2021 Lyman T Johnson Awards Program

Portrait by Imar Hutchins

30th Annual

Lyman T. Johnson

Awards Recognition: Upholding the Torch of Excellence Monday, Feb. 1, 2021

Imar Lyman Hutchins

Imar Lyman Hutchins graduated summa cum laude from Morehouse College in Atlanta and received his law degree from Yale. He is the son of Walter Hutchins of Louisville, KY., and the late Yvonne Hutchins. Imar is the grandson of Lyman T. Johnson. He is a self-taught artist based in Washington, DC. He works primarily in collage, mixed media and printmaking. Imar’s portraits combine vintage black magazines, hate mail and other historical documents as well as found objects, tissue paper and new materials. He imagines that people themselves are collages—amalgams of countless disparate fragments and inputs. He “remixes” his subjects in new and often Afro-futuristic ways, but always drawing from (or challenging) a historical notion. In 2019, he unveiled a portrait of his grandfather, which is now permanently on display in the Lyman T. Johnson residence hall.

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Lyman T. Johnson June 12, 1906 – October 3, 1997 B.A, ’30, Virginia Union University M.A., ’31, University of Michigan Admitted, ’49, University of Kentucky Honorary Doctorate, ’79, University of Kentucky With the tenacity of his grandfather who had the audacity to buy his own freedom from slavery, and the commitment to educational excellence set by his father who was principal of his school, Lyman T. Johnson had the foundation he needed to challenge the status quo in his landmark court case which opened the University of Kentucky to African-American students in 1949. That summer, nearly 30 African-American students enrolled in graduate and professional programs at UK. Johnson did not finish his graduate studies at UK, but he was awarded an honorary degree in 1979. An educator and civil rights activist, he dedicated his life to fighting against segregation and racial inequalities in Kentucky.

An ordinary errand for his father planted the seeds of activism in his spirit when he was just an eighth-grader. His father, the principal of the all-black school, sent him to the superintendent’s office in the all-white school. Johnson witnessed with his own eyes the truth of Jim Crow laws that created separate but unequal facilities. That visit roused his righteous anger at the inequalities of racial discrimination, and he was determined to do what he could to challenge it wherever it existed.

In addition to opening the door for thousands of minority students to attend UK, he also led struggles to integrate neighborhoods, swimming pools, schools and restaurants. Johnson also led the Louisville chapter of the NAACP for six years. His biographer wrote, “Every door marked ‘White Only’ was a challenge and an invitation to be forced open. He never asked whether such doors should be opened, only when and how.”

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Scholarship Information To honor the work of Lyman T. Johnson and his effort to open the door for thousands of minority students to attend UK, the Lyman T. Johnson African- American Alumni Group established an undergraduate scholarship in his name. This fund provides financial assistance to students of color in their pursuit of higher education.

Since 2008, the alumni group has awarded one or two scholarships each year based upon the funds available. Financial need remains the largest obstacle for our students. We have recently endowed the Lyman T. Johnson Scholarship to ensure funds are available to minority students for generations to come. Our goal is to raise $500,000 to fund approximately 20 scholarships annually. Together, we can enable more students to succeed.

If you are interested in investing in the Lyman T. Johnson African-American Alumni Scholarship, you can do so online by visiting networkforgood.com and searching for “Lyman T. Johnson� or you can complete a pledge card located on your table. If you have questions regarding making a gift of securities or a planned estate gift, please contact Marci Hicks, Director of Philanthropy, at (859) 323-7882 or at marci.hicks@uky.edu.

2020-21 Lyman T. Johnson Scholarship Recipients Harrison Goode Aniya Hall

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Speakers

George C. Wright Vice President of the Office of Institutional Diversity

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George C. Wright received his bachelor’s degree in history from the University of Kentucky (UK) in 1972, his master’s degree in history from UK in 1974, and his Ph.D. in history from Duke University in 1977. In 2004, Dr. Wright was awarded an Honorary Doctorate of Letters from the University of Kentucky. Wright’s teaching experience begin in 1977 as an assistant professor of history at the University of Kentucky.

In 1980, he started teaching at the University of Texas at Austin, where he eventually became a full professor and the holder of the Mastin Gentry White Professorship of Southern History. For 12 consecutive years at UT, Wright was voted one of the 10 “Best Faculty” on the annual list of ”10 Best and 10 Worst Faculty” of the entire 3,000 faculty at the University. He received the Jean Holloway Award for Teaching Excellence in the Colleges of Arts and Sciences, and the top teaching award for the entire University, the Lillian and Tom B. Rhodes Centennial Teaching Fellow, which carried a $10,000 prize. In 1993, Wright joined the faculty at Duke University as vice provost for undergraduate programs, director of the Afro-American Studies, and held the William R. Kenan, Jr., Chair in American history. From 1996-2003, Wright served as Executive Vice President for Academic Affairs and Provost at the University of Texas at Arlington. He served as President of Prairie View A&M University from 2003-2017. Currently, he is Distinguished Research Professor at the University of Kentucky and Senior Advisor to the President.

Also, during the 2020 Fall Semester, he is serving as the Interim Vice President for the Office of Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion at the University of Kentucky. Wright has authored three books on race relations. For his scholarly activities, Wright received the University of Kentucky Libraries “Award for Intellectual Achievement,” in 2015.

Hannah Miner Myers President of the UK Alumni Association Hannah Miner Myers of Madisonville, Kentucky, has been elected president of the UK Alumni Association. She graduated in 1994 with a bachelor’s degree in middle school education from the UK College of Education. She is a member of Delta Delta Delta sorority and served as student ambassador on the Student Development Council. Myers has a second bachelor’s degree in interior design and a double master’s degree in education and education administration.

