Alumna Kelly Berger advocates for meaningful change, forging new tracks for accessible infrastructure and policy reforms that benefit the disability community in a world where barriers often go unnoticed, and inclusion is still a work in progress.
EXPLORE FIRST
By Sarah Samiri
Specifically for first-generations students, Explore First provides three-week education abroad opportunities to those who’ve never traveled outside of the United States. And they earn college credit while traveling, too.
THIS YEAR’S GREAT TEACHERS
The UK Alumni Association recognized six UK educators as the 2025 Great Teachers. For all
DEDICATED TO AGRICULTURE AND COMMUNITY
By Christopher Carney
Bob Hall is a sixth-generation Kentucky farmer and a first-generation graduate of the University of Kentucky. He’s a proponent of Kentucky’s agricultural community and hard work.
THE POETRY OF BASEBALL
By Jacalyn Carfagno
Dorian Hairston ’16 ’18 AS loves baseball and poetry. His book of poetry tells the story of American baseball catcher Josh Gibson who was a star in the Negro Leagues but never got to play in the Major Leagues.
Kelly Berger, from her powerchair outside the U.S. Capitol to the top of NYC high-rises, challenges disability policies and perceptions while empowering others to be heard. Photos submitted.
CREDITS
EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR
Jill Holloway Smith ‘05 BE, ‘11 AFE: Associate Vice President for Stakeholder Engagement and Executive Director of the UK Alumni Association
EDITORS
Meredith Weber: Director of Marketing and Communications
Sally Scherer: Managing Editor
DESIGNERS
Whitney Stamper: Graphic Designer, Alumni
Kaylynn Comer: Graphic Designer, Philanthropy
CONTACT US
King Alumni House
400 Rose St. Lexington, KY 40506
859-257-8905
800-269-ALUM
Fax: 859-323-1063
Email: ukalumni@uky.edu Web: www.ukalumni.net
ukalumni
@kentuckyalumni
@kentucky_alumni
ukalumni.net/linkedin
@kentuckyalumni
Kentucky Alumni (ISSN 732-6297) is published quarterly by the University of Kentucky Alumni Association, Lexington, Kentucky, for its members.
Wondering why you received Kentucky Alumni magazine?
All current Life and Active Members of the University of Kentucky Alumni Association automatically receive the Kentucky Alumni magazine quarterly. All who give $75 or more ($25 for recent graduates) to any UK fund, including UK Athletics/K Fund and DanceBlue, are recognized as Active Members regardless of alumni status.
BOARD OF DIRECTORS AND LEADERSHIP ADVISORY COUNCIL
Officers
Robert “Rob” L. Crady III ’94 BE: President
Thomas K. Mathews ‘93 AS: President-elect
Kelly Sullivan Holland ’93 AS, ’98 ED: Treasurer
Jill Holloway Smith ’05 BE, ’11 AFE: Secretary
In-State Representatives
Michelle Bishop Allen ’06 ’10 BE
Jeffrey L. Ashley ’89 CI
Christopher J. Crumrine ‘08 CI, ‘10 GS, ‘23 AS
James F. Gilles, III ’10 AFE
Emily C. Henderson ’01 PHA
Michael H. Huang ’89 AS, ’93 MED
Lee Jackson ’73 AS
Frank Kendrick ’90 ’92 DE
Scott Mason, ‘94 AS, ‘03 LAW
Michelle McDonald ‘84 AFE, ‘92 ED
Tonya B. Parsons ’91 AS
Quintissa S. Peake ’04 CI
Robin Simpson Smith ‘79 BE, ‘82 LAW
Sarah Webb Smith ’05 CI
Anthony Thornton ’05 BE
Jonell Tobin ’68 ’95 ED
Blake Broadbent Willoughby ‘11 ‘12 ‘12 BE
Allen O. Wilson ’03 AFE, ’06 LAW
Out-of-State Representatives
Erin Burkett ’01 EN
Shiela D. Corley ‘94 AS, ‘95 AFE
Ruth Cecelia Day ’85 BE
Michael L. Hawks ’80 AS, ’85 DE
Anthony G. Hester ‘86 EN
John T. “Jay” Hornback ’04 EN
Mark Ison ’99 FA
Erin Carr Logan ’06 BE
Beatty London ’00 BE
Sylvester D. Miller II ’08 AFE
Chad D. Polk ‘94 DES
Ronald Sampson ‘83 EN
Nicole Segneri ’91 CI
Quentin R. Tyler ’02 ’05 AFE, ’11 AS
Dominique Renee Wright ‘08 EN
Stephanie D. Wurth ‘05 CI
Alumni Trustees
Brenda Baker Gosney ‘70 HS, ‘75 ED
Hannah Miner Myers ‘93 ED
Paula Pope ‘73 ‘75 ED
Living Past Presidents
Richard A. Bean ’69 BE
Michael A. Burleson ’74 PHA
Bruce K. Davis ‘71 LAW
Scott E. Davis ‘73 BE
Marianne Smith Edge ’77 AFE
Franklin H. Farris Jr. ’72 BE
William G. Francis ’68 AS, ’73 LAW
W. P. Friedrich ’71 EN
Dan Gipson ’69 EN
Brenda B. Gosney ’70 HS, ’75 ED
Cammie DeShields Grant ’77 LCC, ’79 ED
John R. Guthrie ’63 CI
Antoine Huffman ’05 CI
Diane M. Massie ’79 CI
Janie McKenzie-Wells ’83 AS, ’86 LAW
Robert E. Miller
Susan V. Mustian ’84 BE
Hannah Miner Myers ’93 ED
John C. Nichols II ’53 BE
Dr. George A. Ochs IV ’74 DE
Sandra Bugie Patterson ’68 AS
Taunya Phillips ’87 EN, ’04 BE
Robert F. Pickard ’57 ’61 EN
Paula L. Pope ’73 ’75 ED
David B. Ratterman ’68 EN
G. David Ravencraft ’59 BE
William Schuetze ’72 LAW
Mary Shelman ’81 EN
David L. Shelton ’66 BE
J. Fritz Skeen ’72 ’73 BE
J. Tim Skinner ’80 DES
James W. Stuckert ’60 EN, ’61 BE
Hank B. Thompson Jr. ’71 CI
Elaine A. Wilson ‘68 ‘23 SW
Leadership Advisory Council
In-State Representatives
Jacob Broderick ’05 BE
John Cain ’86 BE
Kevin L. Collins ’84 EN
Donna G. Dutton ‘87 BE
Cassidy Hyde ‘16 AS
Sheila Key ’91 PHA
Kent Mills ’83 BE
Sherry R. Moak ‘81 BE
Michaela Taylor ‘19 HS, ‘23 LAW, ‘23 PH
Kendra Wadsworth ’06 ED
Lori Wells ’96 BE
Out-of-State Representatives
Nicole Blackwelder ’86 AS, ‘87 PHA
Kyle Aaron Bosh ‘08 GS
Mike Gray ’80 ’81 BE
James F. Hardymon Jr. ‘87 BE
Vincent M. Holloway ‘83 EN
Michael McNeely ’98 AS, ’03 PH
Carolyn C. Riticher ‘81 BE
Winn F. Williams ‘71 AS
College Representatives
Will Nash ‘06 AS: College of Arts & Sciences
Dr. J. Clifford Lowdenback ’99 AS, ’03 DE: College of Dentistry
Regina Summers ‘94 DES: College of Design
Cathy Crum Bell ’76 ED: College Education
Joel W. Lovan ’77 FA: College of Fine Arts
Deana Paradis ‘03 ‘03 BE: Gatton College of Business and Economics
Kathy Panther ‘76 HS: College of Health Sciences
La Tasha A. Buckner ‘97 AS, ‘00 LAW: Lewis Honors College
Michaela Mineer ’18 CI, 18 AFE, ‘21 GS: Martin-Gatton College of Agriculture, Food and Environment
Dr. Debra J. Sowell ’82 MED: College of Medicine
Tukea L. Talbert ‘89 ‘94 ‘06 NUR: College of Nursing
Dr. Joseph R. Mashni ‘91 ‘92 PHA: College of Pharmacy
Amna Al-Jumaily ‘19 EN: Stanley and Karen Pigman College of Engineering
Emily Clear ‘06 ED, ‘09 ‘13 PH: College of Public Health
Shaye Page Johnson ‘02 AS, ‘05 LAW: J. David Rosenberg College of Law
Cheryl Talbert ‘95 ‘00 ‘23 SW: College of Social Work
Constituency Group Representatives
James R. Aaron ’04 CI: PrideCats
Lillian Bland ‘83 CC: Lyman T. Johnson Alumni Constituency Group
Bryce Dexter, ‘22 AS; DanceBlue
Brian Hunt ‘80 ‘05 FA: Alumni Band
Steve Stevens ‘83 BE: Alumni Band
Appointed
Dalton Bertram: Student Government Association
Dr. Michael A. Christian ’76 AS, ’80 DE: Honorary
Jo Hern Curris ’63 AS, ’75 LAW: Honorary
Katie Eiserman ’01 ED: Athletics
Thomas W. Harris ‘85 AS: University Relations
Stan R. Key ’72 ED: Honorary
Jake Lemon: Office of Philanthropy
D. Michael Richey ’74 ’79 AFE: Honorary
Marian Moore Sims ’72 ’76 ED: Honorary
Rachel Watts Webb ’05 CI: Honorary
We want motivated individuals with energy, enthusiasm, and–above all–a passion for learning. If you communicate well, multi-task, and take care of business quickly and responsibly, WE WANT YOU on our winning Longship team.
Balance competition and collaboration in an engaging work environment. With the right resources and opportunity for unlimited earning, you will grow at Longship.
Visit longship.us/careers
C’mon! Get your friends to Lex for Come Home Month this June.
From the President
Being a member of the Wildcat family comes with many privileges. You are a part of a community brimming with potential and power.
Being a member of the Wildcat family also comes with a sense of profound responsibility. You follow in the footsteps of those who came before you — you forge a path for others to follow.
For 160 years, the University of Kentucky has been a symbol for hope, a beacon of inspiration for those seeking to improve not only their own lives, but the lives of their community members.
UK was founded by John Bryan Bowman in 1865. Originally known as the Agricultural and Mechanical College of Kentucky, UK now represents the hopes and dreams of all our communities. As we mark this milestone birthday and Founders Day for our university, my sincerest desire for all our students and community members is that UK — at some point along their journeys — helps them achieve their dreams.
In December, I was honored to speak with some of our most recent graduates at Commencement, and I left them with three final lessons as they prepared for new journeys.
First, set a goal and go about achieving it.
Second, use this gift of education and the freedom it gives you.
And third, understand that the achievement of earning a degree from UK comes with a responsibility that goes beyond self.
Since those ceremonies, our graduates’ paths have diverged — some have gone on to deeper studies as graduate students. Others have entered the workforce and are putting to use the skills and lessons they learned here at UK.
Wherever they are, each of our graduates is helping to advance Kentucky in their own way. Each of them is using their gifts to bring light to others in their communities.
And that is exactly what it means to be a Kentucky Wildcat.
We exist as a university to advance the Commonwealth in all that we do, and now, more than ever, we are poised to do more for the health of Kentucky than any other institution in the country, as directed by our Board of Trustees last fall.
Our alumni represent a uniquely powerful community — one that is proud to count you among its members. Together, we are improving the quality of life for our people. The Advancing Kentucky Together Network is expanding our efforts to work with partners across the Commonwealth to confront our state’s growing challenges.
President Eli Capilouto entered Commencement ceremonies in Rupp Arena in December 2024. During the event, he shared three lessons with graduates.
As partners — and as members of a common community — we are coming together to contribute to a mission that is greater than ourselves. Together, we can achieve much more than we can alone.
Thank you for being part of this powerful Wildcat family.
Sincerely,
Eli Capilouto President
Photo by Carter Skaggs, UK Photo
Pride in Blue
This year, we celebrate an incredible milestone — 160 years since the University of Kentucky was founded.
Our history is remarkable. In 1865, John Bryan Bowman advocated for a public, land-grant university adjacent to downtown Lexington. Known then as the Agricultural and Mechanical College of Kentucky, it opened with just 190 students and 10 professors. Today, UK’s campus spans more than 900 acres, is home to nearly 34,000 students and employs more than 26,000 people, including 3,000 full-time faculty.
As Kentucky’s flagship university, we have much to be proud of. UK consists of 16 academic and professional degree-granting colleges offering more than 200 undergraduate and graduate programs. Our students come from all 50 states, more than 100 countries, and all 120 counties in Kentucky. It’s incredible to reflect on how far we’ve come in 160 years.
The UK Alumni Association celebrates this milestone each year with a Founders Day festival at the Gatton Student Center and with the Founders Day Award. The award recognizes those who personify goodwill and demonstrate, through their work, service, mission and spirit, a dedication to the Commonwealth of Kentucky and its residents.
This year, we proudly presented the award to James “Jim” F. Hardymon ’56 ’58 EN, a dedicated alumnus who has served the university in many ways over the years. The retired chairman and CEO of Textron, Inc. served three terms on the Board of Trustees. He was inducted into the Pigman College of Engineering’s Hall of Distinction in 1995 and, in 2000, received two of UK’s highest honors: induction into the UK Alumni Association’s Hall of Distinguished Alumni and an Honorary Doctorate. People like him are part of the reason the university has achieved all that it has over its 160 years.
Speaking of remarkable individuals, the UK Alumni Association recently honored six outstanding professors with the 2025 Great Teacher Award. Nominated by students, this award is the oldest continuously given award for teaching excellence at the University of Kentucky. It was an honor to be at the ceremony and to congratulate these teachers who go above and beyond to support student success. And think about it, professors have been teaching here for 160 years.
And of course, what would March be without a little madness? This year, the UK Alumni Association was proud to support the Wildcats at the SEC Women’s Basketball Tournament in Greenville, South Carolina, and the SEC Men’s Basketball Tournament in Nashville. These events weren’t just about the games — they were celebrations of our university’s achievements over the past 160 years and the deep pride we all share as UK alumni.
I know it’s important to live in the moment, but it’s equally as important to learn from the past and to plan for the future. That’s what the UK Alumni Association is all about — keeping our Wildcat spirit strong for the next 160 years and beyond. We hope you’ll be part of all that’s ahead.
Go Cats!
Sincerely,
Robert “Rob” L. Crady III ’94 BE UK Alumni Association President
Photo by Meredith Weber
UK Alumni Association President Rob Crady (left) and UK Alumni Association Awards Committee Chair Michelle McDonald (right) surprised Great Teacher recipient Sahar Alameh (center) in front of her colleagues in December.
THE BIG BLUE NATION.
STUDIO, PRODUCTION SPACE OPENS NEAR RUPP ARENA
The College of Communication and Information, in partnership with UK Athletics and JMI Sports, has opened a state-of-the-art studio and production space in downtown Lexington.
The first students began classes in the new CI studio in January.
“This facility places CI at the center of the action, literally, in UK’s sports broadcasting, media rights and production activities,” said Dean Jennifer Greer. “It also will fundamentally change the way we teach skills, research and theory because students will be working in a ‘teaching hospital’ model, learning from professionals working on broadcasts for ESPN and the SEC Network, as well as those working on NUL opportunities and sports promotion.”
The 20,000-square-foot facility allows CI students and faculty to work alongside media rights and athletics professionals to learn production, traditional broadcast and social media studio work,
podcasting, filmmaking and other audio and video work for news, entertainment, sports and promotional purposes. The new CI space also has a dedicated
newsroom/classroom flex space, confer ence rooms, offices and research areas, which will benefit all CI students, staff and faculty. ■
COLLEGE OF PHARMACY LAUNCHES NOVEL BACHELOR’S DEGREE
For the first time in more than 25 years, students can pursue a bachelor’s degree within the nationally ranked College of Pharmacy. Launching in fall 2025, the Bachelor of Science in Pharmaceutical Sciences offers an interdisciplinary path to careers in science, research and health care.
