Behind the Blue: Recent Episodes
University of Kentucky Public Relations / UK HealthCare
Some stories require a little more – a little more discussion, more context, more depth and breadth.
That’s the idea behind “Behind the Blue” – a new weekly podcast created by UK Public Relations and Marketing. It is designed to explore through probing interviews the in-depth the stories that make UK the university for Kentucky and that have impact across the institution, the Commonwealth and, in some cases, the world.
LEXINGTON, Ky. (June 19, 2025) – THIS IS AN ENCORE EPISODE. On January 1st, 1863, President Abraham Lincoln issued the ‘Emancipation Proclamation’, but it wasn’t until June 19th, 1865 that the last remaining enslaved African Americans – men and women in Galveston, Texas – learned they were free.
Since that time, June 19th, or “Juneteenth”, has been celebrated annually in various parts of the United States to commemorate emancipation as well as celebrate African-American culture. Still, it took until June 17th of 2021 for the day to be recognized as a federal holiday, after becoming more widely celebrated among African-American communities and gaining more and more mainstream attention in the US.
On this episode of Behind the Blue, we’re presenting an encore interview with Dr. Anastasia Curwood, director of The Commonwealth Institute for Black Studies (CIBS) and African American and Africana Studies (AAAS) at UK. In this conversation, originally from June of 2022, Dr. Curwood discusses the Juneteenth holiday, from her personal feelings and reflections on the significance of the day, to the importance of observance of the holiday by the university, and more.
Behind the Blue is available via a variety of podcast providers, including Apple Podcasts and Spotify. Subscribe to receive new episodes each week, featuring UK’s latest medical breakthroughs, research, artists, writers and the most important news impacting the university.
Behind the Blue is a joint production of the University of Kentucky and UK HealthCare. Transcripts for this or other episodes of Behind the Blue can be downloaded from the show’s blog page.
For more information about CIBS, including ways you can support, visit https://cibs.as.uky.edu/.
To discover how the University of Kentucky is advancing our Commonwealth, click here.
LEXINGTON, Ky. (June 12, 2025) – As the University of Kentucky continues to evolve – whether through expanding student housing, major medical center construction, or increased sustainability initiatives – so too must the systems that help people navigate it all.
With summer offering a brief window for more intensive work, University of Kentucky Transportation Services is executing projects ranging from garage expansions and surface lot renovations to shuttle route adjustments.
“The worst thing to do is wait until [something] hits you and then be reactive. [We] always try to be proactive,” says Lance Broeking, Director of Transportation Services at UK.
Among the more major updates are:
- A significant expansion of Sports Center Garage, adding over 1,200 spaces through both vertical and horizontal expansion
- The transition of the Prall Street lot into visitor-only parking, which Broeking hopes will reduce confusion and citation rates
- The introduction of flexible permit zones to help alleviate overcrowding and adapt to fluctuating parking demand around Kroger Field, especially during game day relocations
- A new Wildcat Wheels bike shop location, further enhancing UK’s alternative transportation options
- The upcoming switch to virtual parking permits in fall 2026, allowing users to manage their parking entirely through license plate recognition and mobile technology
On this episode of Behind the Blue, Broeking returns to provide insight into the planning and decision-making that affects how students, faculty, staff and visitors get to, from and around campus. He also discusses how his team stays proactive, responds to feedback, and prepares for a more connected, sustainable future.
‘Behind the Blue’ is available via a variety of podcast providers, including Apple Podcasts and Spotify. Subscribe to receive new episodes each week, featuring UK’s latest medical breakthroughs, research, artists, writers and the most important news impacting the university.
Behind the Blue is a joint production of the University of Kentucky and UK HealthCare. Transcripts for this or other episodes of Behind the Blue can be downloaded from the show’s blog page.
To discover how the University of Kentucky is advancing our Commonwealth, click here.
LEXINGTON, Ky. (June 4, 2025) – The University of Kentucky Alumni Association started the Great Teacher Award program in 1961 to honor excellent teaching at the university. There have been more than 300 teachers honored since that first year. Nominations may only be submitted by current students.
To receive the award, a candidate must:
- Hold the rank of full-time lecturer or above and have been a member of the faculty for the past three years at UK.
- Have superior knowledge of the subject matter.
- Have original and innovative classroom presentations.
- Demonstrate concern for students, both inside and outside the classroom setting.
- Not have been a recipient of the award for the past 10 years.
A committee of the UK Alumni Association Board of Directors and a representative from the student organization Omicron Delta Kappa select the recipients based on objective rating and ranking of the eligible nominations submitted.
This episode of Behind the Blue spotlights one of the six Great Teacher Award winners for 2025: Gosia Chwatko, an assistant professor in the Stanley and Karen Pigman College of Engineering Department of Chemical and Materials Engineering.
Chwatko’s research lab focuses on understanding and developing sustainable separation processes and polymeric materials considering cradle-to-grave design.
‘Behind the Blue’ is available via a variety of podcast providers, including iTunes and Spotify. Become a subscriber to receive new episodes of “Behind the Blue” each week. UK’s latest medical breakthroughs, research, artists and writers will be featured, along with the most important news impacting the university.
Behind the Blue is a joint production of the University of Kentucky and UK HealthCare. Transcripts for this or other episodes of Behind the Blue can be downloaded from the show’s blog page.
To discover how the University of Kentucky is advancing our Commonwealth, click here.
LEXINGTON, Ky. (May 29, 2025) – Health isn’t just about treating illness – it’s about access. It’s about education. It’s about the quality of life in every community across Kentucky.
In October 2024, the University of Kentucky’s Board of Trustees made a bold statement: that UK should become the university that does more than any other in the country to improve the health of the state it serves.
The creation of a new initiative, the Advancing Kentucky Together Network, is the next step in UK’s long-standing work to tackle health disparities, boost regional economies, and build a stronger, more resilient workforce—all through deep and sustained community partnerships.
The Network “builds upon years of work we’ve done on the healthcare side,” said Rob Edwards, UK’s Vice President and Chief Strategy & Growth Officer for UK HealthCare, “building networks of healthcare providers and working together to improve clinical care for patients and to provide that care close to the patient’s home.”
The vision is rooted in Kentucky’s land-grant mission and UK’s history of stepping into real-world challenges with statewide impact.
For Edwards, the concept is straightforward: “I would say we’re taking a lot of long-time relationships that are built on trust…and so we’ve been able to find a model that works from both an expense standpoint and a health outcomes standpoint.”
On this episode of Behind the Blue, Edwards discusses the decades of partnership-building that laid the groundwork for this network, how strategic collaborations can meet local and statewide needs, and why UK is uniquely positioned to lead this effort.
‘Behind the Blue’ is available via a variety of podcast providers, including iTunes and Spotify. Become a subscriber to receive new episodes of “Behind the Blue” each week. UK’s latest medical breakthroughs, research, artists and writers will be featured, along with the most important news impacting the university.
Behind the Blue is a joint production of the University of Kentucky and UK HealthCare. Transcripts for this or other episodes of Behind the Blue can be downloaded from the show’s blog page.
To discover how the University of Kentucky is advancing our Commonwealth, click here.
LEXINGTON, Ky. (May 22, 2025) – As federal lawmakers continue to examine the future of Medicaid, universities and health systems across the country are monitoring potential policy shifts that could influence how care is delivered—especially in states like Kentucky, where Medicaid plays a foundational role in supporting healthcare access.
At the University of Kentucky, Medicaid is more than a funding stream—it helps fuel a wide range of clinical services, community outreach programs, and care for underserved populations. Nearly 35% of patients served by UK HealthCare are Medicaid recipients, and many of them live in rural areas or face chronic health challenges that require consistent, high-quality care.
Helping to lead the university’s strategic and policy response is Mark Birdwhistell, UK’s Senior Vice President for Health and Public Policy. With more than 45 years of experience in healthcare policy and administration, Birdwhistell has played a central role in shaping UK’s efforts to communicate the value of Medicaid—not just in dollars, but in lives improved.
UK’s participation in Kentucky’s Medicaid Directed Payment program, which links funding to quality outcomes, has allowed the university to expand hospital access, reach patients in remote areas, and strengthen partnerships with providers across the Commonwealth. “We’re using this opportunity to show accountability, improve outcomes, and demonstrate how a teaching hospital model can work,” Birdwhistell said.
On this episode of Behind the Blue, Birdwhistell discusses how the university and its health system are adapting to a rapidly evolving Medicaid landscape, and why federal support remains essential to serving the state’s most vulnerable.
‘Behind the Blue’ is available via a variety of podcast providers, including iTunes and Spotify. Become a subscriber to receive new episodes of “Behind the Blue” each week. UK’s latest medical breakthroughs, research, artists and writers will be featured, along with the most important news impacting the university.
Behind the Blue is a joint production of the University of Kentucky and UK HealthCare. Transcripts for this or other episodes of Behind the Blue can be downloaded from the show’s blog page.
To discover how the University of Kentucky is advancing our Commonwealth, click here.
LEXINGTON, Ky. (May 8, 2025) – THIS IS AN ENCORE PRESENTATION. The University of Kentucky Alzheimer’s Disease Research Center at the Sanders-Brown Center on Aging is celebrating 40 years of research and community impact. The center is world-renowned for its significant contributions to the field through the decades. As the UK-ADRC celebrates this milestone, we reflect on how the Center has evolved over the years and highlight some of its notable achievements.
This episode of Behind the Blue features a conversation with Dr. Linda Van Eldik, Director of the Sanders-Brown Center on Aging and Alzheimer’s Disease Center. Van Eldik highlights the 40-year journey of the Center, focusing on its origins, community engagement, and the evolution of Alzheimer's research.
The discussion covers the importance of understanding dementia through biomarkers, the significance of translational research, and the center's commitment to preventative strategies and lifestyle interventions. She emphasizes the need for community outreach, education, and the role of philanthropy in advancing research efforts.
Behind the Blue is available via a variety of podcast providers, including iTunes and Spotify. Become a subscriber to receive new episodes of “Behind the Blue” each week. UK’s latest medical breakthroughs, research, artists and writers will be featured, along with the most important news impacting the university.
