Summer 2022 Kentucky Alumni Magazine by UK Alumni Association

Un iversit y of Kent uck y A lu m n i Associat ion

Alumni WORKING TOWARD A WORLD WHERE NO CHILD IS ALONE

Summer 2022

UNIVERSITY OF KENTUCKY FEDERAL CREDIT UNION

Photos by Caleb Kingwara at OVI Healthcare

Contents 12

ON THE COVER Iza Correll founded a 60-bed hospital for abandoned children in Migori, Kenya.

DEBATER, CHEF, DOCUSERIES STAR By Sally Scherer Chef and restaurateur Ouita Michel knows what it takes to be successful. She was on UK’s National Debate Tournament Championship team and she’s a seven-time James Beard Award semifinalist. Her new undertaking puts her in the spotlight.

FUNDING SCHOLARSHIPS TO CHANGE LIVES By Kel Hahn Stanley and Karen Pigman have a personal commitment to help students realize the dream of a college education because a scholarship changed his life. They have financially supported and mentored more than 200 students. And they’re not finished.

SHE TREATS THEM LIKE THEY ARE HER OWN

KROGER FIELD’S FIRST CONCERT RAISES $1 MILLION

BOWMAN’S BIG BIRTHDAY BASH

By Hal Morris and Sally Scherer Somerset native Iza Correll doesn’t want any child to grow up without a family. As the founder of OVI Healthcare, she’s working to end the need for orphanages throughout the world.

Kentuckian Chris Stapleton had the honor of being the first artist to perform live in concert at Kroger Field. The concert was successful in more ways than one.

By Sally Scherer Bowman, the bronze Wildcat statue that stands in Wildcat Alumni Plaza, turned 10 in April. Friends and alumni celebrated the milestone.

38 42

LOTS OF POMP, PLENTY OF CIRCUMSTANCE By Sally Scherer UK celebrated its first lone graduate in 1869. In spring 2022, more than 5,000 students graduated with bachelors, masters, doctoral and specialist degrees. Here’s what makes UK’s graduation so special.

SHE CREATED A LEGACY By Lindsey Piercy In 1950, Mary Ann Henderson earned her master’s degree from the College of Education and became the first Black student to graduate from UK. Her grandchildren are carrying on her tradition.

THE SOUND OF YELLOWSTONE By Sally Scherer Jett Hitt has a doctorate in music composition from UK and earlier this year his concerto “Yellowstone for Violin and Orchestra” was voted the second-most favorite piece of classical music by listeners of WRR in Dallas.

Plus... 5 6 8 11 36

From the President Pride in Blue News Research Club News

40 42 52 55 56

Sports Class Notes In Memoriam Creative Juices Quick Take

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VOL. 93 NO. 2 SUMMER 2022

BOARD OF DIRECTORS AND LEADERSHIP ADVISORY COUNCIL Officers Mary L. Shelman ’81 EN: President Antoine Huffman ’05 CI: President-elect Janie McKenzie-Wells ’83 AS, ’86 LAW: Treasurer Jill Holloway Smith ’05 BE, ’11 AFE: Secretary

CREDITS EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR Jill Holloway Smith

EDITORS

Editor: Meredith Weber Managing Editor: Sally Scherer

GRAPHIC DESIGNER Whitney Stamper

ASSOCIATION STAFF Brenda Bain ’15: Records Data Entry Deja Brooks ‘21: Programs Assistant Christy Coffman ‘18: Program Coordinator Nancy Culp: Administrative Services Assistant Caroline Francis ’88 ’93 ’02: Director, Alumni Career Services Jack Gallt ’84: Sr. Associate Director Leslie Hayes: Membership and Marketing Specialist Marissa Hillman ‘16: Administrative Support Associate I Kelly Hinkel ’11 ’18: Marketing & Communications Coordinator Marci Hicks ’87: Director of Philanthropy Albert Kalim ’03 ’16 ‘20: Technical Support Specialist Jesse McInturf ’10: Principal Accountant William Raney ’14: House Support Kathryn Schaffer ’12: Alumni Engagement Coordinator Amanda Schagane ’09 ’10: Associate Director Sally Scherer: Managing Editor Samantha Seitz: Program Coordinator Jill Holloway Smith ’05 ’11: Executive Director Whitney Stamper: Graphic Designer Pam Webb: Administrative Services Assistant Meredith Weber: Editor/Sr. Associate Director Don Witt ’82 ‘84: Assistant Vice President for Philanthropy Christina Yue ‘11: Associate Director

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

Kentucky Alumni (ISSN 732-6297) is published quarterly by the University of Kentucky Alumni Association, Lexington, Kentucky, for its members. © 2022 University of Kentucky Alumni Association, except where noted. Views and opinions expressed in Kentucky Alumni do not necessarily represent the opinions of its editors, the UK Alumni Association nor the University of Kentucky.

In-State Representatives Michelle Bishop Allen ’06 ’10 BE Jeffrey L. Ashley ’89 CI Heath F. Bowling ’96 BE Emmett P. “Buzz” Burnam ’74 EDU John S. Cain ’86 BE Kevin L. Collins ’84 EN William “Bill” M. Corum ’64 BE Robert “Rob” L. Crady III ’94 BE Abra Akers Endsley ’98, ’01 CI James F. Gilles III ’10 AFE Emily C. Henderson ’01 PHA Vicki S. Hiestand ’93 BE Mark Hogge ’97 EN Kelly Sullivan Holland ’93 AS, ’98 ED Dr. H. Fred Howard ’79 AS, ’82 DE Shelia M. Key ’91 PHA Kent T. Mills ‘83 BE Sherry R. Moak ’81 BE Dr. W. Mark Myers ’87 DE Tonya B. Parsons ’91 AS Peggy Barton Queen ’86 BE John D. Ryan ’92 BE, ‘95 R. Michael Stacy ’95 BE Jonell Tobin ’68 ’95 ED Kendra Lorene Wadsworth ’06 ED Allen O. Wilson ’03 AFE, ’06 LAW Out-of-State Representatives Brooke C. Asbell ’86 BE Robert Price Atkinson ‘97 CI Shane T. Carlin ’95 AFE Amanda Mills Cutright ’06 CI Robert M. “Mike” Gray ’80 ’81 BE Dr. Michael L. Hawks ’80 AS, ’85 DE Vincent M. Holloway ’84 EN Susan L. Liszeski ’84 AFE Erin Carr Logan ‘06 BE Thomas K. Mathews ’93 AS Ronald “Ronnie” M. Perchik ’82 BE R. Brian Perkins ’97 EN Charles “Chad” D. Polk ’94 DES David L. Shelton ’66 BE Robert J. Riddle ’11 AFE Lynn Spadaccini ’80 AFE Mary “Kekee” Szorcsik ’72 BE Nicholas D. Wilson ‘03 AS, ‘06 GS Alumni Trustees Dr. Michael A. Christian ’76 AS, ’80 DE Paula L. Pope ’73 ’75 ED Rachel Watts Webb ’05 CI Living Past Presidents George L. Atkins Jr. ’63 BE Richard A. Bean ’69 BE Michael A. Burleson ’74 PHA Bruce K. Davis ’71 LAW Scott E. Davis ’71 LAW 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 Diane M. Massie ’79 CI 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 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 Henry R. Wilhoit Jr. ’60 LAW Elaine A. Wilson ’68 SW Richard M. Womack ’53 AFE Leadership Advisory Council In-State Representatives Lu Ann Holmes ’79 DES Grant T. Mills ’09 AS Ashley S. “Tip” Mixson ’80 BE Glen H. Pearson ’87 AS Dena Stooksbury Stamper ’84 AS Lori E. Wells ’96 BE Blake Broadbent Willoughby ’11 ’12 ’12 BE Out-of-State Representatives Shiela D. Corley ’94 AS, ’95 AFE Ruth Cecelia Day ’85 BE John T. “Jay” Hornback ’04 EN College Representatives Michelle McDonald ’84 AFE, ’92 ED: Agriculture, Food and Environment Winn F. Williams ’71 AS: Arts & Sciences Michael R. Buchanan ’69 ’71 BE: Business & Economics Jeremy L. Jarvi ’02 CI: Communication & Information Dr. J. Clifford Lowdenback ’99 AS, ’03 DE: Dentistry G. Haviland Argo III ‘03 DES: Design Cathy Crum Bell ’76 ED: Education Dominique Renee Wright ’08 EN: Engineering Joel W. Lovan ’77 FA: Fine Arts Benjamin D. Gecewich ‘03 HS: Health Sciences Janis E. Clark ’78 GS, ’85 LAW: Law Dr. Debra J. Sowell ’82 MED: Medicine Laura B. Hieronymus ’81 ‘15 NUR, ’83 ED: Nursing Lynn Harrelson ’73 PHA: Pharmacy Keith R. Knapp ’78 AS, ’05 PH: Public Health Willis K. Bright Jr. ‘66 SW: Social Work Appointed 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 D. Michael Richey ‘74 ‘79 AFE: Office of Philanthropy Marian Moore Sims ’72 ’76 ED: Honorary Michaela Taylor: Student Government Association

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From the President

Sincerely,

Photo by Mark Cornelison, UK Photo

ecently, our university community lost two men and members of our Board of Trustees — former State Sen. Joe Bowen and Mr. Bill Gatton. They were very different men, but they hailed from the same region of our state. And they brought to the board — and to their alma mater — the same, shared commitment. They believed that this institution was more important than anywhere else in making Kentucky better. Both public servants, Sen. Bowen and Mr. Gatton always encouraged us to think about those we serve as we planned for more progress. Now, we will see their legacies live on through the lives of those they touched. Sen. Bowen was uniformly supportive of our goals, our mission and our ability to make them a reality. Mr. Gatton’s generosity will continue to improve this community for generations and will ensure that we can help young men and women realize their dreams — women like Iza Correll, a College of Health Sciences alumna featured in these pages who is transforming the lives of underserved children in Kenya. Her journey reminds me that the work we do on this campus — and that our students do when they leave this place — can often have a global impact. I see the same promise and potential in the nearly 4,000 students who crossed the stage during our May 2022 commencement ceremonies. They, too, can now call themselves alumni of this special place. As you know, UK is a place where very different people — working in very different spaces and places across our campus — come together to be part of something bigger. Whether we are honoring the legacies of esteemed alumni, gathering to recognize our most recent graduates, commemorating the 10th birthday of our iconic Bowman statue — there is so much to celebrate. And there is so much progress to be made in our most important goal — advancing Kentucky in all that we do. Thank you for being part of it.

Bill Gatton and UK President Eli Capilouto celebrate the opening of the Gatton Student Center in 2018.

State Sen. Joe Bowen

Eli Capilouto President

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Pride in Blue Photo by Whitney Stamper

UK Alumni Association President Mary Shelman ’81 EN joined in the celebration of Bowman’s 10th birthday in April.

s members of the University of Kentucky Alumni Association we have a lot to celebrate. First, let’s congratulate and celebrate our new graduates and the addition of a few thousand new members to the UK Alumni Association. We’re proud of them and all that they will bring to the association in the future. Because of the dues-based membership model change in 2019, our more progressive giving model allows those who have successfully completed at least 12 credit hours at UK to be recognized as Members of the UK Alumni Association. Also, all alumni and friends who choose to support any UK college, department or cause at $75 or more per year cumulatively (or $25 or more for students and recent graduates) are considered Active Members of the UK Alumni Association and receive an enhanced tier of member benefits. These changes are part of our transformative journey and offer us a bigger umbrella of membership. Since the 2019 change, we’ve seen continued support from our donors with incredibly strong membership numbers – nearly 50,000 Life and Active Members! – and the highest number of Life Members ever. Talk about something to celebrate! While membership is great, it’s also our goal to engage these members in meaningful ways. We’re evolving in how we utilize tools to engage our alumni and it shows. Let me just mention a few of the ways we’re doing that. Our governance model changed in 2020, creating our Leadership Advisory Council (LAC). The LAC includes regional representatives, past presidents, college representatives and constituent group representatives. The work of the board of directors and the LAC help position us as a 21st Century Alumni Association. The Alumni Career Services program is one of the greatest ways we’ve impacted our alumni, the university and its students. What was once twice monthly in-person meetings in Lexington for those in the area seeking career advice and job opportunities, has transformed into virtual events, enabling job seekers from all over to engage with us in ways we never imagined.

K E N TUCKY A LU MN I MAG A ZIN E Summer 2022

Most recently, the second annual Leadership Week featured UK alumni in a variety of leadership roles and industries. The eight webinars connected these managers and supervisors with aspiring leaders. It was great to hear so many ideas shared. For those who missed them, you can see the sessions at www.ukalumni.net/LeadershipWeek. I couldn’t be prouder of Alumni Career Services, which is celebrating its 20th anniversary this year. Wildcat Network is another way we’re intentionally serving our students and our alumni. Being rolled out in early June, the online alumni mentoring platform will help connect Wildcats across the globe and help them stay connected throughout their lives. Classmates can reconnect and new graduates can find professional networking opportunities with alumni. Visit wildcatnetwork.com to learn more. Soon we will be announcing another way your Alumni Association will be reaching out to serve the entire university campus. We’re doing something we’ve never done before, and I think you’ll be really excited about it. Stay tuned for more news on this wonderful project. As I look forward, I can’t help but be excited with all the ways we’re continuing to transform and to be intentional as we engage all alumni. Although my term will soon end, I’ll continue to support the organization as a past president. I will not be “one and done.” We are committed to fostering lifelong engagement among alumni, friends, the association and the university and I will support our new officers as we continue on our transformative journey. Go Cats!

Mary L. Shelman ’81 EN UK Alumni Association President

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News

A gift of more than $5.2 million from Gray Inc., will create a new home for the University of Kentucky’s College of Design and an exciting entry point into Lexington. The donation will allow UK to realize a renovation and revitalization of the Reynolds Building — a former tobacco warehouse that has been empty for several years — into a vibrant new space for Design’s five programs. It will be the first time that the college’s students, faculty, staff and programs would be housed in one location — a move that will also allow for even greater collaboration between the college and other programs across the campus. The property — to be named the Gray Design Building — sits facing Broadway on one side and the UK campus on the other, making it a landmark entry into Lexington. Slated to break ground later this year, the project has been designed by internationally renowned architecture practice Studio Gang over the last several years, and when complete, will represent one of the most significant examples on the UK campus of “adaptive reuse” — the idea of using preservation and sustainability techniques and efforts to repurpose older, historic facilities in new ways. The donation by Gray, Inc. was approved by the University of Kentucky Board of Trustees in April. Gray Inc. is the owner of Gray Construction, a family-owned business that is considered one of the pre-eminent design-build companies in the country. The family has deep roots in Lexington and the Commonwealth and is recognized as an industry leader in design-build. “This gift will give us the opportunity to transform a historic but terribly stressed building into the Gray Design Building — home of UK’s College of Design,” said UK President Eli Capilouto. “It sits at a critical nexus between campus and community. Appropriate for a College of Design, the facility will be a stunning entry point to UK.” ■ 8

K E N TUCKY A LU MN I MAG A ZIN E Summer 2022

FOUR ARTS ALUMNI PERFORM The talents of four University of Kentucky alumni were featured on stage in the Lyric Opera of Chicago’s recent production of “Fire Shut Up in My Bones” — a modern opera that is quickly becoming known as a cultural phenomenon. “Fire Shut Up in My Bones” is Grammy Award-winning jazz musician and composer Terence Blanchard’s adaptation of Charles M. Blow’s moving memoir by the same name. Featuring filmmaker Kasi Lemmon’s’ libretto, “Fire Shut Up in My Bones,” tells a story about a young man’s journey to overcome a life of trauma and hardship. The four Wildcats who are part of the cast and chorus include contralto La’Shelle Allen, actor Kenneth La’Ron Hamilton, baritone Chris Kenney and baritone Reginald Smith Jr. In addition, Benjamin Preacely, son of UK School of Music lecturer Michael Preacely, portrays the child version of the main character, Charles, in the production. Last fall, six UK alumni, including Kenney, made history by performing “Fire Shut Up in My Bones” at the Metropolitan Opera in New York. This marked the Met’s staging of its first opera by a Black composer. “’Fire’ has taken the world by storm so it’s very exciting that our alumni are performing at the Metropolitan Opera of New York and at Chicago Lyric,” said Everett McCorvey, director of UK Opera Theatre. “We are always proud of our students’ successes and thrilled to see them thriving in this field and promoting the art of opera.” ■

Photo provided by cast

Artist Rendering

COLLEGE OF DESIGN RECEIVES $5.2 MILLION GIFT

From left to right are Kenneth Hamilton, Reginald Smith Jr., Benjamin Preacely, La’Shelle Allen and Christopher Kenney.

