SPRING 2026 NEWSLETTER

SPRING 2026

CONTENTS LETTER FROM THE DIRECTOR ANNOUNCING THE NEW GAINES FELLOWS CATCHING UP WITH GRETCHEN RUSCHMAN OUTSTANDING RESEARCH IN THE HUMANITIES FEATURING DR. BRANDON ERBY 2026 BREATHITT LECTURE FEATURING BEAUX HARDIN ALUMNI SPOTLIGHT: BEN CHILDRESS CELEBRATING OUR SENIORS OUR NYC SCRAPBOOK: THE ART AND CULTURAL APPRECIATION EXPERIENCE INTRODUCING OUR NEW DIRECTOR OF PHILANTHROPY: DR. KENTON SENA ONE DAY FOR UK: FINAL REPORT 2026 LAFAYETTE SEMINAR: HUMANITIES IN ACTION SAVE THE DATE: TED CHIANG, 2026 BALE BOONE 2026-27 THEME: THE HUMAN ALGORITHM

Letter FROM THE GAINES DIRECTOR

The Spring Semester was an astonishment of beauty in new beginnings. In the final weeks of the semester, the senior cohort – in New York, at the Scarf Ceremony, and at commencement – inhabited fresh possibilities, reminding us that graduation is as much a starting point as an end. These twelve lovely people leave a legacy at Gaines as special as those who came before them.

In the following pages, we feature our signature Spring events – the Lecture for Outstanding Research in the Humanities, the Breathitt Lecture, and the Lafayette Symposium – but I also wanted to make note of the many other events we have been proud to support this semester through our Mini-Grant and Cooperatives programs, as well as through our campus partnerships. In January, for example, we launched the semester with a Spring Forum featuring cross-college paired talks by Eric Weber (College of Education) and Leen Katrib (College of Design) on “Origins and Legacies: Public Education and its Built Environment.” In February, we held a conversation with Frank X Walker and Amy Taylor, moderated by George Wright, on their award-winning books Load in Nine Times and Embattled Freedom. It was a powerful session that no one in the packed audience will soon forget.

In closing this academic year and preparing for the next, it’s fitting that we leave the Year of Origins for the Year of the Human Algorithm. Moving from past to future, we embark on a year-long investigation of what it means to be human in the age of Artificial Intelligence. With the rise of algorithmic curation, it’s possible that being human will involve the intentional practice of analog depth and the capacity for sustained attention. Or it could mean emotional resonances in physical spaces that digital interfaces flatten. Or engaging in the productive struggle to learn and create.

As we grapple with the impacts of AI in higher education – and in virtually every other sector – the Gaines Center looks forward to leading a conversation on campus about the importance of the humanities in providing the critical, ethical, and historical frameworks for navigating these transformations. We’ll see what will become our defining human acts. But one thing is clear even now: from tech to finance, industry leaders are touting the skills and attributes of humanities majors, recognizing that “human brainpower is needed to handle the silicon variant” (Gillian Tett, The Financial Times Limited, 5/7/26).

The kickoff for next year’s theme will take place on September 1st in the Worsham Theater with a screening of Spike Jonze’s Her (2013), followed by a faculty panel discussion. We’re also excited to announce that the Bale Boone Symposium on October 6th will feature acclaimed science fiction writer Ted Chiang, who will speak with us about his viral essay “Why AI Isn’t Going to Make Art” and other topics. A leading voice on technology and the art world, Chiang challenges us through his essays and fiction to think about cognitive transformations that arise from interacting with non-human intelligences, including in Stories of Your Life and Others. The title story of this collection was made into the Oscar-winning film Arrival (2016), directed by Denis Villeneuve. We hope you’ll be able to join us for one or both of these timely events.

Thank you to everyone in the Gaines community for your continued support.

You’re absolutely vital to our mission of promoting the study of the Humanities at the University of Kentucky.

With best wishes for the summer,

THE new

Gaines

FELLOWS

The new cohort of Gaines Fellows were carefully chosen from a record-breaking pool of applications. Among their majors, minors, and certificates, they represent the College of Arts and Sciences; College of Fine Arts; Gatton College of Business and Economics; College of Design; Stanley and Karen Pigman College of Engineering; College of Health Sciences; College of Pharmacy; College of Public Health and Lewis Honors College.

