2022-2023 UK Alumni Association Annual Report

2022-2023

ANNUAL REPORT UNIVERSITY OF KENTUCKY ALUMNI ASSOCIATION

DEAR WILDCATS,

W

hat a remarkable year it has been! It is a delight to share the 2022-2023 UK Alumni Association Annual Report with you. Aligned with our strategic plan, this report embodies the UK Alumni Association’s commitment to our values: building community; promoting diversity and inclusion; and achieving excellence. As we explore new ways to connect with our alumni, our focus remains on honoring the past while looking ahead to engage future generations of Wildcats.

This year marked the celebration of 135 Years of UK Women, paying tribute to Belle C. Gunn’s graduation from UK in 1888 and the countless alumnae who followed in her footsteps. Women were celebrated throughout the year through social media profiles, recognitions at athletic events, and a commemorative luncheon at the Gatton Student Center during Women’s History Month.

Significant progress was made on Alumni Commons, the largest pedestrian project ever undertaken on UK’s campus. Serving as a focal point for student gatherings and events, it has become an integral part of the daily route for many students. The lead gift by the UK Alumni Association made this project possible, ensuring this magnificent campus landmark will engage generations of Wildcats in the years to come.

In the fall of 2022, more than 6,000 first-year Wildcats arrived on campus and we welcomed them during K Week and at other festivities. October saw the celebration of the Class of 1972 through the Golden Wildcat Reunion, along with festivities of the university’s 107th Homecoming. Job Club, a bi-weekly program for jobseekers and employers, celebrated its 10th year and 10,000th participant. Wildcat Network, the online mentoring platform for alumni and students, saw a 33% increase in new registered users and engaged users from 49 states, the District of Columbia and 14 countries. Additionally, we relaunched the association’s podcast, From the Blue, featuring episodes that showcased a variety of alumni stories.

In February, we bestowed the 2023 Founders Day Award upon Tom Hammond, recognizing his dedication and goodwill to the university and the Commonwealth. The second annual Founders Day Festival engaged our student body in enjoyable and educational activities at the Gatton Student Center. In the same month, we honored the 2023 UK Alumni Association Great Teacher Award winners. The award is the longest, continuous award for great teaching at the university.

April saw the hosting of the first spring semester Black Alumni Reunion, engaging alumni from near and far for a special weekend of activities and celebrations.

One Day for UK, UK’s giving day, held on April 19, successfully raised more than $1.4M and engaged over 3,000 donors.

The King Alumni House celebrated its 60th birthday this year and remains our UK alumni home at the corner of Rose Street and Euclid Avenue. We are witnessing our Wildcat family grow, both in the number of graduates and Active and Life Members. This year, we strengthened our collaboration with campus partners and it’s just the beginning of what’s to come for our Wildcat community.

In May, Jake Lemon was named vice president of UK Philanthropy and Alumni Engagement. We are eager to continue serving our alumni and friends under Jake’s leadership. In June, the UK Alumni Association celebrated its 134th birthday, remaining steadfast in its commitment to serve and engage alumni. The generosity and support of our alumni family allows immense opportunities for alumni to reconnect with their alma mater. On behalf of the UK Alumni Association, I extend my sincere thanks to our alumni and friends for their service and support.

Sincerely,

Jill H. Smith ’05, ’11 Executive Director, UK Alumni Association Associate Vice President for Alumni Engagement

OUR PURPOSE, VALUES & PRIORITIES OUR PURPOSE The UK Alumni Association creates opportunities that connect alumni and friends, fosters loyalty to the university and enhances the lifelong UK experience while preserving the university’s history.

OUR VALUES

OUR PRIORITIES

•

Building Community

•

Grow the Next Generation

•

Promoting Diversity and Inclusion

•

Empower Alumni

•

Achieving Excellence

•

Expand Reach

•

Drive Impact

PERFORMANCE SCHOLARSHIP GIFTS

400

$ IN THOUSANDS

375

$378,762 $368,145

$355,079

350 335 300 275

$265,069 $242,216

250 235 200

2018-2019

2019-2020

2020-2021

LIFE MEMBERSHIP ENDOWMENT COMPARISON

2021-2022

2022-2023 $ IN MILLIONS

2

6/30/2019 6/30/2020

4

6

$

8

10

6/30/2023

MEMBERSHIP GROWTH TOTAL MEMBERS

LIFE

ACTIVE/ 1YR/3YR

2018-2019

32,239

18,501

13,738

2019-2020*

46,783

18,617** 34,521**

2020-2021

40,032

18,702**

2021-2022

43,753

19,171** 30,189**

2022-2023

44,038

19,436

26,543** First year of Active Member deactivation

30,061

6,355

are life or dues members and giving members

5,213

are life or dues members and giving members

5,607

are life or dues members and giving members

5,427

are life or dues members and giving members

*New membership model began. **Some Life Members are also Active Members because they give to UK annually.