She served eight years on the City of Madisonville City Council and is serving her second term on the Hopkins County Fiscal Court as a magistrate for District Seven. She is an active community member and has served as a member of the Economic Development Council and Community Foundation board, past chairwoman of the Chamber of Commerce tourism board and past president of the Cardinal Garden Club. Myers has served as an adjunct professor of education on the Murray State University regional campus in Madisonville. She is a UK Alumni Association Life Member, UK Fellow and is active with the Hopkins County UK Alumni Club. She also is a fitness instructor, spinning instructor and marathon runner.

Lee Jackson President of the Lyman T. Johnson Alumni Group Lee Jackson was born in Lynch, Kentucky. He graduated Lynch High School 1968, graduated Southeast Community and Technical College 1970, graduated from University of Kentucky in 1973 and was Certified as a Public Manager in 1990 from the Governmental Services Center Kentucky State University.

Lee is now retired after spending 31 years in state government where he served as President of the Kentucky Association of State Employees (KASE), President of AFT-Kentucky and Vice President of the Kentucky State AFL-CIO. Lee has been involved in many community initiates. the NAACP, the International Association of Workforce Professionals. (IAWP). Board member of the Lexington Partnership for Workforce Development, Board member of the YMCA of Central Kentucky, Board member Community Action Council Brother’s Policy Board, Board Member Kentucky-American Water Company Consumer Advisory Board, Board member of Central Kentucky Workforce Initiative for Skills Enhancement. (CK-WISE). Board Member Lexington Public Library. He is a member of Mt. Calvary Missionary Baptist Church Lexington, Ky. Lee served on Governor Beshear’s E-Transparency Task Force and served on Governor Fletcher’s Blue Ribbon Commission on Health Insurance and the Kentucky Public Pension Workgroup. Lee is the current President of the Lyman T. Johnson UK Alumni Constituency Group, and is the Coordinator of the Annual Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. Unity Breakfast. Lee was a recipient of the UK Alumni Association Distinguished Service Award in 2010.

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List of Awardees

by College Agriculture, Food & Environment Jahqethea Johnson, Torch Bearer Tiffany Monroe, Torch of Excellence

Arts & Sciences Jacob Barnes, Torch Bearer Trinity Houston, Torch Bearer Pasama Cole-Kweli, Torch Bearer Jillean McCommons, Torch Bearer Jordan Ashlee McCray, Torch Bearer Kayla Woodson, Torch Bearer Eunique Gaither, Torch of Excellence Aretina Hamilton, Torch of Excellence Ursula Mullins, Torch of Excellence

Gatton College of Business & Economics Ariel Brent, Torch Bearer Erica Miles, Torch of Excellence

Communication & Information Akhira Umar, Torch Bearer DeBraun Thomas, Torch of Excellence

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Dentistry

Nursing

Udechukwu Iheduru , Torch Bearer Dr. Linda Larkin-Scott, Torch of Excellence

Danielle Duncan, Torch Bearer Delanor Manson, Torch of Excellence

Education

Pharmacy

Heather Cowherd, Torch Bearer Felicia C. Smith, Torch of Excellence

Anisa Moore, Torch Bearer William Ifeachor, Torch of Excellence

Engineering

Public Health

K’Lynn King, Torch Bearer Tracy Drain, Torch of Excellence

Kayla Dougherty, Torch Bearer Sydney S. Taylor, Torch of Excellence

Fine Arts

Social Work

Moniece La’Shay Mosely, Torch Bearer Key’Mon Murrah, Torch of Excellence

Shawndaya Thrasher, Torch Bearer Shaniek Tose, Torch of Excellence

Health Sciences

Graduate School

Isaiah Jones, Torch Bearer Brandon Reeves, Torch of Excellence

Kevely Dumay, Torch Bearer Jeana Dunlap, Torch of Excellence

J. David Rosenberg College of Law

Lewis Honors College

Maya S. Marshall, Torch Bearer Steven S. Reed, Torch of Excellence

Khari Gardner, Torch Bearer Tracy Drain, Torch of Excellence

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College of Agriculture, Food & Environment

Jahqethea Johnson Torch Bearer Born and raised inner City Columbus, Ohio, Jahqethea Johnson is a senior at the University of Kentucky studying agricultural economics with a minor in business. She actively served in the MANRRS organization as the 2018-2019 UK chapter fundraising chair, 2019-2020 UK chapter president, and now as the 2020-2021 National MANRRS Region III undergraduate vice-president and UK chapter immediate past-president. Her involvement now expands to serving as a University Diversity Student Ambassador and College of Agriculture, Food & Environment Student Ambassador. Johnson’s leadership has led her to employment opportunities with Kentucky Cooperative Extension in the Office of Diversity and the U.S. Department of Agriculture – National Agricultural Statistics Service as a statistician trainee. Her involvement has created a passion for promoting diversity in the agricultural industry. She hopes to reinforce support to farmers, ranchers and producers with her expertise, training and studies. Ultimately Johnson’s plans to continue her education in agricultural economics and higher education to return to the urban community of Columbus and develop a public-school curriculum that focuses on agriculture, urban farming and food equity with the support of the farmers, ranchers and producers that she engages with along her journey.

Tiffany Monroe Torch of Excellence Tiffany Monroe grew up on a sixth-generation farm in Oregon.

She received her bachelor’s degree from Oregon State University in crop and soil science with a minor in horticulture.