ADARSH KHULLAR

ELLA CLARK

ANYA SHARMA

SAM MEKOH

NEUROSCIENCE, DATA SCIENCE, & STATISTICS

VOCAL PERFORMANCE AND MUSIC EDUCATION

PSYCHOLOGY AND NEUROSCIENCE

POLITICAL SCIENCE, PUBLIC POLICY, LAW AND JUSTICE

KATIE NEGLIA

CATALINA HICKS

LIZ UDOH

ARCHITECTURE

HUMAN HEALTH SCIENCES AND PHARMACOLOGY

STATISTICS AND DATA SCIENCE, LAW AND JUSTICE

NEUROSCIENCE AND PSYCHOLOGY

SAMUEL TONEY

NORAH MASRI

KEIRA SCHINAMAN

BELLA SKIBBA

BIOSYSTEMS ENGINEERING

PSYCHOLOGY AND NEUROSCIENCE

PUBLIC HEALTH

ENZO FRESSOLA

ENGLISH, DIGITAL MEDIA AND DESIGN

Catching up with Gretchen Ruschman

“Pushing my capacity as a thinker beyond the scientific realm was really important to me because I wanted to understand the impacts of my science beyond the bench. Gaines gave me the tools to approach and understand my work through a more humanistic lens.”

At the University of Kentucky, Gretchen Ruschman became a “well-rounded scientist.”

After graduating from the UK Martin-Gatton College of Agriculture, Food and Environment (CAFE) in 2024, Ruschman began her studies at the University of Cambridge, where she earned her Master of Philosophy in medical science with a focus on obstetrics and gynecology. She is now in her first year in the NIH Oxford-Cambridge (OxCam) Scholars Program, through which students earn their doctorate while researching with one of the two universities and the U.S. National Institutes of Health.

From Athens, Kentucky, Ruschman was drawn to UK because it’s a top-tier research institution with a “strong science foundation.” She chose to study agricultural and medical biotechnology (AMBT), which offered a close-knit cohort at a large university.

Ruschman’s major and extracurricular activities soon gave her opportunities to pursue her research interests and do hands-on research.

Ruschman, who was also a Lewis Honors College student, started undergraduate research in her first semester at UK, working in the lab of Carlos M. Rodriguez Lopez, Ph.D., The Bill Gatton Foundation Distinguished Professor and associate professor in the Martin-Gatton CAFE Department of Horticulture.

“Gretchen, over nearly four years, evolved from an eager observer to an independent researcher who could design experiments, troubleshoot in real time and mentor others,” Lopez said. “She built nextgeneration sequencing libraries for 400+ soil samples, led bioinformatic analyses of fungal communities and paired those data with metabolite profiling — work that is the backbone of forthcoming manuscripts.”

It wasn’t just research that impacted Ruschman’s education — organizations like the UK Gaines Center for the Humanities contributed to her “breadth of different experiences.” “Pushing my capacity as a thinker beyond the scientific realm was really important to me because I wanted to understand the impacts of my science beyond the bench,” she said. “Gaines gave me the tools to approach and understand my work through a more humanistic lens.”

By the time she graduated from UK, Ruschman had developed research that she knew she wanted to continue. Ruschman had long wanted to attend medical school and still wants to, but after graduating from UK, she decided to first focus on research. Lopez’s connections helped lead Ruschman to Cambridge.

After completing her Master of Philosophy, Ruschman started the NIH OxCam Scholars Program. She will continue her research and studies at Cambridge for two years, then she moves to Washington, D.C., to work with Suchitra Hourigan, M.D., at the NIH’s National Institute of Allergies and Infectious Diseases.

“At Cambridge, I’ve realized how much my research experiences and the labs I worked in as an undergraduate prepared me to think independently and critically,” Ruschman said. For current UK students, Ruschman recommends connecting with the people and organizations who are eager to help. “There are so many wonderful opportunities across campus, and so many people who genuinely care about student success,” Ruschman said. “That kind of support makes such a difference.”