“This is a historic milestone for our college and the university,” said Dean R. Kip Guy. “The BSPS program brings undergraduate students a curriculum focused on turning scientific passion into real-world innovation, the chance to work with world-class mentors and access to cutting-edge facilities. It’s designed for students who want to make a difference — whether advancing groundbreaking research, driving pharmaceutical discovery or improving health care systems.”
The pharmaceutical industry is a major driver of the U.S. economy, directly employing more than 1 million workers and supporting nearly 5 million jobs nationwide.
Graduates of the BSPS program will be prepared for careers in drug development, manufacturing, regulatory affairs, clinical trials, medical marketing and pharmaceutical sales.
The curriculum combines foundational sciences and humanities with specialized coursework in medicinal chemistry, drug development and health care analytics, ensuring students gain theoretical knowledge and direct experience. ■
Photo provided
Photo by Mark Cornelison, UK
Photo
FINAL EXAM HAS DIFFERENT MEANING FOR THESE EDUCATION MAJORS
“Unit day” is considered the final exam for some elementary education majors. It takes place in local elementary school classrooms and gives the UK students a chance to show what they’ve learned.
Elementary education senior Brooklyn Buboltz led second graders in learning activities at Breckinridge Elementary School recently.
“We have been working on this project all semester in our practicum course at UK,” Buboltz said. “We were excited to get to come here and do our activities in person and have them come to life with all the second-grade classes.”
Unit day takes place during students’ practicum semester prior to their student teaching placement.
“Every semester, I say unit day is my favorite day,” said Joni Meade, UK College of Education clinical instructor. “I love seeing it click for my students. They do four rotations to different classrooms in the schools, and I can see how they adjust and improve with each rotation.”
UK senior Midori Dotson said the experience was rewarding.
“These students have worked so hard all year on the science concepts, and now we are extending them and giving them enrichment,” Doston said. “They are so engaged and so excited for us to be here.” ■
NEW TRAINING PROGRAM HELPS BEGINNING FARMERS
It’s never too late to become a beginning farmer.
KY Farm Launch — a new partnership between UK, Kentucky Center for Agriculture and Rural Development and Kentucky Sheep and Goat Development Organization —provides direct training for beginning farmers.
The USDA defines a “beginning farmer” as an individual with less than 10 years of experience as a primary owner or operator. One of the program’s goals is to address the decrease in the Kentucky farmer population.
“Structuring a farm business is overwhelming and scary,” said Krista Jacobsen, associate professor in the University of Kentucky Department of Horticulture. “Production is why people get started, but the business is a tough spot for some. We hope to take away some of the
barriers that discourage people from getting started.”
The training program lasts nine months, with weekly workshops on the sustainable production of vegetables, small fruits, beef cattle, sheep, goats and poultry. Business, management and market planning are woven into the courses as well.
While extension offers many resources for those wanting to learn to grow specific crops, this program is less location-based and more person-based. Participants will have one-on-one mentoring and a cohort of other beginning farmers in their same boat.
“Farming is always challenging, but there is great technical assistance and market demand for produce and livestock products that can be a great start for beginning farmers,” Jacobsen said. ■
Photo by Matt Barton, Martin-Gatton College of Agriculture, Food and Environment
Photo by Amanda Nelson, College of Education
UK HELPS NASA WITH FIRST CREWED MOON MISSION IN 50 YEARS
Engineers in the Stanley and Karen Pigman College of Engineering are at the forefront of advancing space travel safety and reliability by improving heat shields for NASA’s Artemis program.
These critical components protect astronauts by withstanding the extreme heat generated during a spacecraft’s re-entry into Earth’s atmosphere.
Late last year, NASA announced Artemis II, the first crewed mission to the Moon since the Apollo era, is scheduled to launch in April 2026. This mission marks a significant milestone for space exploration and is directly supported by innovative heat shield research conducted by a team of faculty, staff and students in the Department of Mechanical and Aerospace Engineering.
“Being part of Artemis is a tremendous opportunity,” Alexandre Martin, professor of aerospace engineering and director of the Kentucky Space Grant Consortium and NASA EPSCoR programs, said.
“We’re proud our work in heat shield technology is helping ensure the safety of astronauts and success of space exploration.”
The Pigman College of Engineering has engaged in heat shield research with NASA since 2011. ■
GOAL: TO MAKE A REAL DIFFERENCE IN HEALTH CARE
Dmitry “Dima” Strakovsky is fostering collaborations between creative disciplines and health care through an innovative initiative at UK.
Creative Link for Advancing Digital Health (Creative Link) brings together investigators from the arts, humanities and other creative disciplines with biomedical researchers and providers to identify gaps in health care and develop innovative digital solutions.
“Creative Link is a way to get the creatives from one side of campus to talk to the health care side of campus,” said Strakovsky, associate professor in the School of Art and Visual Studies in UK’s College of Fine Arts. “We try to define creatives in the most open way possible, spanning a number of different colleges and units.”
ARTS AND SCIENCES PROFESSOR HEADS KENTUCKY HUMANITIES
Jennifer Cramer is starting a term as board chair of Kentucky Humanities. Cramer ’04 ’04 AS is professor of linguistics at the College of Arts and Sciences and Chellgren Endowed Professor with UK’s Chellgren Center. Her term runs through Dec. 31.
Cramer began serving on the board in 2020. Among its programs is Kentucky Reads, wherein the group selects a book each year for groups to share.
Cramer said the group’s main mission is to tell the story of the Commonwealth, and one program exemplifies that goal.
The initiative has already launched groundbreaking projects by tapping into the expertise of its cross-disciplinary teams on campus with focuses on conversational AI, adaptive device prototyping and digital tooling.
One of the initiative’s standout efforts is a project from the College of Health Sciences. Toys with a Purpose focuses on working with families and children of all abilities to develop adaptive solutions for toys. The goal is to ensure that every child, regardless of their ability, can play alongside their classmates and siblings.
Creative Link’s reach is expanding through internal support from the Office of the Vice President for Research’s Emerging Themes Program, part of the Research Leadership Academy, which Strakovsky says has opened doors to new connections across campus. ■
“As a native Kentuckian, I see this as a powerful and important mission, and it is one I will work with the organization to continue and expand,” she said. “One program I am eager to see this year is the next installment of Museum on Main called ‘Americans.’ It is a Smithsonian Institution traveling exhibit that will showcase Native American stories, starting this summer in Paducah and moving to six other sites across the Commonwealth over the following year.” ■
Photo provided by NASA
Photo by Ben Corwin, Research Communications
Research
GENETIC STUDY ILLUMINATES GENETIC DIVERSITY IN NORTH AMERICAN THOROUGHBREDS
Researchers, using whole-genome sequencing, analyzed the DNA of 185 Thoroughbreds born between 1965 and 2020 for a recently unveiled comprehensive genetic study of North American Thoroughbred horses.
The work, aimed to generate data that could be used to address concerns about inbreeding and genetic diversity within the breed, was published in “Scientific Reports.”
The findings provide an essential baseline for understanding how selection in this iconic breed impacted genetic diversity over the past five decades.
“By identifying trends, we’re equipping breeders with the data needed to make informed choices that preserve the breed’s health and performance,” said Ernest Bailey, professor in the Maxwell H. Gluck Equine Research Center at MartinGatton College of Agriculture, Food and Environment and the study’s
Researchers identified more than 14 million genetic variations, revealing that horses from the older generations carried slightly more genetic diversity, while horses in the younger generations showed modest increases in inbreeding. ■
EASING AGITATION AND FEAR: RESEARCHERS
UK researchers are part of a groundbreaking clinical trial exploring the use of medical marijuana in managing symptoms of late-stage dementia.
The LiBBY Study, funded by the National Institutes of Health and approved by the Food and Drug Administration, examines the potential benefits of cannabis-derived treatments for addressing agitation and discomfort in patients with advanced dementia, a population with limited palliative care options.
COAL TO CRITICAL ELEMENTS: AWARD PROPELS REFINED MATERIALS WORK
A team of engineers at the University of Kentucky, in collaboration with researchers at other universities, will work on a system to transform coal into high-value materials.
The project will focus on critical minerals and rare earth elements — materials that are essential to modern technologies, clean energy and economic security but vulnerable to supply chain disruptions.
The engineering team will work to extract those valuable materials and graphite from a specific type of coal that naturally contains high concentrations of these materials. They will extract and purify rare earth elements like dysprosium, neodymium, yttrium, praseodymium and gadolinium and then convert them into metal products. These elements are used in magnets, batteries and electronic devices.
The project titled “Bipartisan Infrastructure Law - BILDevelopment of a Strategic Materials Production System for Rare Earth Metals, Graphite and Other Critical Materials,” is supported by a $5 million award from the U.S. Department of Energy.
“The ability to extract critical minerals and elements from coal is a game-changer. It allows us to tap into a domestic resource, turning what was once overlooked into a valuable supply of materials essential for clean energy, technology and national security. This innovation is a sustainable and resilient path forward,” said Rick Honaker, professor of mining engineering in the UK Stanley and Karen Pigman College of Engineering, a University Research Professor and principal investigator of the award. ■
Dr. Greg Jicha, a neurologist and director of clinical trials at UK’s Sanders-Brown Center on Aging, says there is a pressing need for alternative treatments.
“Until we find a cure for dementias, there will always be a stage where the focus shifts to comfort and quality of life,” Jicha explained. “Unfortunately, our current methods - such as sedatives and antipsychotics - often come with significant side effects. We need options that allow patients to remain alert, engaged and cared for at home or in skilled facilities.”
Dementia not only takes an emotional toll on patients, but on their families. Jicha says through his decades of work
in the field that is one of the most difficult aspects of the disease. This distress often leaves families feeling helpless as they witness a loved one’s struggle with behaviors that can disrupt care and quality of life.
By exploring the potential of medical marijuana to alleviate these symptoms, the study aims to offer a new avenue of hope and relief for both patients and their caregivers.
The study’s aim is to build evidence-based knowledge about the effects of THC and CBD on dementia symptoms. ■
CONNECTIONS
By Dan Knapp
KELLY BERGER STANDS UP FOR THOSE WITH DISABILITIES WHILE NAVIGATING LIFE IN A POWERCHAIR. FROM FIGHTING FOR ACCESSIBLE AIR TRAVEL TO MENTORING YOUNG ADULTS, HER WORK EMPOWERS OTHERS AND PUSHES FOR SYSTEMIC CHANGE IN POLICY AND PERCEPTION.
by
Photo
Maddie Graves
The morning’s relentless deluge has passed, giving way to a thick, silvery mist that hangs over downtown Cincinnati.
Kelly Berger ‘11 CI arrives at one of her favorite bookstores and finds a vacant parking spot near the entrance. She makes her way from her customized Honda minivan, one that resembles a souped-up ‘80s arcade machine on wheels, outfitted with a joystick control and a console interface.
Undeterred by the damp dreariness, she’s come to the crowded bistro next to the Joseph-Beth Booksellers to share her thoughts on a range of topics: her work, her travels, and, of course, her favorite bands. There are plenty of other things she could talk about, but there’s always curiosity surrounding her wheelchair — a curiosity that makes her both the subject and the guide, inviting conversations about her condition, breaking down misconceptions and, in the process, shaping her into a highly-regarded, in-demand advocate for others in her community.
It’s lunchtime. Seating is scarce, not just because of the crowd, but due to outdated design choices. Some tables are raised by superfluous steps, overlooking the needs of patrons with mobility challenges. The eatery rumbles with a cacophony of clinking plates, scattered laughter and the echo of overlapping conversations as she’s guided to the only available table — a sprawling centerpiece fit for the entire UK Wildcats batting order. Onlookers’ eyes follow as she glides her motorized chair to the table.
She seems unfazed, accustomed to the quizzical stares that have followed her for more than two decades in the chair.
Growing up in Crestwood, Kentucky, just north of Louisville, Berger showed signs of atypical development at age 3. For years, neurologists struggled to pinpoint her condition, misdiagnosing her until adulthood, when she was finally identified as having a rare form of congenital muscular dystrophy (CMD) known as Collagen VI A1 intron 11. She leaves it simply as “Collagen VI” because, as she has written, the “letters and numbers after it make me sound like a robot.”
Berger’s condition causes muscle weakness and joint contractures. She lost the ability to walk in her early teens but says the same pressure she once placed on herself to stay ambulatory still drives her determination to keep pushing forward.
“I’m lucky that I was able to walk for as long as I could but knowing that a chair would eventually be my future — a big part of me — that’s why I pushed myself to walk so long,” Berger reveals. “I’d fall all the time, injuring myself when my body gave out, getting hurt along the way, and frequent the emergency room, but I wanted to do it because I knew that I wouldn’t be able to at some point, so I’m glad that I had the support from my family to employ myself in that way.”
Her rare condition often leads to respiratory struggles and joint instability, forcing her adolescence to play out among countless visits to neurologists, orthopedists, cardiologists, pulmonologists, and geneticists — a relentless carousel of specialists trying to decipher her cryptic condition. While the condition can be inherited, Berger’s case was spontaneous; her older sister, Jennifer, does not have CMD.
Berger enrolled at UK in 2007, where she studied journalism and multimedia, wrote for the “Kentucky Kernel” and eagerly supported Wildcat football and basketball.
TO BE SEEN OR NOT TO BE SEEN
Berger lives at the intersection of being inconveniently invisible and inexplicably conspicuous. While some avoid eye contact, others nod and smile. Some gawk openly. People are often curious but hesitant to engage, even when she could use a helping hand. Berger estimates her experiences with assistance are equally split: sometimes, people go out of their way to offer kindness, while other times, she’s left to struggle until the right person finally steps in.
“Curbs are really a big issue,” Berger cites as an example of the often unrecognized obstacles she routinely faces. “Cities really don’t keep up on making sure that there’s still not large gaps where my chair’s wheels get stuck. Several times, I’ve had to rely on strangers to help, lift or push. I’ll just be struggling for a while until the right person comes along.”
She observes how the thrumb of modern life often blinds people to small but meaningful gestures, like holding a door — simple actions that take mere seconds but can make a world of difference.
“People are in such a rush, so some don’t want to stop and hold a door because they’re too busy or they’re on their way — I get that…,” Berger says, “…but it’s like it takes two seconds and, literally, it’s super helpful for me. Fortunately, there are just as many people who are willing to be kind and lend a hand.”
For Cincinnati-born Berger, these moments embody the tension of being seen and unseen. Over time, she has mastered the art of asking for help when needed while cultivating a fierce independence.
With the support of a Home- and Community-Based Services Waiver, Berger can live independently, managing her daily routines and responsibilities more easily.
“I have a certain number of hours per week that I get care for,” Berger explains. “They’re called ADLs — activities of daily living — so they help with basic tasks like getting me out of bed and showering, getting food prepped and all those things.”
She maintains autonomy while working and pursuing numerous passions — all while building a prolific online presence and reputation as a fierce advocate.
LIVING LOUD
After what she describes as a “pretty normal” high school experience, Berger graduated from South Oldham High in 2007. At her rural school, where few other students had disabilities, she was often identified simply as “the girl in the wheelchair.” This reductive label underscored her desire to connect with a broader community of peers who shared similar experiences.
Seeking both academic rigor and the opportunity to assert her independence, Berger chose the University of Kentucky. Its strong scholastic reputation, coupled with the ideal proximity — close enough to her family for support but far enough to start becoming self-reliant — made it the perfect fit.
