Alumni Commons: The Heart of Campus

By Sally Scherer

A crowd of alumni and friends gathered on a beautiful fall afternoon in September to dedicate Alumni Commons. A pedestrian corridor, Alumni Commons runs through the heart of campus connecting Columbia Avenue to Huguelet Drive along Rose Street with downtown Lexington at one end and Chandler Hospital on the other.

What was once a busy and well-traveled street that ran through campus, is now a landscaped pathway for pedestrians with seats, swings, tables and chairs, fountains, lighting and even electrical outlets to charge phones and computers.

For Jill Smith, associate vice president for alumni engagement and executive director of the University of Kentucky

Alumni Association, the new project is evidence that the members of the UK Alumni Association, which began on campus 134 years ago, continue to work to leave things better on UK’s campus than they found them.

Jill Smith, associate vice president for alumni engagement and executive director of the UK Alumni Association, shared remarks at the Alumni Commons Dedication Ceremony.

“As we celebrate today’s project, I say thank you to the donors, volunteer leaders, past presidents, past alumni trustees, past executive directors and staff who invested wisely when they had the opportunity so that one day, projects like this could be possible. Your generosity and forward thinking have aided in enhancing the UK Alumni Association’s purpose, providing a space for activity and engagement that will be on campus for generations to come.”

For Jake Lemon, vice president for philanthropy and alumni engagement, what was referred to as “the Rose Street problem” in more than 70 articles written in the Kentucky Kernel student newspaper between 1958 to 2008, has been solved with “the best solution.”

Wildcat listened to the speakers during the dedication ceremony.

“Alumni Commons will enrich and unite this area,” he said. “This new, beautiful space offers another way for our campus community to gather.”

For Student Body Vice President Jason Marcus, the space enhances his college experience.

George L. Atkins Jr. ‘63 BE, past president of the UK Alumni Association, posed for a family photo at the dedication.

“Alumni Commons creates an environment that enriches our experience as students,” he said. “The green space, gardens and outdoor seating areas provide places for us to study, meet up with friends or just take a quiet moment to ourselves between classes.

“This area helps nurture a greater sense of belonging among all. The opportunity to utilize this space is endless, and I cannot wait to see what is wildly possible for the future of Alumni Commons.” ■

Amanda Mills Cutright ‘06 CI enjoyed the swings at Alumni Commons with her daughter Iris and her mom Emily Mills.