Behind the Blue is a joint production of the University of Kentucky and UK HealthCare. Transcripts for this or other episodes of Behind the Blue can be downloaded from the show’s blog page.
To discover how the University of Kentucky is advancing our Commonwealth, click here.
LEXINGTON, Ky. (May 1, 2025) – As the University of Kentucky prepares to celebrate its newest alumni during Commencement ceremonies on May 9th and 10th, each student walking across the stage carries a unique story of transformation and impact shaped by their time on campus. Earning a degree in any field demands dedication, perseverance and countless hours of study, but the experience of UK often provides much more, equipping students with skills and perspectives gained through community engagement, hands-on research opportunities and impactful experiences with the wider world, allowing them to go on to lead lives of meaning and purpose.
Two such students are graduating this spring from the UK College of Public Health, with journeys that show how UK’s supportive environment, coupled with their own initiative, has prepared them to tackle complex health challenges on a broad, even global, scale.
Sophia Goodin, a Lexington native, and Sophie Ciaverelli, who grew up partly in Texas and Germany, were drawn to public health for its focus on making a difference at a population level, rather than through solely individual patient care. They both held a desire to use their skills to help entire communities and appreciated the unique viewpoint Public Health provided in getting to the root causes and solutions of certain problems.
Another cornerstone of their UK experience has been the supportive and close-knit community within the college, along with the accessibility and passion of the faculty and staff. Goodin describes the community as “super welcoming,” and noted the ease of having “personal conversations” due to the college’s smaller size. Ciaverelli added that the college made strong impressions on them by helping students feel “they want me here, I belong here, and they are celebrating the fact that that I'm here” right from the start.
On this episode of Behind the Blue, Goodin and Ciaverelli reflect on their time at UK, their unique research and international experiences, and what's next as they prepare for graduation and embark on their future paths in public health.
‘Behind the Blue’ is available via a variety of podcast providers, including iTunes and Spotify. Become a subscriber to receive new episodes of “Behind the Blue” each week. UK’s latest medical breakthroughs, research, artists and writers will be featured, along with the most important news impacting the university.
Behind the Blue is a joint production of the University of Kentucky and UK HealthCare. Transcripts for this or other episodes of Behind the Blue can be downloaded from the show’s blog page.
To discover how the University of Kentucky is advancing our Commonwealth, click here.
LEXINGTON, Ky. (April 24, 2025) – University of Kentucky President Eli Capilouto often talks about the university’s overarching mission to advance the state of Kentucky. A key part of that mission is educating more and more students to help expand the workforce across the Commonwealth.
Recent enrollment figures reflect this mission with record enrollment, as well as retention and graduation rates.
A team from the University of Kentucky recently earned the National Student Affairs Administrators in Higher Education (NASPA) Excellence Award.
The presenting team — made up Dr. Kirsten Turner, Vice President for Student Success…Chief Analytics Officer Todd Brann…Dr. Molly Reynolds, Associate Vice President for Student Excellence…and Anne Marie Bickel, Student Analytics Team Lead, Institutional Research, Analytics & Decision Support (IRADS) — won the “Gold in 2025 Assessment, Persistence, Data Analytics and related category” for their Weekly Retention Meetings.
In this episode of Behind the Blue, two of those leaders, Molly Reynolds and Anne Marie Bickel, are taking a deeper dive into this unique strategy to explore how it works and why it’s helping University of Kentucky students succeed.
Behind the Blue is available via a variety of podcast providers, including iTunes and Spotify. Become a subscriber to receive new episodes of “Behind the Blue” each week. UK’s latest medical breakthroughs, research, artists and writers will be featured, along with the most important news impacting the university.
Behind the Blue is a joint production of the University of Kentucky and UK HealthCare. Transcripts for this or other episodes of Behind the Blue can be downloaded from the show’s blog page.
To discover how the University of Kentucky is advancing our Commonwealth, click here.
LEXINGTON, Ky. (April 17, 2025) – THIS IS AN ENCORE EPISODE. For those who live and work in urban areas, transportation is often among the top challenges in their daily routines.
For Lance Broeking, Director of Transportation Services at the University of Kentucky, addressing these challenges is a constant focus. He leads a department responsible for managing campus parking, transit, and alternative transportation options, working to navigate the complexities of a growing and evolving university environment.
In this episode of ‘Behind the Blue’, Broeking delves into the impact of campus growth and ongoing construction, the importance of collaborating with the city of Lexington, and the vital role communication and education play in addressing parking regulations, fees, and citations. He also explores the integration of new technologies within transportation services and the university’s ongoing commitment to sustainability.
Behind the Blue is available via a variety of podcast providers, including iTunes and Spotify. Become a subscriber to receive new episodes of “Behind the Blue” each week. UK’s latest medical breakthroughs, research, artists and writers will be featured, along with the most important news impacting the university.
Behind the Blue is a joint production of the University of Kentucky and UK HealthCare. Transcripts for this or other episodes of Behind the Blue can be downloaded from the show’s blog page.
To discover how the University of Kentucky is advancing our Commonwealth, click here.
LEXINGTON, Ky. (April 10, 2025) – [THIS IS AN ENCORE EPISODE] In the summer of 2020, UK Football player JJ Weaver lost both his father and high school football coach in successive months. Weaver, a graduate who plays outside linebacker, says he channeled his emotions into football until an injury later that fall sidelined him and left him with no outlet.
Struggling with anger and grief, JJ began falling behind in class and regressing from his teammates, until the UK coaching staff pulled him aside to try and understand what was happening. From there, Weaver’s path eventually led him to a senior capstone class with Nicole Breazeale, an associate professor of community and leadership development in the UK College of Agriculture, Food & Environment, where he shared his journey with fellow students.
As a final project in the class, Breazeale connected Weaver and two other students with Emily Johnson, the clinical programs manager at the Kentucky Center for Grieving Children and Families, where they developed a student-led peer support group, first with fellow athletes, and now moving out into pilot programs within the greater university community.
On this episode of ‘Behind the Blue’, Breazeale, Weaver, and Johnson discuss the beginnings of the program, the overwhelming need for these types of groups on campus, and the legacy they hope build by serving students in need.
This episode contains discussions of loss and grief. Listener discretion is advised. If you or someone you know is struggling with grief, or facing mental and/or substance use disorders, contact the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA) at 1-800-662-HELP (4357) or visit samhsa.gov/find-help/national-helpline.
‘Behind the Blue’ is available via a variety of podcast providers, including iTunes and Spotify. Become a subscriber to receive new episodes of “Behind the Blue” each week. UK’s latest medical breakthroughs, research, artists and writers will be featured, along with the most important news impacting the university.
For questions or comments about this or any other episode of "Behind the Blue," email BehindTheBlue@uky.edu or tweet your question with #BehindTheBlue. Transcripts for this or other episodes of Behind the Blue can be downloaded from the show’s blog page.
To discover what’s wildly possible at the University of Kentucky, click here.
LEXINGTON, Ky. (April 3, 2025) – The following episode deals with sensitive subject material involving sexual assault, rape, stalking, and intimate partner violence. Listener discretion is advised. If you or someone you know needs assistance, contact the VIP Center at 859-257-3574 or email vipcenter@uky.edu.
April is Sexual Assault Awareness and Prevention Month, a time dedicated to education, advocacy, and support for survivors. At the University of Kentucky, the Violence Intervention and Prevention (VIP) Center serves as a confidential resource for students, faculty, and staff impacted by interpersonal violence—including sexual assault, rape, stalking, and intimate partner violence. The VIP Center provides a welcoming space for survivors, advocates, and anyone seeking to learn more about prevention and intervention.
On this episode of Behind the Blue, two professionals dedicated to supporting survivors and preventing violence on campus discuss the work of the VIP Center and the vital role of advocacy in the campus community.
Natalie Tate is the Victim Advocate for the University of Kentucky Police Department’s Special Victims Unit (SVU). A mental health professional pursuing her M.S. in Family Sciences with an emphasis in Couple and Family Therapy, Natalie brings extensive experience in crisis intervention, trauma-informed care, and community engagement. She works closely with survivors, providing support and guidance if and when they choose to navigate the criminal justice system. Natalie also collaborates with the VIP Center to ensure survivors receive holistic care, connecting them with advocacy, counseling, and other essential resources.
Lenzi Dodgen works with the VIP Center, where she helps survivors navigate their healing journeys and engages the campus community in education and prevention efforts. With both her bachelor’s and master’s degrees in social work from UK, Lenzi has devoted her career to advocacy and considers her work at UK a “dream job.”
Together, they discuss the resources available at UK, the importance of trauma-informed care, and how we can all contribute to a safer and more supportive community. If you or someone you know has experienced interpersonal violence, know that help is available. The VIP Center is here to provide confidential support, advocacy, and education.
Behind the Blue is available via a variety of podcast providers, including iTunes and Spotify. Become a subscriber to receive new episodes of “Behind the Blue” each week. UK’s latest medical breakthroughs, research, artists and writers will be featured, along with the most important news impacting the university.
Behind the Blue is a joint production of the University of Kentucky and UK HealthCare. Transcripts for this or other episodes of Behind the Blue can be downloaded from the show’s blog page.
To discover how the University of Kentucky is advancing our Commonwealth, click here.
LEXINGTON, Ky. (March 27, 2025) – In December of 2024, long-time agricultural and extension services leader Laura Stephenson was named vice president for land-grant engagement and dean of the Martin-Gatton College of Agriculture, Food and Environment (Martin-Gatton CAFE).
With a career spanning decades in Cooperative Extension leadership in both Kentucky and Tennessee, Stephenson has worked at every level of the system—from county agent to state director—helping to connect research with real-world solutions for farmers, businesses, and communities.
Now, as Dean, she’s leading the college through a period of transformation, overseeing major facility upgrades, expanding workforce development programs, and strengthening partnerships that bridge agriculture, education, and public health.
On this episode of Behind the Blue, Stephenson discusses her vision for the college, the evolving role of UK Extension in supporting producers of all sizes, and how agriculture touches every aspect of life in the Commonwealth—from farm to table, rural to urban, and beyond.