“I learned a lot about myself. I needed to really be independent and know that I could do it,” Berger says, noting that she was not shy about speaking up for accommodations necessary to blossom at college. Citing UK’s Disability Resource Center, Berger says, “They were great at advocating and making sure that I got what I needed. They made it happen.”
The recipient of numerous coveted awards including the Lt. Col. Charles Richardson DeSpain Journalism Scholarship and the Carol Sutton Scholarship, she studied journalism and multimedia, parlaying her love of music and writing into a grueling career promoting non-mainstream bands and eardrum-shattering performances.
“I started out writing for some of the local outlets in Cincy by doing show previews and Q&As with the bands before they would come to town — you know, as a precursor to the shows,” Berger recollects. “I did that for a while, not really making any money, but you’ve got to start somewhere, right?”
At Rare Disease Week 2024 in D.C., Berger joined 700+ advocates to push for key disability legislation.
More than a decade later, Berger still reflects on the insightfulness of one of her favorite instructors at UK, Associate Professor Kakie Urch, whose advice profoundly shaped her approach to her professional life.
“I really vibed and bonded with her. She was a fan and had a background in music and she sort of took me under her wing,” recalls Berger. “She made me see things differently — how to use my adversity to my advantage. It just kind of opened my world and gave me confidence to see things differently.”
An expert in multimedia studies who has toured with numerous hip-hop and rock acts, including Sting, Urch remembers Berger as a “curious, responsible college student who came into class confident to do her work and succeed, who just happened to be using a wheelchair.”
“She’s smart and has a wicked sense of humor,” adds Urch. She urged Berger to write about what she knows.
Since Berger was already attending concerts at various arenas and concert halls, Urch suggested creating a website reviewing performance venues.
“I mean, who’s better to say what’s a good arena experience than somebody who’s gone to arenas, is a music fan and uses a wheelchair, you know?” asks Urch.
Her writing career expanded into social media and marketing, sometimes working from home and other times on the frontlines of concerts, close to crowd surfing and sweaty mosh pits.
“I wanted to immerse myself in the experience,” Berger laughs.
While recognizing that some events and venues can pose challenges for someone in a wheelchair, Berger boldly declares that the punk rock alternative scene — the genre of her favorite band, blink-182 — is one of the most inclusive, fostering a strong sense of community and frequently offering accommodations that meet her unique needs.
“I’ve always felt that they really embrace people that are different,” explains the avowed audiophile. “It doesn’t matter — ability, gender, color or beliefs. I feel they’re more accepting to everyone, perhaps more than in any other type of music.”
Berger was initially content living her rock-and-roll lifestyle, writing about indie bands and attending festivals like the Vans Warped Tour. But as time passed, her frustration with outdated policies and systemic barriers grew. Determined to turn that frustration into action, her focus turned toward advocacy, working to create meaningful policy changes. For her and the rare disease community, this was where the rubber quite literally met the road.
START SPREADIN’ THE NEWS
Since learning to drive at age 21, Berger has logged countless miles visiting more than 40 states (so far). Her van recently transported her through the frenetic streets of New York City, where honking horns, flashing lights and hurried crowds set the stage for a photo shoot with photographer Maddie Graves. Graves captured images of Berger and fellow wheelchair user Avery Roberts as they explored the Big Apple’s iconic landmarks while also highlighting the significant challenges of navigating the city in a powerchair.
“People are still so shocked to see people in wheelchairs existing in public, even in one of the biggest cities in the world,” recalls Berger. She describes herself as “exhausted” by the countless ways people in wheelchairs are routinely excluded from life’s joys.
At first, that paradoxical visibility felt more like a burden than a platform. But gradually, the questions, stares (or aversions) and constant reminders of inaccessibility fueled her advocacy. Harnessing the power of her voice, she now uses her story to challenge barriers and amplify her message.
“I never saw myself involved in public speaking,” Berger chuckles. “It’s terrifying to me. I don’t enjoy it. I don’t love it, but seeing that my voice can really make a difference and hearing my story can help others and affect change — that motivates me to be like, ‘OK, what’s next?’”
In recent years, she has engaged policymakers in Ohio and Washington, D.C., offering her front-row perspectives on disability issues. As a result, she’s emerged as a formidable voice at events pushing for meaningful change — advocating for accessible infrastructure, equitable healthcare and stronger support systems for people with disabilities.
Berger is focused on advancing the SSI (Supplemental Security Income) Savings Penalty Elimination Act — introduced by former U.S. Senator Sherrod Brown, D-Ohio — and eliminating the financial penalties that unfairly impact disabled individuals or couples when they marry. These reforms aim to overhaul outdated SSI provisions that have become obstacles to economic stability for many people with disabilities.
In December, Berger’s national impact was recognized in Washington, D.C., where she received the 2024 Rare Voice Award for Federal Advocacy Patient Advocate from the EveryLife Foundation for Rare Diseases.
“Kelly’s the kind of community activist that helps power the mission of EveryLife,”
Through Maddie Graves’ lens, Berger explores NYC — built for movement but not always for everyone. Every curb, every turn, a reminder that access is still a fight.
by
Photo
Maddie Graves
enthuses the organization’s Chief Executive Officer Michael Pearlmutter. “She’s a leader in both the rare disease and disability communities, using her voice and sharing her story to affect change. Our community’s lucky to have her on our team.”
While accepting the honor, Berger acknowledged that much work remains, both locally and nationally, but expressed hope as she sees the gradual changes benefiting people like herself.
“Being part of that change is so rewarding,” she enthused. “We’re starting to see positive glimmers of hope for the Rare Disease Community. It’s a little light of encouragement that our voices are truly being heard.”
In addition to her advocacy work, she has found a calling that allows her to profoundly impact others, opening metaphorical doors to new opportunities for those in need.
She works as a Community Engagement Manager for Cure CMD, a nonprofit dedicated to advancing research and treatments for CMD while empowering those living with it. Berger calls the job “a literal honor and dream position.”
“I’m on the community side, so I do a lot with the young adult program,” Berger beams, her limpid, mocha-colored eyes sparkling as she speaks of her work. “I like to help mentor the teens and 20s. I really have an interest in helping during those transitional times of high school and college, driving and career.”
Between endless doctor visits, stacks of insurance forms and the unrelenting bureaucratic red tape required to prove eligibility for benefits, Berger says managing a disability is a full-time job. She views her role at Cure CMD as essential for guiding younger individuals through these challenges.
“I struggled through that,” Berger says, “and I’d love to make it easier for others. There are programs out there to help support independence, but it’s finding – and qualifying for – them and then doing all the paperwork to prove that you’re disabled. It’s crazy that you have to do that, but there are so many fraudulent people who abuse and take advantage of the system out there that when you actually have a qualifying condition, you have to fight to prove you have it and whether you’re disabled enough to qualify to get those hours. To get that level of care, you have to be a strong advocate for yourself.”
WELCOME ABOARD?
Another area Berger is especially eager to influence change in — the one she is most passionate about — is the travel industry, particularly air travel.
The cattle-like herding, claustrophobia-inducing lack of personal space and petty annoyances endured by most air travelers pale to the indignities and perilous obstacles faced by those with severe mobility challenges. This is where Berger comes in. She has been actively championing to help her community preserve their autonomy and self-respect as much as possible while traveling.
The U.S. Department of Transportation estimates that nearly 19 million Americans with disabilities fly each year, and more than 11,000 wheelchairs and scooters are damaged in that same time. For those who depend on these conveyances, the already anxiety-
inducing act of flying is compounded by the acute fear of public humiliation, loss of mobility or even death.
“The hope is that we don’t have to worry about our chairs being damaged nor the dehumanizing experience of trying to get into a tiny aisle chair and have the airline help awkwardly assist transferring you into a plane seat with everyone watching you,” explains Berger. “It’s not a pleasant experience at all.”
To underscore her point, Berger highlights the airline industry’s widespread lack of proper employee training, which has led to tragic outcomes for wheelchair users. For example, a United Airlines passenger suffered permanent brain damage after his powerchair was mishandled during deplaning, resulting in a $30 million settlement. In another case, disability advocate Engracia Figueroa developed pressure ulcers after United damaged her custom wheelchair, leading to a prolonged battle for repairs and, ultimately, health complications that contributed to her death.
Incidents like Figueroa’s weigh heavily on Berger’s mind when traveling. Protecting her wheelchair — her primary connection to the world — is a key reason she avoids flying altogether.
“It’s an archaic kind of experience,” Berger confides. “I flew two years ago. Luckily, my chair was OK, it didn’t get damaged, but they had to hold up the flight because they couldn’t figure out how to get my chair to fit under the cabin. I had to insist that they not disassemble it. I’m sitting there, just getting terrible looks from people. It’s not my fault. It shouldn’t be this way.”
Last year, Berger was present in Washington D.C. as thenPresident Joe Biden signed a measure that created new requirements for airline workers assisting wheelchair users, accessibility upgrades at airports and enforcement of rules protecting the rights of flyers with disabilities.
Among the provisions in the legislation is developing a streamlined process for correcting damage caused to a wheelchair by an airline. Berger explains that the time necessary to repair many of these customized chairs can be lengthy, infringing upon the owner’s ability to get around.
“People are like, ‘Just get a new wheelchair,’ but insurance
companies can’t do that fast turnaround,” Berger says. “It can also take several months to get parts in. You’re immobile, and a lot of people don’t understand how serious an issue that is.”
Instead of flying, she drove her gray ‘23 Odyssey eight hours from her Cincinnati home to the nation’s Capital.
“I refuse to fly now,” Berger states, adamant.
The café is now empty, except for a couple of diners sitting in a corner booth holding hands and ignoring their tuna melts.
Before she leaves, Berger talks about her hopes for the future, particularly how she and others in similar situations are perceived. Most people only know about muscular dystrophy through the old Jerry Lewis MDA telethons—those Labor Day weekend fever dreams of glamour and camp where A-listers such as Diana Ross and Frank Sinatra performed alongside eclectic acts like Charo, Carrot Top and a death-defying troop of acrobatic poodles.
In hindsight, the telethons, though well-intentioned, unwittingly reinforced what Berger calls “inspiration porn.” Still, she applauds their efforts to raise awareness and critical funds and put faces to the illness. In the age of social media, she hopes future generations view those with CMD and other rare diseases not as objects of pity but as individuals with full, multifaceted lives.
“I’d like people to be more embracive to people that are different,” Berger confesses, devoid of bitterness or self-pity. “I’d love for the newer generation to want to get to know us and not be afraid to hear our stories and want to engage. I’m hopeful for the next generation. I feel like people may be more open-minded or more prone to accept us, not seeing us as ‘different’ but as equals.” Berger returns to her van and drives off into the late afternoon’s ethereal haze. She could be going to a concert at Bogarts, her favorite music venue in the city; maybe she is heading home to post more content to her blog. Whatever her plans, with her tight-knit community’s support, she’ll be doing them as a strong, confident woman who just happens to be in a wheelchair, independent but not alone. ■
With the independence and security of a mobility van, Berger has driven to more than 40 states, chasing rock concerts and change from the front row to the halls of power.
Join the Fun! Join the Fun!
CLUB DERBY PARTIES
3 MAY
HOMECOMING
12 – 19 OCT.
Watch the most exciting two minutes in sports at a Kentucky Derby party on May 3 with your local alumni club. Experience the thrill of the race with your UK family – a winning ticket for a fun time!
Come back to campus for an unforgettable week of festivities. Enjoy more than 70 events, featuring cherished traditions and exciting new experiences. Remember Once a Wildcat, Always a Wildcat!
LYMAN T. JOHNSON AWARDS
17 OCT.
1 NOV.
Join us for the 34th annual Lyman T. Johnson Awards Luncheon honoring alumni and students for outstanding achievements, academic excellence and impact on others.
FOOTBALL ROAD TRIP
The University of Kentucky Alumni Association is hitting the road and we want you to come along for the ride! Don’t miss this opportunity to soak up the game day atmosphere, explore new cities and create lasting memories with your UK family.
Let the UK Alumni Association be your guide to year-round fun with your Wildcat family. If you are missing the UK spirit, come join us! Follow us on social media
The Landing at Lakewood Harbour
Lexington’s New Community Built with Wildcat’s in Mind
For decades, the University of Kentucky has shaped leaders, innovators, and visionaries. But for many alumni, life has taken them beyond Lexington—away from the vibrant campus, the excitement of game days, and the deep -rooted sense of community that makes UK so special. Now, a group of UK Alumni at Andover Management Group are offering a way back. The Landing at Lakewood Harbour, a premier apartment community located just 10 minutes from UK’s Education and Healthcare campus’, has been thoughtfully designed to give active UK employees, alumni, retirees, and part-time Lexington residents a place to reconnect with the university and the city they love. Whether it is a lakeside retreat for game watch parties, getting involved in the Fayette County UK Alumni Club or participating in continued education the Osher Lifelong Learning Institute (OLLI), residents will have the opportunity to weave themselves back into the UK experience.
2018 graduate of the College of Business and Economics, ensuring that the spirit of UK excellence remains a guiding force.
Beyond its leadership ties, Andover Management Group remains committed to fostering the next generation of Wildcats through its active recruitment and internship programs with the University of Kentucky. By offering students hands-on experience in entrepreneurial real estate, Andover helps prepare UK graduates for successful careers all while giving back to the university that played a crucial role in shaping its own foundation.
More than just a residential space, The Landing at Lakewood Harbour is redefining luxury living in Lexington. Positioned along the shores of Lake Fontaine, the community seamlessly blends classic Southern charm with modern convenience. Residents will enjoy spacious, high-end apartments featuring chefinspired kitchens, luxury vinyl plank flooring, and private balconies—some with stunning waterfront views. The in-ground parking garage, resort-style pool, and thoughtfully designed amenity decks ensure an elevated lifestyle, catering to retirees seeking maintenance-free living, busy professionals looking for a refined retreat, and part-time Lexington residents wanting a second home near family.
The Landing at Lakewood Harbour is also a testament to the enduring connection between Andover Management and the university. The company’s leadership team is composed of fellow UK alumni, including CFO Brad Rose, a 2011 graduate of the College of Business and Economics, and Vice President Mike Orsinelli, a 2011 graduate of the College of Business and Economics, both of whom have played instrumental roles in shaping Andover’s success. The property itself will be overseen by Katelyn Mustari, a
The Landing at Lakewood Harbour follows Andover Construction’s successful development and sale of 15 townhomes along Lake Fontaine. By creating a sophisticated, wellplanned residential space in the historic Chevy Chase neighborhood, Andover is setting a new standard for premier renting in the area. The complex will serve as a vibrant addition to Lexington’s housing landscape, while resident events and community engagement initiatives will further enhance the strong sense of neighborly connection the city is known for.
This latest development builds on Andover Management Group’s proven success in Lexington. The company owns and manages 792 apartments across its Beaumont Farms, Lakewood Park, Crescent at Shadeland and Duke Road properties. Additionally, Andover has demonstrated expertise in self-storage with its Citadel Self Storage brand, operating an 85,000 square foot location off Richmond Road.
With The Landing at Lakewood Harbour set to open its doors in April, Andover Management Group is proud to continue its tradition of excellence, bringing a new standard of living to the Lexington community. Rooted in UK heritage and driven by innovation, th is premier property will serve as a home for those who, like its founders,carry the Wildcat spirit in everything the y do.
The Landing at Lakewood Harbour Opening April, 2025
Explore First students with their course-completion medals at the entrance of Trinity College in Dublin, Ireland, created by royal charter in 1592.
bal Gl Gl bal Wildcats Wildcats
First generation students get first chance to study abroad
By Sarah Samiri
“ There’s a first time for everything” is a saying that echoed in Laura Sustin’s head as she was getting ready to fly for the very first time. Sustin, who was a rising sophomore at the time, was going on her first trip abroad to London the summer of her freshman year.