She proudly obtained her master’s degree in community and leadership development with an emphasis in agricultural education from UK. Post graduate studies, she became the first African-American female agriculture and natural resources Extension agent in Kentucky history and later worked for the Kentucky Department of Agriculture. Now in Oregon, Monroe farms with her husband, engages in agricultural advocacy work across the country and serves as president for both the Lane County Farm Bureau and the Lane Families for Farms and Forests organizations. She also serves as president of the UK Minorities in Agriculture Natural Resources and Related Sciences Alumni Affiliate Network. Monroe was recently appointed as co-chair of Oregon Gov. Kate Brown’s Racial Justice Council and serves as co-chairwoman of the Environmental Equity Committee. She is on the board of directors for the Oregon Black Land Trust and Oregon Black Food Fund. One of her passions is to promote local business and industry through her role with an Oregon business association.

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College of Arts & Sciences

Jacob Barnes Torch Bearer Jacob Barnes is from the Windy City, born and raised on the South Side of Chicago with his mother, father, two brothers and sister. His parents raised the children, he says, while only being kids themselves. Watching their hard work to support four kids shaped Barnes to be a hard worker, selfless and to make sure he put himself in a position to make his parents proud and to accomplish even more than they had. His determination to excel in life is what drives him to work hard, serve those around him and to be the best possible version of himself every day. This has shaped Barnes to want to help others through his career as an urban planner with plans to shape future cities to be equal with opportunities, infrastructure and safe spaces for everyone to be welcomed. Barnes wants to leave behind a better world than the world he came into.

Trinity Houston Torch Bearer Trinity Houston is a senior majoring in psychology, minoring in cognitive science and philosophy, and on the pre-medical track. She is a member of the Iota Sigma chapter of Alpha Kappa Alpha sorority where she served as official hostess and currently serves as president. She is a member of Omicron Delta Kappa and Order of Omega and was an Ambassador for the College of Arts & Sciences during the 2019-2020 school year. Houston has been a peer tutor at Presentation U since her freshman year, where she earned the title “Tutor of the Year” in spring 2019, and now is a student program coordinator for professional development and training at the center. She has been involved in undergraduate research within the Psychology Department for two years in two labs: Professor Lorch’s ADHD & Comprehension Lab and Assistant Professor Marshburn’s Social Psychology Lab focused on racism, prejudice and stereotypes. She is a current intern at the Harris Psychological Services Center, where she serves as a clinic assistant. Lastly, her long-term goal is to become a psychiatrist. Recently, she was accepted to two medical schools: The UK College of Medicine and the University of Alabama at Birmingham School of Medicine.

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College of Arts & Sciences (cont’d.)

Pasama Cole-Kweli Torch Bearer Pasama Cole-Kweli is a third-year Ph.D. student in the Department of Anthropology and a recipient of a Lyman T. Johnson Graduate Student Fellowship. She works diligently to address diverse student needs at UK. As an active member of the Black Graduate and Professional Student Association, she helped implement projects such as a campus food drive in response to widespread food insecurity. As a teaching assistant and graduate researcher, she strives to create space for underrepresented minority scholars to share their work with the UK community. She served as a two-time organizer for the Dimensions of Political Ecology Conference, helping to seed an underrepresented scholars’ program and bring several notable scholars of color to campus as featured speakers. As the elected chairwoman of her department’s Distinguished Lecture Series, she spearheaded an event featuring Khiara Bridges (J.D., Ph.D.), a distinguished scholar whose work explores race and maternal health care. Following the proliferation of racial violence and the death of Breonna Taylor, Cole-Kweli collaborated with graduate students to write a call to action for systemic change and inclusivity within her department. Outside of UK, she advocates for students as a representative for the Association of Black Anthropologists. She is also a proud member of Delta Sigma Theta sorority.

Jillean McCommons Torch Bearer Jillean McCommons is a doctoral candidate in the Department of History. Her research explores the history of Black Appalachian activism during the Civil Rights Movement and Black Power era. She earned a bachelor’s degree from Michigan State University, a master’s degree in Latin American, Caribbean, and Iberian Studies at the University of Wisconsin, and a master’s degree in information from the University of Michigan. After a successful career in public libraries, she returned to graduate school to study the intersection of AfricanAmerican history and Appalachian Studies. McCommons is currently a pre-doctoral fellow at the Carter G. Woodson Institute at the University of Virginia.

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College of Arts & Sciences (cont’d.)

Jordan Ashlee McCray Torch Bearer Jordan Ashlee McCray is a second- year master’s student in the UK Department of Geography She holds a bachelor’s degree from James Madison University, where she majored in geographic science, concentrated in environmental conservation, sustainability, and development, with a minor in Latin American and Caribbean studies. Currently, McCray is working on her master’s thesis titled “Gentrification and the Black Church: Mitigating Black Suburban Displacement in a Post COVID- 19 World.” This project examines the effects gentrification, the COVID- 19 recession and the subsequent national affordable housing crisis have had on African-American suburban communities through the lens of the “Black Church.”

This work was inspired by her childhood in her grandfather’s church in Alexandria, Virginia, and having a vested interest in the gentrification of its surrounding communities. She is excited to learn with and about her Alexandria community on a deeper level through this work and is honored to be able to further support Alexandria’s Black religious communities through taking up subsequent invitations from religious leaders for continual engagement.

McCray is also currently president of the UK Political Ecology Working Group and cochairwoman of its 11th annual conference. She thanks her department for nominating her for such a prestigious award and her mentors for their continual guidance and support.

