. Life Member
Robert W. McKinley ’73 Chippewa Falls, Wis.
James J. Des Rosiers ’81 Tampa, Fla.
James E. Daniel ’68 Evensville, Tenn.
Robert J. Clement ’74 Cadiz, Ky. Life Member
Robert T. Durbin Jr. ’81 Frederick, Md. Life Member
Brian T. Roby ’01 Louisville, Ky.
James B. Stamatoff ’68 Tallahassee, Fla.
Steve W. Compton ’74 Murray, Ky.
James W. Gibbs ’82 Lexington, Ky.
William Allen Foster ’02 Lexington, Ky.
Earl B. Oremus ’68 Columbus, Ohio
William E. Heisler ’74 Utica, Ill.
John N. Hancock ’82 Harrodsburg, Ky.
Matthew Robb Walter ’03 Danville, Ky.
Kenneth L. Kolson ’69 Alexandria, Va.
Dianne Rolfes Lutz ’74 Willisburg, Ky.
Miriam Bostrom Stambaugh ’82 Lexington, Ky. Fellow
John M. Jones ’04 Morristown, Tenn.
Frank B. Stanger Jr. ’69 Lexington, Ky.
James M. Morris ’74 Louisville, Ky. Fellow
Patricia Grady Phillips ’63 New Orleans, La. Life Member
Richard E. Aud ’71 Louisville, Ky.
Richard A. Blocker Sr. ’64 Louisville, Ky.
Elizabeth Nichols Churchill ’71 Lexington, Ky.
Donald L. Griffin ’64 Smithfield, Ky. Life Member
C. Grey Pash Jr. ’71 North Springfield, Va.
Faith Reid Osborne ’64 La Quinta, Calif. William M. Cox ‘65 Louisville, Ky. Life Member, Fellow Michael W. Barnes ’67 Simi Valley, Calif. Joe I. Greenwell III ’67 Maysville, Ky. Edward S. Carle ’68 Louisville, Ky.
Thomas K. Binkley ’72 Louisville, Ky. Hubert W. Ridgway Jr. ’72 West Liberty, Ohio
Elizabeth Joseph Fugazzi ’70 Venice, Fla. Life Member
Leslie J. McInturff ’75 Lexington, Ky.
Jamie Gaines ’70 Rayne, La.
Thaddieus H. Nichols ’75 Louisville, Ky.
David E. Ison ’83 Corinth, Ky. Mark W. Burgess ’84 Cincinnati, Ohio Life Member
Connie J. Gerardot ’96 Saint Louis, Mo. Jennifer Stiles Scott ’97 Columbia, S.C. Janet L. Byrd ’99 Lexington, Ky.
Adam R. Loader ’06 Mount Pleasant, S.C. Vincent Coe Burns ’11 Owensboro, Ky. Sheila Davidson Pressley ’11 Richmond, Ky.
www. u kal u mni. net
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Creative Juices Peggy Noe Stevens ’87 CI is the coauthor of “Which Fork Do I Use With My Bourbon,” a book that offers a step-by-step guide to hosting a successful bourbon-tasting party complete with recipes, photos and tips for beginners and experienced aficionados alike. Stevens and entertainment expert Susan Reigler traveled in bourbon country and beyond to conduct tastings and seminars and often were asked how to replicate the results in people’s own homes. From decorations to glassware, this onestop resource guides readers from the day they mail invitations to the moment they welcome guests through the door. Alongside their favorite snack, entrée, dessert and cocktail recipes, Stevens and Reigler offer expert tips and tricks of the trade on how to set up a bar, arrange tables and pair recipes with specific bourbons. Then the authors move on to advanced pairings for the bourbon foodie and present two innovative examples of tasting parties — a bourbon cocktail soiree and, of course, the traditional Kentucky Derby party. Inspired by the hosting traditions of five Kentucky distilleries, this book promises to motivate bourbon lovers to start their own bourbontasting traditions and to expand the expertise of longtime bourbon enthusiasts.