Sustin, who’s now a junior and is from Louisville, Kentucky, majoring in psychology, recalls a wave of nervousness and excitement wash over her on her flight to London, England.
“I was like, oh, this is a little small … can this plane, you know, is this still able to fly good? But I had the window seat, and I just remember, oh my gosh, I need to get a picture of the outside of the plane. I was just amazed. I’m like how is this happening?”
Sustin, like many first-generation students, is no stranger to venturing into the unknown and taking on these first-time experiences. They are the first in their family to attend college to pursue a four-year degree, navigating the college application process, leaving home and living on their own.
For a lot of first-gen students, the idea of studying abroad can be intimidating. Going to a foreign country, even flying for the first time and going on a trip with new people, can be overwhelming. In addition, finding a way to pay for study abroad trips can add to that stress.
Launched in the summer of 2023, Explore First: Careers, Cultures and Connections is an education abroad program
designed specifically for first-gen students who are demonstrating academic ability, who have financial need and who have never traveled outside the U.S. or in just a limited way.
Sue Roberts, associate provost for internationalization says, “It’s a study abroad program designed specifically for those students who don’t think they’re going to be able to do study abroad and don’t imagine that it’s for them.”
The program is open to all majors and combines career readiness within a global context to put students, their skills and educational experience at the forefront.
Roberts describes Explore First as a soft and easy first study abroad trip. Students meet at the airport and fly as a group. Once they get to their destination, they are picked up by a bus to take them where they will be staying, and they are assigned roommates.
Kauner Shacklette, a junior from Elizabethtown, Kentucky, majoring in architecture with a certificate in historic preservation went to Dublin, Ireland, this past summer.
He describes traveling in a group as a great bonding experience.
“Traveling in a group was reassuring because we could share observations and experiences together and I never felt like I was truly alone while I was there. It also made it easier to step out of my comfort zone knowing I wasn’t alone in figuring things out.”
Part of the Explore First travel experience includes visiting global companies so students can become familiar with the work they do. GreyStar is one of the largest operators of rental housing in the world. Students visited its London, England, location in 2024.
At Gray in Dublin, Ireland, students learned that the Lexington-based construction company serves both domestic and international customers.
In total, 60 students are selected to go on the Explore First trip each year. There are four groups of 15 students each, two groups go to London, the other two go to Dublin, Ireland. The three-week education abroad program allows students to earn three University of Kentucky credit hours through the completed coursework and career preparation.
Alongside the students, two UK staff members go on each trip. Generally,
• One is a first-generation program advisor who works with first-gen students every day, understands their needs, assets, determination, and their educational ability.
• One is from the UK Stuckert Career Center who equips students with resources and tips to prepare for job opportunities.
Collaborating with corporate partners, the program connects students with businesses that have a global presence. Businesses including GreyStar, LinkedIn, Microsoft, Alltech, Gray Construction, etc., hold on-site visits for students, speed networking, panel discussions, and resume workshops.
“We source companies that have ties to Kentucky. They are either Kentucky-based companies or global companies that are active in Kentucky,” said Roberts, explaining how companies are selected. "The organizations that host the UK students usually organize some kind of event, such as a panel with early career employees who were themselves first generation college students and are now building their careers."
One such example took place in the summer of 2024 when Explore First students visited Abbie Roden, a graduate of the Gatton College of Business and Economics. Roden talked with students about her business experience and success. Jayela Davis, a senior from Louisville, Kentucky, studying human health sciences, traveled to Dublin, Ireland. She said the leadership sessions and speed networking events have improved her ability to connect with others who have cultural and career backgrounds unlike hers.
“I find that making a significant connection in the beginning and getting to know someone with an open mind is a skill. I use it until this day, and I love making interpersonal connections with people in different career fields and with different interests because one day I may be in that field and we have some sort of knowledge from that connection I’ve made.”
Jayela Davis, a UK senior from Louisville, stopped for a photo outside of Microsoft in Dublin, Ireland.
For Shacklette, the opportunity opened his eyes to the possibility of working abroad one day.
“I think one of the standout moments from the trip, was getting to talk to professionals from Gray which was actually a business that originated in Kentucky and so seeing how they are expanding their business throughout other countries around the world and talk to people who had moved from the U.S. to Ireland for their jobs and how they’re living now. I think that was really cool.”
Kayla Gill, UK associate director of first-generation initiatives, saw the impact and growth from the trips abroad firsthand.
Gill says that she saw a shift in students — a heightened confidence — after three weeks abroad. Through the class work and professional development workshops, students learned professional skills like building a resume and practicing elevator pitches. Gill noticed that by the end of the trip, students were comfortable in a business environment, speaking to employers and presenting themselves in networking events and panels.
In addition to professional development, Explore First gives first-gen students an opportunity to explore a different part of the world, learn about other cultures, connect with locals and step outside of their bubble.
Sustin made memories in London that will stick with her, she said. She remembers a man in London who overheard Sustin and her roommate trying to make plans for the rest of the trip in London. He offered them a list of activities and sites to see.
Kauner Shacklette was with the Explore First team that visited LinkedIn in Dublin, Ireland.
Abbie Roden ’12 BE talked with Explore First student during a visit to her business in London, England. Her business, RODEN, provides marketing and brand strategic services.
” ”
I love making interpersonal connections with people in different career fields and with different interests …
-Jayela Davis
Professional development is part of what makes Explore First such a valuable experience. But, visiting a new country, seeing new tourist destinations and learning about new cultures is also part of the journey.
By the Numbers Explore First 120
Number of UK students who have traveled with Explore First
99% Retention at UK of Explore First participants
“He was so warm and welcoming; he told us a little about his background and he wrote down a list in his journal and wrote down a list of things that we should do in London. I have that list till this day, I hold it in my memory box.”
Since its beginning in 2022, Explore First has received funding from public and private sources.
Roberts observed that the funding Explore First has received has been put into scholarships that have made studying abroad more accessible for first generation students with financial need. Explore First students pay a $500 fee, pay to get a passport if needed and they have to bring spending money for food and outings while they are on their trip.
Since its beginning, Explore First has given 120 first-gen students an opportunity to study abroad, including Sustin. She explained in her application that study abroad felt out of reach for her before learning about Explore First.
“I wrote about the fact that I had never flown before, my family being from a whole different side of the world, experiences like this don’t just come in your hands, opportunities like this don’t come out of thin air. It would be an honor to do something like this.” ■
2
Number of countries visited through Explore First
2 Number of years Explore First has existed
2.5 GPA required to travel with Explore First
If you’re interested in supporting Explore First, or learning more, scan the QR code.
Near
CONGRATULATIONS TO THE 2025 GREAT TEACHERS
The 2025 Great Teachers were recognized on the court of Rupp Arena in early March following an award recognition dinner. Pictured from left are: Sahar Alameh, Channon Horn, Gosia
Isabel Escobar, Douglas Klein and Matthew Kim with UK Alumni Association President Rob Crady and UK Alumni Association Awards Committee Chair Michelle McDonald.
by
Chwatko,
Photo
Carter Skaggs, UK Photo
Introducing
Recipients 2025 GREAT TEACHER AWARD
By Sally Scherer
The university experience can be made more memorable when a great teacher shows passion and knowledge and provides guidance inside and outside of the classroom.
Each year, the University of Kentucky Alumni Association recognizes six of the university’s best teachers with the Great Teacher Award.
The oldest, continuously given award for teachers at the University of Kentucky, the award honors those who are outstanding teachers, show concern for students and engage in the academic community.
Now in its 64th year, the award is based on student nominations. Recipients are selected by a committee appointed by the UK Alumni Association’s Board of Directors and representatives of the student organization Omicron Delta Kappa. The six recipients receive an engraved award and a stipend.
Student nominator Cindy Weaver credits Sahar Alameh with her success as a parttime UK student and full-time educator. “Her approach to teaching and research emphasizes creating equitable learning environments where all students can thrive. She is highly knowledgeable about current trends in STEM education, especially around the integration of technology to enhance learning,” Weaver wrote.
Alameh is an assistant professor of STEM education in the College of Education. Since joining the University of Kentucky in 2020, she has pursued research in two areas: the construction and evaluation of meaningful scientific explanations within K-12 science classrooms and developing informed views of science and its nature within the context of socio-scientific issues.
She began her career as a high school science physics and chemistry teacher. Her experiences in the classroom, having witnessed the difficulties teachers face when teaching science for understanding, laid the foundation for her research.
Assistant professor, Department of Chemical and Materials Engineering, Stanley and Karen Pigman College of Engineering
NOMINATOR: Anastasia Shaverina and Emily Ingram, Graduate students, Stanley and Karen Pigman College of Engineering, chemical engineering
Gosia Chwatko is “wholly invested” in the growth of engineering students as she works to help them become scientists “ready to take on the world,” wrote nominator Emily Ingram.
An assistant professor in the Stanley and Karen Pigman College of Engineering Department of Chemical and Materials Engineering, Chwatko received her bachelor’s degree in chemical engineering from the University of Connecticut and her master’s degree and doctoral degree in chemical engineering from the University of Texas, Austin.
Her research lab focuses on understanding and developing sustainable separation processes and polymeric materials considering cradle to grave design.
Student nominator Anastasia Shaverina, who was a first-year student during COVID-19, said she struggled in her chemical engineering class after returning to the classroom. Her grades dropped and she felt defeated. She took an introductory to chemical engineering class – Computational Tools in Chemical Engineering – from Chwatko and it changed her academic path.
“I soon realized that I could not be successful on this journey alone and learned the importance of asking for help when I was struggling,” wrote Shaverina. “The change
Weaver, who has been nominated for one significant education awards and was a finalist for another, credits Alameh’s influence and mentorship for her accomplishments.
The awards “were significant milestones in my professional career, and Dr. Alameh celebrated these accomplishments with as much enthusiasm as if they were her own. Her constant encouragement, belief in my abilities, and guidance played a pivotal role in helping me reach these heights,” Weaver wrote.
Alameh earned her bachelor’s degree from the Lebanese University, Beirut, Lebanon, her teaching diploma and master’s degree from the American University in Beirut, Lebanon, and her Ph.D. from the University of Illinois.
Alameh has played key roles in educational outreach programs such as UK Summer STEM Camps, Fayette County Public Schools summer programs at the Rise STEM Academy for Girls and Girls Science Day in Malawi, Africa.
in my study habits as well as the constant support of Dr. Chwatko and other faculty resulted in a significant improvement not just in my grades, but in my understanding of the subject matter and the desire to know more.”
Before coming to the University of Kentucky in 2021, Chwatko was a post-doctoral fellow in the Biomedical Engineering Department at the University of Texas, Austin.
In 2024, she was named Research Faculty Mentor of the Month (June) for mentoring three undergraduate students, five graduate students and a high school student. She is involved with the Materials and Chemical Engineering Students Association. She serves on the departmental Graduate Studies Committee and Safety Committee. She has served as a science coach for the American Chemical Society at schools in Kentucky and Ohio.
Chwatko’s approach to learning, studying and presenting work is refreshing, Ingram wrote. “She uses quizzes to gain insight into class retention and allows the students to rework their quiz to improve their grades. This helps her refocus her lesson plan to fill knowledge gaps students may have, and also gives students improved confidence during final exams.”
NOMINATOR: Cindy Weaver, College of Education, graduate student, educational science, STEM education
Photos by Tim Webb
Assistant professor, STEM Education College of Education
SAHAR ALAMEH
ISABEL ESCOBAR
Paul W. Chellgren Endowed Chair and professor of chemical engineering, Stanley and Karen Pigman College of Engineering Director of the Chellgren Center for Undergraduate Excellence
NOMINATOR: David Lu, Stanley and Karen Pigman College of Engineering, graduate student, chemical engineering major
CHANNON K. HORN
Director of graduate studies and clinical associate professor, Department of Early Childhood, Special Education and Counselor Education, College of Education
Program faculty chair, Special Education, College of Education
NOMINATOR: Sharon Manikya, College of Education, graduate student, special education
Isabel Escobar is a professor of chemical engineering in the Stanley and Karen Pigman College of Engineering. She is the Paul W. Chellgren Endowed Chair and director of the Chellgren Center for Undergraduate Excellence.
She is associate director of the Center of Membrane Sciences at UK.
She has more than 20 years of experience in water treatment using membrane separations and fabricating green membranes.
Nominator David Lu said this about her teaching skills: “I can personally attest to Dr. Escobar’s knowledge on the subject content. Each lecture includes thorough explanations and walk throughs of new concepts and example problems. This was particularly helpful as thermodynamics was one of the first CME (chemical and material engineering) courses that students take.”
Her research focuses on developing and/ or improving polymeric membrane materials for water treatment and water reuse operations, as well as fabricating and scaling tailor-made green membranes for difficult separations.
Added Lu: “Across all classes, Dr. Escobar puts student understanding as top priority. She ensures that all questions are sufficiently answered before moving onto new content and I strongly believe most students will agree that her efforts in keeping all students onboard are more noteworthy than flying forward with course content.”
Escobar earned her bachelor’s, her master’s and her Ph.D. in environmental engineering from the University of Central Florida.
Escobar has been at UK since 2015. She was part of an innovative research collaboration that created a 3-D printed membrane-filtered face mask that could inactivate the coronavirus. She is past chair of the Association for Women in Science national governing board and associate editor of Environmental Progress and Sustainable Energy Journal.
She is also the faculty advisor of the UK Society of Hispanic Professional Engineers, which aims to empower the Hispanic STEM community on campus, the UK Energy Club and Omicron Delta Kappa.
Channon K. Horn is a clinical associate professor in the Department of Early Childhood, Special Education and Counselor Education at the University of Kentucky. She is the director of graduate studies for the Department of Early Childhood Special Education and Counselor Education and the program faculty chair for Special Education.
Her professional career has focused on advocating appropriate educational opportunities for students with disabilities.
She has experience in the field of special education as it relates to those with moderate to severe disabilities and those with learning and behavioral disorders. She taught special education middle school students for seven years.
She earned her bachelor’s degree, her master’s and her Ph.D. at the University of Kentucky. Before coming to UK in 2017, she taught at Asbury University.
Her research interests include strategies to actively engage all learners in inclusive environments, the use of evidence based instructional strategies and the
implementation of technology to positively impact learners with exceptionalities.
Student nominator Sharon Manikya described Horn as a mentor who “is always providing guidance and support, even beyond the classroom. She always welcomes and hosts informal meetings, and she connects students with resources that help them thrive academically and personally.”
In the classroom, Horn uses role-playing activities to let students practice real-life situations, Manikya wrote. “By acting out scenarios in a safe setting, students can gain confidence and learn important social and job skills. This hands-on learning makes the lessons more relevant and useful.”
Horn has served as a coach with the Special Olympics of the Bluegrass.
NOMINATOR: Eva Herbert, College of Arts and Sciences, junior, psychology and social work
DOUGLAS KLEIN
First-Year Engineering senior lecturer and director of the Innovation Center, Stanley and Karen Pigman College of Engineering
NOMINATOR: Nathan Jones, Stanley and Karen Pigman College of Engineering, sophomore, computer engineering and electrical engineering
Matthew Kim is an assistant professor in the Department of Psychology in the College of Arts and Sciences. He leads the Developing Minds Lab where his research, funded by the National Science Foundation, examines the nature and development of motivation and self-regulation skills in K-12 and postsecondary students.
Kim earned his Ph.D. at the University of Michigan and his bachelor’s from New York University.
He joined the UK faculty in 2020 after serving as a research scientist at the Institute for Learning & Brain Sciences and as a teaching associate in the College of Education at the University of Washington.
Nominator Eva Herbert said Kim’s class lectures are always interesting and informative.