Kayla Woodson Torch Bearer Kayla Woodson is a junior from Louisville majoring in political science and minoring in journalism. She is currently the director of inclusion and equity in the Student Government Association, which she has been involved with in some capacity since her freshman year. She is currently collaborating with Associate Professor Stephen Voss on a study of elections and precinct-level voting behavior in Kentucky that she hopes to publish with him. Woodson also intends to do her capstone project on the generational politics of Black people because she feels the literature around Black voting behavior is disappointedly limited. She hopes to become a campaign manager so she can help elect more minorities and underrepresented individuals into office. She has three younger brothers that inspire her to strive to be the best role model she can for them.

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College of Arts & Sciences (cont’d.)

Eunique Gaither Torch of Excellence Eunique Gaither is a graduate of UK with a bachelor’ degree in gender and women’s studies and double minors in sociology and African-American studies. She is currently attending the University of Louisville pursuing dual master’s degrees in social work and gender, women, and sexuality studies. During her time at UK, she became a charter member of the WISE chapter of the National Association of Colored Women’s Clubs. The hope is that this organization will provide a space on campus for women of color and their allies to empower one another by “lifting as we climb’’ to new heights. Gaither was also able to network and participate in a gender and women studies program that inspired and cultivated individuality and acceptance. She says she aspires to use her acquired knowledge and experience to motivate change and bring about a more equitable world for future generations.

Aretina Hamilton Torch of Excellence Aretina Hamilton is a black feminist geographer who earned her Ph.D. from UK in 2017. Since then, she has served as the associate director of diversity, equity and inclusion at the Interlochen Center for the Arts in Michigan where she inspires students and colleagues alike as a “curator of socially conscious minds,” as she puts it. Her dissertation project analyzed how Black women use performances of race, class and sexuality to present a counter narrative to mainstream images of femininity. Her study of African-American lesbians and the symbolic and material spaces of belonging they created in Atlanta demonstrates how various parts of the city act as both centers of belonging and sites of resistance for this population. Hamilton’s research was done, in part, with a partnership with the Auburn Avenue Research Library on African American Culture and History. She also holds a graduate certificate in gender and women’s studies from UK. She is also the author of a powerful essay on “The Geography of Despair”, which details the powerful and violent spaces the academy creates for Black faculty and graduate students.

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College of Arts & Sciences (cont’d.)

Ursula Mullins Torch of Excellence Ursula Mullins, Ph.D., has been a proud public servant of Louisville for six years in various capacities, including performance management, departmental coaching and consulting, strategic planning, project management, and director of the Youth Detention Center. Most recently, she was appointed to serve the Commonwealth as executive advisor to the Secretary of the Cabinet for Health and Family Services. She has managed continuous improvement projects ranging from parks to public safety, led strategic planning efforts, and steered research for strategies on vacant and abandoned property, the impact of the heroin epidemic on the jail, as well as violent crime reduction. Mullins says she enjoys using her passion for process improvement and data to help government serve the most vulnerable among us. She earned her undergraduate degree from Tennessee State University and her Master of Science and Ph.D. in developmental psychology from UK. Her postdoctoral fellowship was completed at the UK Center for Drug and Alcohol Research. She is a proponent of lifelong learning and has earned professional certifications, is a founding member of the Metro Motivators Club of Toastmasters International and a member of Delta Sigma Theta sorority.

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Gatton College of Business Economics

Ariel Brent Torch Bearer Ariel Brent is a current senior at the UK majoring in accounting with a minor in business analytics. She is from Elizabethtown and has three older siblings and two dogs.

Brent says she is most thankful for the love and support of her parents throughout her journey. While at UK, she has been actively involved on campus and in the community. Brent has worked as a peer coach for the Financial Wellness office for the past three years and enjoys being able to help students with their financial endeavors. She worked as a peer advisor for the Graham Office of Career Management, was a member of Women Business Leaders and has been president of the National Association of Black Accountants for the past two years.

She is a William C. Parker scholar, AICPA Legacy Scholar and Women Leading Kentucky Scholar. Upon graduation, she will be attending the University of Southern California to obtain her master’s degree in accounting with an emphasis in data analytics. She has also accepted a full-time job offer with KPMG in its Atlanta office. She says she is grateful for all that UK and the Gatton College of Business and Economics has invested in her and is excited for all that the future holds.

Erica Miles Torch of Excellence Erica Miles received her MBA from the UK Gatton College of Business and Economics in 2001. During her time at UK, she was president of the MBA Student Association, a member of the National Black Graduate Student and Professional Association and a recipient of the Lyman T. Johnson Fellowship. Still serving her alma mater, Miles is a member of the newly formed Diversity, Equity and Inclusion Advisory Committee in the Gatton College of Business and Economics, whose mission is to help build and reinforce a culture of inclusion for all. She is currently the director of Diversity and Inclusion for the U.S. House Committee on Financial Services, leading work for the Congress’ first Subcommittee on Diversity and Inclusion.

Her hometown is Memphis, Tennessee, where she completed her undergraduate degree in political science at the University of Memphis. As a current resident in Washington, she was sworn in as a commissioner in November 2019 to serve on the mayor’s Financial Services Regulatory Sandbox and Innovation Council that advises the D.C. government on ways to attract and promote FinTech innovation in its community. Miles is a member of Alpha Kappa Alpha sorority.

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College of Communication & Information

Akhira Umar Torch Bearer Akhira Umar is a senior journalism and English major set to graduate in December 2020. As a Black and Filipino Muslim from small-town Paris, Kentucky, she has strived to make diverse and minority stories heard to bring more empathy and understanding to her community. Umar is the lifestyle and copy editor at KRNL Lifestyle + Fashion, helping to manage and execute all written content for the organization. She previously worked for the Kentucky Kernel as the lifestyle and summer editor. She has worked at Kernel Media for nearly her whole college career. With her years spent at the organization, Umar has earned several individual and staff awards. Although she has written about a variety of subjects, her favorite articles to write highlight minorities and their stories.