Behind the Blue is available via a variety of podcast providers, including iTunes and Spotify. Become a subscriber to receive new episodes of “Behind the Blue” each week. UK’s latest medical breakthroughs, research, artists and writers will be featured, along with the most important news impacting the university.
Behind the Blue is a joint production of the University of Kentucky and UK HealthCare. Transcripts for this or other episodes of Behind the Blue can be downloaded from the show’s blog page.
To discover how the University of Kentucky is advancing our Commonwealth, click here.
LEXINGTON, Ky. (March 20, 2025) – Each year in the spring, hundreds of UK students gather to stand for an entire day to support the patients in the DanceBlue Kentucky Children’s Hospital Hematology/Oncology Clinic.
This year, the organization will celebrate its 20th annual marathon. Students work all year to raise funds and share the mission to spread joy. On March 29-30 they will fill the floor of Historic Memorial Coliseum for 24-hours to participate in the no-sitting, no-sleeping marathon.
In 2006, the very first DanceBlue Marathon raised $123,323.16. The event has grown larger every year, becoming one of the greatest traditions at the University of Kentucky. In 2024, the organization raised $2.1 million, breaking the record for highest fundraising total.
For 20 years, DanceBlue has strived to spread joy to those fighting, to persevere in memory of the lives lost, and to celebrate every victory until the battle against pediatric cancer is won.
On this episode of Behind the Blue, two UK alumni who were previous members of DanceBlue’s leadership committee share their thoughts and reflections on the program.
Amberlee Isabella, an entrepreneur in New York state, and Alex Wade, a Lexington native and local physician, both talk about the impact DanceBlue had on both their personal lives and professional careers, the importance of community service and support, and the emotional connections that have defined DanceBlue and the unique family it has created.
Behind the Blue is available via a variety of podcast providers, including iTunes and Spotify. Become a subscriber to receive new episodes of “Behind the Blue” each week. UK’s latest medical breakthroughs, research, artists and writers will be featured, along with the most important news impacting the university.
Behind the Blue is a joint production of the University of Kentucky and UK HealthCare. Transcripts for this or other episodes of Behind the Blue can be downloaded from the show’s blog page.
To discover how the University of Kentucky is advancing our Commonwealth, click here.
LEXINGTON, Ky. (March 13, 2025) – Last summer, University of Kentucky archaeologist Paolo Visonà, Ph.D., an adjunct associate professor in the University of Kentucky’s School of Art and Visual Studies, announced a major archaeological discovery in Calabria, Italy.
Visonà and his team discovered Spartacus’ first battlefield in southern Italy and Roman fortification systems built by Crassus to blockade Spartacus’ army.
Through fieldwalking and geophysical and remote sensing techniques, Visonà’s team followed the Roman lines for more than 1.6 miles in a dense forest and collected numerous fragments of broken weapons. Visonà has conclusively identified some of the weapon fragments as originating in the first century B.C. Visonà’s team also found a complete bronze stud inside the wall at a depth consistent with Roman military equipment.
On this episode of Behind the Blue, Visonà discusses the path to his discovery and what it means for the field of archaeology and the University of Kentucky.
Behind the Blue is available via a variety of podcast providers, including iTunes and Spotify. Become a subscriber to receive new episodes of “Behind the Blue” each week. UK’s latest medical breakthroughs, research, artists and writers will be featured, along with the most important news impacting the university.
Behind the Blue is a joint production of the University of Kentucky and UK HealthCare. Transcripts for this or other episodes of Behind the Blue can be downloaded from the show’s blog page.
To discover how the University of Kentucky is advancing our Commonwealth, click here.
LEXINGTON, Ky. (March 5, 2025) — It’s hard to believe it’s been five years since the COVID-19 pandemic officially arrived in the Commonwealth – but on Friday, March 6, 2020, Gov. Andy Beshear confirmed the state’s first COVID-19-positive patient and declared a state of emergency in Kentucky. And that first case was tested and diagnosed right here at the University of Kentucky Albert B. Chandler Hospital.
That day began a grueling, years-long grind for medical professionals across the state, the country, and the world. Hospital systems struggled to keep up with surges of severely ill patients coming through their doors. Shortages of personal protective equipment, ventilators, ECMO machines, inpatient beds, and even health care providers themselves led to a type of global health crisis not seen in more than a century.
In today’s episode of Behind the Blue, you’ll hear from eight longtime employees from the medical side of UK’s campus, ranging from administrators to frontline health care providers to researchers. We asked them to reflect on those scary, early days of the pandemic, how it impacted their professional and personal lives, and some of the lessons learned from living through such a significant moment in history.
Let’s meet our guests for this oral history of the COVID-19 pandemic at UK and in the Commonwealth.
Jenn Alonso has been at UK HealthCare for 13 years and has worked in the medicine intensive care unit (MICU) as a registered nurse since 2014. As a MICU nurse, she works alongside a team of physicians, nurses, therapists and other providers to take care of some of the most critically ill patients who come to UK HealthCare. Alonso was working in the MICU the day UK’s first COVID-19 patient was admitted and was directly involved in frontline care for the sickest COVID-19 patients day in and day out.
Kim Blanton, D.N.P., is the chief nursing officer for UK Albert B. Chandler Hospital. Blanton began her nursing career at UK in 1998 in the neuro-trauma ICU and worked her way up through several nursing positions, including rapid response nursing, working as a division charge nurse and managing the cardiovascular stepdown unit. After briefly leaving UK to help create and run an ICU at a local rural hospital, she returned in 2011 as a hospital operations administrator before becoming the UK HealthCare enterprise director for Infection Prevention and Control (IPAC) and Quality and Safety.
Blanton was serving in her IPAC role when the COVID-19 pandemic began and was instrumental in UK’s COVID-19 response: She helped bring home UK students from abroad, called COVID-19 patients to help them navigate their care and quarantine, developed plans and processes for patient surges and PPE needs, and much more.
Kevin Hatton, M.D., Ph.D., is the chief medical officer for UK Albert B. Chandler Hospital. An anesthesiologist by training, he earned both his medical degree and doctorate of philosophydegree from UK. Including his time in residency, Dr. Hatton has worked at UK HealthCare for 21 years, serving in a variety of leadership roles in anesthesiology in critical care medicineprimarily for neurology and cardiovascular ICUs. When the pandemic began, he was serving as senior medical director for critical care services as well as was interim director for ECMO services. Initially, Hatton’s role focused on training and preparing the anesthesia critical care team to help provide care for non-COVID ICU patients, as much of the medicine ICU staff’s time was spent caring for COVID-positive inpatients.
ECMO, the highest form of life support, is a machine that takes over function of a patient’s damaged heart and/or lungs by removing a patient’s blood, oxygenating it, and returning it into the body. Though ECMO is used on a daily basis at UK HealthCare, its use skyrocketed during the pandemic as patients whose lungs were severely damaged by the virus needed this highest form of life support. As interim director for ECMO services, Hatton and his team had to rapidly develop protocols and processes to use the limited number of ECMO machines to help the most patients possible.
Ashley Montgomery-Yates, M.D., has been physician in the UK Division of Pulmonary, Critical Care and Sleep Medicine since 2013. As a critical care physician, she works primarily in the MICU setting taking care of the sickest patients – people on ventilators, with multi-organ failure, post-operative complications, and more. In 2013, she launched UK HealthCare’s ICURecovery Clinic, which helps patients who have been in the ICU navigate the follow-up care and resources they need to recover. At the time, UK HealthCare’s ICU Recovery Clinic was just one of three in the nation.
Montgomery-Yates is currently the senior vice chair for the Department of Internal Medicine. When the pandemic began, she had recently become the interim chief medical officer for inpatient and emergency services. In this role and as an ICU physician, Montgomery-Yates and her colleagues were heavily involved in the day-to-day care of inpatients with COVID-19. She was part of the team that launched UK’s successful Mass Vaccination Clinic out at Kroger Field, and her ICU teams also helped guide the creation of UK HealthCare’s brand-new MICU, which opened January 2024.
Meg Pyper is a division charge nurse with the UK Albert B. Chandler Hospital Emergency Department and has been with UK HealthCare Emergency Medicine since 2010. As a charge nurse, her role is like air traffic control for the ED — taking calls from EMS and local hospitals about incoming patients and transfers, determining what services that patient will need upon arrival, and notifying interdisciplinary team members to be prepared when those patients arrive. As a nurse, she was drawn to emergency medicine after seeing her favorite nurse mentors be “the calm in the chaos.” Pyper began in this role just weeks before the pandemic arrived in Kentucky, and she and her team were the first line of care COVID patients received when they arrived at UK Chandler Hospital.
Lindsay Ragsdale, M.D., is the chief medical officer for Kentucky Children’s Hospital and chief of the Division of Pediatric Palliative Care. Since arriving at UK in 2013, she has worked to build a robust program that helps seriously ill young patients and their families by caring for them holistically – looking at their physical, mental, emotional and spiritual well-being, and helping them navigate the experience of being severely ill.
Ragsdale became the KCH CMO in 2021, right when the COVID-19 delta variant was beginning to affect children much more than previous variants had. She helped set up both the pediatric monoclonal antibody clinic that provided infusions to help protect high-risk pediatric patients, as well as the successful pediatric vaccine clinic, which provided COVID-19 vaccines for children in a playful, engaging environment.
Rob Sprang is the director of Kentucky TeleCare, a role he’s held at UK since 1996. UK first began using telehealth services in 1995. Since then, telehealth has grown by leaps and bounds, but its use skyrocketed during the pandemic. Earlier days of telehealth were usually done facility-to-facility — however, the vastly improved technology and public acceptance of telehealth, along with new, more relaxed regulatory laws around its use has allowed telehealth to explode in popularity.
When the pandemic hit Kentucky, Sprang and his team — along with countless ambulatory providers and staff – worked 24/7 for more than a week to get UK HealthCare clinics set up to offer telehealth so that patients could still see their providers without needing to go into the hospital or clinic. Telehealth was a critical element in helping to protect both patients and providers from potential exposure to COVID-19.