“Dr. Kim’s use of what he calls ‘wonderings’ as a weekly assignment not only requires students to pay attention in class and reference one of the week’s lectures but also allows an opportunity to ask questions
and tie lecture subjects to personal interests or events.
In the same way, “Dr. Kim also uses ‘mentimeter’ in every single lecture, allowing students to ask questions anonymously, and he sometimes uses that service to ask questions which students can answer anonymously. Not only does this increase the chances that students will ask questions, but it also allows the shyer students to have their voices heard,” she wrote.
Kim was nominated for a UK Excellent Undergraduate Research Mentor Award in 2022 and 2023. He serves on the editorial board of Developmental Psychology.
Douglas Klein is described by student nominator Nathan Jones as being enthusiastic about teaching, “encouraging students to achieve their best and develop into the engineers of tomorrow.”
A First-Year Engineering (FYE) senior lecturer and director of the Innovation Center at the Stanley and Karen Pigman College of Engineering, Klein earned his master’s degree at Eastern Kentucky University in 2012 and his bachelor’s degree at Morehead State University in 2006.
Since 2018, Klein has served as a lecturer in the college’s FYE program, which is required of all incoming engineering students. He teaches courses including engineering exploration, which introduces students to the innovation, design and problem solving involved in engineering and computer science.
He is director of the Pigman College of Engineering’s Innovation Center, a makerspace that offers tools to help students bring their designs to life for class assignments, team competitions and their businesses.
“As director of the engineering Innovation Center, he is very knowledgeable of the processes and services available within it to help students create their ideas into reality,” Jones said.
Klein directs the Transition to Engineering Program (T2E) with Kentucky high schools. T2E takes the FYE program and applies it at the high school level.
Klein was recognized with a University of Kentucky’s 2022-23 Outstanding Teaching Award which identifies and recognizes individuals who demonstrate special dedication to student achievement and who are successful in their teaching.
“The students in the Pigman College of Engineering are some of the most unique and talented young people in our Commonwealth,” said Klein at the time of the award. “I truly enjoy being a part of a great team that starts them on their academic success in the Pigman College of Engineering.
Assistant professor, Department of Psychology, College of Arts and Sciences
MATTHEW KIM
Alumni News
1. The Sarasota/Suncoast UK Alumni Club held a game watch party and Kyle Macy book signing. Kyle and his wife Tina joined the club to watch the game followed by an autograph reception for Kyle’s book, “From the Rafters of Rupp.” From L to R: John Nozell, Kyle Macy (with Flat Wildcat!), Tina Macy and Janie Nozell.
2.PrideCats, the LGBTQ* UK Alumni Group, attended a UK men’s basketball game in late November and then had a Governor’s Cup game watch party at Goodfellas Pizzeria in Lexington. At that event, the group collected items for Big Blue Pantry which helps UK students who may be experiencing food insecurities.
3. The Hardin County UK Alumni Club donated 35 bicycles and helmets to law enforcement agencies in Hardin County. The contribution was made possible by the support of corporate sponsors, Forefront Dermatology and Mortenson Family Dental, along with our alumni club members.
4. In early January, several alumni and friends in the Space Coast UK Alumni Club participated in a “Cats for a Cause” clean-up event and service project at Cape Canaveral Beach. Then, a group of alumni and fans met at a nearby Port Canaveral restaurant to cheer the Cats on to that fantastic win against Florida!
5. Shane Carlin ’95 AFE met up with Humaing Gu ’93 BE in Hong Kong and took photos with the Hong Kong skyline. Gu volunteers with the China UK Alumni Club and they talked about the progress of the new UK Asian American Pacific Islander Alumni Network.
6. UK Alumni Dorethea Doss, Karen McKee, Lee Jackson, Lillian Bland, Teveas Burdette and Darlene Simpson attended the 2025 Martin Luther King Jr. Day Unity Breakfast in Lexington. The purpose of the breakfast is to commemorate the life and work of Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. and his ideals for peace and unity.
7. David Van Horn ’75 AS shared this photo of Flat Wildcat in front of the 14th century Chateau La Commanderie in the south of France last fall. Chateau La Commanderie is in the Languedoc countryside, between Toulouse and Carcassonne. The original structure was built in the 13th century. Van Horn and eight family members are all Kentucky natives and life-long UK fans.
8. More than 50 people attended a St. Louis UK Alumni Club’s game watch party in early February. The event was the club’s first big activity in four or five years, so organizers were thrilled with the number of attendees.
9. The Arizona UK Alumni Club watched the Wildcats play at a game watch party in Scottsdale, Arizona. The alumni had smiles on their faces despite the hard loss against Arkansas, said Club President Chris McDaniel ’97 AS.
A Lifetime of Family Pride
of agriculture, community and a sense
By Christopher Carney
Anative of Scott County, Robert “Bob” Hall Jr. has been described as a man of many hats — a farmer, livestock producer, master grazer, business owner, community leader, mentor, veteran and gentleman, to name a few.
Since graduating from the University of Kentucky Martin-Gatton College of Agriculture, Food and Environment in 1953, Hall has accumulated significant personal and professional achievements. However, the biggest achievement has been his commitment to his family who have continued to inspire him for the past seven decades.
“We’ve always been a close family and always had a job to do,” Hall said. “I consider myself lucky.”
Known affectionately as “Mr. Bob” to many, family means something more for Hall — it’s the family farm, his family-owned business, the community that he loves and spending time with his own family.
FAMILY FARM
Born in 1930 in Georgetown, Kentucky, Hall represents six generations of farmers. He grew up raising cattle, harvesting grain and tending to other important responsibilities. Their sacred family land has produced tobacco, rye, wheat, corn, hogs, sheep, hay and continues today as a feeder cattle operation.
In 1975, Hall registered a symbol “the flying H” that graces parts of the property, including the outside of the family home.
“The flying H is part of us,” Hall said. “Everybody knows it stands for Hall cattle or Hall products. We’re proud of it.”
Today, the farm is more than just a symbol of past generations, it’s been the catalyst for the local family business and sowing a future for the next generation.
FAMILY-OWNED BUSINESS
In 1964, Hall, and his wife, the late Bonnie Hall, purchased a livestock feed mill called Farmers Feed Mill, in Lexington where the family-owned brand Hallway Feeds was eventually established in 1983.
Bob, President of Hallway Feeds, his children, Lee and Julia Hall, along with a talented staff, work together to run the daily operations — supplying Thoroughbred farms with quality, custom-manufactured feeds all over the country. For Lee and Julia, both UK alumni, their parents and the generations before them instill a sense of pride for the family business.
“There’s no doubt that we are standing on the shoulders of our parents and their parents, and so on,” said Julia, vice president of first impressions at Hallway Feeds. “Our family has been in the agricultural industry for generations. We are walking on hallowed ground and doing our best to honor them — never forgetting the values, principles and tenets that have been set before us by many generations.”
“The family piece is all about the culture of our business,” said Lee, vice president at Hallway Feeds. “We are close to everyone, including our employees, customers and vendors — creating a family atmosphere of love and trust.”
Growing up in a modest home, Lee and Julia inherited many positive characteristics from their parents that helped build their family culture at Hallway Feeds.
“Dad was managing the family farm, the mill and caring for his own mother. He was a real example of true dedication to everyone,” said Julia. “He always took care of his customers, even on holidays. He is an ‘all-in guy’ and passionate with every fiber of his being. He continues to inspire people every day in the ways he lives and leads his life.”
Furthermore, Julia saw the farm’s many marvels “through the good times and the bad” — offering a deeper appreciation and understanding for agriculture.
“We had the opportunity to be with our parents who dearly loved each other, to be a part of the family business and to have a love of the family farm, witnessing earth’s miracles on a seasonal basis. Through these experiences, we gained more wisdom that helps guide us today,” added Julia.
For Lee, he is grateful to have learned and worked with his dad.
“It’s a blessing to work with your father, having that person as a mentor and the opportunity to work with your best friend,” said Lee. “He’s cared for so many families, whether they be employees or customers — creating all this goodness around them.”
" " -Bob Hall
This is my home, my life, and I always have something to do. This is my sandbox – it’s a very dull life if you are not enjoying what you’re doing.
Bob Hall is the president of Hallway Feeds, supplying Thoroughbred farms and racing stables with custom feeds for more than 40 years.
COMMUNITY FAMILY
Bob has mentored and employed countless individuals throughout his life.
An example includes Bob’s church sponsoring a refugee family from Bosnia — hiring the father of the family to work at the feed mill. Today, that father is still employed at Hallway Feeds and will soon celebrate 29 years of employment.
“He likes seeing other people accomplish something significant in their life — that’s what really brings him joy,” Lee said. “He’s a man of utmost integrity and would always bend over backwards for people. This is an important piece of who he is.”
Bob continues to be active in his church along with other community organizations including Heifer Project International, Habitat for Humanity and God’s Pantry Food Bank.
“He is humble and generous in many ways that we know about, and in many ways that we don’t know,” said Julia. “His circle of friends has no limits. People adore him.”
HALL FAMILY
The Halls learned from their dad that their family name is a dedication to integrity, quality and treating everyone like family.
“It’s about quality feed, quality service, quality people, quality
in everything that you do in life,” Julia said. “If your name is going to be on it, then it’s got to be the very best. Your work in life is your mark, so be proud of it.”
According to Lee and Julia, their dad gets up every day with goals prepared but spending time with family is what he values most.
“That’s the most important thing for him is that family interaction. It’s what keeps him rolling,” said Lee. “I can’t tell you how thankful I am that my sons know their grandfather. He’s truly a family man.”
HALL’S HOME
Originally purchased by his grandfather in 1868, Bob still resides and works on the family farm in Georgetown.
“This is my home, my life, and I always have something to do. This is my sandbox — it’s a very dull life if you are not enjoying what you’re doing.” Bob said. “Agriculture is big business in Kentucky, and we all depend on it. It’s the foundation for our livelihood and is important to the world.”
BIOGRAPHY
Bob Hall was a first-generation student at UK, where he participated on the livestock and meats judging team and graduated with a bachelor’s degree in agriculture in 1953. After graduation, Bob served in the U.S. Army as a food
A wall in the office area at Hallway Feeds includes a history of framed stories and artifacts.
inspector. He went on to hold beef cattle herdsman positions in the Northeast and at UK, where he built and managed the beef herd into one of the premier herds in higher education.
Bob was a leader in relocating the North American International Livestock Exposition from Chicago to Louisville and continued to serve as a director for the exposition for a number of years. He also served 38 years as chairman of the sheep advisory committee with the expo. He is past director of the Kentucky Feed and Grain Association, past president of the National Suffolk Sheep Association and has served on numerous boards.
He is a member of the United Suffolk Sheep Association Hall of Fame, a recipient of the Farm Bureau Distinguished Service to Agriculture in Fayette County Award, Harold Workman Distinguished Service to Agriculture Award, the UK Scovell Society and is a UK Fellow.
Hall was the first inductee into the UK Department of Animal Sciences Hall of Fame and was also inducted into the UK Martin-Gatton CAFE Distinguished Alumni. He was inducted into the Saddle and Sirloin Club in 2019, considered to be the most prestigious award in the agricultural industry.
In 2014, he was a sponsor for the first Honor Flight from the Bluegrass Airport to Washington, D.C., for Central and Eastern Kentucky World War II, Korean and Vietnam veterans to visit the memorials dedicated to their service. ■
Sports
TWO BASEBALL PLAYERS EARN PRESEASON ALL-SEC HONORS
Kentucky baseball seniors Devin Burkes and Robert Hogan received 2025 Preseason All-Southeastern Conference honors.
Burkes, a catcher, earned first-team honors and Hogan, a relief pitcher, was voted to the second team by the league’s coaches. Both were integral parts to Kentucky’s first-ever trip to the College World Series last season.
Burkes, from Bradenton, Florida, is entering his third season as the Wildcats’ primary catcher and is a two-time All-NCAA Regional honoree. In his career, he has clubbed 36 doubles, two triples, 15 home runs and driven in 98 runs while also drawing 79 walks and 34 hit by pitch with 30 stolen bases.
Burkes has guided UK’s pitching staff to two Super Regionals, a
and a SEC championship the past two years.
Hogan, from North Oak, Minnesota, blossomed into a highleverage arm in UK’s bullpen last season. He appeared in 24 games, going 1-0 with a save and 3.10 earned run average in 40.2 innings. Hogan added 2.1 scoreless innings in the 3-2 Super Regional-clinching victory over Oregon State.
The Cats are in their ninth season under head coach Nick Mingione and have won 262 games during his tenure, including last season’s school-record 46-win campaign that featured a SEC regular season championship and Mingione’s second National Coach of the Year honor in seven full seasons at the helm. ■
FORMER QUARTERBACK RETURNS TO COACH
Mike Hartline, quarterback for the Wildcats from 2006-10, will return to the UK football program as an offensive quality control coach.
Hartline ’11 ED has 10 years of coaching experience with Division I stops at Ohio State, Cincinnati, Auburn, Charlotte and Coastal Carolina.
Hartline’s most recent stop was as an offensive analyst at Coastal Carolina in 2024, helping guide the Chanticleers to a berth in the Myrtle Beach Bowl. The 2023 season was spent at Charlotte as the pass game coordinator and wide receivers coach and in 2022, he was an offensive analyst and quarterbacks coach at Auburn.
“When I first got into coaching it was always in the back of my mind how thrilled I would be to return to Kentucky, and if the timing was right, I wouldn’t hesitate to come back,”
Hartline said. “My coaches made an incredible impact on me and I hope to return the favor.”
Hartline also gained valuable experience as the offensive coordinator and quarterbacks coach at Division II Ohio Dominican University (2019-21).
Prior to ODU, Hartline spent two years at Cincinnati as the offensive quality control coach and assistant quarterbacks’ coach. He helped the Bearcats to an 11-2 record in 2018, including a victory over Virginia Tech in the Military Bowl and a win at UCLA.
His first coaching experience was at Ohio State (2015-16). The Buckeyes had a two-year record of 24-3 with two trips to the Fiesta Bowl. ■
WOMEN’S SOCCER STANDOUT SIGNS WITH BROOKLYN FC
Grace Phillpotts ’24 BE, who helped guide Kentucky women’s soccer to its first NCAA Tournament win in a decade this past fall, has signed a professional contract with Brooklyn FC in New York. The team will compete in the United Soccer League (USL) Super League this spring.
In her final collegiate season at Kentucky, she started all 21 matches, logging a career-high 1,799 minutes and scoring her first collegiate goal. Phillpotts also tied her career-best of for
four consecutive seasons, earned All-SEC First Team honors, and was recognized on the United Soccer Coaches Southeast Region First Team.
Phillpotts will join Brooklyn FC as they prepare for the second half of the USL Super League season. Brooklyn FC is one of the eight inaugural teams of the USL Super League, a Division One professional women’s soccer league. ■
by UK Athletics
TUBBY SMITH RECEIVES LEADERSHIP AWARD
Orlando “Tubby” Smith is the recipient of the 2024 Pillar of Leadership in Athletics award presented by Omicron Delta Kappa, the National Leadership Honor Society. Smith is a 2001 initiate of the University of Kentucky O∆K Circle. Smith served as the men’s basketball coach from 1997-2007.
Smith’s coaching career spans more than 45 years including head coaching
positions at several high schools and colleges in addition to the 2000 United States men’s national basketball team. He has also been an active member of his community, establishing The Tubby Smith Foundation in Lexington and giving to his alma mater, High Point University, to support the building of a new basketball arena and conference center.