Written by Bailey Vandiver, this story originally appeared in the December 9th issue of UK Now. It has been abridged for this newsletter. To read the full piece, visit THIS LINK

OUTSTANDING

Research in the Humanities PRESENTED TO DR. BRANDON ERBY

Early this semester, the Gaines Center hosted the Gaines Lecture for Outstanding Research in the Humanities. This year, the Junior fellows were extremely lucky because the recipient of the Lecture was a seminar instructor from the previous semester, the one and only Dr. Brandon Erby.

Dr. Erby led our second seminar of the year, during which we explored protest music, what defines protest, and when and why people protest. It was a stimulating four weeks that fostered deeper connections among our cohort and prompted us all to observe media from a new lens. I can say with confidence that all of the fellows look back on that month fondly.

Considering my excitement, I must admit that the lecture was even better than I had expected. His lecture explored both the history of incarceration and current correction practices within the context of personal expression, community, and what it means to be free.

Through his lecture, he provided concise explanations of relevant context and let his reference texts speak for themselves, allowing the audience to make discoveries at their own pace. The Q&A portion of this lecture proved that it meant something to everyone in the room. The questions sparked further curiosity among attendees and, once again, gave Dr. Erby the chance to lead us through complex topics to reach an understanding that made sense.

This lecture so beautifully encapsulates the mission of the Gaines Center, and I really enjoyed watching people interact with the humanities in such a complex and considerate way.

WRITTEN BY JUNIOR FELLOW CC RHEIN

2026

BREATHITT LECTURE FEATURING BEAUX HARDIN

The 2026 Breathitt Lecture took place on April 9 before a packed auditorium in the Davis Marskbury Building. This year’s selected lecturer was Beaux Hardin, Gaines Center Senior Fellow and double major in Modern and Classical Languages, Literatures, and Culture, and English. Hardin’s lecture was entitled Black Que(e)ries: Bridging Communities through Poetic Origins from Black Archives and

Hardin presented a wonderful fusion between humanities research and practical application of that research through writing. For me, it is really valuable to see research distinctly within the humanities. When I came into college, I wasn’t really aware of research as a concept outside of STEM, and this presentation would have been amazing to see as a freshman. It was so amazing to see how much they had learned from other authors by applying it to their own poems.

It is inevitable that humanities-based research relates closely to the researcher's personal passions, and any attendee could see how deeply Hardin cared about each and every author they discussed in their lecture.

This deep care for the humanities and the influential Black authors they discussed, most from the Négritude and Black Arts movement, translated directly to the power of their poems. I appreciated that Hardin chose not to translate all of their original poetry into English (which had varying amounts of French). This approach emphasized the importance of hearing art in its original form. This also related to many of the authors Hardin discussed, who were uncompromising in the way they presented their writing. The lecture left attendees with a greater understanding of the creative process as well as the rich history of Black voices within the field of writing.

WRITTEN BY JUNIOR GAINES FELLOW, HUNTER COADY

ALUMNI SPOTLIGHT

BEN CHILDRESS

18 0 2 c/o COULD YOU TELL ME A LITTLE BIT ABOUT YOURSELF AND WHAT YOU'VE BEEN UP TO POSTGAINES? I grew up in Lexington, Kentucky. I went to high school there, and then I went to the University of Kentucky and majored in economics. I wasn’t totally sure what I wanted to do as a career. I ended up applying for a Fulbright to teach English in Taiwan and was accepted, in no small part thanks to the Gaines Fellowship.

Shortly before I left the country, I decided to take the LSAT and consider law school. I did my year in Taiwan— it was incredible, and I highly recommend any future Gaines Fellows consider doing some sort of program like that or a year abroad. While I was in Taiwan, I applied to law schools and ended up going to Columbia University primarily because I wanted to move to New York.

I’ve been in New York since. I work at a law firm called Cravath, Swaine & Moore, where I do corporate M&A and general transactional work. That’s kind of been my path since graduation.

WHY TAIWAN FOR YOUR FULBRIGHT? That’s actually an excellent question, and it ties into the Gaines program. When I was a Gaines Fellow, we did a trip to China. It was my first time leaving the country, and I thought it was so cool. I had a business background, and decided I wanted to study Mandarin, so I started taking classes at the University of Kentucky.