ALUMNA ELECTED TO NATIONAL ACADEMY OF ENGINEERING

Jim Richardson received UK’s highest honor for humanitarian efforts — the Algernon Sydney Sullivan Award. Established by the New York Southern Society in 1925 and named for its first president, Algernon Sydney Sullivan, the award recognizes those “who exhibit Sullivan’s ideals of heart, mind and conduct as evince a spirit of love for and helpfulness to other men and women.” At UK, the Sullivan Award is bestowed each year on two graduating seniors and one citizen who has a connection to the university. Richardson received the citizen award. Student winners are Riley Gaines and Dean Farmer. During his time as a UK student in the 1960s and 70s, he was a member of the track team, Student Government Association, Sigma Alpha Epsilon and sang in a vocal group. “To be recognized as a Sullivan Award recipient from UK is beyond humbling,” Richardson said. “Were it not for the education and relationships that were developed at UK, I would never have found the passions that have been such an integral part of my life.” Richardson, a senior vice president for wealth management at Morgan Stanley, is a long-time volunteer with the UK Alumni Association, serving as a three-term board member, president of the Fayette County UK Alumni Club, a Wildcat Society Member, UK Fellow and most recently a member of the 1970 Golden Wildcat Reunion Committee. He is also a gifted musician and has used his skills at various fundraisers and community events — including the Golden Wildcat Society reunion and other UK Alumni events. ■

Rebecca Liebert, executive vice president of PPG Industries, has been elected to the National Academy of Engineering. Membership in the NAE is one of the highest professional distinctions given to an engineer. Liebert, 1990 graduate from the College of Engineering, was elected to the NAE in recognition of her leadership in developing and executing innovative initiatives to strengthen the U.S. manufacturing industry. Liebert is one of 111 U.S. members and 22 international members of the 2022 NAE class. This class will be formally inducted later this year during NAE’s Annual Meeting. “Dr. Liebert’s achievements are an inspiration to Kentucky students who want to make an impact on the world,” said Rudy Buchheit, dean of the College of Engineering. “She also reminds us of the important contributions of women leaders in our field and the need to continue to strengthen diversity.” Liebert has a doctorate in chemical engineering from Carnegie Mellon University and an MBA from Northwestern University’s Kellogg School of Management. She was president of Alcoa’s Reynolds Food Packaging and Kama divisions before joining Honeywell in 2006 to become vice president and general manager of the electronic materials business. In 2012, she was made senior vice president and general manager of Honeywell UOP. In 2016, she was named president and CEO of the division. In 2018, she joined PPG as senior vice president and assumed her current role as executive vice president in 2019. At PPG, she focuses on engineering the best paints and coatings for the global automotive industry and the company’s mobility initiatives. In 2021, Automotive News named Liebert one of the 100 leading women in the North American automotive industry. ■

Photo by Tim Webb

HUMANITARIAN AWARD GIVEN TO UKAA VOLUNTEER

NEW INNOVATIVE STUDIO SPACE FOR MEDIA EDUCATION AT RUPP ARENA A partnership led by UK’s College of Communication and Information is in the works to create a 20,000-square-foot studio, production center and learning/research laboratory in Rupp Arena at the Central Bank Center in downtown Lexington. The state-of-the-art facility — a partnership with the college, UK Athletics and JMI Sports — will create a hightech collaborative space where students can learn alongside media production and sports marketing and communication professionals, said Jennifer Greer, dean of UK’s College of Communication and Information. “We’ve been training students in broadcasting and media production for more than 70 years in various spaces across the campus,” Greer said. “This space represents a significant step forward in providing a collaborative place where our

educational programs can be taken to the next level through an innovative partnership.” The college has established a sport communication path within its Department of Communication and recently launched a sport track within the School of Journalism and Media. The space in Rupp will provide opportunities for training and instruction in those areas in addition to opportunities for faculty and graduate students to conduct research, Greer said. “We believe deeply in the imperative to put students first in everything that we do,” said Tim Bernal, executive associate athletics director/external operations for UK Athletics. “That extends to our students on the field and court as well as those who are working alongside us in media and sports production.” Greer said the college anticipates being about to use the studio in fall 2023. ■ www. u kal u mni. net

Photo by Clinton Lewis, WKU

MEDICAL STUDENTS IN BOWLING GREEN CELEBRATE GRADUATION

The University of Kentucky College of Medicine-Bowling Green Campus was opened in the fall of 2018 and now its inaugural class has graduated. This milestone marks a major step for the College of Medicine and its first four-year regional campus. With an established presence in Bowling Green, the college is poised to address the state’s physician shortage, particularly in rural communities, and to help lead the advancement of health care in Western Kentucky and beyond. The UK College of Medicine college had established a

commitment to training rural physicians with its Rural Physician Leadership Program in Morehead. With that successful model, leadership wanted to extend UK’s reach across the Commonwealth. “I knew this would be an exciting opportunity to be part of the team creating the first four-year regional medical school in our state, literally from the ground up,” said Bowling Green Campus Associate Dean Dr. Todd Cheever. Creating a regional campus was a process that took planning and collaboration long before it opened. Cheever, UK Provost Dr. Robert DiPaola, Acting Dean Dr. Charles Griffith and others played roles in building connections with community partners in Western Kentucky, Med Center Health and Western Kentucky University. Current students at the Bowling Green Campus benefit from a modern, state-of-the-art facility. Medical students have access to a full range of student services and activities at WKU and early clinical experiences with Med Center Health. Students experience the same curriculum as the University of Kentucky’s medical campus in Lexington through a combination of interactive learning, onsite classes and virtual experiences. ■

Jim Coleman believes in seizing the moment. And that’s what he wants young people to do, so he’s funding a scholarship program for minorities pursuing agriculture, natural resources and related sciences degree paths at the University of Kentucky College of Agriculture, Food and Environment. “You have to focus on the controllables, and not what you can’t do,” Coleman said. “It’s saying to yourself, ‘How do I go about accomplishing my mission when I’m faced with so many unimaginable roadblocks and barriers?’” In honor of his late wife Cathy, who was his college sweetheart at Howard University in Washington D.C., Coleman is Left to right are UK President Eli Capilouto, UK CAFE Dean Nancy Cox, Jim Coleman, CAFE’s Assistant Dean giving $3 million to fund scholarships at UK and Howard, with and Director of Diversity Mia Farrell and Kentucky $1.5 million going to UK to fund the Cathy and James Coleman Commissioner of Agriculture Ryan Quarles. Scholarship Fund. Coleman didn’t graduate from UK, but he feels a strong connection to the university because of the college’s responsiveness and commitment to his farm’s success. Coleman said he was moved by UK College of Agriculture, Food and Environment Dean Nancy Cox’s visit to Coleman Crest Farm when he launched the restoration of the farm in 2020. “Dean Cox runs one of the largest colleges of agriculture in the United States, but she found time in her busy schedule to be there with me right from the start,” he said. Coleman Crest Farm, located eight miles from UK in Fayette County, has been a source of sustainability and economic empowerment for the family for more than 134 years. Coleman Crest was purchased by Jim’s great-grandparents, James and Lucy Coleman, on March 27, 1888, for $1,200. As a result of owning the farm, Jim’s grandparents, John and Mollie, sent five of their seven children to college during the Great Depression. Jim’s sister, Ruth, was the first woman and first Black to graduate from UK’s College of Civil Engineering. Jim graduated from Howard University in 1983 with a degree in economics. The “Cathy and James Coleman Scholarship Fund” will benefit students who are members of the Minorities in Agriculture, Natural Resources and Related Sciences Program. ■ 10

K E N TUCKY A LU MN I MAG A ZIN E Summer 2022

Photo by Matt Barton, UK Agriculture

$1.5 MILLION GIFT BENEFITS UNDERREPRESENTED STUDENTS

Research RESEARCH TO LOOK DIFFERENT AT PRINCETON STATION While it has only been a few months since the University of Kentucky Research and Education Center at Princeton took a catastrophic direct hit from an EF-4 tornado, center scientists are beginning to ramp up their research programs for the growing season. The center, which encompasses nearly 1,600 acres lost almost all of its facilities and research-grade equipment. Due to these losses and supply chain issues, some research programs may not be able to resume normal operations for the near future. “While we are resuming research, some programs are going to look and feel a little different for at least the next year,” said UKREC Director Carrie Knott. Research programs will vary depending on the amount of equipment and facilities needing to be replaced or repaired. Kiersten Wise, UK extension plant pathologist, lost many important disease samples and will have to restart many of her research efforts. This includes a project studying the

Northern corn leaf blight fungus, Exserohilum turcicum. “We have to build our collections up and restart our laboratory research program,” Wise said. “The hard thing is I want answers for the farmers I work with, but now it is going to take some time.” The center’s beef unit facilities and fences sustained significant damage. Due to this, some of the center’s herd was temporarily relocated to UK’s Oran C. Little Research in Woodford County. Katie VanValin, UK extension beef specialist, plans for those cattle to return to the station this spring as perimeter fencing gets rebuilt. “The damage has probably set us back a year because cattle research needs to be conducted at certain times to be valuable,” VanValin said. “Our first priority is to maintain the health of our cowherd.” Andy Bailey, UK extension tobacco specialist, lost nine of 10 barns at the station and sustained damage to his transplanter and sprayer. He expects it will take a few years to rebuild his facilities and is working with an equipment supplier to repair the transplanter. ■

14 FACULTY NAMED 2022-2023 UNIVERSITY RESEARCH PROFESSORS Photo by Mark Cornelison, UK Photo

•

The University of Kentucky Board of Trustees approved 14 University Research Professorships for the 2022-2023 academic year. Established by the Board of Trustees in 1976, the professorships program recognizes excellence across the full spectrum of research, scholarship and creative endeavors at UK. “It is truly gratifying to recognize these distinguished experts who have made significant contributions across the breadth of research fields at the University of Kentucky,” said Lisa Cassis, UK’s vice president for research Each University Research Professor receives a one-year award of $10,000 to be used to further their research, scholarship and creative endeavors. The 2022-2023 University Research Professors are pictured above from left to right: • Lindsey Fay: Interiors; College of Design

Merlin Lindemann: Animal and Food Sciences; College of Agriculture, Food and Environment • Nancy Schoenberg: Behavioral Science; College of Medicine • Daniela C. Moga: Pharmacy Practice and Science; College of Pharmacy • Kristine W. Hankins: Finance and Quantitative Methods; Gatton College of Business and Economics • Bobi Ivanov: Integrated Strategic Communication; College of Communication and Information • Yuha Jung: Arts Administration; College of Fine Arts • Susan Chambers Cantrell: Curriculum and Instruction; College of Education • Judith L. Page: Communication Sciences and Disorders; College of Health Sciences • David W. Fardo: Biostatistics; College of Public Health • Carrie Oser: Sociology; College of Arts and Sciences Not pictured: • Theodore Schatzki: Geography; College of Arts and Sciences • Alexandre Martin: Mechanical Engineering; College of Engineering • Peter Nelson: Sanders-Brown Center on Aging; College of Medicine ■ W W W.RESEARCH.UK Y.EDU www. u kal u mni. net

Photo by Tali Schroeder

‘UP HOME’ Chef’s New Video Series Highlights Stories of Kentucky Food By Sally Scherer

riends and fans occasionally see Chef Ouita Michel in the kitchen or the dining room of her many Central Kentucky restaurants. Whether you’re visiting Midway’s elegant Holly Hill Inn for a white tablecloth dinner with a three-course prix fixe menu or you’re picking up a fried chicken sandwich from Wallace Station on scenic Old Frankfort Pike or eating the biscuits and sausage gravy at Sunday brunch at Windy Corner outside Paris, Kentucky, Michel ’18 AS can be seen helping in the kitchen, greeting guests or cleaning the bathroom. “That was my job as a kid at home,” she said on a recent morning at the Holly Hill Inn where, with spray bottle cleaner in hand, she was wiping down the toilet and sink in the women’s restroom. But if you’re not lucky enough to see the seven-time James Beard Award semifinalists at any of those eateries you’ll find her in her new docuseries about Kentucky cuisine, “Up Home.” The acclaimed chef and restaurateur is rebranding her

K E N TUCKY A LU MN I MAG A ZIN E Summer 2022

enterprise and broadening her reach in a video series that her website states, “highlights the connections between food and family through stories, recipes and gifts.” Michel, a native of Wyoming who has lived in Lexington since she was 7, and her husband Chris Michel opened the Holly Hill Inn in 2001. Since then, they have opened seven restaurants, a bakery and Holly Hill Events, a catering/event venue at Fasig-Tipton Thoroughbred Sales Co., in and around Lexington. They employ about 200 people. Each location emphasizes farm-to-table cuisine and features traditional Kentucky fare, international favorites and American classics. Michel attended UK and was in the inaugural class of the Gaines Fellowship Program and was in the Honors College. She didn’t want to go to UK, she said. Her parents were divorcing and she wanted to go away to college. But she found a new home as a member of the UK Debate Team. She says her time at the university still influences her today. “After about two weeks I forgot about wanting to go some-

Chef Ouita Michel and filmmaker Harrison Witt (in plaid shirt) with the crew at Happy Jack’s Farm.

where else,” she said. She credits her involvement with the team for her love of restaurants and cooking. “I loved it,” she said, admitting that although she participated in debate in high school she wasn’t particularly good when she started on UK’s team. But she got better. Much better. The team became National Debate Tournament Champions in 1986. She and classmate David Brownell hold the honors. “It was exhilarating,” she said. “It required a lot of critical thinking and research. We got to travel and eat at great restaurants. And I made great friends. Those friendships still run deep.” Her coach at the time, Roger Solt, is now a business partner. And Harrison Witt ’88 AS, her video series producer/director, was a UK friend. After UK, she graduated from the Culinary Institute of America and came back to Kentucky where her love for Kentucky cuisine runs deep. Not just in dishes and ingredients like fried chicken, country ham and sorghum, but in the stories about the

Kentucky cuisine, how it got the way it is and how special and rare it is. “It’s American regional cuisine, a distinctive food culture. It’s not just a specific dish, it’s based in agriculture,” she explained, adding that Kentucky is ranked number four in the number of small family farms in the state. These dense food hubs mean Kentucky is rich in farmers’ markets and rich in agriculture that has inspired so much more than our cuisine. “And it’s not that other states aren’t as wealthy as we are in cuisine, it’s just that their stories are often overlooked. I’m done waiting for someone to tell the story of Kentucky cuisine,” she said. Some of those stories were told by the Bravo TV series “Top Chef” when its 16th season was spent in Kentucky in 2018. In several episodes, the 15 chef contestants were tasked with preparing dishes that featured Kentucky produce picked fresh from the garden, sorghum and fried chicken. Cheftestants visited Lake Cumberland, Louisville’s Seelbach Hotel and Rupp Arena. Michel was a guest judge. www. u kal u mni. net

Photos by Pony Boat Media

A salad special from Chef Agnes Marrero at Smithtown Seafood; FoodChain lettuces topped with a Mexi corn and potato salad, sliced heirloom tomatoes and a basil vinaigrette with seared cod. Chef Ouita Michel (right) and Kentucky Poet Laureate and University of Kentucky English Professor Crystal Wilkinson discuss food in an episode of “Up Home.”