Her passions also lie with creative writing. Though she specializes in fiction, she also writes poetry and creative nonfiction. After graduating, Umar plans to further her education by pursuing a master’s in fine arts in creative writing and eventually becoming a professor.

DeBraun Thomas Torch of Excellence DeBraun Thomas is a native of the San Francisco Bay Area who moved to Lexington in 2008 to attend UK. He got his start in radio at WRFL and after graduating from UK in 2012, began working as an intern at Lexington’s NPR station, WUKY. He was brought on staff part time in 2013 and has been full time since 2019. Thomas is the morning host of “Rock & Roots,” Monday-Friday from 9 a.m. -Noon and is also the host of the “Crunkadelic Funk Show,” which airs Saturdays at 9 p.m. He also produced “The Unghosting of Medgar Evers” (2012) and a documentary on the 1963 march on Frankfort in 2013. In 2016 he co-founded Take Back Cheapside, a coalition of various organizing groups that led to the removal of two confederate statues located at Cheapside Park, the site of a former slave market in Lexington. In 2020, Cheapside Park was renamed Henry A. Tandy Centennial Park. Thomas also spends his time writing and performing music, he released his first album, “All My Colors Are Blind,” in 2015.

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College of Dentistry

Udechukwu Iheduru Torch Bearer Udechukwu Iheduru is a fourth-year dental student in the UK College of Dentistry. She is currently president of the Student National Dental Association, which is a group that supports the academic and social environment of minority students in dental school. She has been an active member all four years and previously served as the club’s fundraising chairwoman and secretary. Iheduru also volunteers at Mission Lexington, a healthcare clinic that provides charitable dental services to those who live below the poverty level. In addition, she is a mentor for predental students through the Building Bridges Mentoring Program at her alma mater and advises prospective students on dental school admissions. Iheduru is also a member of the American Association of Women Dentists and the American Student Dental Association.

Dr. Linda Larkin-Scott Torch of Excellence Dr. Linda Larkin-Scott graduated from Kentucky State University and the UK College of Dentistry. While attending UK, she was a member of the Student National Dental Association (SNDA) and received the Robert L. Woods International Dentist Award. Larkin-Scott, now a member of the National Dental Association, says she relishes her role as an advisor to the UK SNDA chapter, and it has participated in numerous health fairs, Oral Cancer Runs, Impression Day Programs and delivering free dental care monthly at Mission Lex Clinic. For 39 years, Larkin-Scott has volunteered in the Lexington community conducting screenings for schools, Community Action Centers, churches and more. She has donated oral hygiene supplies, performed free dental services to the underserved and traveled statewide with the Colgate Van. She has received numerous awards and recognitions through the years. Her office was the recipient of the Lexington Minority Business of the Year Award given by The Greater Lexington Chamber of Commerce. Her mission has been to make one smile not only from the outside, but from within.

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College of Education

Heather Cowherd Torch Bearer Heather Cowherd has earned both her bachelor’s and master’s degree from Western Kentucky University. She graduated summa cum laude with a bachelor’s degree in English literature and news editorial, with a minor in history.

She received a master’s degree in public administration and was the recipient of the Outstanding master’s in public administration Graduate Student Award. Currently, Cowherd is pursuing a master’s degree in instructional systems design and a Ph.D. in higher education at UK. She is interning as a training and visual information specialist at the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.

Cowherd has presented at several conferences, including the 2019 Mid-Western Educational Research Association annual meeting and the 2020 Kentucky Association of Teacher Educators conference. She is serving as a graduate representative for the Academic Course Delivery Workstream Group, which is a part of UK’s re-start efforts due to the COVID-19 pandemic.

Felicia C. Smith Torch of Excellence As senior director of global delivery at the National Geographic Society, Felicia C. Smith oversees the domestic and global education strategy implementation and programming focused on transforming the classroom experience for millions of students and educators. She leads a team of regional directors charged to enhance partnerships with various education entities to inspire the next generation of planetary stewards. Smith’s career in education spans more than two decades where she has served in a variety of leadership roles in P-12, higher education, non-for-profit and philanthropy. Prior to joining the National Geographic Society, Smith served as assistant superintendent of teaching and learning in the 27th largest urban district (Jefferson County Public Schools, Kentucky); as a senior program officer at the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation; associate commissioner for the Kentucky Department of Education; and teacher leader. Smith has been recognized as an Aspen-Pahara education Fellow and serves as a member on several national and local boards. She earned an Ed.D. in education leadership and administration from UK.

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College of Engineering

K’Lynn King Torch Bearer K’Lynn King is a fourth-year chemical engineering student at UK. Originally from Milwaukee, she travelled to Lexington to pursue the dream of becoming a first-generation college student. While engineering was not always in her plans, she found her passion for her major after joining the newly revamped National Society of Black Engineering (NSBE) chapter at UK. With the help of NSBE, she developed a dream of owning an engineering consulting forum after spending several summers interning at the Boeing Co. She became a leader on UK’s campus by becoming membership chairwoman and senator of NSBE and quickly rose to president by her fourth year. King worked to embody the mission of NSBE by not only enhancing her professional skills but also by giving back to her community. She worked as a tutor for high school students, taught inner-city children digital literacy and hosted STEM activities to inform youth about engineering. Her major accomplishments include being crowned as Epsilon Chi Miss Black & Gold of Alpha Phi Alpha fraternity, a Louis Stroke Alliance for Minority Participation Scholar, and co-organizer of the Engineering Diversity and Inclusion Conference. King continues to use her voice to advocate for the diversifying members of the STEM community.