When I was looking at where to spend a year, I wanted to go to a Mandarin-speaking country. Taiwan has a really built-out Fulbright program with a lot of opportunities. I also had a fraternity brother from Taiwan who kept hyping it up. So I decided to go—and it was incredible.

WHY DID YOU APPLY FOR THE GAINES FELLOWSHIP?

HAVE THERE BEEN ANY APPLICABLE LESSONS FROM THE GAINES FELLOWSHIP PROGRAM THAT YOU'VE USED IN YOUR CAREER OR LIFE? What I really appreciate about the program is the emphasis on engaging with things outside your comfort zone—learning about different arts and disciplines.

I had a business background studying economics, and I enjoyed it, but after my first year I felt like I wanted more of a humanities-based education. I heard about Gaines— probably through the honors program—and it sounded like the coolest opportunity ever.

In my career, especially with technology advancing so quickly, there’s a lot of uncertainty. I think having a humanities background is incredibly valuable. It helps you think critically, form your own opinions, and communicate effectively.

Also, growing up in Lexington, I always saw the Gaines houses on Maxwell Street and thought they seemed so beautiful and interesting.

Being able to write with a voice, approach problems thoughtfully, and engage with ideas—those are skills that are hard to replace. I think those are the most valuable things I gained, and honestly, I feel like I got the most from the Gaines portion of my education.

Ultimately, I wanted to explore humanities more deeply.

If I could do it again, I might have pursued more of a liberal arts major. Gaines gave me a way to explore those interests, meet people I wouldn’t have otherwise met, and be around curious people who wanted to learn and talk about ideas.

WHAT ARE YOUR FAVORITE COHORT MEMORIES FROM THE GAINES FELLOWSHIP PROGRAM? A big one was the China trip. It was a couple of weeks, and it was amazing to travel across the world with your cohort—going to museums, exploring cities, and sharing that experience, especially with people who hadn’t traveled much before.

The New York trip was also great. I have a lot of fond memories of going to museums, hanging out, and just spending time with everyone.

INTERVIEW CONDUCTED BY SENIOR FELLOW KAUNER SHACKELETTE

DO YOU HAVE ANY ADVICE FOR CURRENT GAINES FELLOWS? I would really try to travel as much as you can, especially in the next five years. It gets harder as you gain responsibilities. Some of the most rewarding experiences I’ve had came from traveling, even traveling alone.

Do it even if it feels scary—“do it scared.” You’ll have amazing experiences and be glad you did.

Also, pursue your interests. You’ll be a more interesting and fulfilled person if you do. Even if you have a structured career path, you can still engage in things you care about outside of work. I have friends who work normal jobs but make films on the side—that’s great.

I think everyone should have some kind of outlet in the humanities or the arts. You’ll likely be happier if you do.

CELEBRATING OUR

SENIORS

AMICA SNOW

LEXINGTON, KY

MAJOR ELEMENTARY EDUCATION

THESIS FROM INTEGRATION TO SEPARATION: THE EVOLUTION OF GIFTED AND TALENTED PROGRAMS AND THE MARGINALIZATION OF BLACK STUDENTS