Ouita Michel and friends gather for a locally sourced feast around a table in the farmhouse of Chef Kristin Smith (next to Ouita Michel on right) and Melissa Bond outside Corbin, Kentucky Smith is the chef at Wrigley Taproom and Eatery in Corbin.

K E N TUCKY A LU MN I MAG A ZIN E Summer 2022

Lexington caterer. Raglin spent her childhood in rural Madison County, Kentucky, where her family had a vegetable garden and her father raised a couple of hogs each year. One of six children, Raglin learned how to cook as a child, making her first biscuits from scratch on a coal-fired stove at age 11. She loves to bake and that’s what led her to the Lexington caterer where she and Michel met. Her buttery yeast rolls are now served at Derby and holiday tables. In episode four, Michel tells the story of Toa Green and Agnes Marrero, two women whose families are from different parts of the world but are now sharing their culinary talent in Central Kentucky. Green worked in her parents’ restaurant Thai Orchid Café in Frankfort, Kentucky, and Lexington before opening two locations of Crank & Boom Craft Ice Cream and one location of

Photo by Tali Schroeder

But Michel’s docuseries, which was filmed during the summer of 2021, takes a closer look at Kentucky food stories and the importance they play in the culture and life of the state. It’s the type of cuisine she features at all her restaurants, where the emphasis is on preparing locally grown and locally raised food. In the first episode, she tells how she and her husband purchased the Holly Hill Inn and opened it as their first restaurant in historic Midway, Kentucky. She talks with Nicholas County farmer David Wagner who has been selling produce from Three Springs Farm to the Inn since it first opened. He now grows and sources local produce to all of Michel’s restaurants and now he grows on site at the Holly Hill Inn. In the second episode, Michel shares the story of her friend Freda Raglin who she met when both were working for a

BoBi Cones soft serve ice cream in Lexington. Marrero, the executive chef at Michel’s Smithtown Seafood, is a native of Puerto Rico. Marrero said Michel has never closed a door to her, including the time Marrero wanted to prepare lechon asado, Puerto Rican-style. It required an entire pig be cooked on the curb outside Smithtown Seafood. “Hearing these stories is just a luxury,” Michel said. “It’s our community. It’s very distinctive. Cooking influences so much of who we are. And it manifests itself in other ways. I want us to celebrate all this original content. We should feel really, really proud.” Currently the series is being released on her website Hollyhillandco.com. But there are plans to try to share it in other places. Michel says those plans are still in the works. Meanwhile, her Central Kentucky restaurants continue to thrive and preach their connectiveness to the community where they’re located. Depending on the season, her restaurants receive 25-50 percent of its food product from local farmers and producers. Since 2000, she estimates she has made about $4 million in local food purchases for all her restaurants for everything from

peas and lettuce to steak, pork, eggs, sausage, cheese, catfish from Lake Barkley and Kentucky paddlefish caviar. Her goal is to reduce transportation costs for the product she serves and to reduce the waste stream of each of her restaurants. That’s why each location recycles and composts. And, when she can, she uses items from her own garden. The Holly Hill Inn sits on 10 acres. She has produce gardens on two acres and an herb garden. At several of her other restaurants, Honeywood, Zim’s Café and Windy Corner and Wallace Station, herbs are growing in everything from horse troughs, half barrels and simple flowerpots. She describes the Holly Hill Inn garden as a stress reliever for the staff who work in it and financially good for the restaurants. They also grow a bar garden with teas including chamomile, bergamot and mint. The video series is part of a rebranding of Michel and all her creations. It’s intentional and it feels good, she said. “I like being able to focus on my brand, I like being able to speak about my brand,” she said. “I want people to know us, to know the chefs, to know who we are. I want our chefs to feel valued and visible, like I did my whole career.” ■

“

It’s American regional cuisine, a distinctive food culture. It’s not just a specific dish, it’s based in agriculture.

www. u kal u mni. net

Photo by Pony Boat Media

“

Chef Ouita Michel and Holly Hill Inn farmer and Three Springs Farm owner David Wagoner chat in the garden at the Holly Hill Inn.

2022 TOURS * June July September October

Southwest National Parks Utah’s Mighty National Parks Isle Overture The Great Journey Through Europe

Bevy of British Isles Oberammergau Passion Play Medieval Montage: Baltics & Scandinavia Vistas and Glaciers of Alaska Toronto to Vancouver by Rail Great Pacific Northwest

Byzantine Antiquity Northern Lights and the Wildlife of Northern Manitoba Iberian Treasures: Undiscovered Spain and Portugal

Flavors of Sicily Landscapes & Lighthouses of Coastal Maine Florence in the Serene Season Island Life Ancient Greece: An Aegean Odyssey The Charm of the Amalfi Coast Polar Bears of Churchill

2023 TRAVELING WILDCAT TRIPS ARE LIVE! For more information and to view details on all the trips visit www.ukalumni.net/travel.

*All trips and dates are subject to change.

“our hoPe iS that theSe ScholarShiPS will Significantly imProve the liveS of PromiSing StudentS from eaStern KentucKy.”

Photo by Eric Sanders, UK College of Engineering

– Stanley Pigman

KE N TUCKY A LU MN I MAG A ZIN E Summer 2022

FUNDING FIRST-GENERATION Dreams By Kel Hahn

For over 20 years, Stanley (BS Mining Engineering 1981) and Karen Pigman have financially supported and mentored over 200 engineering and computer science students through the L. Stanley Pigman Scholarship Program. This past year, the Pigmans created a scholarship program in the University of Kentucky Office for Student Success that expands their scholarship reach: first-generation students pursuing degrees outside the College of Engineering.

he L. Stanley Pigman First-Generation Scholarship will provide scholarships to selected first-generation students graduating from high schools in 32 Eastern Kentucky counties. “Over the years, Stanley and Karen Pigman have demonstrated their tremendous commitment to our students in the College of Engineering,” said UK President Eli Capilouto. “In their most recent display of generosity, they are leaving an indelible mark on our university and our state by supporting firstgeneration students across all disciplines. Nearly 80 percent of first-generation students at UK are from Kentucky. This investment will build a better future for the lives of our students and for families across our state, for generations to come.”

www. ukalumni. net

“The Pigman Scholarship not only provides financial assistance, but it also provides a builtin support system. it provides opportunity and access to new experiences that are academic, personal and service-related.” — Martina Martin, associate director of student community resources and services

CRITTENDEN LIVINGSTON

BALLARD

HICKMAN FULTON 20

DAVIESS McLEAN

HOPKINS

TRIGG

GRAVES CALLOWAY

KE N TUCKY A LU MN I MAG A ZIN E Summer 2022

NELSON

WASHINGTO

HARDIN

MARION

GRAYSON TAYLOR

HART

GREEN

EDMONSON

ADAIR WARREN

CHRISTIAN

MARSHALL

SPENCER

BULLITT

LARUE

BUTLER

MUHLENBERG

CALDWELL

BRECKINRIDGE

OHIO

LYON

McCRACKEN

CARLISLE

WEBSTER

COC

UNION

SHELBY

JEFFERSON

HAN

HENDERSON

Number of counties where students are elligible to apply to the Pigman First-Generation Scholarship

HENRY

OLDHAM

MEADE

CARROL

BLE

• Jacob Overbee from Hazard in Perry County. • Lauryn Pope from Inez in Martin County. • Haley Turner from Hazard in Perry County. Turner is pursuing bachelor’s degrees in finance and accounting. She says this scholarship changed the trajectory of her life. “I could have never afforded this amazing education I am receiving without the scholarship from Mr. and Mrs. Pigman. It is what allowed me to be able to attend UK and have all these amazing resources and connections that UK offers to its students.” Because the Pigmans are strong supporters of the university’s living learning communities, the scholarship requires

TRIM

How much each student receives will vary; after other financial aid is applied to a recipient’s semester bill, the Pigman Scholarship will reduce their unmet need to $2,000. “Our hope is that these scholarships will significantly improve the lives of promising students from Eastern Kentucky,” said Stanley Pigman. This spring, UK awarded the new scholarship to 22 incoming first-year students (see sidebar). The first five recipients received scholarships beginning with the Fall 2021 semester. They were: • Emily Cress from Manchester in Clay County. • Jessy Maynard from Inez in Martin County.

recipients to live in the First-Generation Scholars Living Learning Community (1GS LLC) during their first two years at UK. Housed in Baldwin Hall, 1GS LLC helps first-generation students successfully transition from high school to college life at UK. “The Pigman Scholarship not only provides financial assistance, but it also provides a built-in support system. It provides opportunity and access to new experiences that are academic, personal and service-related,” said Martina Martin, associate director of student community resources and services at UK. “Through the scholarship, the scholars receive mentorship and a peer community through 1GS LLC, a community designed specifically with the first-generation student in mind.”

TODD

BARREN

LOGAN SIMPSON

ALLEN

METCALFE CUMBERLAND MONROE

CLINTO

“As first-generation college students, Karen and I recognize the many challenges such students face,” said Pigman. “That’s why we’re not only giving financial relief to those receiving our scholarship, but also connecting them with wise mentors who can help them succeed.” Cress is on the pre-physician assistant track as a human health sciences major because she has always loved health care and helping others. “Financial burden has always affected my family,” says Cress. “This scholarship closed the small gap that would have made me

unable to attend this college. Now, my human health sciences studies are allowing me to become the best health care professional that I can be before attending graduate school.” Pigman, who attended UK thanks to a mining engineering scholarship, spent his career building businesses that own and lease coal properties. The UK College of Engineering inducted Pigman into its Hall of Distinction in 2009 and the UK Alumni Association inducted him into the Hall of Distinguished Alumni in 2020. The university also awarded him an Honorary Degree of Humane Letters in 2017. ■

2022 PIGMAN SCHOLARSHIP RECIPIENTS BELL COUNTY • Alyssa Brooks, Bell County High School • Tyler Houston, Middlesboro High School • Joey Barlow, Pineville High School

CARTER COUNTY • Savannah Crisp, East Carter High School • Lilly Morrison, East Carter High School

CLAY COUNTY • Trenton Runion, Clay County High School

FLOYD COUNTY • Dusty Rogers, Betsy Lane High School • Hannah Tackett, Betsy Lane High School

ANDERSON

MADISON

ROCKCASTLE

CASEY

REEN

MENIFEE

ALFE CUMBERLAND

PULASKI

JACKSON

PERRY

LAUREL

McCREARY

WHITLEY

LESLIE HARLAN

BELL

MAGOFFIN COUNTY • Carlee Arnett, Magoffin County High School • Braydn Combs, Magoffin County High School

MARTIN

FLOYD

BREATHITT

OWSLEY

KNOX CLINTON

JOHNSON

• Aaryonna Fields, Letcher County Central High School

MAGOFFIN

RUSSELL WAYNE

LAWRENCE

MORGAN

WOLFE

CLAY ADAIR

LETCHER COUNTY

ELLIOTT

ESTILL

TAYLOR

ROWAN

LEE

LINCOLN

• Lakyn Daniels, Johnson Central High School • Whitney Griffith, Paintsville High School

BOYD CARTER

BATH MONTGOMERY

CLARK

JOHNSON COUNTY

GREENUP

FLEMING

RAR

BOYLE

LEWIS

POWELL

GAR

WASHINGTON MARION

FAYETTE

JESSAMINE

MERCER

NELSON

BOURBON

• Olivia Fugate, Harlan County High School

MASON

NICHOLAS

SCOTT

WOODFOR D

SPENCER

ROBERTSON

HARRISON

FRANKLIN

SHELBY

PENDLETON BRACKEN

GRANT

OWEN

HENRY

OLDHAM

• Carly Royal, Raceland High School

HARLAN COUNTY

ATIN GALL

BLE

TRIM

CARROLL

GREENUP COUNTY

BELL CAMP KENTON

BOONE

PIKE KNOTT LETCHER

PIKE COUNTY • Kristyn Belcher, Shelby Valley High School • Adrianna Johnson, Shelby Valley High School • Summer Vipperman, Belfry High School

WHITLEY COUNTY • Leah Pataki, Corbin High School • Andon Asher, Corbin High School

WOLFE COUNTY • Callie Turner, Wolfe County High School • Averie Brownell, Wolfe County High School www. ukalumni. net

IZA CORRELL:

WORKING TOWARD A WORLD WHERE NO CHILD IS ALONE

za Correll does not hesitate to tell you she has always had big dreams and an empathetic heart. She attributes her vision and compassion to a calling she has always felt and to an upbringing in which her mother made sure she and her siblings had a global perspective on life. Add to that a strong work ethic – her father is a “motivated” businessman, she said — and it likely won’t surprise you that Correll, a UK 2018 graduate with a master’s in physician assistant studies from the College of Health Sciences, runs a hospital in Kenya where the most vulnerable children are cared for in transformative ways. The journey from her studies at UK to her work in Migori, Kenya, a seven-hour drive from the capital of Nairobi, was filled with dreams and hard work and determination and one underlying goal: Correll wants to end suffering, specifically the suffering of abandoned orphaned children in the world. “There’s nothing cute about orphanages,” said the Somerset, Kentucky, native referring to books and Broadway shows that fictionalize the residential institutions. “No one should have to grow up without a family.”

Iza Correll holding her youngest daughter Winter Rose who she first connected with when the child was a patient at OVI Healthcare.

Her UK education was a steppingstone to this goal. She was an undergraduate at Western Kentucky University Mahurin Honors College when she began dreaming of a career in medicine serving a vulnerable population. One day she sat down at a computer. “I literally typed in medical opportunities in Africa, and I stumbled upon a program that was run by some Kenyans over here,” says Correll, 30. “I was 20 years old. I just got on a plane and I went. I was an undergraduate at the time. And then, going there is really what inspired me to go the physician assistant path. And I was just so eager.” Her eagerness grew and by the time she was working on her master’s, she was taking 20 hours a semester, working at a lot of jobs

K E N TUCKY A LU MN I MAG A ZIN E Summer 2022

(so she could afford to travel and pay for school, she said), and dreaming some more. “I didn’t sleep,” she said. “I just worked and dreamed.” While volunteering in Kenya she encountered a large number of abandoned children who had no access to healthcare. She dreamed of finding a way to care for them and others like them throughout the world. She dreamed of opening a hospital. “My passion is just truly transforming the lives, the health and the happiness, the security of these kids. Not just curing the disease, but making sure when they go out of here, they have the best future they can possibly have,” she explained. “As soon as I passed my boards, I just came over. This was kind of my home away from home,” she said of Kenya.