The Pillar of Leadership in Athletics is bestowed on Omicron Delta Kappa members who have demonstrated outstanding achievement in serving their communities. ■
Photos
Debut Collection:
The Poetry of Race and Baseball
Former UK baseball player explores Hall of Famer Josh Gibson’s life, career, in poetry
By Jacalyn Carfagno
When Dorian Hairston graduated from Lexington’s Tates Creek High School, where he was a standout baseball player, his mother’s gift wasn’t a glove, bat or baseball signed by a professional player. Instead, she gave her son an autographed copy of Nikky Finney’s National Book Award-winning volume of poetry, “Head Off and Split.”
She knew her son.
A little later, when he was playing baseball for the University of Kentucky (he got academic scholarships but played and lettered all four years), an ESPN reporter asked what made him want to come to UK. Hairston ’16 ’18 AS recalled answering, “Nikky Finney and Frank X Walker were holding down the English department and I wanted to be part of that.” It did not seem to be the answer the reporter anticipated.
Finney left UK for her native South Carolina, but Walker became teacher, mentor, fellow poet and friend to Hairston as the younger man pursued both undergradu-
ate and graduate degrees at UK.
“I’ve been impressed with him from the very beginning,” said Walker, the first Black to be named Kentucky’s Poet Laureate. They’d met when Walker came to Hairston’s high school but having him as a student was “even more special.” It gave Walker the rare opportunity to be the mentor he wished he’d had as a young aspiring poet. “Having an African American male student poet is not something that happens every semester.”
Walker brought Hairston into the Affrilachian Poets Collective, which he had founded in 1991 to create a home for Black people writing poetry in the Appalachian region. “Being in this family,” Hairston wrote about the Collective, “receiving your love and support, is a gift I hope to return in all that I do.”
One of Hairston’s poems, “Manifesto for Black Baseball Players,” was published in 2018 in “Black Bone: 25 Years of Affrilachian Poets.” It is part of his book that became “Pretend the Ball is Named Jim
by Breven Walker
Photos
Crow: the Story of Josh Gibson,” released in early 2024 by the University Press of Kentucky.
The collection of poems tells the story of Gibson, who hit more than 800 home runs in the Negro Leagues and was considered the equal of if not superior to Babe Ruth. Gibson was locked out of major league baseball by the color barrier. He died in 1947, the year that Jackie Robinson became the first Black major league player.
Hairston began working on the collection for an independent study project as a senior in high school. Walker had recently published “Isaac Murphy: I Dedicate This Ride” about the legendary Black jockey. Phyllis Schlich, who taught creative writing, suggested Hairston use that as an inspiration but write about a baseball player.
He tried to write about Robinson but found he was writing more about the white team manager and commissioner of baseball. “I was just so accustomed to needing white voices to help tell black stories. That’s why I defaulted to Branch Rickey (who spearheaded the integration of Major League Baseball) and Happy Chandler (Kentucky governor and then Major League Baseball commissioner)," Hairston realized.
He went to the library — a place he frequented — and found “Josh Gibson: The Power and the Darkness.” Gibson, he learned, married about the age Hairston was at the time. Just as his baseball career was taking off, his wife, Helen, died while giving birth to their twin son and daughter. “How would I handle that,” the teenage Hairston wondered. “I’m discovering this man who was trying to discover himself,” as a baseball player, a widowed father and a Black man.
He’d found his topic.
“I was in the right space … the early Josh poems were just writing themselves.” Schlich remembered that when Hairston connected with Gibson’s story, “he was enthralled.”
But it would be another 10 years before Hairston completed the book he envisioned and offered it to the world. “Life happens,” Schlich said, “he got married, he’s had two children, he was dealing with what to do about a career.” Writers, she said, “need time to be able to really focus on the writing, it’s hard.” Hairston got a second master's degree, in teaching secondary English, from the University of the Cumberlands and began teaching in the Fayette County Public Schools.
While life seemed to have slowed his writing, Walker believes the life experience enhanced Hairston’s work.
Marrying, having children gave Hairston “a kind of vulnerability that transferred on the page,” he said. As Hairston writes in the voices of Gibson, Helen and their two children, “you feel what’s happening, you believe what’s happening.”
Even though Hairston tells a deeply personal story, Walker said, the book is much more. It’s impressive, “what it has to say about race and politics and sports and American history.”
In his “Author’s Note” at the front of the book, Hairston cites a quote from Negro League and Giants baseball great Willie Mays that Hairston’s college baseball coach, Gary Henderson, had posted in the locker room. It read, in part: “Baseball is a game, yes … But what it most truly is is disguised combat. For all its gentility, it’s almost leisurely pace, baseball is violence under wraps.”
At the time Josh Gibson was playing baseball, Hairston said, “there’s a war being fought over the skin, or on the skin of these Black baseball players.” The owners of the Negro League teams joined in the fight, he said, “trying to legitimize the existence of Black people in this country and show that they can play the game just as well if not better than their white peers.”
Poet Dorian Hairston spoke with some of the attendees at his reading at the Kentucky Native Café in late January.
And that, Hairston said, “is violent and I’m glad that these guys won.”
Henderson (himself an English major, like Hairston) said the quote means many things but one is that in baseball, “you can’t run out the clock, you better be prepared.” Henderson, now the head coach at the University of Utah, said Hairston worked hard to be prepared. “He was very serious about his craft, serious about being a good baseball player and very serious about being a good student.”
Schlich has stayed in touch with her former student, often inviting him to read his work and talk about writing in her classes “I don’t think he ever turned me down, ever.”
Life is busy now for Hairston and Schlich is retired but “every now and then he’ll just call me out of the blue,” and they talk about teaching and writing and life for as long as an hour, she said. “He’s a wonderful person, he’s one of my favorite people in the world.”
Hairston’s first book has been well received but he doesn’t harbor any dreams of moving off to Greenwich Village or an artist’s colony to think and write. He’s happy to be here where he received “a world-class education,” to be close to his parents and his in-laws, to Walker and the other Affrilachian Poets. Plus, he said, Kentucky is home. ■
Class Notes
1960s
Woodford Gardner ’69 LAW was inducted into the Barren County High School Athletic Hall of Fame for 2025. A 1963 graduate of Park City High School, Gardner was a standout basketball player for the Bears. He went on to play for the Western Kentucky University men’s basketball team.
1970s
Linda Gorton ’71 NUR has been named the Kentucky Nurses Association’s Citizen of the Year. She worked as a nurse before her tenure in city council and as mayor of Lexington, Kentucky. She was recognized for her work passing local health-related laws in Lexington that include a public indoor smoking ban and environmental reforms.
Stephen Lannert ’73 AS, an industrial real estate broker and executive vice president
industrial brokerage with JLL in Louisville, Kentucky, was confirmed as a member of the Louisville Metro Planning and Design Commission.
Stephen W. Schondelmeyer ’77 PHA was selected as the 2025 Remington Honor Medal, named for community pharmacist, manufacturer and educator Joseph P. Remington. Schondelmeyer is a professor of pharmaceutical economics in the College of Pharmacy at the University of Minnesota. The medal is the most comprehensive recognition program in the profession of pharmacy.
Paul Whalen ‘78 AS has been appointed to the Campbell County Board of Elections as a Democratic member. He is a semiretired attorney and former administrative law judge and is a resident of Fort Thomas, Kentucky.
H.Fred Howard ‘79 AS, ‘82 DE has been elected to a four-year term on the American Dental Association Board of Trustees. He represents the states of Kentucky, Missouri, Tennessee and West Virginia.
Kevin Pelzer ’79 AS has been conferred the title of professor emeritus at the Virginia-Maryland College of Veterinary Medicine at Virginia Tech. Pelzer has been a member of the Virginia Tech community for more than 36 years and has made research contributions to the health and welfare of animals in the production management medicine clinical service of the Veterinary Teaching Hospital.
1980s
Scott Davis ’80 AFE has been elected the 2025 chair of the Kentucky Chamber of Commerce. Chairman and chief executive officer of Field & Main Bank, Davis has served on the Kentucky Chamber board of directors for many years and serves several community organizations including Henderson Leadership Initiative and Wellborn Baptist Foundation.
Craig Bandoroff ’81 AFE received the 2024 Jockeys and Jeans Uphill Push Award. Bandoroff is a noted horseman and bloodstock agent. The annual award is given to the person who provides help to jockeys who suffered career-ending injuries.
Timothy A. Byers ’81 EN has been appointed to the board of directors at H.W. Lochner Inc., a leading provider of infrastructure planning and engineering services. Byers is a retired major general with 32 years of service in the United States Air Force with expertise in infrastructure planning, design and construction.
Bob Conley ’81 BE has been appointed deputy chief justice of the Kentucky Supreme Court. He has served on the court since 2021, elected from the 7th Supreme Court District of 32 counties in Eastern Kentucky. He spent 26 years as a trial court judge in Greenup and Lewis counties.
Julie Richardson ’81 BE has been named a 2024 Cincinnati Enquirer Woman of the Year. Richardson co-owns Blue Ashheadquartered SugarCreek, a food manufacturing company. SugarCreek donates its food waste –more than 1 million pounds a year – to La Soupe, a nonprofit dedicated to rescuing food waste and feeding the hungry.
David Price ’83 MED, a board-certified surgeon and a fellow at the American College of Surgeons, has joined Tennova Medical Group, Clarksville, Tennessee.
Kenny McPeek ’85 BE has won the 2024 Big Sport of Turfdom award presented by the Turf Publicists of
Photos courtesy of ExploreUK
Dr. H. G. Khorana, a biochemist who won the 1968 Nobel Prize for Physiology or Medicine, addressed the Naff Symposium in 1976. The chemistry and molecular biology symposium was named for Anna S. Naff, a UK graduate.
America. In 2024, McPeek became only the third trainer in history to earn victories in the Kentucky Derby and Kentucky Oaks at Churchill Downs in the same year, scoring with Mystik Dan and Thorpedo Anna.
Daniel A. Pototsky ’86 ED has been inducted into the 2024 Arlington Sports Hall of Fame, Arlington, Virginia. Pototsky was a standout baseball player at the University of Kentucky, earning All-SEC honors in 1980 and an All-SEC tournament selection in 1981.
Lonnie Bellar ’87 EN has become the executive vice president of engineering, construction and generation at PPL Electric Utilities. Bellar began his energy career
in 1987 when he joined Kentucky Utilities. He has served as chief operation officer of LG&E and KU Energy, a subsidiary of PPL.
Tim Abrams ’88 ED has been named to the AARP Kentucky executive council 2025. Abrams taught in the Henry County (Kentucky) school district for 29 years.
J.David Morrison ’89 DE has been named the 2024-25 president of the American Association of Oral and Maxillofacial Surgeons. He previously served as AAOMS president-elect, vice president, District IV trustee and caucus chair of the 9,000- member organization.
1990s
Michael W. Johnson ’91 AS joined the American Coatings Association as president and CEO. Johnson was president and CEO of the National Stone, Sand & Gravel Association for more than 11 years.
Brian P. Smentkowski ’91 ’94 AS is the new vice president and chief academic officer at the University of Alaska. Smentkowski joins UA from the University of Idaho where he was the founding director of the Center for Excellence in Teaching and Learning and a professor of political science.
Brent Tippey ’92 EN has been selected as the president-elect of the
American Water Works Association’s Board of Directors. Tippey is the vice president east region drinking water lead for HDR, a global professional services firm.
Matt Robbins ’93 BE has joined Baird’s Kentucky public finance group as vice president. In his role he will serve in a consultative manner supporting Kentucky public schools, leveraging his nearly 30 years of experience in public education to identify school financing opportunities and solutions.
Krishnan Rajagopalan ’94 AS has been appointed chief growth officer at Prescient Healthcare Group, a leading biopharma product and portfolio strategy firm.
Information in Class Notes is compiled from previously published items in newspapers and other media outlets, as well as items submitted by individual alumni. Send us your class note by emailing ukalumni@uky.edu or submitting your information in the online community at www.ukalumni.net/class
COLLEGE INDEX
AFE Martin-Gatton College of Agriculture, Food & Environment
AS Arts & Sciences
BE Gatton College of Business & Economics
CI Communication & Information
DE Dentistry
DES Design
ED Education
EN Pigman College of Engineering
FA Fine Arts
GS The Graduate School
HS Health Sciences
HON Honorary Degree
LAW Rosenberg College of Law
MED Medicine
NUR Nursing
PHA Pharmacy
PH Public Health
SW Social Work
Michele (Mike) Fearing (left) and Norris Johnson (center), Thursday editors of the Kernel, listen to Professor Harry Ritter (right) as he tells them how to layout the sports section of the Kernel early the early 1960s.
Class Notes
Cathy Lilford Altman ’95 LAW has been appointed to the Trinity River Authority Board of Directors by Texas Gov. Greg Abbott. The authority oversees development and conservation of surface water resources of the Trinity River Basin in Texas.
Melissa Moss ’95 ’00 EN has been appointed the senior associate dean for academic affairs at the Molinaroli College of Engineering and Computing, University of South Carolina. Previously she was a professor and Department of Chemical Engineering chair.
Charles White ’95 EN has been promoted to vice president at Barton & Loguidice, a consulting firm. White is a member of the firm’s sustainable planning and design practice area based in the Syracuse, New York office.
Andy Mayer ’97 BE has become a settlement consultant for Forge Consulting, the settlement planning division of The Forge Companies. Mayer has nearly three decades of banking experience.
Heather Williams Perdue ’97 HS has joined the therapy services staff of Massac Memorial Hospital in Paducah, Kentucky. Perdue has been a speech therapist for 25 years, working with children and adults. Before joining MMH, she worked at NeuroRestorative, a residential brain injury program in Paducah.
David White ’97 AFE has been named the dean of the University of Tennessee Knoxville’s Herbert College of Agriculture. He has been serving as the interim dean since 2022. He holds tenure as a professor of food science.
Shea Conley ’98 LAW has been appointed by Kentucky Gov. Andy Beshear to the Northern Kentucky University’s Board of Regents. A litigation attorney, Conley is with Morgan & Morgan, helping clients with product liability, catastrophic personal injury, wrongful death and insurance disputes.
Robert Lee DeVasier ’98 ’00 BE has been promoted to vice president of transportation and supply chain at Divert, Inc., a sustainable solutions company on a mission to solve the wasted food crisis and advance a circular economy.
Melissa Rasmussen ’98 BE has been named senior vice president and CFO at Mueller Water Products. She is a financial expert with more than 25 years of experience, most recently as the CFO of National Vision, Inc.
Douglas Buffington II ’99 LAW has been appointed senior advisor of the executive team to West Virginia Gov. Patrick Morrisey. Buffington served as chief deputy attorney general under Morrisey when he was West Virginia attorney general.
Meagan M. Jordan ’99 GS has been appointed associate dean at the Clinton School of Public Service at the University of Arkansas. Jordan joins the Clinton School from Old Dominion University where she served
as an associate professor in the School of Public Service. She is a native of Little Rock, Arkansas.
2000s
Rajani Menon ’00 BE has been appointed to the board of directors of Meals on Wheels of Southwest Ohio and Northern Kentucky. Menon is the director of civic engagement and leadership for the Women’s Fund of the Greater Cincinnati Foundation.
Aaron Sanderford ’00 AS has been named editor in chief of the Nebraska Examiner. Sanderford has held various roles in his a 20year career in reporting and editing. From 2005-2007 he served as communications director for then-Nebraska Gov. Dave Heineman.
Brad Welch ’00 EN has been named chief information officer at the U.S. Army DEVCOM Aviation & Missile Center. He recently served as a senior service college fellow at the Defense Acquisition University.
Max Wise ’00 GS has been selected as the majority floor leader in the Kentucky Senate. Wise, of Campbellsville, Kentucky, was selected by his colleagues to serve in the role. Wise, who represents Kentucky’s 16th Senate District, is also an adjunct professor at the Patterson School of Diplomacy and International Commerce at UK.