Vince Venditto, Ph.D., is an associate professor of pharmaceutical sciences in the UK College of Pharmacy with a background in chemistry, drug delivery, and vaccine development. In the early days of the pandemic, his work in blood analysis – looking for biomarkers for cardiovascular disease in up to 1,500 samples at a time – was adapted to do mass testing for COVID antibodies as a means of diagnosis. After PCR tests became the gold standard for diagnosing the disease, his work shifted again — this time to working with local pharmacies for surveillance of COVID out in Kentucky communities.
Post-COVID, this project has evolved to include other infectious diseases and inflammatory conditions, and it focuses on increasing access to health care through Kentucky’s network of pharmacies. It also has a new name: Pharmacy-based Recruitment Opportunities To Enhance Community Testing and Surveillance (PROTECTS). Venditto co-directs this project along with Brooke Hudspeth, Pharm.D., an associate professor of pharmacy practice and science.
Venditto is also part of The Consortium for Understanding and Reducing Infectious Diseases in Kentucky (CURE-KY), which fosters multidisciplinary collaborations to address the burden of infectious diseases in the Commonwealth and beyond. This consortium was built on the heels of UK’s COVID-19 Unified Research Experts (CURE) Alliance, which was quickly assembled in 2020 to support a full range of COVID-related research.
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Behind the Blue is available via a variety of podcast providers, including iTunes and Spotify. Become a subscriber to receive new episodes of “Behind the Blue” each week. UK’s latest medical breakthroughs, research, artists and writers will be featured, along with the most important news impacting the university.
Behind the Blue is a joint production of the University of Kentucky and UK HealthCare. Transcripts for this or other episodes of Behind the Blue can be downloaded from the show’s blog page.
To discover how the University of Kentucky is advancing our Commonwealth, click here.
LEXINGTON, Ky. (February 26, 2025) – As Lexington commemorates its 250th anniversary and the University of Kentucky marks its 160th, UK Libraries’ Deirdre Scaggs helps listeners explore the intertwined history and evolving relationship between the city and its university.
Scaggs is associate dean for research and discovery and director of the Wendell H. Ford Public Policy Research Center in UK Libraries’ Special Collections Research Center.
She helps navigate UK’s origins in Lexington, the challenges of growing UK and Lexington’s symbiotic relationship, and the importance of the community built between the two.
A key part of that is UK’s mission and charge as the Commonwealth’s land-grant institution.
“Having a land-grant institution in your city is a big draw for development, for businesses to want to come here and invest in the area,” Scaggs said. “The public service mission of a land-grant institution is something that I think the university has always followed through with and has made such a difference — from the early days of agricultural extension to all of the health care, innovations and opportunities that exist here to help the entire state.”
Learn more from Scaggs on the captivating history, challenges and triumphs that have shaped Lexington and UK, as well as the historical insights and pivot points that define the relationship between the two.
Behind the Blue is available via a variety of podcast providers, including iTunes and Spotify. Become a subscriber to receive new episodes of “Behind the Blue” each week. UK’s latest medical breakthroughs, research, artists and writers will be featured, along with the most important news impacting the university.
Behind the Blue is a joint production of the University of Kentucky and UK HealthCare. Transcripts for this or other episodes of Behind the Blue can be downloaded from the show’s blog page.
To discover how the University of Kentucky is advancing our Commonwealth, click here.
LEXINGTON, Ky. (February 20, 2025) – THIS IS AN ENCORE EPISODE. Fans, dressed from head to toe in their team’s colors, swarm the stadium chanting fight songs and waving banners.
It’s game day, and the stakes feel monumental.
Sports rivalries are a cornerstone of athletic culture — sparking packed bleachers, passionate debates and unforgettable moments.
But what drives the fervor that fans feel for their team and the disdain for their rivals? Experts suggest the answer lies not just in the scoreboard, but in the human psyche.
According to Matt Moore, associate professor in the College of Social Work(CoSW) and Tarkington Newman, director of CoSW Sport Social Work Research Lab, rivalries are more than competition; they’re a powerful blend of identity, emotion and instinct.
The CoSW recently announced the launch of The Sport Social Work Collaborative — a partnership between the Alliance of Social Workers in Sports (ASWIS), the Sport Social Work Journal and the college’s Sport Social Work Research Lab. The goal is to advance sport social work as a distinct specialization within the social work profession.
The collaborative is focused on leading research, teaching and outreach efforts that seek to promote the healthy development of athletes, coaches and communities. The CoSW is also home of the International Institute on Sport Social Work.
“The collaborative spans everything from community-based youth development programs, high school sports, to collegiate athletics,” Newman said. “But ultimately, the lab is committed to maximizing sports and promoting healthy experiences and development. It’s a place for exploration — understanding what sports are, what they can be, and giving students the opportunity to engage and lead research experiences.”
On this edition of “Behind the Blue,” Moore and Newman, who are both part of the collaborative, explore the psychology behind sports rivalries — why we love our teams as fiercely as we loathe the opposition, and why this drama keeps us coming back for more.
‘Behind the Blue’ is available via a variety of podcast providers, including iTunes and Spotify. Become a subscriber to receive new episodes of “Behind the Blue” each week. UK’s latest medical breakthroughs, research, artists and writers will be featured, along with the most important news impacting the university.
For questions or comments about this or any other episode of "Behind the Blue," email BehindTheBlue@uky.edu or tweet your question with #BehindTheBlue. Transcripts for this or other episodes of Behind the Blue can be downloaded from the show’s blog page.
To discover how the University of Kentucky is advancing our Commonwealth, click here.
LEXINGTON, Ky. (Feb. 14, 2025) – It seems like foreshadowing that they met while playing the board game Life. Marietta Barton was 19 years old; Jeff Baxter was 21. Despite both growing up in London, Ky., they never crossed paths until they moved to Lexington for college. But within a few weeks of their chance meeting, they were in love—and engaged.
Now, 35 years into their marriage, Jeff has published a book chronicling their whirlwind romance, the life-altering health struggles they faced soon after, and their enduring commitment to one another.
He originally wrote the book, “Ten Dates Later: The Story of an MS Caregiver,” as a surprise gift for Marietta (now Barton-Baxter) in 2023. But after sharing the text with a few friends, they were encouraged to publish it to help others facing the challenges of chronic illness and caregiving. They also decided to donate the proceeds from the book to multiple sclerosis research at the University of Kentucky, where they both earned their degrees, and where Marietta has worked in health research for 37 years. She currently serves as the regulatory program director and biobank project director in the Center for Clinical and Translational Science. Jeff recently retired after serving for 28 years as a physical education teacher in the Fayette County Public Schools.
On this episode of Behind the Blue, Jeff and Marietta tell their story, which is inextricably intertwined with the University of Kentucky; from the beginnings of their romance, to their college educations, to the diagnoses and care for both of them, and to Marietta’s impactful 37-year career in health research at UK.
LEXINGTON, Ky. (February 6, 2025) – [THIS IS AN ENCORE EPISODE] For over three decades, Everett McCorvey has been the driving force as director of UK Opera Theatre, which is part of the School of Music at the UK College of Fine Arts. The school has earned a national reputation for excellence in opera, choral and instrumental music performance, as well as in music education, music therapy, composition, theory, and music history.
As the first African American to earn a doctoral degree in music from the University of Alabama, McCorvey is personally committed to creating opportunities for UK students from diverse backgrounds to thrive.
One of McCorvey’s most renowned projects is ‘It’s A Grand Night for Singing!’, a vibrant, high-energy musical showcase featuring hits from Broadway and beyond. Since its inception in 1992, ‘Grand Night’ has captivated audiences with its Emmy Award-winning performances, highlighting the best of Broadway both past and present.
On this episode of ‘Behind the Blue’, McCorvey shares insights into his upbringing in Montgomery, Alabama, the experiences that motivated him to pursue both performance and teaching and offers a preview of this year’s ‘Grand Night’ lineup.
Behind the Blue is available via a variety of podcast providers, including iTunes and Spotify. Become a subscriber to receive new episodes of “Behind the Blue” each week. UK’s latest medical breakthroughs, research, artists and writers will be featured, along with the most important news impacting the university.
Behind the Blue is a joint production of the University of Kentucky and UK HealthCare. Transcripts for this or other episodes of Behind the Blue can be downloaded from the show’s blog page.
To discover how the University of Kentucky is advancing our Commonwealth, click here.
LEXINGTON, Ky. (January 29, 2025) – The University of Kentucky Alzheimer’s Disease Research Center at the Sanders-Brown Center on Aging is celebrating 40 years of research and community impact. The center is world-renowned for its significant contributions to the field through the decades. As the UK-ADRC celebrates this milestone, we reflect on how the Center has evolved over the years and highlight some of its notable achievements.
This episode of Behind the Blue features a conversation with Dr. Linda Van Eldik, Director of the Sanders-Brown Center on Aging and Alzheimer’s Disease Center. Van Eldik highlights the 40-year journey of the Center, focusing on its origins, community engagement, and the evolution of Alzheimer's research.
The discussion covers the importance of understanding dementia through biomarkers, the significance of translational research, and the center's commitment to preventative strategies and lifestyle interventions. She emphasizes the need for community outreach, education, and the role of philanthropy in advancing research efforts.
Behind the Blue is available via a variety of podcast providers, including iTunes and Spotify. Become a subscriber to receive new episodes of “Behind the Blue” each week. UK’s latest medical breakthroughs, research, artists and writers will be featured, along with the most important news impacting the university.
Behind the Blue is a joint production of the University of Kentucky and UK HealthCare. Transcripts for this or other episodes of Behind the Blue can be downloaded from the show’s blog page.
To discover what’s wildly possible at the University of Kentucky, click here.
LEXINGTON, Ky. (January 23, 2025) – This week’s episode of Behind the Blue features an episode of the Talking FACS podcast. Hosted by Mindy McCulley of the UK Family and Consumer Sciences Extension Program, Talking FACS is a production of the UK College of Agriculture, Food & Environment.
On this special guest episode, Dr. Alex Elswick, Extension Specialist for Substance Use Prevention and Recovery, discusses a critical and timely issue—the alarming rise of stimulant use alongside the ongoing opioid crisis, a phenomenon some experts refer to as a "twin epidemic."