Photos by Caleb Kingwara OVI Healthcare

By Hal Morris and Sally Scherer

Above: The OVI Healthcare Children’s Hospital in Migori, Kenya. Left: An OVI nurse providing care to a child in the acute care center at OVI Healthcare. For Correll, who is a dually licensed U.S. physician assistant and Kenyan Clinical Officer, her biggest dream was raising a half million dollars to get the hospital opened. “I needed 1,000 people to give me $500,” she said. “I just had a huge passion for it. I had all the energy in the world. When I first came here, I had an idea in my head of like, what the hospital would look like. And I drew it out on paper. That became the tangible goal. A couple of years later, I saw the building, the exact building that I had drawn. I thought, ‘Oh my gosh, that’s my building. That’s the building I drew.’ I definitely thought it was going to be a lot more years in the future,” she says. “But because it was just so obvious — I drew this and it’s manifested

— I thought now is the time. I just went home and wrote around 1,000 letters to start fundraising.” It wasn’t easy. At first, no one seemed to care about the young woman with the dream of building a hospital in Africa, she said. Little by little the money came in. And then an anonymous donor made a sizable donation. She still doesn’t know who that person is, she said. Not many Kenyan agencies were willing to work with her at the beginning, but she persisted and met people in their homes and shared her dream. She credits the people of Migori with helping make her dream come true.

Twin sisters after receiving care at the OVI Healthcare critical care unit.

www. u kal u mni. net

By December 2017, she opened a 60-bed hospital for children up to age 18 and her dream of transforming the health, happiness and security of vulnerable children became a reality. The non-profit hospital, which is locally staffed, provides free care. She named her business OVI Healthcare after her late nephew Ovidio (known as Ovi) who died when he was 4. The Guatemalan orphan was in the process of being adopted by Correll’s sister when he died. “It’s the legacy of no matter how long a child has to live, no matter what the prognosis is, we’re treating that child like they’re our own child and just fighting,” she says. Care focuses not just on wellness, but on stabilizing children and then reintegrating them with their families when possible. In addition to the hospital, OVI conducts remote medical camps around Kenya each week where up to 500 children can get treated at a time. “Our mission is a world where no child is alone. We do treatment and 100% free medical care. Everything from life-saving care, ICU, neonatal intensive care to outpatient care,” says Correll, who lives at the hospital with her two adopted daughters Lily and Winter. “We have like a holistic approach. We believe that education and play and all of these things have so much of an impact on the mindset of the children and bringing them out of the hospital in a place where they can thrive.” She had to understand why abandonment happens and then find ways to offer support that is needed. That means that a father may need stability and employment. Counseling and education play an important part in enabling parents to be able to raise their children with love and care. In addition to providing care and compassion, she had to learn how to run a business, something she didn’t learn in PA school. “I think being an employee helps you be a good employer,” she said, referring to the years of working in high school and college. And she read a lot, from Dale Carnegie’s “How to Win Friends and Influence People” to “Traction: Get a Grip on Your Business” by Gino Wickman and “E-Myth Mastery: The Seven Essential Disciplines for Building a World-Class Company,” by Michael E. Gerber. And she studied Disney. “I love Disney’s customer service,” she explained. “It’s a magical time when you’re at Disney. I wanted to infuse that feeling by being intentional about it.”

Top: OVI medical team carrying supplies to a remote medical outreach camp. Middle: Long-term care residents relaxing in the Paradise Falls unit inspired by the Disney Pixar movie “Up.” Bottom: OVI caregiver holding a patient in the hospital nursery.

K E N TUCKY A LU MN I MAG A ZIN E Summer 2022

I’M A DREAMER. I THINK YOU SHOULD TAKE YOUR DREAMS AND MAKE THEM GOALS.

Photo by Anastassiya Nassyrova

All that reading encouraged her to empower her employees. The hospital’s 50–60 employees — who all live locally — work in their “zone genius,” an area where skills, traits and experiences come together. She discovers these zones by asking potential employees what three things they’d do for no money, what they’re passionate about. After she learns that, she said, she works to help them make their dreams come true. It hasn’t been easy, she said. And she found she had to be coachable to be a good leader. Rather than hire people to train the Migori workers, she has empowered the workers and watched them grow. She’s teaching them how to fish, she said, citing the adage about empowering someone by teaching them to fish rather than giving them a fish. For example, the person she originally hired as a hospital receptionist is now a social worker who has moved on to own a business. And an employee who wanted to learn how to use a professional camera to tell the stories of the hospital on its website is now managing the organization’s social media. “It was hard at first to buy a $3,500 camera and send him off with it, but he learned how to use the camera and it’s really amazing to see him put our stories together. “The hospital is not a charity project. We offer people a job, a reputable job. It’s amazing to see the impact it has had. I love to see our staff move on and start their own service,” she said. Much of Correll’s time is spent in an administrative role. She operates like a hospital CEO, she has said, concentrating on fund raising and networking. Correll’s hard work has been recognized around the world. In October 2020, Correll became the youngest recipient of the Muhammad Ali Humanitarian Award for Global Citizenship. In 2021, she received the Champion in Global Humanitarian Service Award at the Prodigy Bureau Global Gala in Dubai. Earlier this year Correll was inducted into the University of Kentucky College of Health Sciences Hall of Fame. “The people in Dubai, those people have the power and money to make a difference. The Ali Award, to be the youngest person to win that, was life changing. Mrs. Ali told me I reminded her a lot of her husband. That meant even more to me than the award itself. So every award has given me a new platform and connections,” she says. Upon being selected for induction into the UK College of Health Sciences Hall of Fame she thanked her college advisor, Dr. Somu Chatterjee who she said always believed in her. Chatterjee, senior clinical coordinator for the PA clinical experiences, says Correll’s passion stood out during her interview to get into the program. “We saw in her someone who really cared about people and really wanted to go out of their way to help others. And not only talked about it, but actually went through with it. She demonstrated a lot of compassion and honesty,” he says. “The program was soundly behind her and wanted her to be successful and be able to carry out her mission, which is true to our program’s mission of reaching out to rural counties and serving the underserved. “It was a good fit for her to be in the program and good for us to have her in the program. We really complemented each other.” While in the United States to accept her UK honor in February, Correll shared her story with UK students and focused on speaking about OVI Healthcare.

Iza Correll always felt a calling to healthcare and children. She found her purpose and her home at OVI Healthcare.

“Every award comes with new platforms, new opportunities to speak and share,” she says. “People want to support charities they trust. So, every award shows the confidence they have in us.” Also, she shared her next dream: to expand her work to Bangladesh. She has found a building. Now she’s raising funds and looking for corporate sponsorships. “I’m a dreamer. I think you should take your dreams and make them goals. For me, I love what I’m doing. My goal is to use my voice to get on stages to inspire people with what’s possible. I hate child suffering, seeing children become orphans. I see a lot of tragic things. But you take those things, and they motivate you,” she says. “It warms my heart to see children overcoming deadly diseases and actual anguish. When you get to see those miracles. I just can’t tell you what that is like. People think it’s such a sad and scary thing to do what I do, but on the other side of that vulnerability is like the deepest joy in the world. ■

www. u kal u mni. net

A Big Blue Thanks

to all of our new Life Members*!

Life Members are among our most loyal alumni and friends. We salute your commitment to strengthening UK’s alumni community and honor your dedication to the university’s past and future. Nancy Antle Jeffrey Atwood Laura Austin Debbie Barr Billie Bartley Christopher Bartley Gloria Batts James Batts Donald Bentley Tina Bentley Amy Berrong Derek Berrong Mark Bixler Stephanie Bixler Jennifer Boozer Keith Bricking David Brockwell Elizabeth Buckner Lisa Burn Jennifer Carpenter Richard Carringer Sandra Carringer Doug Carter Cynthia Cash James Cash Michelle Casto-Litton Jonathan Chait Diane Chellgren Kelly Chesney Jill Ciaramitaro Michael Clayton James Compton Scot Cordray

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K E N TUCKY A LU MN I MAG A ZIN E Summer 2022

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Yours for the taking We want individuals with energy, enthusiasm, and—above all—a passion for learning. If you communicate well, multitask, and take care of business quickly and responsibly, we want you.

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K E N TUCKY A LU MN I MAG A ZIN E Summer 2022

KROGER FIELD BECOMES CONCERT VENUE FOR FIRST TIME

Photo by Eddie Justice , UK Athletics

Country star and Kentucky native Chris Stapleton brought his “Concert for Kentucky” to Kroger Field on April 23. The sold-out benefit concert, which also featured American music icon Willie Nelson, Sheryl Crow and newcomer Madeline Edwards, raised more than $1 million for the Outlaw State of Kind Hometown Fund administered by the Blue Grass Community Foundation. The fund was established by Chris Stapleton and Morgane Stapleton, his wife and performance partner. Originally scheduled for April 2020, but postponed twice because of COVID-19, the concert was the first of its kind at Kroger Field on the UK campus.

www. u kal u mni. net

SAVE THE DATE

20 HOMECOMING 22 & GOLDEN WILDCAT SOCIETY REUNION OCT. 13 – 16

Mark your calendars and plan to join us this fall for UK Homecoming 2022. We’ll gather for reunions, horseracing, campus tours, tailgating and much more! Watch for additional details at www.ukhomecoming.com.

UK FOOTBALL

Road Trip

VS.

SEPT. 30 - OCT. 2, 2022 Oxford, Mississippi

Travel with us this fall to Oxford, Mississippi for a mid-season SEC battle between the Wildcats and the Rebels at Vaught-Hemingway Stadium. A limited number of game tickets are available along with a block of rooms at the Westin Memphis Beale Street. In addition, the UK Alumni Association is offering roundtrip motorcoach transportation from Memphis on gameday and hosting a pre-game tailgate party in Oxford. More information is available at www.ukalumni.net/olemissfootballtrip.

WATCH FOR DETAILS AT WWW.UKHOMECOMING.COM

Bowman TURNS

Photo by Whitney Stamper

Alumni, friends and students gathered in April to celebrate the 10th birthday of Bowman, the bronze wildcat sculpture that stands in Wildcat Alumni Plaza. Celebrated with all the accoutrements of a typical 10-year-old’s birthday, the special day was recognized with a festive gathering, party hats, balloons and singing. But why all the fuss over a bronze statue? Because for the University of Kentucky, Bowman represents the spirit of the school, the traditions that are honored here and a commitment to all things Wildcats!

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Bowman TURNS 10

WHAT’S THIS ALL ABOUT? The idea of a Wildcat sculpture was suggested by a group of student leaders. With the support of the campus community, the UK Alumni Association financed and led the plaza project. Wildcat Alumni Plaza is now one of the most popular places on campus to take pictures (Bowman is very photogenic!) and students and visitors alike are known to “pat the cat” for luck as they walk by. Bowman even gladly welcomes the brave at heart who venture to “ride the cat!”

WHY DID YOU NAME THE WILDCAT BOWMAN?

A few months before the Wildcat sculpture was installed in 2012, students were asked to submit name suggestions. The only request that the UK Alumni Association made was not to call him “Fluffy.” More than 100 names were received. The included Mr. Wildcat, Bleu, Adolph, Whiskers, Eli and Ruppy. A panel of students narrowed the submissions down. Three names were presented to the student body for a vote: Champ, Victor and Bowman. The students selected Bowman after John Bryan Bowman, founder of the Agricultural and Mechanical College of Kentucky in 1865 which has come to be known as the University of Kentucky. The Wildcat sculpture’s new name was announced at the 2012 Homecoming Pep Rally at Wildcat Alumni Plaza.

WHAT MAKES THE SCULPTURE SO GREAT? Lots of things. The location of the sculpture was completely renovated in order to look natural, exhibiting Kentucky rocks and seating areas. The area is a high visibility region that allows easy access for both walking and vehicle traffic and is a place where many memorable photographs have been and will be be taken connecting students, alumni and families to UK. Also, Bowman is approximately seven feet tall, including the base which is nine feet long. He was commissioned from artist Matthew Gray Palmer who has 20+ years of experience, including his past projects of sculpting both the University of New Hampshire wildcat and the Texas State bobcat. Palmer is originally from Ohio, but now resides in Friday Harbor, Washington, and works with several elements including stone, marble, clay and bronze. The statue took about nine months to create. Bowman was unveiled in Wildcat Alumni Plaza on April 20, 2012. The Alumni Association Board of Directors approved $300,000 to cover the cost of the project. Surrounding Bowman are 8 x 8 brick pavers that can be personalized by alumni, students and friends of UK.

K E N TUCKY A LU MN I MAG A ZIN E Summer 2022

WHAT IF I WANT MY OWN BOWMAN?

No problem! You can proudly display your Wildcat spirit in your home or office with the Official University of Kentucky Wildcat Replica. The replica is a cast resin with museum quality bronze coating and is securely mounted to an oval walnut base that includes a gold engraving plate. Visit: www.ukalumni.net/sculpture

Again, no problem! Pavers are a great way to display your Wildcat spirit, memorialize a loved one or to give as a unique and sentimental gift for any member of Big Blue Nation. All paver purchases are 100 percent tax deductible and net proceeds go to the UK Alumni Association Scholarship Endowment fund to help raise money for scholarships. After pavers are engraved, an email is sent to notify the purchaser that their paver is completed.

WHAT IF I WANT TO BUY A PAVER IN WILDCAT ALUMNI PLAZA?

Visit: www.ukalumni.net/paver

www. u kal u mni. net

The

POMP, CIRCUMSTANCE and FUN FACTS

OF UK COMMENCEMENTS Location, Location, Location. The commencement ceremony has been 1 held in numerous venues including the Memorial Hall amphitheater, McLean Stadium in Stoll Field, Memorial Coliseum and Rupp Arena. The first commencement in Memorial Coliseum was soon after it was built in 1950. The last, in December 2014. The first commencement at Rupp was in May 2004. In May 2010, commence was broadcast live on the internet for the first time.

PRETTY COLORS Each college has its own tassel color. They are: College of Agriculture, Food and Environment Maize College of Arts and Sciences Arts: White Sciences: Gold Gatton College of Business and Economics Drab College of Communication and Information

But where’s the diploma? When students receive their diploma at graduation, the diploma cover contains a letter from UK President Eli Capilouto. Why? Because the Board of Trustees 2 has to approve the graduate before the official diploma is mailed to the graduate. That formality takes place when the board meets in June. For many years, a sketch of Memorial Hall was featured on the left-hand page of the diploma folder. In 2021, the sketch was changed from the historical building to the William T. Young Library to keep in line with the academic mission of UK, according to the registrar’s office. 1. The 1889 commencement ceremony took place on Stoll Field. The field closed following the 1972 football season. 2. President Herman Lee Donovan, UK’s fourth president, signed diplomas in 1941. 3. William Benjamin Munson received the university’s first degree in 1869. He was the lone graduate. 4. Belle C. Gunn became the first woman student to receive a baccalaureate degree. 5. University of Kentucky Alumni Association lapel pins are given out at each graduation ceremony. 34

KE N TUCKY A LU MN I MAG A ZIN E Summer 2022

Communication: Silver Journalism, ISC, MAS: Red Library Sciences: Lemon College of Design Blue violet Historic Preservation: Sage College of Education Light blue College of Engineering Orange College of Fine Arts Brown Music: Pink College of Health Sciences Mint Green College of Public Health Salmon College of Social Work Citron

HOW MANY GRADUATES? estimated total

5,344

THE MOST UNDERGRADUATE DEGREES CAME FROM:

898

number of degrees this May

College of Arts & Sciences

761

Gatton College of Business & Economics

427

College of Engineering

GO BIG BLUE

BLACK

WHAT? N

The robe color was changed from black to blue in 2012 because of a recommendation by the Student Government Association with support of the Commencement Committee.