Tracy Drain Torch of Excellence Tracy Drain is a flight systems engineer at the Jet Propulsion Laboratory (JPL) in Pasadena, California. She is a native of Louisville and received a bachelor’s degree in mechanical engineering from UK. While pursuing her undergraduate degree, she interned at the NASA Langley Research Center, and was thrilled to learn many years later about the “Hidden Figures” who contributed so much to spaceflight in Langley’s history. She went on to earn a master’s degree in mechanical engineering from the Georgia Institute of Technology before joining the staff at JPL in 2000. In her 20 years at NASA, Drain has participated in the development and operation of the Mars Reconnaissance Orbiter (a science and relay orbiter on Mars), the Kepler mission (searching for exoplanets) and the Juno mission to Jupiter. She is now the lead flight systems engineer for the Europa Clipper mission, which is slated to launch in 2024 to explore one of the most scientifically exciting icy moons of Jupiter. Drain is passionate about space exploration and loves sharing the wonders of space exploration with people of all ages.

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College of Fine Arts

Moniece La’Shay Mosely Torch Bearer Moniece La’Shay Mosley is from Louisville and is a senior at UK majoring in theater and African American and Africana studies with minors in creative writing and gender and women’s studies. While working toward her degree in theater, she found her passion for giving a voice to those that have been silenced within society and to those who look like her. Mosley has strived to change the face of the leading lady through her work, which includes directing “Butterfly Confessions,” with an all Black female cast. Also, her independent project, “Black Lives Scripted,” was a project that she launched with a group of her friends that was aimed at telling the stories of Black people during a time when racial tensions were at an all-time high during her lifetime. She used the project to highlight the lives of Breonna Taylor, Ahmaud Arbery, and to shed light on the lives of the untold stories and struggles that many Black people face day after day within society. She works diligently with organizations on UK’s campus including Collegiate Curls, Alliance of Social Action Performance and the Thoroughbred chapter of the Association of Fundraising Professionals.

Key’Mon Murrah Torch of Excellence Key’mon W. Murrah, a countertenor with a wide range and noted as a “hot coal core o tone” by Schmopera.com, is a native of Louisville. He received a bachelor’s degree in arts administration at UK with a minor in music performance. He has performed with the UK Opera Theatre and the Bluegrass Opera. His most notable roles are Mingo in “Porgy and Bess” and the role of the Spiritual Man in Ernst Bacon’s “A Tree on the Plains.” Murrah has sung the role of Tolomeo from Handel’s “Giulio Cesare” with the Red River Lyric Opera and Asprano in Vivaldi’s “Montezuma” with the America Baroque Opera Co. He was recently selected at the Carnegie Hall’s Weill Music Institute in a masterclass with Joyce DiDonato, and he continued his studies at the International Vocal Arts Institute. In 2014, he was a finalist in the Juanita Peterson Vocal Competition. In 2018, he won the Encouragement Award for the Metropolitan Opera Council Central District Auditions. This year he became a semi-finalist in the Metropolitan Opera Council National Auditions. He won the second place award or the Emerging Soloists Competition and was a finalist in the Opera MODO Opera Competition.

Recently, he tours with the American Spiritual Ensemble, and this summer he will sing as a young artist at the Glimmerglass Opera Festival.

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College of Health Sciences

Isaiah Jones Torch Bearer Isaiah Jones is a third-year physical therapist student in the UK doctor of physical therapy program. He was raised in Shelbyville, where he was an active participant in church, sports and community service. He graduated with honors from the University of Louisville with a bachelor’s degree in health and human performance and concentrated in exercise science.

During his time in undergrad, he was a Porter scholar who was heavily involved with many campus organizations, took prominent leadership roles and developed crucial skills which prepared him for a future as a healthcare professional. Mentorship, service and athletics sparked his passion for physical therapy. After graduation in 2021, he plans to pursue travel Physical Therapy or work with pediatric and athletic populations.

Brandon Reeves Torch of Excellence Brandon Reeves earned a bachelor’s degree in 2010 from the UK College of Health Sciences in communication sciences and disorders. After completing his undergraduate degree, he studied at Vanderbilt University where he earned a master’s degree in speech language pathology. Following completion of graduate school, Reeves moved to Colorado where he worked for Boulder Valley School District providing speech and language therapy to K-12 grade students. In 2014, he was accepted to the University of Washington School of Law, earning his law degree in 2017. Reeves currently works as an associate attorney for Ogletree Deakins, a national law firm specializing in labor and employment law.

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J. David Rosenberg College of Law

Maya S. Marshall Torch Bearer Maya S. Marshall is a third-year law student at the UK J. David Rosenberg College of Law. She serves as a research assistant for Professor Blanche Cook, judicial extern for Fayette County Circuit Court Judge Ernesto Scorsone and is a senior staffer for the Kentucky Journal of Equine, Agriculture, and Natural Resources Law. Marshall also serves as a member of the following College of Law organizations: StreetLaw (vice president); UK Law Honor Council; Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion Student Advisory Board; and Black Law Student Association. She is a member of Consolidated Baptist Church where she is an assistant Sunday school teacher in the Children’s Ministry. Prior to arriving at the College of Law, she graduated from Boston University with a bachelor’s degree in communications, minoring in political science. While at Boston University, Marshall was a NCAA Division I studentathlete on the women’s track & field team, a leader in the Peer Athletic Leaders Program, co-leader of the Umoja Bible Study and member of the Intervarsity Christian Fellowship.