In this interview, Dr. Elswick unpacks startling data: stimulant use, particularly methamphetamine and cocaine, has spiked dramatically across the nation and here in Kentucky, becoming a major contributor to overdose fatalities alongside opioids. This conversation sheds light on evolving drug use patterns, including the shift from injection to smoking, and explores the social perceptions and challenges surrounding treatment for stimulant addiction. It’s a sobering yet vital discussion that underscores the complexities of substance use disorders and the urgent need for innovative solutions.
You can find more episodes of the Talking FACS podcast through a variety of podcast providers, such as Spotify and Amazon Music.
Behind the Blue is available via a variety of podcast providers, including iTunes and Spotify. Become a subscriber to receive new episodes of “Behind the Blue” each week. UK’s latest medical breakthroughs, research, artists and writers will be featured, along with the most important news impacting the university.
Behind the Blue is a joint production of the University of Kentucky and UK HealthCare. Transcripts for this or other episodes of Behind the Blue can be downloaded from the show’s blog page.
To discover what’s wildly possible at the University of Kentucky, click here.
LEXINGTON, Ky. (January 16, 2025) – For over 50 years, the city of Lexington, Kentucky, has honored the life and legacy of Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. with one of the longest-running celebrations in the country. This year, thousands of community members will come together once again to reflect on Dr. King's vision for racial equality, social justice and service to others —values that remain as relevant today as they were during his lifetime.
The legacy of Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. encompasses influential decisions, monumental actions and steadfast progressions of humanitarian rights that reach far beyond the civil rights movement. A leader of all people, Dr. King never chose fear but always chose courage and determination when fighting for civil rights in the face of oppression, ignorance and violence - providing a model for how we still must work to combat inequality today.
This year’s theme, “Where do we go from here?” emphasizes where we are today and where we need to go. A message the Lexington MLK Day committee believes to be more pertinent than ever.
Ja’Mahl McDaniel, director of UK’s Martin Luther King, Jr. Center, joins this episode of Behind the Blue to talk about his work with the MLK Day planning committee, how the program adapted to honor the loss of Nikki Giovanni, the importance of student involvement in the Lexington community, and more.
Behind the Blue is available via a variety of podcast providers, including iTunes and Spotify. Become a subscriber to receive new episodes of “Behind the Blue” each week. UK’s latest medical breakthroughs, research, artists and writers will be featured, along with the most important news impacting the university.
Behind the Blue is a joint production of the University of Kentucky and UK HealthCare. Transcripts for this or other episodes of Behind the Blue can be downloaded from the show’s blog page.
To discover what’s wildly possible at the University of Kentucky, click here.
LEXINGTON, Ky. (January 9, 2025) – As the new year begins, the University of Kentucky is welcoming back students for the spring 2025 semester—a time to reflect on the strides made in the past year and to look forward to the opportunities ahead.
On this episode of Behind the Blue, UK President Eli Capilouto reflects on 2024, highlighting the achievements of a campus community deeply committed to care—care for students, for discovery, and for the Commonwealth. “The most important question we should ask ourselves every day,” he notes, “is, did we care? And then, how we care. That makes me most proud of our faculty, because resoundingly, you can say they care. They care about our students—not just their educational experience,” but also how they’re prepared to serve the future.
President Capilouto also discusses the Board of Trustees’ directive for UK to strengthen partnerships across Kentucky to advance health and prosperity. With a mission to make the state “healthier, wealthier, and wiser,” the university is tackling challenges like cancer, diabetes, and cardiovascular disease through groundbreaking research while preparing students and communities for opportunities in energy, advanced manufacturing, and the arts.
From its growing network of partnerships with hospitals and clinics across the state to a campus transformed by $6.5 billion in investments, UK continues to pull the levers of change, fulfilling its land-grant mission to serve and uplift the people of Kentucky.
Behind the Blue is available via a variety of podcast providers, including iTunes and Spotify. Become a subscriber to receive new episodes of “Behind the Blue” each week. UK’s latest medical breakthroughs, research, artists and writers will be featured, along with the most important news impacting the university.
Behind the Blue is a joint production of the University of Kentucky and UK HealthCare. Transcripts for this or other episodes of Behind the Blue can be downloaded from the show’s blog page.
To discover what’s wildly possible at the University of Kentucky, click here.
LEXINGTON, Ky. (December 23, 2024) – The University of Kentucky Alumni Association started the Great Teacher Award program in 1961 to honor excellent teaching at the university. There have been more than 300 teachers honored since that first year. Nominations may only be submitted by current students.
To receive the award, a candidate must:
- Hold the rank of full-time lecturer or above and have been a member of the faculty for the past three years at UK.
- Have superior knowledge of the subject matter.
- Have original and innovative classroom presentations.
- Demonstrate concern for students, both inside and outside the classroom setting.
- Not have been a recipient of the award for the past 10 years.
A committee of the UK Alumni Association Board of Directors and a representative from the student organization Omicron Delta Kappa select the recipients based on objective rating and ranking of the eligible nominations submitted.
This episode of Behind the Blue spotlights one of the six Great Teacher Award winners for 2024: Kayla Johnson, an assistant professor in the UK College of Education.
Johnson doesn't hesitate to tell her students that she was a first-generation college graduate, is from Appalachia, was low-income and faced housing insecurity as a child. In fact, she believes that sharing that information can help them.
Johnson also serves as director of Graduate Global Learning Initiatives, where she aims to provide graduate students with international experiences. In 2016, she co-founded a non-governmental organization that facilitates access to culturally grounded and community-driven educational opportunities for Indigenous children and adults in the Peruvian Andes.
‘Behind the Blue’ is available via a variety of podcast providers, including iTunes and Spotify. Become a subscriber to receive new episodes of “Behind the Blue” each week. UK’s latest medical breakthroughs, research, artists and writers will be featured, along with the most important news impacting the university.
For questions or comments about this or any other episode of "Behind the Blue," email BehindTheBlue@uky.edu or tweet your question with #BehindTheBlue. Transcripts for this or other episodes of Behind the Blue can be downloaded from the show’s blog page.
To discover what’s wildly possible at the University of Kentucky, click here.
LEXINGTON, Ky. (December 12, 2024) – On Friday, December 20th, the University of Kentucky will honor its newest alumni during the December Commencement ceremonies.
On this episode of Behind the Blue, we’re spotlighting a few of those graduates, hearing their stories about their time at UK, the memories they’ll carry forward, and how they’re ready to apply what they’ve learned to the next exciting chapters of their lives.
Jayla McCoy, a graduating senior from Cleveland, Ohio, is earning her Bachelor of Science in Mechanical Engineering with a minor in Computer Science. A standout leader at the University of Kentucky, Jayla conducted undergraduate research, served as a Lead College of Engineering Ambassador, and was Chapter President of the National Society of Black Engineers.
With internships at Toyota and GE, as well as significant recognitions like the Lyman T. Johnson Torch Bearer Award, Jayla is poised to make a remarkable impact in her field.
Nathan Reynolds found his calling through personal experiences with his sister's spina bifida and his mother’s dedication as a nurse. After a pandemic detour led him to UK, he pursued a career in nursing with extraordinary focus, earning scholarships and interning in advanced pain management and AI applications in anesthesia.
From enduring a 30-degree house during the 2022 ice storm to planning a future as a nurse anesthetist, Reynolds’ UK story exemplifies resilience and compassion, offering an inspiring look at a young professional ready to transform health care. He will graduate with a Bachelor of Science in Nursing.
‘Behind the Blue’ is available via a variety of podcast providers, including iTunes and Spotify. Become a subscriber to receive new episodes of “Behind the Blue” each week. UK’s latest medical breakthroughs, research, artists and writers will be featured, along with the most important news impacting the university.
For questions or comments about this or any other episode of "Behind the Blue," email BehindTheBlue@uky.edu or tweet your question with #BehindTheBlue. Transcripts for this or other episodes of Behind the Blue can be downloaded from the show’s blog page.
To discover what’s wildly possible at the University of Kentucky, click here.
LEXINGTON, Ky. (December 12, 2024) – Fans, dressed from head to toe in their team’s colors, swarm the stadium chanting fight songs and waving banners.
It’s game day, and the stakes feel monumental.
Sports rivalries are a cornerstone of athletic culture — sparking packed bleachers, passionate debates and unforgettable moments.
But what drives the fervor that fans feel for their team and the disdain for their rivals? Experts suggest the answer lies not just in the scoreboard, but in the human psyche.
According to Matt Moore, Associate Dean of Academic and Student Affairs in the College of Social Work(CoSW) and Tarkington Newman, director of CoSW Sport Social Work Research Lab, rivalries are more than competition; they’re a powerful blend of identity, emotion and instinct.
The CoSW recently announced the launch of The Sport Social Work Collaborative — a partnership between the Alliance of Social Workers in Sports (ASWIS), the Sport Social Work Journal and the college’s Sport Social Work Research Lab. The goal is to advance sport social work as a distinct specialization within the social work profession.
The collaborative is focused on leading research, teaching and outreach efforts that seek to promote the healthy development of athletes, coaches and communities. The CoSW is also home of the International Institute on Sport Social Work.
“The collaborative spans everything from community-based youth development programs, high school sports, to collegiate athletics,” Newman said. “But ultimately, the lab is committed to maximizing sports and promoting healthy experiences and development. It’s a place for exploration — understanding what sports are, what they can be, and giving students the opportunity to engage and lead research experiences.”
On this edition of “Behind the Blue,” Moore and Newman, who are both part of the collaborative, explore the psychology behind sports rivalries — why we love our teams as fiercely as we loathe the opposition, and why this drama keeps us coming back for more.
‘Behind the Blue’ is available via a variety of podcast providers, including iTunes and Spotify. Become a subscriber to receive new episodes of “Behind the Blue” each week. UK’s latest medical breakthroughs, research, artists and writers will be featured, along with the most important news impacting the university.
For questions or comments about this or any other episode of "Behind the Blue," email BehindTheBlue@uky.edu or tweet your question with #BehindTheBlue. Transcripts for this or other episodes of Behind the Blue can be downloaded from the show’s blog page.
To discover what’s wildly possible at the University of Kentucky, click here.