CEREMONY?

The UK classes of 1970 and 2020 will forever be connected, both denied a chance to walk across the stage and celebrate their accomplishments at their respective commencements. In 1970, political and social unrest raged and it spilled over into Lexington when the AFROTC building on campus was set on fire. Shortly after, the university cancelled spring commencement exercises. The Class of 2020 was caught up in the global coronavirus pandemic, which caused classes to go online before spring break. Students never returned to class that semester and spring commencement didn’t take place.

NOW YOU’RE AN ALUMNI When the global pandemic caused 2020 spring commencement to be cancelled, the UK Alumni Association mailed lapel pins to each graduate of the class as a way of welcoming them to becoming alumni and to commemorate their achievement. The pin is now a sought-after item and still given out to each member of a graduating class.

WHO WAS

1? ST

The first 3 baccalaureate was awarded in 1869 to William Benjamin Munson. He was the lone graduate that year and earned a bachelor of science. Munson studied engineering, although an engineering degree was not offered at the time. He became a prosperous entrepreneur, eventually owning 10 million acres in Texas. Though women received certificates from the Normal Department as early as 1884, Belle C. Gunn became the first woman student to receive a baccalaureate degree in 1888. She received a bachelor of 4 science.

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Club News

4 1. Nation’s Capital UK Alumni Club held a Dance Blue fundraiser game watch party during the men’s basketball game against Alabama. Raffle winners and their prizes are pictured with club president Tommy Benz, third from the left. 2. Members of the Cumberland Valley East UK Alumni Club got together for a game watch party. From left to right are Tim Cornelius, Fred Howard, Tammy Cornelius, Susan Brown, Greg Marcum, Cindy Howard, Shelia Key, Angela Roddy and Billie Noe.

3. Gary Willis, a member of the Central Florida UK Alumni Club, got his picture taken with men’s basketball player Oscar Tshiebwe at the SEC Tournament in Tampa in March after the Pep Rally. 4. The Greater Birmingham UK Alumni Club held a Derby party on May 7. Left to right are Bill Stumbo, Glendal Olin, Cynthia Thomas, Sallie Bryant, Pam Stumbo, Carrie Jones and Kaitlyn Thomas. 5. Members of the Fulton County UK Alumni Club made their annual trip to Rupp Arena to attend the men’s basketball game against LSU on February 23. 6. The Southern California UK Alumni Club got together at Santa Anita Park in Arcadia, California, for a Derby party on May 7.

3 36

K E N TUCKY A LU MN I MAG A ZIN E Summer 2022

7. A group of celebrity panelists attended the Greater Louisville UK Alumni Club’s March Madness Bracket Buster event on March 14 at Gravely Brewing. From Left to right are Dan Issel, Jack “Goose” Givens, Mark Krebs, Hayley Minogue, Mike Pratt, John Ryan and Sportscaster Dave “Buzz” Baker. 8. The Hardin County UK Alumni Club recently donated five My Breast Friend pillows to Baptist Health Hardin BirthPlace Department. The pillows assist new mothers during the learning phase of breast feeding by providing comfort, proper positioning and reducing stress on both mother and infant. From left to right are Club President Brooks Collins, Club Vice President Dr. James Hargan, Michelle Estes, interim obstetrics director; Shannon Crask, obstetrics resource nurse; Cara Beth Dawson, NICU charge nurse; Kim Scarborough, obstetrics nurse educator; Dr. Kathryn Forbes, neonatologist; Ana Zapata, physician assistant student; and Carol Black, lactation consultant/ family support nurse.

9. The Fayette County UK Alumni Club DanceBlue game watch party was held at Lexington’s Ethereal Brewing Public House in February. From left to right are Ellen Ferguson, Kris Miller, Rick Parsons, Susan Douglas, Diane Massie, Tonya Parsons, Kyle Macy, Kevin Collins, Agnes Donohue, Charlie Bennett, John Huang, Beatty London, Michael Huang, Michelle Huang and Jason Williams.

9 www. u kal u mni. net

An Amazing Legacy

Grandchildren of UK’s First Black Graduate Follow in Barrier-Breaking Footsteps By Lindsey Piercy

e all want to leave our mark on this world — to know that our life mattered. But how can one create a legacy? To put it simply, a legacy is passed from one generation to the next and often refers to gifts of money or property. But leaving a lasting impact is about actions — the ones you take and the way they affect how people remember you. “When I looked at her, I saw a hero — like she was some type of superstar,” said Taylor Morton. As children, our heroes were often the classic characters we enviously watched on Saturday morning cartoons. But for as long as they can remember, twins Taylor and Tyler Morton’s version of a hero was far more realistic. “My grandmother knocked down barriers and overpowered hate with love,” Tyler said. “Many are unaware of her legacy. She was very humble — she wasn’t one to brag or want recognition.” To those who didn’t know her, Mary Henderson ’50 ED may have appeared ordinary — a hardworking woman, loving wife and mother, and proud grandmother. But what she accomplished nearly 70 years ago was quite extraordinary. Her family wants to make sure that story doesn’t go untold.

LIMITED OPTIONS It was the summer of 1949, and when it came to work, Black women in the South often had two options — domestic service or agriculture. “Both meant arduous labor for tiny paychecks. Most Black men didn’t make much more, and Black women’s paid labor was necessary to most families,” explained Anastasia Curwood, director of African American and Africana Studies at the University of Kentucky. “However, for a subset of Black women, entering the teaching profession was an avenue to higher wages.” While it was an era of segregated schools, there were teaching jobs available to Black women. Those who pursued those opportunities would have been educated at historically Black colleges. Henderson was one of those aspiring women. In 1949, she earned her bachelor’s degree from Kentucky State College (now Kentucky State University). Henderson dared to dream bigger than the barriers placed in front of her, so she didn’t stop at one degree.

K E N TUCKY A LU MN I MAG A ZIN E Summer 2022

The photo image of Mary Ann Henderson is provided with permission and at the Courtesy of Kentucky State University Special Collections and Archives. The image comes from the 1949 Kentucky State College Graduation Collage held at the Paul G. Blazer Library, Kentucky State University, Frankfort, Kentucky. As a result of Lyman T. Johnson’s lawsuit, the University of Kentucky had started the integration process that same year. Henderson became one of more than 30 Black students to enroll in classes that summer — all of which were graduate students. (UK wasn’t open to Black undergraduates until five years later in 1954.) In 1950, Henderson did the unprecedented - earned her master’s degree from the College of Education and became the first Black student to graduate from UK. “By being the first Black woman to seek her degree at the formerly segregated UK, Henderson was a barrier-breaker and path-paver,” Curwood said. “She made it possible for the thousands of Black women who have been educated here since.” It was a moment etched in history. That year, Henderson opened a door that had long been shut — a door her grandchildren Tyler and Taylor would walk through seven decades later. “She graduated with honors. The same teachers that didn’t want to call on her to speak in class had no choice but to give A’s, because she was so intelligent,” Tyler said. “There is pride in knowing my grandmother paved the way for me to be able to raise my hand in a class where I’m the minority and express my views.”

MOTIVATION AND INSPIRATION In the years following graduation, Henderson became a teacher in Cynthiana, Kentucky, then in Lexington. She retired in 1989 but continued to pass her wisdom on to Taylor and Tyler. “My grandmother was strong, intelligent and vibrant with the sweetest heart. She was my motivation and inspiration,” Tyler

Photos by Pete Comparoni, UK Photo

Mary Henderson’s family touring the Taylor Education Building with Dean of the College of Education Julian Vasquez Helig.

Academic documents from Mary Henderson’s time at UK.

added. “I knew I had big shoes to fill if I wanted to follow in her footsteps.” When it came time for the twins to choose where to attend college, the choice was obvious. “Kentucky has always been home for me,” Taylor said. “My grandmother created a legacy for herself, and I was honored to be able to attend the same school she graduated from.” Like their grandmother, Taylor and Tyler became official members of the Wildcat family. But they also wanted to forge their own paths. Taylor pursued a degree from the College of Social Work, while Tyler studied sociology and philosophy in the College of Arts and Sciences. “I have always wanted to be an advocate for those who may feel voiceless by providing resources, through education or by just being there for support,” Taylor said. “My mother and grandmother were raised to always do what is right. They inspired me to not only be educated but also taught me how to be an advocate for my community.” Throughout his time at UK, Tyler recalls having to draw on that inspiration, especially as communities and individuals face continued threats of discrimination, marginalization and violence. “There is a lot of division within society. Growing up I was taught that we’re all neighbors - no matter our race or political affiliation. Unfortunately, the division within America over the last several years resembles division dating back to segregation. The same division my grandmother experienced,” he said. “It’s unfortunate that we humans cannot judge individuals based on character and purpose, but on the contrary, judge them based on race and stereotypes.” Together, Taylor and Tyler decided they would use the knowledge they gained at UK to become catalysts for change. “I knew if my grandmother could overcome oppression and

racism amid being faced with injustice in 1950, that I could graduate in 2021,” Taylor said. “I just had to stick to the values that were instilled in me.” And they did. The pair crossed the commencement stage in May 2021. Equipped with UK degrees and the values their grandmother instilled, they vowed to fight against social injustice. “My major provided me with key research and analysis regarding issues citizens face in many communities,” Tyler said. “It also provided me with a broad spectrum of ways to help fix the issues highlighted. This made me want to take action.” Together they founded Resilience Charity Inc. The non-profit seeks to provide resources for low socioeconomic individuals and families within the Lexington community. Most recently, they delivered more than 150 meals to those in need. “Our purpose is to stem the tide of poverty and lack of education, which will directly lead each family or individual to have a higher chance of reaching a sustainable life,” Taylor added. Carrying on her legacy We all want to be remembered — to feel that we’ve contributed something to the world. In December 2021, Henderson passed away at the age of 94. In every sense of the word, she was an educator - a teacher of kindness, equality and resilience. And sometimes it’s not what we leave behind that matters, but the values we instill in who we leave behind. “I will carry on her legacy by being a voice for the voiceless. I will carry on her legacy by breaking down barriers that are still in place to negatively affect communities,” Tyler said. “I will carry on her legacy by letting every kid know they can be whatever they want to be as long as they try.” “I know we say that no one is perfect but, in my eyes, she was the definition of perfect,” Taylor added. “I pray that my brother and I will leave behind a legacy that she is proud of.” ■ www. u kal u mni. net

Sports OSCAR TSHIEBWE MAKES HISTORY AS NATIONAL PLAYER OF THE YEAR

HOWARD IS KENTUCKY’S FIRST WNBA DRAFT NO. 1 PICK

In more than 100 years as a program, the Kentucky men’s basketball team had never had a unanimous national player of the year until now. Forward Oscar Tshiebwe was awarded the Wooden Award in April to make a sweep of all of the major nationally recognized honors. The Wooden award was the sixth of the NCAA-recognized electors for national player of the year. In addition, Tshiebwe collected the top honor from The Sporting News, the National Association of Basketball Coaches, the Associated Press, the United States Basketball Writers Association and the Naismith Memorial Hall of Fame. Since 1977 when all six began being awarded in every season, 28 players have swept the honors. Tshiebwe is the second player coached by John Calipari to earn that distinction, also joining Marcus Camby of UMass in 1996. In addition to becoming the first player in program history to achieve the feat, he is the first player in Southeastern Conference history to win all six awards in the same season. Kentucky’s Anthony Davis is the only winner in program history. He claimed the honor in 2012 after helping lead Kentucky to its eighth national championship in program history. Tshiebwe not only averaged a double-double but did so with a considerable margin — averaging a team-best 17.4 points and a nation-leading 15.1 rebounds per game. He is the first Division I player who averaged at least 15.0 points and at least 15.0 rebounds per game since Drake’s Lewis Lloyd and Alcorn State’s Larry Smith each did during the 19791980 season. Tshiebwe ended the season becoming only the second Wildcat since 1978-1979 to finish the season leading the team in points per game (17.4), rebounds per game (15.1), steals per game (1.8), blocks per game (1.6) and field-goal percentage with a minimum of 100 attempts (60.6%). Davis was the other to achieve the feat. ■

Rhyne Howard, the most decorated player in Kentucky women’s basketball history, added another milestone when she was selected first overall at the 2022 WNBA Draft by the Atlanta Dream. Howard made history at the draft, becoming the first Kentucky women’s basketball player ever to be selected first overall. The native of Cleveland, Tennessee, becomes the seventh player in program history to be selected in the WNBA Draft and the first since Evelyn Akhator and Makayla Epps were both selected in 2017. Akhator was previously the highest draft pick in school history at third overall. Howard, Akhator, A’dia Mathies and Victoria Dunlap are the only first-round picks in program history. Howard’s accomplishment makes Kentucky only the 16th program to produce a No. 1 WNBA Draft selection and one of only five schools in the league to produce such a player. Howard becomes the seventh player in Southeastern Conference history to be selected first overall, joining Dena Head (1997 - Tennessee), Chamique Holdsclaw (1999 - Tennessee), LaToya Thomas (2003 - Mississippi State), Seimone Augustus (2006 - LSU), Candace Parker (2008 Tennessee) and Aja Wilson (2018 South Carolina). Howard’s fulfilled dream of being a No. 1 pick bookends a historic collegiate career. The guard became the only player in program history to receive multiple first-team All-America honors from multiple organizations along with being the only UK WBB player to earn four first-team All-SEC honors. This season alone, Howard earned first-team All-America honors from the Senior CLASS Award, Women’s Basketball Coaches Association, The Associated Press, Wooden Award and United States Basketball Writers Association. Howard has been a finalist for nearly every major national player of the year award each of the last three seasons. ■

K E N TUCKY A LU MN I MAG A ZIN E Summer 2022

Photos by Elliott Hess and Eddie Justice, UK Athletics

The University of Kentucky rifle team claimed the 2022 NCAA National Championship in mid-March in Colorado Springs, Colorado. The 2022 crown for Kentucky marks back-to-back national championships for the program after also winning the top spot in 2021. Kentucky becomes the first program to win back-to-back national titles since West Virginia won five straight from 2013-2017. This is Kentucky’s fourth national championship in program history — 2011, 2018, 2021 and 2022 — all coming under Head Coach The 2022 crown for the Kentucky rifle team marks back-to-back national Harry Mullins. He is now the second coach championships for the program after also winning the top spot in 2021. in UK Athletics history to win four national championships during their tenure, joining the legendary Adolph Rupp, who led the UK men’s basketball lins said. “Although five athletes came with us to Colorado team to four national championships. Springs, this championship was a team effort that could not UK has won three of the last four titles and were the have been achieved without all nine athletes on the team, undefeated favorites in 2020 when the championships were our amazing assistant coach Rena Curvey and some fantastic canceled due to COVID-19. UK’s four national titles is third support staff. Thanks to everyone and can’t wait to show off most in NCAA history. this trophy to Big Blue Nation.” ■ “I am very proud of the team and so happy to be bringing the national championship trophy back to Lexington,” Mul-