BEAUX HARDIN STOW, OH

MAJOR ENGLISH, MODERN AND CLASSICAL LANGUAGES, LITERATURE, & CULTURE

THESIS "IF AMERICA COULD SPEAK": THEORY AND PRAXIS OF MAGHREB ARCHIVAL POETRY

BOTSHELO ANGOMA JOHANNESBURG, SOUTH AFRICA

MAJOR AGRICULTURAL & MEDICAL BIOTECHNOLOGY, PSYCHOLOGY

THESIS CARAVAGGIO’S INFLUENCE ON DUTCH RENAISSANCE OIL PAINTERS: DIRCK VAN BABUREN’S FINAL PAINTINGS

CALEB DOTSON LEXINGTON, KY

MAJOR PSYCHOLOGY, NEUROSCIENCE; DIVERSITY & INCLUSIVITY AWARENESS

THESIS PROJECTIVE EMBODIMENT IN TABLETOP ROLEPLAYING GAMES

FAITH SAMMONS GURNEE, IL

MAJOR DIGITAL MEDIA DESIGN, SPANISH, THEATRE, MUSICAL THEATRE

THESIS BLUEPRINTS: THE INTERSECTION OF RECIPES AND THEATRICAL STORYTELLINGS

KAUNER SHACKLETTE VINE GROVE, KY

MAJOR ARCHITECTURE, HISTORIC PRESERVATION

THESIS THE LIVING BRICK: ECOLOGICAL MATERIALITY AND ARCHITECTURAL THINKING IN LEGO

CHASE MYERS LEXINGTON, KY

MAJOR PSYCHOLOGY, WRITING, RHETORIC, AND DIGITAL STUDIES

THESIS STRANGERS AT QUILL’S: STORIES

DANIELLE FERRIELL PEWEE VALLEY, KY

MAJOR PSYCHOLOGY, SOCIAL SCIENCES RESEARCH

THESIS

SYNTHETIC CHILDHOODS: DEEPFAKES, PRIVACY, AND THE DIGITAL IMAGE OF CHILDREN ON INSTAGRAM

MARC VAZSONYI RICHMOND, KY

MAJOR ECONOMICS

THESIS THE IMPACT OF EUSCHENGEN INTEGRATION ON HUNGARIAN REGIONAL DEVELOPMENT AND INEQUALITY

MARIA ARENAS FLÓREZ CUCUTA, COLOMBIA

MAJOR BIOLOGY, CREATIVE WRITING

THESIS CREATIVE WRITING AS A PEDAGOGICAL RESOURCE IN SECONDARY GENETICS EDUCATION:: NARRATIVE APPROACHES TO CONCEPTUAL UNDERSTANDING

MARIA CAREY RICHMOND, KY

MAJOR NEUROSCIENCE, MODERN & CLASSICAL LANG, LIT & CULTURES

THESIS THE INTERSECTION OF EXILE, NOSTALGIA, AND DISDAIN FOR SOVIET RUSSIA PORTRAYED BY LATE SOVIET-ERA ÉMIGRÉ CREATORS: A LITERARY ANALYSIS

NATALIE WILLIAMS

ELIZABETHTOWN, KY

MAJOR ENGLISH

THESIS ‘I KNOW WHAT YOU’RE THINKING WHEN YOU HEAR THE WAY I TALK” - THE APPALACHIAN ACTIVISM OF GUNNING, RITCHIE, AND GOODMAN

6 2 0 2 K R NEW YndOCultural Art a

E C N E I R E P X E N O I T A I C E APPR

NYC Itinerary!!

Thursday: New Museum (NEW HUMANS EXHIBIT!) Hamilton on Broadway!!!

Friday: The MET (!)

MoMA (MUST SEE STARRY NIGHT- DONT FORGET!) Alumni mixer at Warren Peace Saturday: The Whitney (BIENNIAL!) High Line tour w/ Matthew Clarke (Gaines Alum!)

Eataly for dinner w/ the group

ay w d a o r B n o re n t o a t l e i h T m Ha ers g o R pm 7 y a d Thurs

Alumni Reunion

Warren Peace--5pm

I saw the statue of Liberty today!!

WELCOMING Dr. Kenton Sena NEW DIRECTOR NEW DIRECTOR OF OF PHILANTHROPY PHILANTHROPY

Beginning June 1st, the Gaines Center and the Lewis Honors College will be welcoming Dr. Kenton Sena as our new Director of Philanthropy.

Dr. Sena will be responsible for developing relationships with alumni and individuals with a passion for Honors and the Gaines Center.

Since Fall 2018, Dr. Sena has taught interdisciplinary courses at the intersection of the natural sciences and humanities, working closely with UK philanthropy to cultivate and steward several key donors. He was one of three faculty members awarded a $1 million grant for a 4-year project by the National Science Foundation. A 2023 UK Alumni Association Great Teacher Award recipient, Kenton is passionate about Honors education and will bring a unique perspective when building relationships and financial support for the Lewis Honors College and the Gaines Center.