LEXINGTON, Ky. (Dec. 5, 2024) – The University of Kentucky Alumni Association started the Great Teacher Award program in 1961 to honor excellent teaching at the university. There have been more than 300 teachers honored since that first year. Nominations may only be submitted by current students.
To receive the award, a candidate must:
- Hold the rank of full-time lecturer or above and have been a member of the faculty for the past three years at UK.
- Have superior knowledge of the subject matter.
- Have original and innovative classroom presentations.
- Demonstrate concern for students, both inside and outside the classroom setting.
- Not have been a recipient of the award for the past 10 years.
A committee of the UK Alumni Association Board of Directors and a representative from the student organization Omicron Delta Kappa select the recipients based on objective rating and ranking of the eligible nominations submitted.
This episode of Behind the Blue spotlights one of the six Great Teacher Award winners for 2024: Mark Fillmore, a research professor in the Department of Psychology in the UK College of Arts and Sciences.
Fillmore is a member of the behavioral neuroscience and psychopharmacology area. The overarching theme of his research is understanding the role that cognitive processes have in promoting risk-taking behavior, with emphasis on recreational drug use including alcohol abuse and dependence. He is recognized as one of the world's leading scholars in the examination of the effects of alcohol on human cognitive information processing.
‘Behind the Blue’ is available via a variety of podcast providers, including iTunes and Spotify. Become a subscriber to receive new episodes of “Behind the Blue” each week. UK’s latest medical breakthroughs, research, artists and writers will be featured, along with the most important news impacting the university.
For questions or comments about this or any other episode of "Behind the Blue," email BehindTheBlue@uky.edu or tweet your question with #BehindTheBlue. Transcripts for this or other episodes of Behind the Blue can be downloaded from the show’s blog page.
To discover what’s wildly possible at the University of Kentucky, click here.
LEXINGTON, Ky. (November 28, 2024) – [THIS IS AN ENCORE EPISODE.] On July 30, UK HealthCare opened a new emergency unit dedicated to the treatment of patients experiencing a mental health crisis. The unit, known as EmPATH (Emergency Psychiatric Assessment, Treatment and Healing), is the first EmPATH unit in Kentucky.
Pioneered by internationally known emergency psychiatry expert Scott Zeller, M.D., only about 30 EmPATH units currently exist in the U.S. Rather than going to a traditional emergency room, where patients seeking care for a behavioral health issue may be waiting for hours in a stressful environment before being evaluated, EmPATH units were created to provide immediate support for patients in a carefully designed, calming environment.
UK HealthCare and New Vista have collaborated with leadership from the Cabinet for Health and Family Services to bring this new, evidence-based model of emergency behavioral health care to Kentucky. In this episode of “Behind the Blue,” Eastern State Hospital Chief Administrative Officer Lindsey Jasinski and Chief Nursing Officer Marc Woods explain why the EmPATH model is so effective, how psychiatric treatment has evolved over the years, and how Eastern State Hospital has been a leader in psychiatric care for more than two centuries.
"Behind the Blue" is available on iTunes, Google Play, Stitcher and Spotify. Become a subscriber to receive new episodes of “Behind the Blue” each week. UK’s latest medical breakthroughs, research, artists and writers will be featured, along with the most important news impacting the university.
For questions or comments about this or any other episode of "Behind the Blue," email BehindTheBlue@uky.edu or tweet your question with #BehindTheBlue. Transcripts for this or other episodes of Behind the Blue can be downloaded from the show’s blog page.
To discover what’s wildly possible at the University of Kentucky, click here.
LEXINGTON, Ky. (November 21, 2024) – The University of Kentucky Alumni Association started the Great Teacher Award program in 1961 to honor excellent teaching at the university. There have been more than 300 teachers honored since that first year. Nominations may only be submitted by current students.
To receive the award, a candidate must:
- Hold the rank of full-time lecturer or above and have been a member of the faculty for the past three years at UK.
- Have superior knowledge of the subject matter.
- Have original and innovative classroom presentations.
- Demonstrate concern for students, both inside and outside the classroom setting.
- Not have been a recipient of the award for the past 10 years.
A committee of the UK Alumni Association Board of Directors and a representative from the student organization Omicron Delta Kappa select the recipients based on objective rating and ranking of the eligible nominations submitted.
This episode of Behind the Blue spotlights one of the six Great Teacher Award winners for 2024: Bradley Elliott, a lecturer in the Department of Mathematics in the UK College of Arts and Sciences.
In the mathematics classes Bradley Elliott teaches, he focuses on active learning and student collaboration. He designs lessons and assignments that develop students' problem-solving skills, so students are better prepared to solve novel problems in the future.
During the summer, he is a faculty member at the Kentucky Governor's Scholars Program, working with high-achieving high school seniors.
"Behind the Blue" is available on iTunes, Google Play, Stitcher and Spotify. Become a subscriber to receive new episodes of “Behind the Blue” each week. UK’s latest medical breakthroughs, research, artists and writers will be featured, along with the most important news impacting the university.
For questions or comments about this or any other episode of "Behind the Blue," email BehindTheBlue@uky.edu or tweet your question with #BehindTheBlue. Transcripts for this or other episodes of Behind the Blue can be downloaded from the show’s blog page.
To discover what’s wildly possible at the University of Kentucky, click here.
LEXINGTON, Ky. (November 14, 2024) – In September 2022, the University of Kentucky launched a groundbreaking initiative: UK Invests.
Designed to help students become healthier, wealthier, and wiser, UK Invests is a first-of-its-kind financial literacy program aimed at building a foundation of financial wellness for all students — undergraduate, graduate, and professional.
Through UK Invests, students can open a brokerage account, access financial wellness resources, and earn rewards for taking steps to improve their financial, physical, and mental health. The program is designed to help students become equipped to make smart financial moves that benefit them now and in the future.
Here’s how it works: students can earn up to $500 per year through activities like attending financial literacy classes, participating in wellness events, and engaging with career-building opportunities. And the impact is clear — students in the program show higher GPAs and retention rates compared to those not enrolled, proving the long-term benefits of financial literacy on their college experience and beyond.
On this episode of Behind the Blue, UK students Kylie Lessenberry and Silas Moffitt share how UK Invests has helped them navigate personal finance, sharpen their investment skills, and enhance their overall student journey.
‘Behind the Blue’ is available via a variety of podcast providers, including iTunes and Spotify. Become a subscriber to receive new episodes of “Behind the Blue” each week. UK’s latest medical breakthroughs, research, artists and writers will be featured, along with the most important news impacting the university.
For questions or comments about this or any other episode of "Behind the Blue," email BehindTheBlue@uky.edu or tweet your question with #BehindTheBlue. Transcripts for this or other episodes of Behind the Blue can be downloaded from the show’s blog page.
To discover what’s wildly possible at the University of Kentucky, click here.
LEXINGTON, Ky. (November 7, 2024) – The interconnectedness of Black arts and cultural institutions is essential to the mission of community impact and affecting change. That’s one of the observations made by University of Kentucky Assistant Professor Jaleesa Wells, Ph.D., from the Department of Arts Administration.
For 12 months — from June 2023 through May 2024 — Wells explored the relationships between three East Okland, California, arts organizations: Artist as First Responder, Black Cultural Zone and Eastside Arts Alliance.
“The crux of my project was interviewing the stakeholders, interviewing their community members, board members, artists and the community that they interacted with,” Wells said.
Those groups were cultural institutions, she said, that went beyond the confines of their respective physical spaces.
On this edition of “Behind the Blue,” Tom Musgrave of UK Public Relations and Strategic Communications and Shauna Morgan, Ph.D., an associate professor and director of undergraduate studies in UK's Department of English Creative Writing Division, join Wells to discuss her exploration of those three groups and how she is applying what she’s learned to her work at UK.
‘Behind the Blue’ is available via a variety of podcast providers, including iTunes and Spotify. Become a subscriber to receive new episodes of “Behind the Blue” each week. UK’s latest medical breakthroughs, research, artists and writers will be featured, along with the most important news impacting the university.
For questions or comments about this or any other episode of "Behind the Blue," email BehindTheBlue@uky.edu or tweet your question with #BehindTheBlue. Transcripts for this or other episodes of Behind the Blue can be downloaded from the show’s blog page.
To discover what’s wildly possible at the University of Kentucky, click here.
LEXINGTON, Ky. (October 31, 2024) – In today’s political landscape, the power of a single post, tweet or video can shift public opinion, drive movements and even shape policies.
From trending hashtags to viral tweets, social media isn’t just an accessory in politics anymore — it’s a microphone, a platform and, at times, a battleground.
In the social media arena, candidates and voters engage in real-time debates, raise awareness for causes and rally support. But as its role in politics continues to grow, so do questions about its influence.
How did we get here? And where is this headed?
On this edition of “Behind the Blue,” Annelise Russell, an associate professor in the Martin School of Public Policy and Administration, and Maggie Macdonald, an assistant professor of political science in the UK College of Arts and Sciences, explore the impact of the stories lighting up our feeds — and what they mean for the future of democracy.
Their research focuses on the complex relationship between social media and politics — unpacking its benefits, pitfalls and what it truly means to be “political” in the digital age.
‘Behind the Blue’ is available via a variety of podcast providers, including iTunes and Spotify. Become a subscriber to receive new episodes of “Behind the Blue” each week. UK’s latest medical breakthroughs, research, artists and writers will be featured, along with the most important news impacting the university.
For questions or comments about this or any other episode of "Behind the Blue," email BehindTheBlue@uky.edu or tweet your question with #BehindTheBlue. Transcripts for this or other episodes of Behind the Blue can be downloaded from the show’s blog page.
To discover what’s wildly possible at the University of Kentucky, click here.
LEXINGTON, Ky. (October 24, 2024) – As the 2024 election approaches, voters across the country are preparing for a pivotal year in American politics. While the Presidential race naturally dominates headlines, many states, including Kentucky, are also focusing on crucial down-ballot races that will shape the future of local and national governance.
From state legislative battles to key Congressional seats, the outcome of these elections will influence everything from healthcare to education policy. Cultural issues and voter turnout are expected to play significant roles, with both parties working hard to mobilize their bases in what is sure to be a contentious and highly watched election cycle.