Photo by UK Athletics

RIFLE TEAM WINS NATIONAL CHAMPIONSHIP

TRACK AND FIELD SENIOR NAMED SEC ATHLETE OF THE YEAR Steiner’s sixth school record with her name attached to it until she ran in the new school record 4x400m relay the next day, putting her school record total at seven. She ran the third leg of the 4x400m that finished with the third fastest time in the NCAA this season at 3:25.79 and the second leg in the 4x100m (42.91). Steiner ran a school record of 10.92 seconds in the 100m at the Joe May Invitational and the second fastest 200m (22.38) in UKTF history. Her 200m was into a 5.6 m/s headwind, but Steiner was still able to secure the fastest time in the NCAA this season, an outdoor personal best, and one of the fastest 200m runs in collegiate history into such strong gusts. ■ www. u kal u mni. net

Photo by Elliott Hess, UK Athletics

Kentucky women’s track and field senior sprinter Abby Steiner has been named the Southeastern Conference Women’s Outdoor Track & Field Scholar-Athlete of the Year by a vote of the league head coaches. Steiner also won the award for the indoor track & field season. This award is given to the student-athlete who has found the most success both in the classroom and on the track in the outdoor season. Steiner ran the fifth fastest 100m in collegiate history, the third fastest 200m in collegiate history and set multiple new school records. She also recently graduated with a bachelor’s degree in kinesiology. Other honors Steiner has earned this season include SEC Indoor Track & Field Athlete of the Year, United States Track and Field Cross Country Coaches Association National Women’s Athlete of the Year, SEC Women’s Runner of the Week (four times), USTFCCCA Women’s Athlete of the Week (five times) and six Bowerman Watchlist appearances. Steiner is on track to have one of the greatest collegiate track seasons of all time. Steiner ran the third fastest wind-legal time in collegiate history in the 200m at 22.05 seconds at the Kentucky Invitational, which was also a facility and school record. It was

YELLOWSTONE NATIONAL PARK THIS ALUMNUS KNOWS

Photo by Steven Berkowitz

By Sally Scherer

K E N TUCKY A LU MN I MAG A ZIN E Summer 2022

adio station WRR out of Dallas, known as Classical 101.1, lets listeners vote on their favorite piece of music each year. The station compiles a list of its most requested music and “WRR’s Top 50 Classical Countdown” takes off. This year, No. 1 was Handel’s “Messiah.” No surprise, really. No. 2? “Yellowstone for Violin and Orchestra” by UK graduate Jett Hitt ’01 FA. The concerto features three movements, the first of which Hitt submitted as his dissertation while working on his Doctor of Musical Arts degree. “The first time I visited Yellowstone (National Park) it was life changing. It was more than I dreamed it would be. But I never realized it would derail my life the way it did,” said Hitt during a recent Zoom call from his bison farm, Brush Creek Bison, in the Ozark Mountains of Southwest Missouri. “It’s a humbling experience to be there. It’s magical. Yellowstone has 2.2 million acres and 99% of the people who visit there never leave the road. My goal was always to leave the road.” An Arkansas native, Hitt’s love for music started in his childhood. He was a big fan of John Denver. He longed for the Rocky Mountains Denver sang about, he said. He knew he wanted to be a composer by age 10. He earned his undergraduate degree at the University of Arkansas in 1990 with a double major in music and German. From there, he studied at LSU and then went on to earn his master’s from East Texas State University. Hitt came to UK for his doctorate after meeting with the late Joe Baber, who served as composer-in-residence at the School of Music for more than 40 years and wrote a wide collection of music including his opera “Rumpelstiltskin” and his oratorio “An American Requiem.” Baber died earlier this year at age 84. While it was Baber who drew Hitt to UK, it was Richard Domek who got Hitt into the studio of Miles Osland, director of Jazz Studies and professor of Saxophone. In addition to teaching, Osland is a recording and performing artist, arranger and composer. Hitt said Domek, who taught music theory at the School of Music from 1974 until his retirement in 2012 and served as advisor, committee member and director for graduate theses and dissertations, was a huge part of his success at UK. “I enjoyed my time there and studying with Miles was the

Photo by Steven Berkowitz

single most important time for me, compositionally. There’s a gulf between classical and jazz and I got to explore that. Studying with Miles is a great memory,” Hitt said. His desire to compose a concerto with Yellowstone National Park as the theme was stirred after his first visit to the park. He and his sister were on a road trip, heading home from California. They decided to stop in Yellowstone. He began the piece shortly after he returned home. He said the conception for the piece occurred during a moment he can only describe as an epiphany. He wrote in his composer’s commentary: “En route from Mammoth Hot Springs to Madison Junction, I passed through Goldengate Canyon onto Swan Lake Flats when suddenly before me loomed the most impressive sight that I have ever beheld, Electric Peak. It was nothing less than a religious experience, and at that moment, I knew that I would write this piece.” After teaching at Idaho State University and Sam Houston State University, Hitt, who comes from a family entrenched in the horse world, decided to take his love for Yellowstone in a different direction. He began his career at Yellowstone working as a wrangler, giving one-hour horseback rides. In 2004 he established Yellowstone Wilderness Outfitters and began offering day rides and pack trips into the remote backcountry of Yellowstone. At the height of the operation he and his crew ran six guides, six trucks and trailers and 86 horses and mules. The focus of Yellowstone Wilderness Outfitters was education and advocacy for the preservation of the national park, Hitt said. The business became the backdrop for “Back of Beyond” a novel by best-selling author C.J. Box and it received TripAdvisor’s Certificate of Excellence award. He closed the business in 2017 and now he and his wife Carrie are living 8 miles from where he grew up in McDonald County, Missouri. He operates Brush Creek Bison in Noel, Missouri, with 100 head of bison. He said he doesn’t listen to music much anymore, but he has a recording studio at this home and he’s working on a symphony, “Symphony from the Wild.” He hopes to release pieces of it later this year. The violin concerto, “Yellowstone for Violin and Orchestra,” has been recorded by the Slovak Radio Symphony and is available on CD and for downloading on Bandcamp. “This is what Yellowstone sounds like to me,” he said. ■

www. u kal u mni. net

1950s Wendell Berry ’56, ’57 AS has been named the winner of The University of Notre Dame’s 2022 Henry Hope Reed Award, given to a non-architect whose work cultivates “the traditional city, its architecture and art through writing, planning or promotion.” Berry is a poet, novelist, cultural critic, environmentalist and farmer.

1960s James C. Klotter ‘68 AS, ’69 ED, ’75 AS was inducted into the Kentucky Writers Hall of Fame. An award-winning author, professor and the State Historian of Kentucky since 1980, Klotter has spent his career researching and interpreting Kentucky’s history. He is the author of 12 books and more than 60 articles. Robert Sparks ’68 BE was recently published with his three co-authors in “Transformative Dialogues: Teaching and Learning Journal,” a peer-reviewed academic journal. Their research paper is titled: Research to Publication – A First Time Researcher’s Narrative Story.

1970s Jack Brammer ’73 ’76 CI joined the Northern Kentucky Tribune as a part-time state reporter covering the Northern Kentucky state 44

legislative caucus and state politics. Brammer worked at the Lexington Herald-Leader for 43 years. He was Frankfort bureau chief for the Lexington Herald-Leader, covering the terms of nine governors and 58 sessions of the Kentucky General Assembly.

1980s Jeff Sartaine ’81 EN was recently named to Morgan Stanley’s Century Club. Sartaine is a senior vice president, financial advisor and CFP in Morgan Stanley’s wealth management office in Huntington, West Virginia. The Century Club is an elite group composed of the firm’s top financial advisors. Eric P. Blackhurst ’85 LAW has been elected chair of the Association of Governing Board of Universities and Colleges Search Board of Directors. He is also a member of the AGB Board of Directors. Janet Neisewander ’85 ’86 AS was honored with an Outstanding Faculty Mentor Award by the Graduate College at Arizona State University. Neisewander, professor, School of Life Sciences, is a behavioral neuroscientist who uses animal models to study mechanisms of drug abuse, primarily focusing on cocaine and nicotine. She has been teaching at ASU for more than 20 years.

K E N TUCKY A LU MN I MAG A ZIN E Summer 2022

A Tennessee hound dog and a Kentucky wildcat meet on the field at a 1955 football game with the two teams.

Joseph E. Sexton ’85 BE has been appointed to the Aqua Security board of directors. He will help the company continue to scale globally and amplify its leadership in cloud native security. Sexton most recently served on the CrowdStrike Board of Directors from March 2015 to January 2022. Richard Shultz ’88 AFE has been promoted to vice president, manufacturing with Link-Belt Cranes. Shults began his career at Link-Belt in 1990 as an associate design engineer. He became director of quality in 2014 and vice president of engineering in 2018.

1990s Rich Beaven ’90 BE has joined Idaho Strategic Resources Inc. as an independent board member. Beaven is lead portfolio manager and principal at Signia Capital, a small-cap value asset manager with a

largely institutional (pension fund) client base. Prior to co-founding Signia Capital Management in 2002, Beaven was the assistant director of research and a portfolio manager for a $2B Pacific Northwest asset management firm. Stephanie Neal Trautman ’90 BE was recently appointed as Chief Growth Officer and Executive Board member for Wipro, LTD, a global information technology consulting and outsourcing firm. She was previously with Accenture, LLP where she was a Managing Director and head of Sales for North America Financial Services business group.

Photos courtesy of ExploreUK

Class Notes

Marjorie Farris ’92 AS has been named recipient of the 2022 Business Women First Enterprising Women Awards by Louisville Business First. Farris, who works at the law firm Stites & Harbison PLLC, became the first woman to lead Stites & Harbison since its founding in 1832. Prior to becoming chair there, she was the firm’s co-chair of the class action and multi-district litigation group and a member of the torts & insurance practice service group. Ronya Corey ’93 AS was named Top Wealth Advisor Moms in the United States by Working Mother Magazine. Corey, of Bank of America Merrill, earned a spot in the rankings for the fifth consecutive time. Corey has been with Merrill since 1993. She’s also a perennial honoree of awards by Forbes, Barron’s and Wealth Management Magazine.

Susan B. Salyer ’93 AS was promoted to general counsel and corporate secretary at Veritiv Corporation in Atlanta. She will be responsible for Veritiv’s legal and corporate security teams as well as compliance and sustainability oversight. She joined Veritiv in 2012. Michael L. Arnold ’95 EN is the new vice president of land development at the Viera Company. Arnold was with Flatiron Construction Corporation in Texas and was owner/president of M. Arnold & Associates LLC in Kentucky and the vice president of development for Core Communities in Port St. Lucie, Florida. Erin Colbaugh ’95 AS has been named the director of parks and recreation department in Hoover, Alabama. She has been events manager for the city for 16 years. While at UK, Colbaugh was a graduate assistant with Athletic Director C.M. Newton.

Scott Wadeson ’97 GS recently received the Guidepost Award from the Association of Defense Communities. The award spotlights financial and career counselors in defense communities who help guide service members and their families to financial wellness. Wadeson is the financial readiness program manager at Fort Riley, Kansas. Bruce Berger ’99 CI received the National Public Relationships Achievement Award at the 2022 Vernon C. Schranz Distinguished Lectureship at Ball State University’s School of Journalism and Strategic Communication in Muncie, Indiana. Berger is founding director and professor emeritus of the University of Alabama’s Plank Center, a resource for those passionate about advancing their careers and the public relations profession.

Dan Hrankowsky ’99 DES has joined CRG’s residential team as vice president of development and construction. He will oversee all aspects of new development projects. CRG brings middle-income apartment communities to the nation’s most sought-after markets, particularly in the Sun Belt. Donetta Martin Wallace ’99 HS is a PA-C with the medical practice Collins Family Medicine in Paintsville, Kentucky. The practice recently joined King’s Daughter’s Medical Center. Wallace is board certified by the National Commission on Certification Physicians Assistants.

Pictured in 1990 with the College of Dentistry’s new mobile dental facility are left to right UK Medical Center Chancellor Peter Bosomworth, Professor of Pediatric Dentistry John Mink, UK President Charles T. Wethington and Chairman of the Department of Community Dentistry Gene Lewis.

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Class Notes 2000s Christina Hodge ’00 BE was named to the 2021 President’s Circle for Cambria, the leading producer of American-made quartz surfaces. Individuals are selected because of their superior performance, their tireless dedication to excellence and their diligent work on behalf of Cambria and the company’s customers. Hodge has been with Cambria for three years. Sarah Braughler ’01 LAW has been named vice president for risk management by United Educators Insurance. Braughler was a staff attorney at the Kentucky Community and Technical College System before joining UE. Stephanie Lang ’01 AS is the first woman in 100 years to serve as editor of The Register, the quarterly journal of the Kentucky Historical Society. Lang is on the editorial board for the

University Press of Kentucky and for the East Tennessee Historical Society’s journal. Ron Pitcock ’01 AS has been named dean and Wassenich Family Endowed Chair of the John V. Roach Honors College at Texas Christian University. Pitcock joined TCU in 2001 and has spent 15 years at the honors college. Pitcock has received numerous awards including the 2002 Promising Researcher Award from the National Council of Teachers of English. Beth Sweeney ’01 CI has been named executive director for the Southwest Indiana Chapter of the Indiana Region of the American Red Cross. She comes to the American Red Cross after a 17-year career in television journalism, 16 of those at 14 News. Jeremy Jarvi ’02 CI has been appointed executive director of the LouCity & Racing Foundation. The native Louisvillian spent

People older than 65 could enroll in classes tuition free starting in 1979. Known as Donovan Scholars, they became a familiar sight in class.

K E N TUCKY A LU MN I MAG A ZIN E Summer 2022

teight years as regional chief development officer for the American Red Cross Kentucky Region. He also worked for eight years as the Director of Investments and Sponsorships at Greater Louisville Inc. Louisville Business First named Jarvi to its 40 Under 40 list in 2019. He was awarded the William T. Young UK National Alumni Association Young Alumni Award in 2013. Matt Summers ’02 ED is the Cincinnati Bengals new director of sports medicine and head athletic trainer. Summers has spent the last four years at the University of Louisville where he served as senior director of sports medicine and health football athletic trainer. In 2008 he was senior athletic trainer and director of rehabilitation at the University of Kentucky. Emily Wolff ’02 FA and Paul Weckman ’02 AFE have recently opened their fifth Northern Kentucky restaurant. The married couple met at UK and opened their first restaurant, Otto’s, in Covington, Kentucky. Their other restaurants include Frida 602, Larry’s and the Standard in Covington. Most recently they opened Mama’s which features Italian dishes. LaKenya Middlebrook ‘03 AS has been appointed Knoxville’s director of community safety. Middle-

brook and her office leads violence interruption strategies, coordinates safety innovation and collaboration among city departments, and enhances partnerships with on-the-ground people and organizations who are working to make Knoxville safer. Gowri Nagaraj ’03 GS has been named to the board of directors of Care Dimensions, the largest hospice and palliative care provider in Massachusetts. Nagaraj is the director of Business Expansion at Point32Health, the company recently formed through the merger of Harvard Pilgrim Health Care and Tufts Health Plan. Justin Rhinehart ’03 AFE has been named assistant dean for Agriculture and Natural Resources and Community Economic Development at University of Tennessee Extension. Rhinehart previously served as a professor and beef cattle specialist at the University of Tennessee Department of Animal Science.

Paul Silvestri ’03 ED has been promoted to director of sports health, football at the University of Florida. Silvestri, who has been on the staff at Florida since 2013 will continue to oversee the football athletic training room. Silvestri started his career with Florida Atlantic, where he spent three seasons (2003-2005) as an athletic trainer. He served as an assistant athletic trainer at Kentucky from 2007 to 2008. Jennifer Barber ’05 CI, ’08 LAW has been named member-in-charge of Frost Brown Todd’s Louisville office. She has been with the firm since 2013 and her practice focuses on state and local tax, economic incentives and government affairs. Most recently she served as U.S. delegate to the United Nations and special advisor to U.S. Ambassador to the UN Kelly Craft.