Dr. Sena was trained as a restoration ecologist before providing meaningful experiential learning opportunities for students, connecting classroom instruction to real-world problems. In his new role, Kenton is excited to continue supporting the mission by building relationships with alumni and donors who care deeply about interdisciplinary, high-impact higher education for Kentucky.

In addition to his work and experience with Lewis Honors, Dr. Sena is a long-time friend of the Gaines Center. He has served on multiple Gaines thesis committees and co-taught the Gaines seminar during the 2021 “Mountains” theme. He is looking forward to meeting Gaines alumni to hear more about their Gaines experiences and ideas for the program moving forward.

When not at work, he can usually be found at or around home, here in Lexington, with his wife Susanna and their three kids, Silas (7), Eden (5), and Elanor (2). He spends his free time reading, usually the classics, and is a Tolkien supernerd (ask him about his Honors class on The Lord of the Rings!). He also enjoys time in the outdoors, hiking, and gardening, and is a long-time bicycle commuter.

Please join us in welcoming Dr. Kenton Sena! You can reach him at Kenton.Sena@uky.edu or 859-323-8256.

THIS STORY WAS ABRIDGED FROM A JOINT ANNOUNCEMENT BY UK PHILANTHROPY AND LEWIS HONORS. TO SEE THE ORIGINAL ANNOUNCEMENT CLICK HERE

2026 LAFAYETTE

SEMINAR HUMANITIES IN ACTION

The 2026 Lafayette Seminar, “Humanities in Action,” showcased the Gaines Center’s commitment to connecting scholarship with real-world application and public engagement.

Held in the Davis Marksbury Building, the seminar featured presentations from the six Gaines Humanities Cooperatives and the Junior Gaines Fellows applied humanities project.

This year’s seminar centered on the Gaines Center’s theme of “Origins” and emphasized how humanities-based approaches can address contemporary social, environmental, and cultural challenges. Cooperative presentations explored topics including health and the humanities, global crises, Appalachian water, and digital pedagogies, among others, demonstrating the breadth and impact of collaborative humanities work.

A major highlight of the seminar was a presentation of the Junior Gaines Fellows’ yearlong applied humanities project: investigating the histories of the Gaines houses — the Betts House, Bingham Davis House, and Commonwealth House. Using archival research, historical analysis, and digital storytelling tools, the students created publicly accessible research that connects university history with the broader Lexington community.

The day concluded with a reception for presenters and Fellows, where Gaines Director Dr. Michelle Sizemore dedicated the Commonwealth House piano room to longtime Gaines supporter, Audrey Rooney.

CLICK TO ACCESS THE GAINES JUNIORS PROJECT

T E D C H I A SA VE THE DATE N OCTOBER 6, 2026 SINGLETARY CENTER G BALE BOONE KEYNOTE 2026

INTRODUCING THE

2026-27 GAINES

THEME

WHAT DOES IT MEAN TO BE HUMAN IN THE AGE OF AI? EVERY TECHNOLOGICAL REVOLUTION PROMPTS A RETHINKING OF HUMAN QUALITIES AND CAPABILITIES— NOW MORE THAN EVER WITH THE RISE OF ARTIFICIAL INTELLIGENCE. MOST GLOBAL TECHNOLOGY EXPERTS PREDICT HOW HUMANS LIVE, THINK, FEEL, WORK, LEARN, CREATE, AND CONNECT WILL BE TRANSFORMED OVER THE NEXT DECADE. AS WE GRAPPLE WITH THE POWERS OF AI, IT IS IMPORTANT TO EXAMINE WITH EQUAL VIGOR THE TRAITS THAT MAKE US HUMAN. AN INVESTIGATION OF BEING HUMAN IN THE TWENTY-FIRST CENTURY COMPELS US TO “REINVEST IN THE VOCABULARY OF HUMAN VALUE” AS WE ANTICIPATE THE EFFECTS (BOTH POSITIVE AND NEGATIVE) OF HUMANS’ ADAPTATION TO THE DIGITAL FUTURE.

THE HUMAN

AI GENERATED IMAGE

ALGORITHM