Nursing students are with Dean Marcia Dake (seated on table) discussing the outlook for careers in nursing. Seated from the left: Susan Drahmann, Sara Huff and Kathryn Ann Thomas. Standing is Judy Lawson.
Sunshine Brosi ’01 AFE, an associate professor of wildland resources at Utah State University Eastern, received the 2025 S.J. & Jessie E. Quinney College of Natural Resources Faculty University Service Award which recognizes faculty for excellence in service to the operations and governance of the university.
Trevor T. Graves ’01 EN, ’04 LAW has been promoted to member (partner) at Stites & Harbison’s office in Lexington, Kentucky. Graves’ practice focuses on intellectual property protection strategy.
Michael Dulin ’02 AFE, ’11 PH has been appointed CEO of Rubicon Technologies Inc., a provider of technologybased waste and recycling solutions. Dulin previously served as CEO of Circulus Holdings PBLLC.
Lisa Highley ’02 BE has been named chief lending officer at the University of Kentucky Federal Credit Union. She has more than 26 years’ experience in financial institutions, with three years at UKFCU.
Walt Robertson ’02 BE, ‘06 LAW has been elected president of the board of directors of Thoroughbred Aftercare Alliance, a nonprofit that accredits, inspects and awards grants to approved aftercare organizations to retrain, retire and rehome Thoroughbreds using industry-wide funding. Robertson is an attorney with Stites & Harbison.
Julie Cayse ’03 BE has been named the regional director of the Western Region of the National Credit Union Administration. She has served as associate regional director of operations for the Western Region. She began her NCUA career in 2010.
Shawn Davisson ’03 AS has returned to Dinsmore & Shohl LLP as a partner in the White Collar Defense and Government Investigations group, practicing out of the Washington, D.C. office.
Vince Harrison Jr. ’03 BE will return to the Dayton Dragons as the team’s manager. Harrison has 11 seasons of minor league managing/ coaching experience. He worked as a coach with
the Reds Triple-A club, the Louisville Bats, in 2023.
Andrea Wilson Mueller ’03 DES received two silver international design awards from the Association of Professional Landscape Designers for Buffalo Trace Eagle Rare building and entrance and WesBanco plaza. Wilson Mueller, who works with Inside Out Landscape Design, is the first and only APLD-certified landscape designer in Kentucky.
Sen. Whitney Westerfield ’03 CI has been named the director of legal and government affairs at LifeSkills Inc., a community mental health center serving 18 counties in Kentucky.
Benjamin Hayes ’05 AS has been named the superintendent of Stones River National Battlefield in Rutherford County, Tennessee. Previously Hayes has served as the interpretation and education program manager at Hawaii Volcanoes National Park.
Matt Webber ’05 CI has been hired as vice president of sales at EDGE Industrial Technologies (EDGE), a leading global producer of industrial machine knives and blades, punches and related equipment.
James Hartmann ’06 AS has been named director of government relations at FanDuel Group, the premier online gaming company
Charles Snow teaching an anthropology course at WLEX - TV in 1960. The show was the debut of educational television in the Bluegrass and for the University of Kentucky.
Career Corner Career Corner
by Caroline Francis
THE NEW RETIREMENT: EMBRACING WORK, LEISURE AND PURPOSE
People around the globe are living longer, healthier lives. With the increase in the average lifespan, incorporating work into these later years is becoming more essential. Financing a 40-year retirement on a 30-year career is a challenge many will face, making continued employment a practical and rewarding solution.
According to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, more and more people are working into their later years, a trend that is expected to continue. The labor force participation among older adults is on the rise and those aged 65 to 74 and 75 and older are projected to see the most significant increases.
“A new type of retirement is taking shape,” says Robert Laura, founder of the Retirement Coaches Association and author of “Retirement Intelligence.”
“Particularly as the first round of Gen “Xers” turn 60 in 2025. The trend for the last boomers as well as the emerging Gen Xers is that they won’t fully retire but instead use part-time, gig and seasonal work to deviate from the traditional retirement that their parents and grandparents experienced.”
Working for income isn’t the only reason we’re seeing the change, Laura writes.
“People are seeking out second careers and encore work opportunities that provide positive impact, offer social connection and purpose. Retirement has become plural for the tail end of the boomers and is being embraced by the first wave of Gen X as they will be more likely to experience retirements from dissimilar roles and feed their desire to be social and independent as the latchkey generation.”
To successfully transition into semi-retirement, explore options with your current employer such as reduced hours, phased retirement programs, seasonal projects or consulting roles.
Conversations with supervisors or HR departments can uncover opportunities tailored to your needs. Semi-retirement is also an excellent time to explore a new career, pursue long-held dreams, or engage in volunteering.
Alumni Career Services counselors are available to assist active and life members in making these transitions. Ask yourself: What aspirations have you put on hold? What new skills or knowledge do you want to gain? How can you use your expertise to give back to society?
While ageism remains a reality, highlighting the strengths you bring to the workplace is a key strategy for success. Older workers often excel in areas like reliability, strong work ethic and customer service expertise. They bring a wealth of institutional knowledge, emotional intelligence and critical thinking skills. Employers increasingly recognize the value of intergenerational diversity, as studies from the Harvard Business Review show such teams are more creative and faster at problem-solving. Older employees also bring calmness in crises, a broad network and valuable mentoring capabilities.
To make the most of this life stage, seek out semi-retirement role models. What can you learn from their journey to apply to your own? Semi-retirement offers a unique opportunity to redefine purpose and passion while making meaningful contributions to both the workplace and society.
Caroline Francis is director of UK Alumni Career Services. Visit www.ukalumni.net/career to learn more.
Class Notes
in North America. He has served as chief counsel to the Illinois Speaker of the House and House Parliamentarian.
Chase Oliver ’06 BE has been promoted to chief human resources officer with the University of Kentucky Federal Credit Union. Oliver joined the Credit Union seven years ago and brings more than 16 years of experience in the human resources field.
Natalie Ruppert ’06 CI has received the Northern Kentucky Chamber of Commerce’s NKY Community Award. Under her leadership, the Kenton County Public Library offers over 40 monthly educational and job search skills classes.
Stephanie Coleman ’07 GS was named new president and chief executive officer of the Nashville Area Chamber of Commerce. Coleman started at the Chamber as a communications account executive in 2008.
Leslie Davis ’07 ’08 BE has been appointed vice president, controller and chief accounting officer at LP Building Solutions. She joined LP in 2020 as assistant controller and was promoted to senior director of internal audit the following year. She has 15 years of experience in financial reporting.
Laura Spieth Hunt ’07 ‘08 AS is the new provost at Wingate University, Wingate, North Carolina.
Hunt was associate provost at Georgetown College, Georgetown, Kentucky from 2022-2024.
Luke Beggs ’08 AS, ’11 ED, ’18 MED has been hired by Baptist Health medical Group Sports Medicine in Paducah, Kentucky. Beggs specializes in nonoperative orthopedics and sports medicine needs.
Joshua G. Wolford ’08 ’11 AS, ’22 LAW has joined the creditor’s rights and bankruptcy service group at Stites & Harbison in Louisville. Prior to joining Stites & Harbison, Wolford was a clerk for Judge Danny J.Boggs, U.S. Court of Appeals for the Sixth District and Judge Karen K. Caldwell, U.S. District Court for the Eastern District of Kentucky.
Alex F. Howard ’09 ’12 PH, ’12 CI was inducted into the University of Kentucky College of Public Health Hall of Fame. He is vice president for Health & Wellness at Dogwood Health Trust, overseeing a grant-making portfolio that invests more than $17 million annually to support health-related services across 18 countries and the Qualla Boundary in western North Carolina.
2010s
Saikat Boliar ’10 AFE has joined the faculty at Jacobs School of Medicine and Biomedical Sciences at the University of Buffalo. Boliar is an assistant professor of microbiology and immunology.
John Tanner James ’11 LAW has been appointed general counsel at Fairmont State University, Fairmont, West Virginia.
Chase Matthew Straw ’11 AFE has joined the faculty at the Penn State Center for Turfgrass Science and the Department of Plant Science as an assistant professor. He will also serve as the director of the Center for Sports Surfaces Research.
Stephen Stearman ’13 CI has been named division president of Craft Health, overseeing its direct primary division and vice president of innovation. He served as CEO of Elevate Holistics where he successfully led patient acquisition and growth initiatives.
Sarah Pickerel Van Wallaghen ’13 CI has joined the government relations firm, The Rotunda Group, as a partner. She was Kentucky GOP’s executive director. She is a Glasgow native.
Nikki King ’14 AS has been selected to participate in the six-month Obama Foundation’s Leaders program. King is CEO of Alliance Health Centers in Fort Wayne, Indiana.
Kacy Rhoades ’14 DES has joined the Denver office of Ware Malcomb as a studio manager, interior architecture and design. She has worked in design management roles with several regional and national design firms in the southeastern United States.
Jenna Stewart ‘14 ED received a 2024-25 Milken Educators Award. A fifthgrade math teacher, Stewart was surprised with her award at a schoolwide assembly at Longbranch Elementary School in Union, Kentucky. The award comes with an unrestricted $25,000 cash prize. Since 1987, the Milken Educator Awards have rewarded and inspired excellence in education by honoring top educators around the country.
Whitney Billings ’15 ED was inducted into the Pelham High School Athletics Hall of Fame. Billings played volleyball at UK, winning All-SEC Freshman Team honors in 2010 and various All-SEC honors throughout her career.
Justin Hayes ’15 AS, ’20 MED has joined Lexington Clinic in its OrthopedicsSports Medicine department. He will be based in Frankfort, Kentucky.
Shannon Murphy ’17 AS has joined the Raleigh office of Cranfill Sumner LLP as an associate attorney. Before joining the firm, she clerked for Judge Terrence W. Boyle in the United States District Court for the Easter District of North Carolina. She also served as an attorney for the United States Department of Justice, Attorney General’s Honors Program.
Allison Zeitlin ’17 LAW has been promoted to member (partner) at the Lexington office of Stites & Harbison.
Zeitlin is a transactional lawyer who focuses on equine law, mergers and acquisitions and corporate governance matters.
Jacob Barton ’18 AS, 22 DE has been honored as one of America’s 40 Under 40 Top Dentists for 2024. He practices at Barton Esthetic and Family Dentistry in Middlesboro, Kentucky.
Christopher Evans ’19 GS is the new executive director for the HarrodsburgMercer County Industrial Development Authority. Evans comes to the role from
his job with the Bluegrass Area Development District in Lexington.
Jason Spaude ’19 AFE has been named the Michigan state director of the Civilian Marksmanship Program. An optometrist, Spaude has an extensive background in 3P smallbore rifle, international air rifle and target sprint competition having been a member of the NCAA rifle team at the University of Kentucky from 2015 to 2019.
Molly Thompson ’19 AFE, ’19 CI has been selected as the programs and public
Professor William H. Roll gives instructions to an elevator operator as part of his class travels 265 feet below ground level at the Central Rock Company limestone mine. From left to right: James R. Gray, Jenkins; Robert A. Elan, Barbourville, partly hidden; Roll; Tom Cambron, Henderson and James Irvine, Colleville, Pennsylvania.
Class Notes
policy director of the Paducah Area Chamber of Commerce. She previously served as member services director at the chamber.
2020s
Maggie Davis ’20 CI has been named the National Sports Media Association 2024 Kentucky Sportscaster of the Year. WLEX-TV 18 sports reporter and “BBN Tonight” co-anchor, Davis joined the WLEX team in September 2020 as an associate producer and multimedia journalist for nightly UK sports shows, “BBN
Tonight” and “BBN Gameday.” She was named full-time coanchor in 2023.
Taylor Murray ’20 EN has been hired as a technical sale engineer by GehringMontgomery, Inc.
Mindy King ’21 AFE has been hired as assistant professor of animal nutrition for the Kansas State University Animal Sciences and Industry Department. Prior to joining the ASI faculty, King worked as a graduate research assistant while pursuing her doctorate at Oklahoma State University.
Margaret Morse ’21 AS has been named communications manager for the city of Clifton, New Jersey. She worked at Bruno Associates of Clifton as director of grant consulting and public relations, joining the firm in 2022. Previously, she worked as a research associate at Millennium Strategies, LLC.
Abigale Campbell ’23 ED is the winner of the 2025 American Farm Bureau Discussion Meet sponsored by the Ohio Farm Bureau. Campbell is an agriscience educator and FFA advisor
at Fort Frye High School in Beverly, Ohio.
Enrico Casella ’23 EN has joined the faculty of the Penn State Institute for Computational and Data Sciences as an assistant professor of data science for animal systems in the College of Agricultural Sciences.
Cole S. Manion ’23 LAW has joined the Nashville, Tennessee office of Bradley Arant Boult Cummings LLP as an associate in the construction practice group.
WILLIAM DAVIS INDUCTED INTO KENTUCKY CIVIL RIGHTS HALL OF FAME
William L. Davis ’77 LAW has been inducted into the Kentucky Civil Rights Hall of Fame for exemplary leadership in civil rights. He was one of three people inducted in 2024.
Davis has many firsts in his life. He is the first Black to serve as the director of administrative law and civil litigation branch of the division of general legal services of the Kentucky attorney general’s office. He was the first Black to head a division within the Kentucky attorney general’s office. He was the first Black to serve as assistant deputy attorney general/director in the Kentucky attorney general’s office.
He was the first Black to serve as a United States Air Force captain/ assistant staff judge advocate of the 12th Flying Training Wing, Randolph Air Force Base, Texas 1978-1979 which included being the first Black trial prosecutor and chief of civil law.
He was the first Black graduate of UK College of Law to receive the Reginald Huber Smith Fellowship for Lawyers sponsored by Howard University and the first to be listed in Marquis “Who’s Who in American Law.”
His law office is in Lexington, Kentucky.
The Kentucky Commission on Human Rights established the Kentucky Civil Rights Hall of Fame in 2000 to recognize and honor the men and women whose efforts helped bring about change, to raise public awareness about civil and human rights issues and to foster an environment for discussion and education regarding the hard-won struggles and lessons of the past and ongoing challenges.
Cynthia Fox, executive director of the Kentucky Commission on Human Rights, said this about the award winners: “Kentucky Civil Rights Hall of Fame nominees and inductees have fought the ‘good fight.’ They pushed for and demanded civil rights legislation and equal opportunity and terms and conditions in employment.
“They marched for fairness, housing rights
and to open doors to businesses and services previously closed to some groups. They stood up in support of education equity and spoke up for those who could not speak for themselves. They gave their time, money and service toward efforts that challenged and changed old, unjust philosophies and systems. This event is our opportunity to say we see you and we thank you.” ■
Photo by Clinton Bennett, Photography & Video Services, LLC
From left, Kentucky Commissioner on Human Rights Chair Raymond Burse, William Davis and Executive Director Cynthia Fox.
A PROGRAM FOR BUSY LIVES PART-TIME MBA:
Ready for bigger and better things? Open up your career options with an MBA from Gatton. Ranked among the most affordable programs in the US, our part-time program offers in-person, online, or blended course options to fit your schedule.
In Memoriam
Louise Land Bloss ‘45 ED Blacksburg, Va. Life Member
Dr. Arthur J. Lieber ‘48 MED Lexington, Ky. Fellow
Ray Ford Veech ‘48 PH Deland, Fla. Life Member
Dr. Louis J. Boyd ‘50 ‘51 AFE Athens, Ga. Life Member, Fellow
Frances J. Duncan ‘50 AS, ‘54 ED Lexington, Ky. Life Member, Fellow
Kitty Parker Mattingly ‘50 ED Lexington, Ky.
Marian P. Baker ‘51 ED Lexington, Ky.