Kristen Bennett ’05 CI has been appointed a director of products and curriculum at ENTRE, the leading online educational platform for current and aspiring entrepreneurs. Bennett will be developing and improving upon current products and curriculum used within the ENTRE platform. Tyler Gossett ’05 BE has joined Union Home Mortgage as area sales manager in the Kentucky region. Gossett has 18 years of experience working in the financial services industry. S. Ryan Newcomb ’05 LAW has been promoted to city president of the bourbon district at WesBanco. The bourbon district includes Anderson and Franklin counties. Newcomb joined WesBanco from Farmers Capital Bank Corp., where he was general counsel and chief compliance officer from 2015 to 2018.

Dick Watkins and Myra Tobin are chosen outstanding Greek man and woman in 1960 at a Greek Week dance. They were presented with wreaths and trophies by Dr. and Mrs. C. E Snow.

Meagan Brien ’06 AS has joined United Leasing & Finance, a division of United Companies, as vice president and general counsel. Before joining United, Brien was a partner at Dentons Bingham Greenebaum LLP. Jessica Green ’06 LAW has been named judge to Jefferson County Circuit Court in Louisville. Green began her own practice eight years ago and has served as a member of the Louisville Metro Council for six years. She previously served as an assistant commonwealth attorney in Jefferson and Hardin counties.

current role of chief investment officer. Cox co-founded Sage Mountain. It is a wealth management firm and alternative investment community, providing concierge-level service dedicated to protecting and growing a family’s net worth. Vanessa Gibson ’07 MED is recognized by Continental Who’s Who as a distinguished Thoracic Surgery Specialist for her exemplary service to the healthcare community. Gibson provides care to patients with chest and lung issues at Long Island Thoracic Surgery.

Julie Hill ’06 FA has accepted the position as Discovery Park of America’s vice president and chief operating officer. Hill has worked as an online music education specialist for the Tennessee Music Educators Association and has served as chair of the University of Tennessee Martin’s Department of Music where she was also a professor of percussion since 2005.

Erika Deady ’08 BE has been appointed president of the Home Builders Association of Dayton. She is the association’s 80th president. She represents the first two-year term HBA board president and the third female president in association history. She is the sales coordinator at Oberer Homes, one of the region’s most prominent local builders.

Daniel Carpenter ’07 AFE was chosen as one of 22 participants selected for the Kentucky Agricultural Leadership Program. Carpenter has been an extension agent in LaRue County for more than six years.

Beverly Harp ’08 ’12 SW was appointed by Gov. Andy Beshear as member of the Advisory Council on Autism Spectrum Disorders. Harp is a social worker at the University of Kentucky where she’s the project director, LEND faculty at the Human Development Institute.

Tony Cox ’07 BE has been appointed president of Sage Mountain Advisors LLC. The title adds to his

www. u kal u mni. net

Career Corner

Class Notes

ancis

by Caroline Fr

CHAOTIC JOB MARKET TRENDS CAUSING THESE CHANGES The perfect storm of declining birthrates, baby boomers leaving the job market in record numbers and the COVID-19 pandemic have created extraordinary times in the workplace. As the world is emerging from COVID-19, Alumni Career Services professionals and our Job Club facilitation team are witnessing firsthand the impact of these scenarios. There has been much publicity about the “Great Resignation,” however this movement has really been more about the “Great Reshuffle” of priorities. Workers are placing a higher value on family, health and well-being, DEI (diversity, equity, and inclusion) and work-life balance. According to a 2022 Global Benefits Attitudes Survey by Willis Towers Watson’s, close to half of all employees are searching for a new position. The current number one job preference for alumni career clients is flexibility, including hybrid or remote options. What should employers do? With low unemployment and high competition for candidates, employers are having to actively source and market their open positions, move much faster with their interview process and be ready with counter offers. They also must be more intentional about creating a flexible and positive culture to retain current employees. Gina Dugas, University of Kentucky Acting Vice President and Chief Human Resources Officer, shared “UK has seen many of the same trends in the labor market that are occurring nationally. We continue to see rapid growth both on our academic campus and within UK HealthCare, which means we are always looking for more people to join us.” The continuation of project and gig work and more emphasis on short term trainings and certifications is another trend. Many options are available on LinkedIn Learning as well as Coursera, edX, and Udemy. Be sure to include relevant skills updates on resumes and LinkedIn profiles. Baby boomers want back in the market. Another trend is baby boomers who took a COVID-19 gap are feeling more comfortable and are returning to work. Many are finding that retirement was not what they had expected and are excited about pursuing their passion in a new field. If you are looking to change jobs, pivot careers, or return to work, there is no better time. Step up your networking efforts, visit the Alumni Career Services resources page (www.ukalumni.net/careerresources) and intentionally target employers. Alumni career services counselors are here to help you. Caroline Francis is director of UK Alumni Career Services. UK Alumni Association Life/Active Members are eligible for two complimentary appointments per year with a certified career counselor. Visit http://www.ukalumni.net/career to learn more about resume critiques, career assessments, interview preparation, Central Kentucky Job Club, encore careers and other Alumni Career Services. Alumni Career Services: Celebrating 20 years of helping UK alumni advance their careers.

K E N TUCKY A LU MN I MAG A ZIN E Summer 2022

Ashley C. Smith ’08 AS, co-founder of Black Soil KY, was awarded the 2022 Outstanding Business Owner at the 16th annual Coretta Scott King Spirit of Ivy Award sponsored by the AKA Beta Gamma Omega chapter of Alpha Kappa Alpha sorority. The goal of Black Soil KY is to bring Kentucky’s Black farmers back to their roots and to broaden their reach and exposure. Kirill M. Bumin ’09 AS has been named the inaugural dean of Graduate Studies at Stonehill College in Easton, Massachusetts. Bumin was previously at the University of North Carolina at Pembroke. He was assistant dean of the institution’s graduate programs and also oversaw international recruitment efforts.

2010s Alexandra Castle ’10 EN is the first woman master distiller in Tennessee since prohibition. She worked at Wild Turkey before joining Old Dominick Distillery in Memphis where she is also the senior vice president. Alexandra Harper ’10 CI has been named executive director of the Kentucky Equine Education Project Foundation. Harper was the practice manager at Park Equine Hospital before joining the KEEP Foundation.

Emily Ratcliff ’10 AFE is winner of the American Horse Publications Equine Media NextGen Award. The award recognized those ages 25-35 who have made a significant impact in advancing equine media. Ratcliff works for Harrah’s Hoosier Park Racing and Casino in Anderson, Indiana as the race marketing manager and on-air racing analyst. Sarah Walling ’10 LAW has been named chief legal officer at OVP Health in Huntington, West Virginia. Previously, Walling worked at the Huntington law firm Jenkins Fenstermaker where she practiced for 12 years. Kevin Dailey ’11 ’12 ED received a Milken Education Award. Dailey is an eighthgrade teacher at Ballyshannon Middle School in Union, Kentucky. The recognition comes with an unrestricted $25,000 cash award. In addition, it carries lifelong benefits: Dailey will join the national Milken Educator Network of more than 2,800 outstanding educators and leaders dedicated to strengthening K-12 education. Aretina Hamilton ’12 ’18 AS has been hired by the city of Raleigh, North Carolina as its director of equity and inclusion. Prior to that she was at Brandeis University where she led education initiatives on social justice and diversity, equity and inclusion for faculty, staff and students.

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Andrew Gadd ’13 ’14 AS has been named Chamberlain Hrdlicka’s first director of attorney recruiting and professional development. Gadd will be based out of the Atlanta office and will work firmwide. Alissa Young ’13 ED is part of the Murray State University Alumni Association Distinguished Class of 2022. Young, Hopkinsville Community College president and CEO, has been at HCC since 1991. Aurelia Skipwith Giacometto ’15 LAW was appointed new director at Ramaco. Giacometto comes to Ramaco with a background as an experienced government administrator at the federal level, attorney, scientist and businesswoman. She served as the director of the United States Fish and Wildlife Service. Most recently she has been general counsel of AVC Global, an international logistics company which she co-founded the company in 2006. Jeremiah Sloan ’16 EN is the new chief executive officer of Craighead Electric Cooperative. Sloan has been with the cooperative since 2016. Spencer Crawford ‘17 BE joined Maranon Capital L.P.’s investment and operations teams. Crawford is a structured product analyst and is responsible for reconciling and monitoring CLOs and warehouses as well as

analysis and reporting. Prior to joining Maranon, he was a CDO Senior Analyst at U.S. Bank. Allison Green ’17 CI has been named director of student and alumni engagement at the Marshall University School of Pharmacy. Prior to joining Marshall, she was the enrollment specialist at Big Brothers Big Sisters of the Tri-State. Amy Hoagland ’17 FA received a $10,000 grant through a fellowship and awards program from the Windgate Foundation. Hoagland pairs tradition craft-making disciplines with new technological tools to create imagery about our changing climate. The program recognizes emerging craft artists who advance sustainability through their art. Nancy Little ’17 FA has been hired as the director of alumni and corporate fundraising for The Dunham School in Baton Rouge, Louisiana. Most recently, Little served as assistant director for individual giving at Houston Ballet and has also held positions at New York City Ballet, the Baton Rouge Area Chamber and the Louisiana State University Office of Communication and University Relations. Alexandra Arnold ’18 DE has started working at Telluride Center for Dentistry. After a year practicing in Boston, she worked for her father’s practice in Lexing-

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ton. Arnold is a board member for the Give Back a Smile Foundation, a non profit that provides dental work for survivors of domestic or sexual violence. Gatewood Robbins ‘19 BE has been appointed the new director of finance, accounting and investor relations at EdgeEnergy. Robbins has been part of the EdgeEnergy team for the past two years as part of the product and business development teams. Samantha Smith ’19 BE has been named director of marketing and education with the Thoroughbred Owners and Breeders Association. Smith was most recently the marketing and communications director at the United States Pony Club. She has previously served in several capacities at the Jockey

Club, including as its industry initiatives specialist.

2020s Donny Gress ’20 ED has joined the Greenville, South Carolina Drive Red Sox High-A affiliate team as the strength and conditioning coach. Previously, Gress was a graduate assistant at the University of Kentucky and then coaching assistant with the Wildcats Olympic Strength and Conditioning staff. Myles W. Chaney ’21 LAW has joined the Nashville office of Bradley Arant Boult Cummings LLP. He is an associate in the labor and employment practice group.

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 Agriculture, Food & Environment — AFE Arts & Sciences — AS Business & Economics — BE Communication & Information — CI Dentistry — DE Design — DES Education — ED Engineering — EN

Fine Arts — FA The Graduate School — GS Health Sciences — HS Law — LAW Medicine — MED Nursing — NUR Pharmacy — PHA Public Health — PH Social Work — SW

Alumni Feature DISTINGUISHED COLLEGE OF PHARMACY ALUMNI RECOGNIZED FOR TEACHING EXCELLENCE By Rosa Mejia-Cruz

hree accomplished University of Kentucky College of Pharmacy (UKCOP) alumni have become the latest inductees to the College’s Hall of Distinguished Alumni. The College recognized their professional achievements at the Hall of Distinguished Alumni and Preceptors Awards Ceremony held on April 29, 2022, at the Gatton Student Center. The 2021 inductees include Young Alumni Award winner Dr. Joshua Brown (‘16) and Lifetime Achievement Award winners Dr. Eiichi Akaho (‘79) and Dr. Stephen W. Schondelmeyer (‘77). Their peers selected these three new inductees for their exceptional contributions to their respective fields and their embodiment of UKCOP values. “For more than 150 years, the University of Kentucky College of Pharmacy has produced outstanding pharmacy practitioners and researchers who have changed how we think about patient health and scientific progress,” said Dean R. Kip Guy. “We are proud to celebrate the achievements of three bold innovators who have dedicated their lives to improving the way we teach and practice pharmacy and pharmaceutical sciences.” Part one of this series highlights Young Alumni Award recipient Joshua Brown, PharmD, Ph.D., MS. Brown graduated from the UKCOP Ph.D. in Pharmaceutical Sciences program in December 2016 and accepted a tenure-track faculty position at the University of Florida College of Pharmacy. Focused on real-world evidence for medication safety and effectiveness, Brown’s research program is funded by the Food and Drug Administration, the National Institute on Aging, the Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation, and the state of Florida. As a PI, his total funding includes $3 million in the last five years, and he has contributed to projects with over $12 million in total funding. His publication record includes over 130 published works, with 91 being first or senior author and 23 trainees featured as first authors. Brown is a dedicated mentor and advisor. He has graduated 5 MS students and 3 Ph.D. students as thesis chair and nine other Ph.D. graduates as a committee member. He has engaged pharmacy students in team-based research and has mentored over 40 PharmD students in research projects. He serves as the Associate Director of the Department of Pharmaceutical Outcomes & Policy graduate program, leading initiatives for graduate student awards and recruitment of underrepresented and first-generation student populations. He is the faculty advisor of a 200-student strong Academy of Managed Care Pharmacy (AMCP) student chapter. He gives annual talks to

Joshua Brown, PharmD, Ph.D., MS

student organizations focused on first-generation students and non-traditional pharmacy careers. In 2021, Brown was awarded a Teacher Service Award by the University of Florida for his teaching excellence, teaching innovations, and service to the College and profession and was the AMCP Foundation’s New Practitioner of the Year in 2019. “I nominated Dr. Brown because of his significant contributions to pharmacy research and education that have already demonstrated substantial impact in the community, despite being in early career,” said Dr. Amie Goodin, Assistant Professor of Pharmaceutical Outcomes and Policy at the University of Florida College of Pharmacy. “His reputation as a researcher and extensive network of pharmacy and pharmaceutical outcomes trainees has led to invited talks and high-profile media interviews with significant community impact. For example, a BuzzFeed interview in 2020 drew over 2 million total readers to learn about generic drug quality in the United States, drawing mainstream attention to a pharmacy-relevant public health issue.” Brown joins twenty-six previous UKCOP Hall of Distinguished Alumni honorees and is the third to receive the Young Alumni Award, given to those who have completed their degree within the last ten years.

In Memoriam Susan A. Carrington ‘38 BE Mount Sterling, Ky. Life Member

Martha R. Hardcastle ‘50 AFE Jacksonville, Fla.

Betty P. Wilkirson ‘43 CI Lexington, Ky.

Lester R. Bryant ‘51 AS Jonesborough, Tenn.

Anne F. Caudill ‘45 AFE New Albany, Ind.

William S. Davis ‘51 AS Minneapolis, Minn.

Anne M. Combs ‘46 AS Lexington, Ky. Life Member, Fellow

Edward Meyers ‘51 AS Alexandria, Va.

Karl W. Michler ’46 AFE Lexington, Ky. Sue Ann Cowgill ‘47 BE Lexington, Ky. Fellow Henry Gleixner ‘47 EN Roanoke, Va. Morris V. Baxter Jr. ‘48 BE Rockville, Md. C. Paul Owens ’48 CI, ‘73 AS Georgetown, Ky. Helen Kemp ‘49 ED, ‘71 ED Paris, Ky. Fellow Carl J. McHargue ‘49 ‘51 ‘53 EN Knoxville, Tenn. Fellow Charlotte B. Ward ‘49 AS Auburn, Ala. Dwaine E. Gullett ‘50 BE Zephyrhills, Fla. Life Member, Fellow Joseph A. Hardcastle ‘50 BE Jacksonville, Fla.