She has a passion for helping others and hopes to eventually use her education and personal experiences to assist those in underserved communities.

Steven S. Reed Torch of Excellence Steve S. Reed currently lives in Louisville but grew up on a farm in rural Hart County until he was six, when his family moved to Munfordville. He obtained a bachelor’s degree from Western Kentucky University and a law degree from UK. He is employed as the chief legal officer and secretary at BrightSpring Health Services in Louisville. Previously, he co-founded and managed the law firm Reed Wicker, was appointed by President Bill Clinton to serve as the U. S. attorney in Louisville, and was a law clerk to Chief Judge Edward H. Johnstone, U.S. District Court. He currently serves on the board of Delta Dental of Kentucky. Reed has previously served on the UK Board of Trustees for 12 years with two years as chairman, a member of the Professional Executive Ethics Committee for the American Institute of Certified Public Accountants and a director for Baptist Healthcare of Kentucky. With a civic mind, he provides internship opportunities for aspiring attorneys at BrightSpring Healthcare and supports educational opportunities in Johannesburg, South Africa.

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College of Nursing

Danielle Duncan Torch Bearer Danielle Duncan, a native of Elizabethtown, is currently in her last semester of the nursing program and is excited about beginning her career as a bachelor’s degree prepared registered nurse. While at UK, she served as a resident advisor, president of the Boyd Hall Government, including winning President of the Year, and was on the Dean’s List multiple times. A member of the Black Voices Choir, she previously served as secretary of this group. Duncan is also a member of the National Black Nurses Association, the College of Nursing Diversity and Inclusivity Ambassador Council, the Undergraduate Nursing Activities and Advisory Council and an active community volunteer. As an undergraduate nursing research intern, she developed an abstract and poster presentation regarding cancer awareness research. She says that her the ability to make people feel comfortable, open-mindedness, adaptability and flexibility with any patient in her care is something her instructors have valued. She says she wants to reach out and touch a patient, not just with her hands, but also with her heart.

Delanor Manson Torch of Excellence Delanor Manson, with degrees in nursing and healthcare management, is a leader whose career has focused on innovative medical initiatives in both patient care and complex administrative settings. Committed to furthering the nursing profession via education, advocacy, research and support, Manson currently serves as the chief executive officer for the Kentucky Nurses Association (KNA). Prior to joining the KNA, she was the associate vice president of research and design at Hosparus Health. She also served as deputy secretary for the Kentucky Cabinet for Healthcare Services and in various leadership roles within hospitals and healthcare organizations nationwide. With 27 years of service, Manson achieved the rank of captain in the U.S. Navy. During her military career, she applied her nursing education to various positions throughout the country, as well as in Japan, Great Britain, Germany, Italy and Puerto Rico. She earned a master’s degree in healthcare administration from Webster University and a bachelor’s degree in nursing from UK.

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College of Pharmacy

Anisa Moore Torch Bearer Anisa Moore was born and raised in Franklin, Tennessee and is a fourth-year pharmacy student at the UK College of Pharmacy. During her time in pharmacy school, she has been an active member of several organizations and founded an organization focused on improving the wellbeing of all members of the College of Pharmacy. She has also participated in two mission trips to Ecuador as a pharmacy team member and plans to return as a team leader once she is a licensed pharmacist. Her commitment to philanthropy is further shown by her participation as an active member of the not-for-profit charity called For Those Who Would, in which she trains for running and obstacle course races to raise money for individuals in need of medical equipment. Upon graduation, Moore plans to pursue a pharmacy residency, with long-term career goals of specializing in critical care or psychiatric pharmacy and teaching at a college of pharmacy.

William Ifeachor Torch of Excellence William Ifeachor PharmD, MBA, BCPS, is the associate chief for clinical pharmacy services at the Indianapolis VA Medical Center. He earned his pharmacy degree and MBA from UK, graduating with both degrees in 2012. He completed two years of post-graduate residency training in pharmacy practice and health-system pharmacy administration at the Indianapolis VA Medical Center. Following residency, he was hired at this facility where he has served in various leadership positions within the pharmacy service. Ifeachor says he is honored to be recognized this year by the College of Pharmacy as a Lyman T. Johnson Torch of Excellence awardee.

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College of Public Health

Kayla Dougherty Torch Bearer Kayla Dougherty is a second-year Master of Health Administration student at UK. She grew up in Louisville, and came to UK in August 2015, earning a bachelor’s degree in kinesiology in May 2019. During her time as an undergraduate student, she was involved in multiple student organizations on campus and is a Kappa Delta alumna. Currently, she has a full-time graduate assistantship in the Office of Student Organizations and Activities. Dougherty also serves as the president of the Master of Health Administration Student Association. Outside of school, she is an active member of the American College of Healthcare Executives (ACHE) and is a student associate member of the Kentucky chapter of the ACHE board. She completed a summer internship with Norton Healthcare in Louisville in the Clinical Effectiveness Department, where she says she had the best experience working in hospital operations. During her internship, she worked on large-scale projects focused on process improvement with the intent of positively impacting patients’ lives. Dougherty hopes to pursue an administrative fellowship and continue into a career within clinical effectiveness.

Sydney S. Taylor Torch of Excellence Sydney S. Taylor has proven herself to be a leader who takes initiative, is the first one to be supportive and helpful to others, as well as shown a profound concern for the health and safety of mass populations. She was very active on campus and involved in numerous extracurricular activities. Taylor served as a Wildcat Ambassador and tour guide for the Visitor Center.

She was also a member of Student Public Health Association, the Homecoming Coalition and Underground Perspective.