On this episode of 'Behind the Blue', Stephen Voss, a political science professor at the University of Kentucky, discusses the dynamics of the 2024 elections, including the lack of competitive races at the federal level, the impact of turnout on election outcomes, and key state-level amendments. Voss also explores the national political climate, voter motivations, and the influence of cultural issues in shaping the political landscape.
"Behind the Blue" is available on iTunes, Google Play, Stitcher and Spotify. Become a subscriber to receive new episodes of “Behind the Blue” each week. UK’s latest medical breakthroughs, research, artists and writers will be featured, along with the most important news impacting the university.
For questions or comments about this or any other episode of "Behind the Blue," email BehindTheBlue@uky.edu or tweet your question with #BehindTheBlue. Transcripts for this or other episodes of Behind the Blue can be downloaded from the show’s blog page.
To discover what’s wildly possible at the University of Kentucky, click here.
LEXINGTON, Ky. (October 17, 2024) – The University of Kentucky Alumni Association started the Great Teacher Award program in 1961 to honor excellent teaching at the university. There have been more than 300 teachers honored since that first year. Nominations may only be submitted by current students.
To receive the award, a candidate must:
- Hold the rank of full-time lecturer or above and have been a member of the faculty for the past three years at UK.
- Have superior knowledge of the subject matter.
- Have original and innovative classroom presentations.
- Demonstrate concern for students, both inside and outside the classroom setting.
- Not have been a recipient of the award for the past 10 years.
A committee of the UK Alumni Association Board of Directors and a representative from the student organization Omicron Delta Kappa select the recipients based on objective rating and ranking of the eligible nominations submitted.
This episode of Behind the Blue spotlights one of the six Great Teacher Award winners for 2024: Zada Komara, a lecturer in the Lewis Honors College.
An affiliate faculty member in the Appalachian Studies Program and the Department of Anthropology, Komara teaches interdisciplinary social science, material culture, archaeology of the recent past, Appalachia, oral history and the social impacts of pseudoscience.
Her research focuses on archaeologies of gender, race and class and their intersection with the consumer revolution in Appalachian coal towns and on modern material culture studies on UK’s campus. She administers the UK Appalachian Center’s Coal Camp Documentary Project, a collaborative documentation effort focusing on company coal towns in Kentucky’s 54 Appalachian counties.
"Behind the Blue" is available on iTunes, Google Play, Stitcher and Spotify. Become a subscriber to receive new episodes of “Behind the Blue” each week. UK’s latest medical breakthroughs, research, artists and writers will be featured, along with the most important news impacting the university.
For questions or comments about this or any other episode of "Behind the Blue," email BehindTheBlue@uky.edu or tweet your question with #BehindTheBlue. Transcripts for this or other episodes of Behind the Blue can be downloaded from the show’s blog page.
To discover what’s wildly possible at the University of Kentucky, click here.
LEXINGTON, Ky. (October 10, 2024) – In the summer of 2020, UK Football player JJ Weaver lost both his father and high school football coach in successive months. Weaver, a graduate who plays outside linebacker, says he channeled his emotions into football until an injury later that fall sidelined him and left him with no outlet.
Struggling with anger and grief, JJ began falling behind in class and regressing from his teammates, until the UK coaching staff pulled him aside to try and understand what was happening. From there, Weaver’s path eventually led him to a senior capstone class with Nicole Breazeale, an associate professor of community and leadership development in the UK College of Agriculture, Food & Environment, where he shared his journey with fellow students.
As a final project in the class, Breazeale connected Weaver and two other students with Emily Johnson, the clinical programs manager at the Kentucky Center for Grieving Children and Families, where they developed a student-led peer support group, first with fellow athletes, and now moving out into pilot programs within the greater university community.
On this episode of ‘Behind the Blue’, Breazeale, Weaver, and Johnson discuss the beginnings of the program, the overwhelming need for these types of groups on campus, and the legacy they hope build by serving students in need.
This episode contains discussions of loss and grief. Listener discretion is advised. If you or someone you know is struggling with grief, or facing mental and/or substance use disorders, contact the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA) at 1-800-662-HELP (4357) or visit samhsa.gov/find-help/national-helpline.
‘Behind the Blue’ is available via a variety of podcast providers, including iTunes and Spotify. Become a subscriber to receive new episodes of “Behind the Blue” each week. UK’s latest medical breakthroughs, research, artists and writers will be featured, along with the most important news impacting the university.
For questions or comments about this or any other episode of "Behind the Blue," email BehindTheBlue@uky.edu or tweet your question with #BehindTheBlue. Transcripts for this or other episodes of Behind the Blue can be downloaded from the show’s blog page.
To discover what’s wildly possible at the University of Kentucky, click here.
LEXINGTON, Ky. (October 3, 2024) – For over a century, starting in 1915, the University of Kentucky has celebrated Homecoming week – a time for students and alumni to uphold the Wildcat spirit and traditions. Numerous groups, including the UK Alumni Association, Student Organizations and Activities, Black Student Union, National Pan-Hellenic Council, Student Activities Board, and the Office for Student Success have worked hard to make this a memorable week for all who take part.
This year, the UK Alumni Association will also honor the Golden Wildcats from the Class of 1974, with a series of events marking their 50th reunion. For a complete schedule of Golden Wildcat Society reunion activities and details on how to register, visit the UK Alumni Association’s website.
Homecoming week runs from October 7-13, 2024 and offers a range of events for the entire UK community, culminating in the Homecoming football game against Vanderbilt on Saturday, Oct. 12. Highlights leading up to the game include annual events like the Lyman T. Johnson Awards Luncheon, the DanceBlue Silent Auction, and the National Pan-Hellenic Council Step Show. These long-standing traditions have made Homecoming an integral part of campus life for over 100 years.
On this episode of ‘Behind the Blue’, UK Alumni Association Executive Director Jill Smith and this year’s Alumni Association President Rob Crady discuss the significance of alumni engagement, the evolution of campus, and what’s in store for this year’s Homecoming. They also reflect on the importance of maintaining traditions and strengthening the sense of community at UK.
‘Behind the Blue’ is available via a variety of podcast providers, including iTunes and Spotify. Become a subscriber to receive new episodes of “Behind the Blue” each week. UK’s latest medical breakthroughs, research, artists and writers will be featured, along with the most important news impacting the university.
For questions or comments about this or any other episode of "Behind the Blue," email BehindTheBlue@uky.edu or tweet your question with #BehindTheBlue. Transcripts for this or other episodes of Behind the Blue can be downloaded from the show’s blog page.
To discover what’s wildly possible at the University of Kentucky, click here.
LEXINGTON, Ky. (September 26, 2024) – Part of the UK College of Fine Arts, the University of Kentucky Art Museum fosters a deeper understanding and appreciation of art from a wide variety of cultures and historical periods, offering meaningful experiences for audiences of all ages. With a permanent collection of around 5,000 objects, the museum serves as a rich resource for the campus community and a cultural hub for citizens of the Commonwealth and beyond.
Rachel Hooper is the new curator of the UK Art Museum. A seventh-generation Kentuckian and native of Lexington, Hooper says a school field trip to the museum was the early catalyst for her love of art.
On this episode of Behind the Blue, UKPR’s Tom Musgrave sits down with Hooper and Art Museum Director Stuart Horodner to discuss the nature of curatorial work, what the mission of the museum is from both educational and cultural perspectives, the significance of student involvement, and much more.
"Behind the Blue" is available on iTunes, Google Play, Stitcher and Spotify. Become a subscriber to receive new episodes of “Behind the Blue” each week. UK’s latest medical breakthroughs, research, artists and writers will be featured, along with the most important news impacting the university.
For questions or comments about this or any other episode of "Behind the Blue," email BehindTheBlue@uky.edu or tweet your question with #BehindTheBlue. Transcripts for this or other episodes of Behind the Blue can be downloaded from the show’s blog page.
To discover what’s wildly possible at the University of Kentucky, click here.
LEXINGTON, Ky. (September 19, 2024) – The University of Kentucky Alumni Association started the Great Teacher Award program in 1961 to honor excellent teaching at the university. There have been more than 300 teachers honored since that first year. Nominations may only be submitted by current students.
To receive the award, a candidate must:
- Hold the rank of full-time lecturer or above and have been a member of the faculty for the past three years at UK.
- Have superior knowledge of the subject matter.
- Have original and innovative classroom presentations.
- Demonstrate concern for students, both inside and outside the classroom setting.
- Not have been a recipient of the award for the past 10 years.
A committee of the UK Alumni Association Board of Directors and a representative from the student organization Omicron Delta Kappa select the recipients based on objective rating and ranking of the eligible nominations submitted.
This episode of Behind the Blue spotlights one of the six Great Teacher Award winners for 2024. Eric Thomas Weber is an associate professor in the department of educational policy studies and evaluation in the College of Education. He specializes in the philosophy of education, ethics and public policy, political philosophy and American philosophy.
In addition to teaching at the undergraduate and graduate levels, Weber is co-chair of the faculty and student recognition committee for the College of Education and has served as a member of the Honors College’s faculty council.
Weber received his bachelor's degree from Vanderbilt University with a double major in philosophy and communication studies, his master’s in philosophy from Ohio University and his Ph.D. in philosophy from Southern Illinois University. He joined the faculty at UK in 2016 as a visiting associate professor in the department of philosophy and then in 2018 as an associate professor of educational policy studies and evaluation in the College of Education. His published academic work consists of five books, 36 articles or essays, 56 popular media publications and 151 presentations.
"Behind the Blue" is available on iTunes, Google Play, Stitcher and Spotify. Become a subscriber to receive new episodes of “Behind the Blue” each week. UK’s latest medical breakthroughs, research, artists and writers will be featured, along with the most important news impacting the university.
For questions or comments about this or any other episode of "Behind the Blue," email BehindTheBlue@uky.edu or tweet your question with #BehindTheBlue. Transcripts for this or other episodes of Behind the Blue can be downloaded from the show’s blog page.
To discover what’s wildly possible at the University of Kentucky, click here.