Melvin E. Mitchell ‘51 CI San Clemente, Calif. Daniel F. Williams ‘51 AFE Henderson, Ky. Life Member Melvin L. Downs ‘52 EN Soddy Daisy, Tenn. Walter R. Yowarsky ‘52 AS Cleveland, Tenn. Jack J. Early ‘53 ‘56 ED Louisville, Ky. Barbara J. Whalen ‘53 CI Lexington, Ky. Orby R. Sanders ‘53 ‘58 EN Maryville, Tenn. Fellow Vernon Winkle ‘53 PHA Louisville, Ky. Bill Gatton ‘54 BE Bristol, Tenn. Life Member, Fellow Jack K. Giles ‘54 ‘56 AS, ‘65 LAW Lexington, Ky. Edgar T. Kash Jr. ‘54 AFE, ‘58 AFE Lexington, Ky.

K E N TUCKY A LU MN I MAG A ZIN E Summer 2022

Josephine Fugate Moffett ‘54 AS, ‘71 ED Louisville, Ky. Life Member Douglas E. Williams ‘54 BE Hopkinsville, Ky. Ellen Bilman ‘55 FA Bakersfield, Calif. Hugh D. Roe ‘55 AFE Bowling Green, Ky. Life Member, Fellow Charles E. Shinnick ‘55 BE Lexington, Ky. Emma K. Tucker ‘55 AFE Danville, Ky. W. S. Williams ‘55 LAW Houston, Texas John W. Bronaugh ‘56 EN, ‘62 BE Lexington, Ky. Life Member

Betty B. Hough ‘58 AS Naples, Fla. Bobby C. Whitaker ‘58 CI Frankfort, Ky. Life Member, Fellow Joe Wise ‘58 ‘69 ED Richmond, Ky. George M. Blakeman ‘59 EN Fort Worth, Texas Robert J. Bradford ‘59 AFE Louisville, Ky. Paul R. Campbell ‘59 EN Lexington, Ky. Duane V. Ellis ‘59 BE Frankfort, Ky. Life Member Donald E. Gaines ‘59 EN Lexington, Ky. Gary W. Hicks ‘59 AFE Augusta, Ky.

Harold A. Rice ‘56 EN Vero Beach, Fla. Life Member, Fellow

Ben A. Johnson ‘59 ‘71 EN Lexington, Ky. Life Member

Arthur J. Steilberg Jr. ‘56 ‘57 EN Ave Maria, Fla.

Alora H. Baxter ‘60 ‘62 BE Murfreesboro, Tenn.

Arthur S. Curtis Jr. ‘57 EN Lexington, Ky.

Mary-Evelyn Ensslin ‘60 ED Danville, Ky. Life Member

Juanita F. Max ‘57 AS Naples, Fla.

Norman Y. Cravens ‘60 EN Los Angeles, Calif.

Joanne Brabant ‘57 ED Lexington, Ky.

Rex L. Bailey ‘61 CI Lexington, Ky.

Bobby J. Childers ‘58 AS Osprey, Fla.

Gregory G. Karambellas ‘62 AS Bonita Springs, Fla.

William J. Hulsey ‘58 EN Oak Ridge, Tenn.

Lee H. Rose ‘62 ED Charlotte, N.C. Charles M. Whitaker ‘62 ‘63 EN Dallas, Texas James H. Young ‘62 ‘64 EN Raleigh, N.C. James C. Martin ‘63 AFE Lexington, Ky. John Minassian ‘64 EN Ocala, Fla. James S. Rives Jr. ‘64 BE Louisville, Ky. Patricia W. Whitmer ‘64 FA Lexington, Ky. James M. Bowling ‘65 ‘68 GS Gilmer, Texas

John W. O’Daniel ‘67 EN Lynchburg, Va. Life Member Martin Gebrow ‘61 AS, ‘64 ‘68 MED Knoxville, Tenn. Stokes A. Baird IV ‘68 LAW Munfordville, Ky. Gerald D. Brittle ‘68 AS Richmond, Va. Gary P. Hayes ‘68 MED Fort Meyers, Fla. Fellow David G. Mason ‘68 LAW Glendale, Ohio William P. Thompson ‘68 FA Rome, Ga. Life Member

Donald R. Chasteen ‘65 AS Louisville, Ky. Life Member

Lawrence T. Wagers ‘61 AS, ‘69 MED Orlando, Fla. Life Member, Fellow

Paul K. Dudley ‘65 BE Hudson, Ohio

George S. Cantrell ‘69 ED Highland Heights, Ky.

John J. Kinsler ‘65 EN Naples, Fla.

Genevieve J. Clay ‘69 CI Richmond, Ky.

Elizabeth L. Unruh ‘65 ‘70 ED Louisville, Ky.

Thomas C. Blair ‘69 ED Boca Raton, Fla.

William R. Hamlin ‘66 LAW Huntington, W.V. James G. Stephenson ‘67 LAW Lexington, Ky. Fellow Constance M. Evans ‘67 AS, ‘72 ED Lexington, Ky.

Kathleen C. Bryson ‘70 CI Lexington, Ky. Don F. Likens ‘72 DE Charlotte, N.C. Fellow Condit F. Steil ‘72 ‘74 PHA Brentwood, Tenn. Travis T. DuPriest Jr. ‘72 AS Racine, Wis.

Peggy L. Vater ‘72 AS Alexandria, Ky.

Shelly Glick Gryfe ‘79 ‘83 AS Getzville, N.Y.

Charles H. Baer ‘72 DE Lawton, Okla.

William E. Spicer ‘80 LAW Lexington, Ky.

Marilyn J. Musacchio ‘72 NUR Louisville, Ky.

Bruce I. Gill ‘80 ED Versailles, Ky. Life Member

R. David Clark ‘73 LAW Lexington, Ky.

Sarah L. Pirtle ‘80 AS, ‘84 MED Lima, Ohio

Duane F. Cornell ‘73 AS Venice, Fla. Life Member, Fellow

Truly B. Mount ‘80 AS Masonic Home, Ky.

Detlef B. Moore ‘73 AS Milwaukee, Wis.

Ronald L. Green ‘80 LAW Lexington, Ky.

Marsha M. McCartney ‘73 ED, ‘81 LAW Maplewood, N.J. Fellow

Patricia E. Griffin ‘81 ‘85 AS Elsmere, Ky.

Robert C. Jones ‘73 FA Beaver, Pa. James S. Dawkins ‘74 BE Lexington, Ky. Life Member Dwight H. Hitch ‘75 AS, ‘81 LAW Wilmore, Ky. Michael E. Queenan ‘75 LAW Louisville, Ky. Thomas R. Parrott Jr. ‘76 AFE Newport News, Va. Life Member Norman F. Archambo ‘77 DE Palatka, Fla. Timothy Clay Bellamy ‘79 ‘80 BE West Chester, Ohio

Janine K. Cataldo ‘81 NUR Berkeley, Calif. Tonya F. Prats ‘82 BE Lexington, Ky. Clifford C. Matthews Jr. ‘84 ‘84 MED Nicholasville, Ky. Life Member Lynn S. Uram ‘84 BE Eighty Four, Pa. Life Member Michael A. Calhoun ‘84 EN Asheville, N.C. Susan S. Durant ‘86 LAW Lexington, Ky. Michael A. McMillen ‘86 ED Wilmore, Ky. Raymond W. Hines ‘88 LAW Charlotte, N.C.

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In Memoriam Marcie J. Babbitt ‘88 SW West Milford, N.J. Life Member

Robert Danielsen Holbrook ‘06 BE Fayetteville, N.C.

Robert B. Dean Frankfort, Ky. Life Member

Bernice McMartin Pederson Lexington, Ky. Life Member

Michael D. Whiteker ‘88 CI Lexington, Ky.

Benjamin N. Osei ‘09 ‘12 BE Silver Spring, Md.

Billie R. Eisenbarth Corbin, Ky. Life Member

Donald H. Putnam Jr. Naples, Fla. Life Member, Fellow

Marc T. Trautman ‘88 AFE Cincinnati, Ohio

David William Spencer ‘11 ‘11 BE Louisville, Ky.

Jean B. Ezzell Lexington, Ky. Life Member, Fellow

Anne Hart Raymond Naples, Fla. Life Member, Fellow

Lawrence E. Forgy, Jr. Lexington, Ky.

Billy Reed Louisville, Ky. Life Member

Jason W. Deatherage ‘91 FA Burlington, Ky. Scott C. Cundiff ‘91 BE Shepherdsville, Ky. Ronald W. Zolkiewicz ‘91 Jefferson CC, ‘95 AS Naples, Fla. Eric L. Baker ‘93 AFE Waco, Ky. Megan M. Green ‘93 CI Lexington, Ky. Mary E. Lucas ‘94 ED Lexington, Ky. Seth R. Axelrod ‘95 ‘99 AS Middlefield, Conn. Patricia C. Westlund ‘83 EN, ‘96 ’96 MED Lexington, Ky. Life Member Gail Ruth Moddeman ‘00 PH, ‘00 NUR Beavercreek, Ohio Life Member Benjamin D. Stone ‘00 PHA Georgetown, Ky. Steven G. Collins ‘00 BE Hopkinsville, Ky. Life Member

FORMER STUDENTS AND FRIENDS Lynn C. Aulick Georgetown, Ky. Elizabeth H. Barrens Louisville, Ky. Life Member Malcolm Beam New Albany, Ohio Life Member

Peggy Gleason Owensboro, Ky. Life Member

Daphne Reid Eastern, Ky.

Leah Griffin Hays, Kan. Life Member

Gene C. Royalty Jamestown, Ky. Life Member

Maxine R. Hunter Harlan, Ky. Life Member

Edgar L. Sagan Lexington, Ky.

Audrey A. Bean Lexington, Ky. Fellow

Judy B. Ivanchak Lexington, Ky.

Mary B. Blandford Louisville, Ky.

Thomas G. Kersey Richmond, Ky.

Daniel. H. Browning Birmingham, Ala.

Brenda Porter Lamb Paris, Ky.

Warren E. Bryant Smyrna, Ga.

Mary F. Liebert Louisville, Ky. Life Member

Timothy Ward Conner Louisville, Ky. Raquel H. Congleton Barbourville, Ky. Life Member Charles M. Coughenour Lexington, Ky. Life Member, Fellow

K E N TUCKY A LU MN I MAG A ZIN E Summer 2022

David L. Linkous Cincinnati, Ohio William A. Murrell Columbia, Ky. Life Member Arline F. Nold Louisville, Ky. Life Member

Marilyn L. Singer Georgetown, Ky. Mary Ellen Slone Lexington, Ky. Life Member, Fellow Sara L. Stanley Lexington, Ky. Life Member Katherine Stephenson Lexington, Ky. Fellow Sue Ann Taylor Aiken, S.C. Life Member Joe Barden Warren Lexington, Ky. Angela Gillespie Webb Frankfort, Ky.

Creative Juices Terry Birdwhistell ’75 ’78 AS, ’94 ED has written “Washington’s Iron Butterfly: Bess Clements Abell, An Oral History (Kentucky Remembered)” with Donald A. Ritchie. Had Elizabeth “Bess” Clements Abell (1933– 2020) been a boy, she would likely have become a politician like her father, Earle C. Clements. Effectively barred from office because of her gender, she forged her own path by helping family friends Lyndon and Lady Bird Johnson. Abell’s Secret Service code name, “Iron Butterfly,” exemplified her graceful but firm management of social life in the Johnson White House. After Johnson’s administration ended, she maintained her importance in Washington, D.C., serving as chief of staff to Joan Mondale and cofounding a public relations company. Ritchie and Birdwhistell draw on Abell’s own words and those of others known to her to tell her remarkable story. Focusing on her years working for the Johnson campaign and her time in the White House, this engaging oral history provides a window into Abell’s life as well as an insider’s view of the nation’s capital during the tumultuous 1960s.

Jamie Creek ’02 BE published “We the People and the President,” with her husband, PJ Creek. Perfect for reluctant readers, and anyone interested in American history, the non-fiction book offers a glimpse into the intricacy of the American presidency for a foundation of knowledge for the youngest of readers. Ever wonder who the presidents really were? Ever wonder if our electoral system will evolve or remain the same? Who’s your favorite president? This accessible, uniquely formatted picture book covers it all. Find out everything you want to know about the United States presidency — who the presidents were; how we vote; whose votes count the most — in this book completely comprised of infographics. Jamie Creek teaches middle school in southern Illinois. Each summer she and her husband travel the United States, exploring historic sites with their three children. In 2006, they founded Periodic Presidents, a company designed to teach American history through art and infographics.

William (Bill) Hugh Jansen ’71 AS has written his first book-length work of fiction “When the Owl Speaks.” A mystery set in the Arctic, the story follows an American graduate student who arrives in the far north to conduct research in a small Nunavut town in Canada. Unfamiliar with Inuit culture and unprepared for the demands of life in the far north, the American struggles to understand the powers of mystic shamanism and the possibility of emerging supernatural forces following a woman’s untimely death. Like the story’s main character, Jansen went to the Canadian Arctic to do research for his doctoral degree and lived in a small town in Nunavut. Although his book is a work of fiction, some of his own experiences in the Arctic provided inspiration for the story. Paul Whalen ’78 AS is the author of “Profiles of Kentucky’s United States Senators 1792-Present.” Since 1792, a total of 66 men have represented the Commonwealth in Kentucky’s two Senate seats. Through the years, proud Kentuckians have been leaders in that body, including many big names such as Henry Clay, John J. Crittenden, Alben Barkley and Mitch McConnell. In his book, Whalen presents biographical essays, with portrait photographs, from everyone who has represented Kentucky in the U.S. Senate since its inception. The book also includes interesting “First and Onlys” for Kentucky U.S. Senators, Senate salaries since 1789, and U.S. Senators from other states who were born in Kentucky. Whalen is a resident of Fort Thomas, Kentucky, and is past chair of the KY Conference of the United Methodist Church Commission on Archives and History. Nathan L. Vanderford ’99 AFE, ’08 MED recently published the second edition of “The Cancer Crisis in Appalachia: Kentucky Students take ACTION.” In the book, Appalachian Kentucky high school and UK undergraduate students write personal, poignant essays about their experiences with cancer in their families and in their communities, they discuss why they believe cancer rates are so high in Appalachian Kentucky, and they write about how they think the cancer problem in the region can be addressed. Charles Dowling Williams ’79 LAW has published a book of haiku “Echo Ridge.” Williams, a Kentucky lawyer and nationally recognized tree farmer, has crafted three volumes in seven years — each more interesting and compelling than the other. The basis for Williams’ book is a daily journal he has kept for 40 years while working at West Wind Farm, a Kentucky tree farm in Munfordville. UK and the UK Alumni Association do not necessarily endorse books or other original material mentioned in Creative Juices. The University of Kentucky and the UK Alumni Association are not responsible for the content, views and opinions expressed on websites mentioned in Creative Juices or found via links off of those websites.

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Quick Take CONGRATULATIONS CLASS OF 2022!

Photo by Mark Cornelison, UK photo

Sylvannah Regalado ‘22 FA showed off her dance-major skills when she accepted her diploma during spring commencement in early May. Nearly 4,000 students walked across the stage at Rupp Arena and participated in the time-honored tradition to become UK alumni.

56 KENT UCKY A LUMNI M AG A ZIN E Summer 2022

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