She was the student speaker for numerous Preview Nights (500+ people). She says she has received glowing reports for her work at the internships she was granted and recently secured a position with the FDA. She strives for an excellent/ professional work ethic, as well as being able to work well with others.

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College of Social Work

Shawndaya Thrasher Torch Bearer Shawndaya Thrasher is a doctoral candidate in the UK College of Social Work (CoSW) and holds a master’s degree in social work and a master’s degree in criminology. Her research centers on understanding causes, contributing factors, and short- and long-term outcomes of child and adolescent bullying to inform policy, programming, prevention and intervention efforts, with an emphasis on racial/ethnic differences. Her dissertation investigates racial/ethnic differences in adolescent health risk behaviors given earlier exposure of frequent bullying victimization. Thrasher works as a research assistant with the Kentucky Cabinet for Health and Family Services, Division of Analytics, where she primarily focuses on policy and research related to child welfare, family permanency and family preservation services. With over eight years of direct practice experience with children and families, she has previously worked as a youth behavioral specialist. On campus, she serves as a student representative for the CoSW Doctoral Program Committee, is a co-founder and officer of the CoSW Student Community Organization, was the advocacy chairwoman for the Black Graduate Professional Student Association and recruited students from underrepresented groups.

Shaniek Tose Torch of Excellence 1st Lt. Shaniek Tose was born in Saint Elizabeth, Jamaica, the eighth of 10 children. When she was six years old, her family immigrated to the United States and settled in Boston.

She graduated from East Boston High School and went to Hampshire College in Amherst, Massachusetts, where she completed her undergraduate degree in 2010. While a student at Hampshire College, Tose completed an internship at Baycove Day Habilitation Center, which sparked her interest in social work and disability rights. She completed a multidisciplinary thesis in which she explored society’s treatment of individuals with disability and proposed a more holistic medical treatment model. In March 2011, she enlisted in the U.S. Army as a combat medic and later became an electronic warfare specialist. In June 2018, Tose was selected to attend the U.S. Army/UK Master of Social Work program and received a commission in the Medical Service Corps. She is currently stationed in Schofield Barracks, Hawaii, as a clinical social work intern in the Family Advocacy Clinic. She is a member of a participatory action research group, which is developing publications based on topics such as sexual assault in academia and social work leadership.

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Graduate School

Kevely Dumay Torch Bearer Kevely Dumay is a native Haitian who has lived in the United States since 2012. He attended Bluegrass Community and Technical College where he studied accounting and later served as legislative intern to State Sen. Reginald Thomas (D-Lexington). Following his time at BCTC, Dumay attended Eastern Kentucky University and obtained a bachelor’s degree in International business, political science and corporate communication. While at EKU, he was a McNair’s Scholar, studied abroad in Italy, and worked as nonpartisan staff at the Legislative Research Commission. He is currently enrolled at the UK Patterson School of International Commerce and Diplomacy and has worked at AppHarvest as a government relations associate. Upon graduation, Dumay hopes to use his language skills (French, Creole, English) and knowledge of international affairs and commerce to promote peace and economic integration and development in the global south.

Jeana Dunlap Torch of Excellence Jeana Dunlap is an urbanist, strategic advisor and recovering economist, based in Louisville. As a member of the 2020 Bingham Fellows, she works toward the common theme of “Making Louisville a Top-Tier City.” In 2019, she was awarded a 2019 Loeb Fellowship at the Harvard Graduate School of Design where she explored community centered design, urban planning and social impact investment. Dunlap’s 15 years in local government included working in affordable housing finance, public infrastructure and place-based strategies for neighborhood improvement. Currently, she is part of the Louisville Coordinated Community Investment project, exploring new methods to erase silos between stakeholders to leverage greater impact in marginalized communities. She also volunteers her time as a trustee of the Olmsted Parks Conservancy, the Metropolitan Housing Coalition and the Louisville Community Grocery. Dunlap earned a bachelor’s degree in economics as a Woodford R. Porter Scholar at the University of Louisville. She also earned a master’s degree in economics and a master’s degree in public policy and administration, both from UK as a Lyman T. Johnson Fellow and a Herald-Leader Fellow. She is a native of Louisville and a member of Delta Sigma Theta sorority.

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Lewis Honors College

Khari Gardner Torch Bearer hari Gardner is a senior management major and social enterprise pathway student from Baltimore, where he grew up with his mother and two sisters. He founded Movement for Black Lives at UK in summer 2020 during the uproar for change across all aspects of society. He looks to advocate for all members of the UK community and pushes for inclusivity and diversity across the board. Gardner participates in community service both in Lexington and back home in Baltimore.

Tracy Drain Torch of Excellence Tracy Drain is a flight systems engineer at the Jet Propulsion Laboratory (JPL) in Pasadena, California. She is a native of Louisville and received a bachelor’s degree in mechanical engineering from UK. While pursuing her undergraduate degree, she interned at the NASA Langley Research Center, and was thrilled to learn many years later about the “Hidden Figures” who contributed so much to spaceflight in Langley’s history. She went on to earn a master’s degree in mechanical engineering from the Georgia Institute of Technology before joining the staff at JPL in 2000. In her 20 years at NASA, Drain has participated in the development and operation of the Mars Reconnaissance Orbiter (a science and relay orbiter on Mars), the Kepler mission (searching for exoplanets) and the Juno mission to Jupiter. She is now the lead flight systems engineer for the Europa Clipper mission, which is slated to launch in 2024 to explore one of the most scientifically exciting icy moons of Jupiter. Drain is passionate about space exploration and loves sharing the wonders of space exploration with people of all ages.

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Notes

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