Gregory S. Parks ’01 ’04 AS is coauthor of “A Pledge with Purpose: Black Sororities and Fraternities and the Fight for Equality,” which reveals the historical and political significance of “The Divine Nine” — the Black Greek letter organizations. The first, Alpha Phi Alpha, was founded in 1906 at Cornell University after African-American students were ostracized by the majority-white student body. Other fraternities and sororities followed and solidified bonds among African-American college students. These organizations created a sense of purpose and a commitment to help Black Americans reach socio-economic equality. “A Pledge with Purpose” explores the arc of these important social institutions and how they were shaped by, and labored to transform, the changing social, political and cultural landscape of Black America from the era of the Harlem Renaissance to the civil rights movement. Alpha Phi Alpha boasts such members as Thurgood Marshall, civil rights lawyer and U.S. Supreme Court justice, and Huey P. Newton, co-founder of the Black Panther Party and a member of Phi Beta Sigma. Through such individuals, the book shows that these organizations and members have long been at the forefront of innovation, activism and scholarship. 54
K E N TUCKY A LU MN I MAG A ZIN E Summer 2020
Jody M. Dawson ’00 ’01 BE has written “Inevitable: Managing the Inevitable Bumps of Life,” a book that helps you to make changes in your life while teaching you leadership skills through examples of scenarios you will encounter on your journey. Philip Jeffress ’66 ’69 BE is the author of “Pretty Bird,” a novel about a troubled, 11-year-old boy who is swept away in a flash flood in 1921 and marooned in the backwaters of the Mississippi River to fight for survival while obtaining spiritual growth and becoming a man. Tom W. Lewis ’71 EN has written “Solid Ground: A Foundation for Winning in Life,” which details his own success with his real estate and investment company and offers advice to aspiring entrepreneurs on how to learn from both achievements and failures. Nathan L. Vanderford ’03 AFE, ’08 MD is the senior editor of “The Cancer Crisis in Appalachia: Kentucky Students Take ACTION,” a collection of student essays about the effects of cancer diagnoses and deaths on individuals, families, friends and communities, and proclaims these as more than nameless statistics. Michael Sukop ’01 AFE is the author of his third book, “Fractals for Kids,” which makes fractal concepts and mathematics accessible to everyone, but particularly 8th and 9th graders, while also introducing exponents, logarithms and complex numbers. UK and the UK Alumni Association do not necessarily endorse books or other original material mentioned in Creative Juices. The University of Kentucky and the UK Alumni Association are not responsible for the content, views and opinions expressed on websites mentioned in Creative Juices or found via links off of those websites.
Quick Take SOMBER TIMES
Photo: Mark Cornelison, UK Public Relations & Marketing
The UK William T. Young Library, like many other buildings on campus, displays a green light at night as a show of empathy and compassion for those individuals who have passed away as a result of the coronavirus.
56 KENTUCKY A LUMN I MAG A ZIN E Summer 2020
Who can weather this COVID-19 health crisis together and reemerge to thrive again?
Our university has survived and thrived through world wars, recessions, depressions and even another pandemic that closed our doors for more than a month a century ago. We always emerged — ready to lead, committed to serve and still striving for what only Kentucky can do. Together, we will do so again.
Our University of Kentucky faculty, staff, students, researchers, clinicians, caregivers, alumni, donors and friends — the entire UK family — have risen to every challenge this unprecedented crisis has presented. We have been there for each other; we have been there for Kentucky. And we will continue to do so. That is what we do. That is who we are. Thank you for being that kind of community. KENTUCKYCAN.UKY.EDU
400 Rose Street King Alumni House Lexington, KY 40506
“SHE’S BEEN SMILING
SINCE WE LEFT THE NICU” Penny Lane Goodpaster specializes in smiling, giggling, and exceeding all expectations. Diagnosed with Spina Bifida before she was born, Penny Lane underwent spinal surgery at Kentucky Children’s Hospital when she was only 12 hours old. Since then, she’s been growing and thriving: coming home from the hospital weeks ahead of schedule, no longer needing a catheter after just a month, and charming everyone she meets. Penny Lane is proof of The Power of Advanced Medicine.