2022 Lyman T. Johnson Awards Recognition

Portrait by Imar Hutchins

31st Annual

Lyman T. Johnson Awards Recognition:

Upholding the Torch of Excellence

October 14, 2022

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Agenda MASTER OF CEREMONIES

PERFORMERS

WELCOME

Mr. Antoine S. Huffman President, UK Alumni Association

UK Jazz Trio School of Fine Arts, University of Kentucky

Dr. Eli I. Capilouto 12th President, University of Kentucky

Dr. Katrice Albert Vice President, Office for Institutional Diversity

PRESENTATION OF AWARDS

Dr. Eli I. Capilouto

12th President, University of Kentucky

Dr. Katrice Albert Vice President, Office for Institutional Diversity

Mr. Lee A. Jackson President, Lyman T. Johnson Alumni Group

CLOSING REMARKS

Mr. Lee A. Jackson President, Lyman T. Johnson Alumni Group

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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.

2021 – 2022 Lyman T. Johnson Scholarship Recipients Lauren Doucette Joseph Palmer

2022 – 2023 Lyman T. Johnson Scholarship Recipients Gabrielle Copeland Bryson Steed

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List of Awardees

by College Torch Bearer

Torch of Excellence

Agriculture, Food & Environment Ariel Baldon, 2022

Dr. Christien Russell, 2022

Arts & Sciences Alexa Halliburton, 2021 Shanita Jackson, 2021 Christian Keeve, 2021 Kimi Medina-Castellano, 2021 Nevaeh Eggleston, 2022

Aminata Cairo, 2021 Nathan Moore, 2021 Erika Simpson, 2021 Anthony Jones, 2022

Gatton College of Business & Economics Kendall DuLaney, 2021 Mercy Kajo Evanson, 2022

Keisha Raspberry, 2021 Demetruis Shandale Edwards, 2022

Communication & Information Sabriel Metcalf, 2021 Camille Wright, 2021 Kayla Gales, 2022 Christina Walker, 2022

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Yalonda JD Green, 2021 Erin Ashley Simon, 2022

Torch Bearer

Torch of Excellence

Dentistry Dr. My’Chelle McCreary-Gochett, 2021 Erick Joseph, 2022

Dr. Canise Y. Bean, 2021 Dr. Pamella Shaw, 2022

Design Kay Bailey, 2021 Destiny Laing, 2022

Portia Shields, 2021 Lawson Dyson, 2022

Education Andrea Perrin, 2021 James Murray, 2022

Jamila Jackson, 2021 Dr. Felicia Cumings Smith, 2022

Engineering Jayla McCoy, 2021 Seun Adekunle, 2022

Maya Bentley Anthony, 2021 Austin Mitchell, 2022

Fine Arts Aliciona Strothers, 2021 Shaylee Allen, 2022

Garry Bibbs, 2021

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List of Awardees

by College Torch Bearer

Torch of Excellence

Health Sciences Jasa Harris, 2021 Casey Carter, 2022

Mariah Morton, 2021 Geoffrey Staton, 2022

J. David Rosenberg College of Law Kelly Daniel, 2021 Shantale Davis, 2022

John W. Stewart, 2021 Chauncey E. Brummer, 2022

Medicine Emmanuel Dike-Udensi, 2021 Alexis Smith, 2021 Kaylin Batey, 2022 Edric Winford, 2022

Dr. George C. Hill, 2021 Dr. Ayodele Osasona, 2022

Nursing Nadja Nelson, 2021 Tyra C. Fondren, 2022

Dr. Adebola Adegboyega, 2021 Brittany Fiero, 2022

Pharmacy Tamyah Pipkin, 2021 Ja’Nice Smith, 2022

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Dr. Verneda Hawkins, 2021 Moses Oyewumi, 2022

Torch Bearer

Torch of Excellence

Public Health Daniela Nakinoja, 2021 Princess Agbozo, 2022

Dr. Regina Washington, 2021 Kia Bryant, 2022

Social Work Kendra Mulder, 2022

Devonia Love-Vaughn, 2022

The Graduate School Aria Byrd, 2021

Dexter Horne, 2021

Lewis Honors College Bisimwa “Jack” Nzerhumana, 2021 Faith Makumbi, 2022

Esias Bedingar, 2021 Dr. Pamela Williams, 2022

Libraries Olivia La’Trish Morris-Bush, 2021

To learn more about our awardees and their vast achievements, please scan the QR code or visit www.ukalumni.net/ltjrecipients to read their full biographies.

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Thank You Sponsors Platinum Level

White Level Ashley|Rountree and Associates

College of Pharmacy

College of Agriculture, Food & Environment

College of Public Health

College of Arts & Sciences College of Communication & Information College of Dentistry College of Design College of Education College of Engineering College of Fine Arts College of Health Sciences College of Medicine College of Nursing

College of Social Work Gatton College of Business & Economics J. David Rosenberg College of Law Kappa Tau Alumni Association, Inc. Lewis Honors College Liberty Mutual The Graduate School UK Federal Credit Union UK Philanthropy and Alumni Engagement

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