14

16

13,883,360.30 $

13,919,929.37 $

6/30/2021 6/30/2022

12

18,115,845.47

15,502,672.79

$

17,203,588.00

$

18

SUCCESSES & ALUMNI COMMONS It’s a destination where students and alumni from all over the world and from different backgrounds can connect and build new traditions. Expanding more than five acres across UK’s campus, the space includes outdoor classrooms, terraced lawn seating, a water fountain feature, patio and garden areas, and other signature installations. It is in the heart of UK’s campus.

BLACK ALUMNI REUNION WEEKEND In collaboration with the Office of Institutional Diversity, the UK Alumni Association coordinated efforts to host the first spring Black Alumni Reunion. The purpose of the reunion was not to replace traditional Homecoming activities but to expand upon these events by showcasing programs such as the Commonwealth Institute on Black Studies, college initiatives and providing an opportunity for students to network with alumni throughout the weekend.

A volunteer committee and staff organized and implemented programming over a three-day period ending in a celebration dinner to recognize Buzz Burnam and announce the Emmett P. “Buzz” Burnam Inclusive Excellence Impact Award.

IMPACTS

Throughout the year the UK Alumni Association has made significant impacts in various ways. Below are a few highlights.

Throughout 2023, the UK Alumni Association showcased the impactful lives and experiences of women who have made significant contributions to the university and excelled in their respective fields since Belle C. Gunn became the first female graduate 135 years ago.

From recognition events and articles in the Kentucky Alumni magazine to social media posts and podcasts, the association has been honoring trailblazing "firsts" and individuals who continue to make a difference in their fields.

Our tribute to 135 Years of UK Women began in March, aligning with Women's History Month. The kickoff event was a luncheon featuring a panel discussion with four accomplished UK alumnae.

The panelists not only shared personal experiences from their career journeys but also provided practical advice to the audience comprising current students and alumni.

CAREER SERVICES & MENTORING For more than 20 years, the UK Alumni Association has provided career development programs and services to alumni through a variety of in-person events and workshops, virtual webinars and individual counseling sessions with certified alumni career professionals. One of the premier programs offered is Central Kentucky Job Club which celebrated its 10th anniversary in 2023. Since its inception, Job Club has served thousands of individuals who are unemployed, underemployed or simply looking to make a career change.

Mentoring programs continue to grow in popularity. The Wildcat Network platform established in 2021 provides a simple and effective means for alumni to connect with fellow alumni in their profession, as well as for students to learn directly from alumni with a passion for sharing their career experiences with the next generation.

ONE DAY FOR UK

1,466,502

$ PHILANTHROPY IMPACT The UK Alumni Association played a pivotal role in the university's comprehensive fundraising campaign, Kentucky Can. The association was challenged to increase the amount of scholarship dollars available for students and increase the number of Life Members by 2,100. The alumni association increased its scholarship endowment from $2,738,175 in 2013 to $6,927,293 in June 2023.

Additionally, the association increased the number of Life Members from 15,693 to 19,436 during the campaign surpassing the goal by 1,643 members. Through the work of our volunteer leaders and alumni contributions, generations of students will reap the benefits of this campaign.

27

ALUMNI AMBASSADORS

TOTAL AMOUNT RAISED

2,270 ALUMNI DONORS

526,964

$

ALUMNI DOLLARS

35%

OF TOTAL AMOUNT RAISED

60+

ALUMNI CLUBS

IMPACT 23,389 FACEBOOK FOLLOWERS

10,303 X FOLLOWERS

5,813

INSTAGRAM FOLLOWERS

2,701

LINKEDIN FOLLOWERS

2,469,644 WEBSITE VIEWS

14,723 MOBILE APP DOWNLOADS

158,000+ MAGAZINE READERSHIP