Henry R. Boswell ‘51 PHA Henderson, Ky.
Dr. Raymond J. Distler ‘51 ‘60 EN, ‘64 AS Lexington, Ky.
Virginia E. Ratliff ‘51 AFE Westerville, Ohio Life Member
Dorsa A. Shockey ‘51 EN La Grange, Ky.
Dr. Joseph W. Rust ‘53 ‘57 AFE Grand Rapids, Minn. Life Member
Richard M. Womack ‘53 AFE Birmingham, Ala. Life Member, Fellow
Ann F. Moore ‘54 AS Naples, Fla.
Dr. Wesley B. Sundquist ‘54 AFE Salt Lake City, Utah
Patricia A. Barlow ‘55 BE Somerset, Ky. Life Member
John H. Fitch Jr. ‘55 PHA Georgetown, Ky. Life Member
Sarah E. Kolb ‘55 ED Oak Ridge, Tenn.
Robert L. Rodgers ‘55 EN Vestal, N.Y.
Hugh B. Sims Jr. ‘55 PHA Wilmore, Ky.
Donald W. Thomas ‘55 BE Erlanger, Ky. Life Member
Marilyn R. Turner ‘55 ED Lexington, Ky. Fellow
Dr. Wendell S. Norman ‘56 EN Murfreesboro, Tenn. Life Member
Ann F. Rankin ‘56 FA Raleigh, N.C. Life Member
Thomas M. Temple ‘56 FA Crestwood, Ky. Life Member
Robert H. Compton ‘57 EN Ironton, Ohio Life Member
Warren J. Deatrick ‘57 EN Winter Park, Fla. Life Member, Fellow
Katharine H. Shaw ‘57 AS, ‘72 CI Lexington, Ky.
Lois Summers ‘57 AFE Mount Pleasant, S.C.
Robert M. White ‘57 CI Louisville, Ky.
C.Robert Kleier ‘58 EN Smiths Grove, Ky. Life Member
John V. Favorita Jr. ‘59 BE Peoria, Ill.
Donald C. Hopper ‘60 PHA Lexington, Ky.
David A. Rodahaffer ‘60 BE Stockton, Calif.
Evelyn B. Kemper ‘61 AS Lexington, Ky. Life Member
Dr. Joseph D. Gormley ‘61 ‘69 ED Versailles, Ky. Life Member
Ron Lawson ‘61 EN Simpsonville, S.C.
Maitland B. Rice Jr. ‘61 AFE Morgantown, Ky.
Richard R. Ziegler ‘61 BE Lorain, Ohio
John D. Cole ‘62 BE, ‘64 LAW Bowling Green, Ky. Life Member, Fellow
Pony W. Lykins Jr. ‘62 PHA Paducah, Ky.
Eleanor B. Moore ‘62 ED Louisville, Ky. Life Member, Fellow
Dr. Daniel Y. Patterson ‘62 AS, ‘66 MED Wilmington, N.C.
Preston Art ‘63 PHA Indianapolis, Ind. Life Member, Fellow
Lawrence A. Boston ‘63 EN Lake Zurich, Ill.
Dr. Scott B. Carr ‘63 ‘67 AFE Axton, Va.
Donald B. Keat ‘63 EN York, Pa.
Wanda S. Moore ‘63 AS, ‘91 CC Fisherville, Ky.
Dr. Oscar C. Page ‘63 ‘67 AS Sherman, Texas
Elizabeth O. Scheben ‘63 FA Florence, Ky. Life Member
Dr. Thomas N. Seay ‘63 AFE, ‘67 AS Georgetown, Ky.
Paul A. Willis ‘63 ’69 LAW Georgetown, S.C. Life Member, Fellow
Virgil L. Brewer Jr. ‘64 EN Richmond, Ky.
Leo F. Brislin III ‘64 BE Louisville, Ky.
Wood McGraw Jr. ‘64 ‘66 EN Crestwood, Ky.
Maxine Snively ‘64 PHA New Tazewell, Tenn. Life Member
Sallie B. Stebleton ‘64 HS Lexington, Ky. Fellow
William R. Whitledge ‘64 BE, ‘67 LAW Madisonville, Ky. Life Member
Dr. Byron Young ‘65 MED Lexington, Ky. Fellow
Joseph T. Clark ‘66 AS, ‘70 ED Lexington, Ky. Life Member
Frederica A. Coleman ‘66 HS, ‘67 ED Fort Myers, Fla.
Eddie R. Davis ‘66 AFE Shelbyville, Ky.
Mary J. Dillard ‘66 NUR Miami, Fla.
Michael D. Fields ‘66 BE Knoxville, Tenn.
Bobby G. Smith ‘66 EN Paducah, Ky.
Harlan H. Veal Jr. ‘66 LAW Lexington, Ky. Fellow
Kathryn R. Gentry ‘67 ED Lexington, Ky. Life Member
Ronald D. Herron ‘67 CI Frankfort, Ky.
Martha L. Pitts ‘67 ‘68 AFE Seminole, Fla.
Kenneth S. Robinson ‘67 BE Louisville, Ky. Life Member
Dr. Joel E. Rodgers ‘67 BE Tampa, Fla. Life Member
Ronald W. Rosenberg ‘67 BE Cincinnati, Ohio
Danny G. Bailey ‘68 ‘71 AFE Ashland, Ky. Life Member, Fellow
Kathleen A. Boggs ‘68 NUR Duluth, Ga.
Barbara M. Groves ‘68 ‘72 ED Lexington, Ky. Life Member, Fellow
Linda C. Kraft ‘68 ED Louisville, Ky. Life Member
Gary F. Mayrwieser ‘68 AS, ‘69 ED Wilmore, Ky.
Ann R. Pass ‘68 ‘73 ED Newburgh, Ind. Life Member, Fellow
Bert L. Rohrer ‘68 CI West Hartford, Conn.
Dr. Jerry L. Waikins ‘68 AS, ‘71 MED Daytona Beach, Fla.
Dr. Richard Yukhin ‘68 GS, ‘71 AS Dallas, Texas
Suzanne H. Allen ‘69 ED Lexington, Ky.
Greg Powell ‘69 AS Lexington, Ky.
James G. Taylor ‘69 DES Saint Matthews, Ky.
James R. Williamson ‘69 AS Saint Matthews, Ky.
Tony Goetz ‘70 ED Nicholasville, Ky. Fellow
Clifford R. Adams Jr. ‘71 EN Lexington, Ky.
James T. Druien Jr. ‘71 ED Winter Haven, Fla. Life Member
Letha C. Sloan ‘71 ‘71 ED Sarasota, Fla.
Hallie K. Brinkerhoff ‘72 ‘74 FA Lexington, Ky. Life Member
Elvin J. Hacker ‘72 AS Lexington, Ky.
Laverne E. Brashear-Watson ‘73 ‘75 ED Hazard, Ky.
Charles S. Foster ‘73 BE Murray, Ky.
Dr. G. R. Granneman ‘73 AS Marco Island, Fla.
David N. Lander ‘73 AS Greenup, Ky.
Martha G. Nicol ‘73 ED Lexington, Ky. Life Member, Fellow
Joseph C. Pyles ‘73 ‘75 EN Frankfort, Ky.
Henry C. Stoltz ‘73 LAW Russellville, Ark.
Sally A. Walton ‘73 AFE Maysville, Ky.
Kenneth R. Boone ‘74 FA Jamestown, N.Y.
Dr. Barton B. Dick ‘74 MED Lexington, Va.
Gary W. Postlewaite ‘74 DES Owensboro, Ky.
Virginia E. Schneider ‘74 ED Murfreesboro, Tenn.
Dr. Charles D. Lefler ‘75 MED Brevard, N.C.
Dr. James A. Sutherland Jr. ‘75 ‘79 MED Southport, N.C. Fellow
Ann D. Sturgill ‘76 LAW Lexington, Ky. Fellow
Rodger G. Cox ‘77 AS Campbellsville, Ky.
Terry Hemlepp ‘77 AS Lexington, Ky.
Rick Emerson ‘77 BE, ‘86 ED Russell Springs, Ky.
David A. Bratt ‘78 LAW Lexington, Ky.
Richard W. Yonts ‘81 BE Theodore, Ala.
Peter I. Denissoff ‘82 CC Lawrenceburg, Ky.
Dr. Joan A. Rodberg ‘83 EN Charleston, W.V. Life Member
Joe O. Harlan ‘83 AS Lexington, Ky.
Dr. Thomas G. Hodgkins ‘84 AS Show Low, Ariz.
Roger W. Thomas ‘84 BE Franklin, Tenn. Life Member
Ann E. Gehringer ‘87 CC Lawrenceburg, Ky.
Stephen A. Peterson ‘88 CI Versailles, Ky.
Chris D. Shewmaker ‘89 AFE Lebanon, Ky.
Dr. Gregory A. Drake ‘90 ED Lexington, Ky. Life Member
Teresa S. Hardwick ‘91 CC Dawson Springs, Ky.
James E. Bassett III ’93 HON Lexington, Ky. Fellow
Connor C. Chase ’95 MED Atlanta, Ga.
Janet L. Harvey ‘96 CC, ‘09 ‘09 AS Lexington, Ky.
Meredith W. Sanderlin ‘96 CI Henrico, Va.
Rosalie T. Albright ‘98 NUR Lexington, Ky.
Karolyn R. Anderson ‘98 ‘99 CC Harrodsburg, Ky.
William C. Oatts II ‘98 AFE Hopkinsville, Ky.
Tracey M. Sims ‘01 AS Bardstown, Ky.
Evelyn Smith Gander ‘05 ED Atlanta, Ga.
Jessica L. Browning ‘06 BE Greenville, Ky.
Whitney Nicole Patrick ‘17 AFE Lexington, Ky.
RICHARD MUSE WOMACK ’53 AFE
Richard (Dick) Muse Womack, past president of the UK Alumni Association, passed away in January. Born in Memphis, Tennessee, Womack grew up on the family farm in Harrodsburg, Kentucky. After his high school graduation, he joined the Navy in July 1945 and served for a year. He then enrolled at the University of Kentucky, where he was a member of SAE Fraternity. He graduated in 1953 with a degree in pre-veterinary science.
He returned to Harrodsburg to farm and then began his career in insurance working for the Rain and Hail Insurance Bureau. He worked for Travelers Insurance Company for many years before becoming president and COO of McGriff, Seibels & Williams Insurance Agency where he later became chairman, growing the company from 32 employees to 300.
He served as president of the UK Alumni Association in 1981 and received the UK Alumni Association Distinguished Service Award in 1984. He was active in many civic organizations and accepted leadership roles in most. He was co-chair of United Way, chairman of the Heart Fund, past board member for the Better Business Bureau, Chamber of Commerce, Boy Scouts, Junior Achievement, the Tip-Off Club and Kirkwood by the River. He remained active in the Birmingham, Alabama Rotary Club into his 90s. He was a long-time active member of Independent Presbyterian Church, serving in various leadership roles.
The Bookshelf
Wes Browne ’99 LAW has written “They All Fall the Same” about an organized crime boss in Kentucky who believes money and power are everything until his enterprise collides with a family tragedy. This gripping noir thriller is perfect for fans of S.A. Cosby and Eli Cranor. Cannabis kingpin Burl Spoon has reigned over the Jackson County area for three decades, building a powerful backwoods empire. But behind a well-run organization, his personal life is crumbling. When his daughter overdoses on heroin laced with fentanyl and one of his employees is murdered, Burl’s drive for revenge conflicts with his longing for redemption. One reviewer wrote, “Jump on this literary getaway car and careen through the curves with the Kentucky bad man as the blood, dip spit and Dollar store hair dye splatter the walls of your mind. Wes Browne is the new master of the outlaw family album, serving up country gangster fare with four-dimensional sophistication. He’s the literary Lotto machine that pays off every time.”
Allegra Solomon ’22 AS is the author of “There’s Nothing Left for You Here.” A luminous debut of timely, vibrant stories, “There’s Nothing Left for You Here” is the winner of the 2023 Kimbilio National Fiction Prize, an honor that celebrates excellence in contemporary fiction from writers of the African diaspora. Ranging in subject but joined by their keen attention to the lives of contemporary young women of color, these stories feature an eclectic cast of characters who are as fascinatingly complex as they are deeply relatable. In the words of Kimbilio Prize judge Deesha Philyaw, readers should prepare to find “these fresh, moody, unconventional stories…irresistible.”
Erin Chandler ’89 ’12 FA has written “Bluegrass Sons, A True Crime Memoir.” The book is about a true crime family saga set between Lexington, Kentucky, and the desert days and gaudy nights of 1970s Las Vegas, Nevada, with a little El Paso, Guatemala, and Savannah thrown in. The story is about Bradley Bryant, a United States Marine who lived a double life. The FBI labeled him “a one-man crime wave” responsible for the largest gunrunning, drug-smuggling network in the United States. “Bluegrass Sons” includes historical testimonies from those who were along for that ride. It’s a tale of drugs, arms, assassinations and espionage where your lies are your life even if you are one of the good guys.
Kimbell Dicken Botto ’79 BE has written “Boundless Hope for Every Child.” In her book, Botto draws on more than 30 years of professional and volunteer experience, as well as her time as an adoptive mom and an advocate for kids and teens with disabilities and differences, to provide tools for responding in helpful and hopeful ways to kids and teens with concerning behaviors. She writes that it all starts with a simple change in perspective: consciously approaching disruptive behaviors with curiosity and understanding, rather than judgment. One reviewer writes, “‘Boundless Hope’ is a field guide for anyone who wants to do better and love well children others don’t always understand.”
Abby Thompson ’22 FA has written “Growing,” an insightful and candid journey through the tumultuous transition from youth to adulthood. The author confronts the complexities of growing up, the weight of imposter syndrome and the fragility of life itself. As a recent college graduate, she grapples with the uncertainty of her future and discovers that the idealized path to success is far from straightforward. One reviewer wrote, “This is a must read for anyone in their 20s. The author is incredibly insightful and brings light to the challenges young adults are facing.”
Erik Reece ‘89 ‘93 AS, ‘92 GS is the author of “Kingfisher Blues” a book of poetry. At the intersection of alcoholism and recovery, “Kingfisher Blues,” brings an unflinching eye and raw wit to one man’s battle with addiction. Alternating between meditations on the natural world and gritty snapshots of the county jail, rehab center and people who occupy these spaces with him, Reece ruminates on the thin line between life and death. One reviewer wrote, “Like everything Erik Reece writes, ‘Kingfisher Blues’ is both beautiful and important. Honest and precise, often harrowing and always revelatory, these poems showcase a writer at the top of his form.” Reece is the author of six books of nonfiction.
UK and the UK Alumni Association do not necessarily endorse books or other original material mentioned in The Bookshelf. The University of Kentucky and the UK Alumni Association are not responsible for the content, views and opinions expressed on websites mentioned in The Bookshelf or found via links off of those websites.
Quick Take
JAMES F. HARDYMON RECEIVES FOUNDERS DAY AWARD
After receiving the 2025 UK Founders Day Award, James F. Hardymon (center) posed for a selfie with his son James Frank Hardymon Jr. ‘87 BE and daughter Jennifer Hardymon Sovich.
In honor of the University of Kentucky’s founding in 1865, the UK Alumni Association presented its 2025 UK Founders Day Award to James F. Hardymon ’56 ’58 EN. Hardymon, the retired chairman and CEO of Textron, Inc., was recognized for his contributions to business, education and the community. He served three terms on the UK Board of Trustees. In 1995, he was inducted into the Stanley and Karen Pigman College of Engineering’s Hall of Distinction. In 2000, he was inducted into the UK Alumni Association’s Hall of Distinguished Alumni and received an honorary doctorate.