LEXINGTON, Ky. (Sept. 17, 2024) – For Savannah Robin and Ilka Balk, what began as a "happy accident" turned into a major opportunity for students and employers alike. Robin, a lecturer in career and professional development for the University of Kentucky’s Ag Equine Programs, received an email from Balk, associate director of the university’s James B. Beam Institute for Kentucky Spirits, noting that both had scheduled career fairs at the Gatton Student Center on the same date and time.
Instead of seeing it as a conflict, they recognized it as an opportunity to showcase two of Kentucky’s signature industries—equine and spirits—in a single, unified career fair. The Kentucky Signature Industries Career Fair will bring together members from the equine and spirits industries to educate students on post-graduation career options on September 26, 2024.
The collaboration also supported ongoing cross-disciplinary efforts between the Equine Programs and the Beam Institute, as students from the Gatton College of Business and Economics, the Stanley and Karen Pigman College of Engineering, the College of Arts and Sciences, and the College of Communication and Information were already engaging with the College of Agriculture, Food and Environment.
“We’re starting to see the trend that people will understand that farms don’t just need farm managers; they need accountants, they need photographers,” Robin said. “We cross lots of different spaces, but we have places for all of the UK students and really career interested folks in any of these areas.” She added that they hope to build on the momentum from last year’s fair to continue serving a broad range of Kentuckians – from students to alumni, employers and stakeholders – while highlighting how agricultural industries can benefit from diverse expertise.
On this episode of ‘Behind the Blue’, Robin and Balk discuss the university’s symbiotic relationship with Kentucky’s signature industries, the crucial role of alumni in connecting employers with UK, and the potential for students to discover career opportunities in fields they may never have previously considered.
For questions or comments about this or any other episode of "Behind the Blue," email BehindTheBlue@uky.edu or tweet your question with #BehindTheBlue. Transcripts for this or other episodes of Behind the Blue can be downloaded from the show’s blog page.
To discover what’s wildly possible at the University of Kentucky, click here.
LEXINGTON, Ky. (Sept. 13, 2024) – For those who live and work in urban areas, transportation is often among the top challenges in their daily routines.
For Lance Broeking, Director of Transportation Services at the University of Kentucky, addressing these challenges is a constant focus. He leads a department responsible for managing campus parking, transit, and alternative transportation options, working to navigate the complexities of a growing and evolving university environment.
In this episode of ‘Behind the Blue’, Broeking delves into the impact of campus growth and ongoing construction, the importance of collaborating with the city of Lexington, and the vital role communication and education play in addressing parking regulations, fees, and citations. He also explores the integration of new technologies within transportation services and the university’s ongoing commitment to sustainability.
For questions or comments about this or any other episode of "Behind the Blue," email BehindTheBlue@uky.edu or tweet your question with #BehindTheBlue. Transcripts for this or other episodes of Behind the Blue can be downloaded from the show’s blog page.
To discover what’s wildly possible at the University of Kentucky, click here.
LEXINGTON, Ky. (Sept. 10, 2024) – Every year, on Sept. 10, World Suicide Prevention Day renews our commitment to addressing the growing mental health crisis affecting millions around the globe.
Established in 2003 by the International Association for Suicide Prevention (IASP) and the World Health Organization (WHO), World Suicide Prevention Day aims to raise awareness about the prevalence of suicide, promote effective prevention strategies and reduce the stigma surrounding mental health issues.
The day has grown significantly in scope and impact over the years — reflecting a broader recognition of suicide as a critical public health issue that requires universal attention and efforts.
According to WHO, an estimated 703,000 people die by suicide each year. And for every person who dies by suicide, there are many more who attempt it or experience suicidal thoughts.
This year's theme, "Building Hope Through Action," emphasizes the importance of collective efforts in creating a supportive environment for those struggling with suicidal thoughts.
The University of Kentucky is committed to championing the conversation surrounding mental health and well-being. In doing so, the latest episode of “Behind the Blue” features conversations with key mental health advocates at UK.
Together, along with various UK community members, they play pivotal roles in spreading awareness and providing lifesaving well-being resources across the Commonwealth.
Julie Cerel, Ph.D., a professor in the College of Social Work and expert in suicidology, conducts research centered on suicide prevention and its impacts. “There's still a lot of stigma,” she said. “So, being able to have these conversations allows others to know — they are not alone.”
In the podcast above, Cerel and Avery Powers, a criminal justice, psychology and social work student, discuss their work with the Suicide Prevention and Exposure Lab (SPEL). Their efforts focus on suicide prevention and help raise awareness and support for those impacted.
“In Kentucky, we lose almost 800 people a year to suicide. So, throughout my career, I've been focused on suicide prevention, but also in this idea that every suicide leaves not a broad range of people,” Cerel explained. “For everyone that dies by suicide, about 135 people are left behind. The lab looks closer at suicide post-function, which is helping people after someone has died.”
The second portion of this episode of “Behind the Blue” includes a conversation with Jenni Jenright, director of the Healthy Initiative Program with UK HealthCare, who highlights the significance of community-based wellness and prevention efforts.
“Where you live, learn, work, play, impact your ability to live your healthiest life,” she said. “Our team works outside of direct patient care in the community to increase wellness and prevention. We do a lot of health promotion and awareness, help create resources and increase access to tools and programing in support of whole person health.”
Through a collaboration with the College of Social Work and the College of Communication and Information, they are working to raise awareness about the online QPR (Question, Persuade, Refer) suicide prevention training, which is free to those living in Kentucky
QPR training is a widely recognized approach to suicide prevention — designed to equip individuals with the skills to recognize and respond to signs of suicidal behavior.
The training focuses on teaching participants how to ask someone directly about suicidal thoughts (Question), persuade them to seek help or stay safe (Persuade) and refer them to appropriate resources or professionals (Refer).
By emphasizing these critical steps, QPR training aims to increase awareness and preparedness among community members — enabling them to provide timely and effective support to those in crisis. This proactive approach helps bridge the gap between those in need and the professional help required to prevent suicide.
“Think of QPR as CPR for suicidal ideation. It really addresses those misconceptions about suicide, including, you do not need to be a medical or mental health professional to help during a mental health crisis,” Jenright said. “One thing I really like about the training is, it empowers everyone to really pay attention to the people around them and to recognize and respond to those in need.”
The QPR training, which takes less than an hour and is entirely free, can be accessed here.
Additionally, if you or someone you know is struggling with mental health, there is help available. You can call or text the Suicide and Crisis Lifeline, previously known as the National Suicide Prevention Lifeline, at 988.
If you are a UK student, the TRACS (Triage, Referral, Assistance and Crisis Support) hub is a physical and virtual one-stop shop where students can come for a quick referral to support services or receive direct clinical support for a range of mental health needs, basic needs and crises. You can show up in-person (third floor, east wing of the Gatton Student Center), call 859-21TRACS (859-218-7227) or fill out this form for assistance.
"Behind the Blue" is available on iTunes, Google Play, and Spotify. Become a subscriber to receive new episodes of “Behind the Blue” each week. UK’s latest medical breakthroughs, research, artists and writers will be featured, along with the most important news impacting the university.
For questions or comments about this or any other episode of "Behind the Blue," email BehindTheBlue@uky.edu or tweet your question with #BehindTheBlue. Transcripts for this or other episodes of Behind the Blue can be downloaded from the show’s blog page.
To discover what’s wildly possible at the University of Kentucky, click here.
LEXINGTON, Ky. (Sept. 4, 2024) – For Eric Monday, the start of a new fall semester is marked by the dynamic energy of returning students, along with the opportunity — and challenge — of creating a lasting first impression as an educator.
Beyond his role as UK's executive vice president for finance and administration, Monday also continues to teach an undergraduate course on personal investing and financial planning. Through this teaching role, he directly witnesses the importance of infrastructure investment in fostering student success and supporting the university’s growth.
Monday describes the university’s record-setting budget for the fiscal year as a reflection of its values and its mission to advance the Commonwealth. These investments touch every facet of the institution, from academics to health care, underscored by a strategic refresh of the UK HealthCare system. In this initiative, Monday serves as co-executive vice president for health administration alongside Provost Robert DiPaola.
On this episode of ‘Behind the Blue,’ Monday discusses how the university is working to best support its student population, the vital need to invest in faculty and staff, and UK HealthCare’s goals for delivering advanced specialty care while developing a true academic health system.
"Behind the Blue" is available on iTunes, Google Play, and Spotify. Become a subscriber to receive new episodes of “Behind the Blue” each week. UK’s latest medical breakthroughs, research, artists and writers will be featured, along with the most important news impacting the university.
For questions or comments about this or any other episode of "Behind the Blue," email BehindTheBlue@uky.edu or tweet your question with #BehindTheBlue. Transcripts for this or other episodes of Behind the Blue can be downloaded from the show’s blog page.
To discover what’s wildly possible at the University of Kentucky, click here.
LEXINGTON, Ky. (August 26, 2024) – The Office of the Provost serves as the primary resource at the University of Kentucky for faculty, colleges and their leadership to support the core missions of excellence in teaching, research, service and care. Housed within the Office of the Provost are departments and individuals dedicated to supporting faculty as they continue inspiring students in the classroom, pushing the boundaries of knowledge with their research and building up our communities in new and innovative ways. These departments and offices, such as the Office for Faculty Advancement, provide the university’s faculty with the resources necessary to continue advancing Kentucky
UK Provost Robert DiPaola, M.D. leads these initiatives to support faculty with a focus on transdisciplinary efforts, where experts from across disciplines come together early on to not only solve problems and issues, but also identify potential ones. In addition, DiPaola also serves as Co-Executive Vice President for Health Affairs for UK HealthCare.
On this episode of 'Behind the Blue,' DiPaola talks about UK’s mission, as the flagship university for Kentucky, to leverage the collective strengths of the faculty to solve society’s problems of tomorrow, as well as efforts to continue UK HealthCare’s essential work for all of Kentucky.
"Behind the Blue" is available on iTunes, Google Play, and Spotify. Become a subscriber to receive new episodes of “Behind the Blue” each week. UK’s latest medical breakthroughs, research, artists and writers will be featured, along with the most important news impacting the university.
For questions or comments about this or any other episode of "Behind the Blue," email BehindTheBlue@uky.edu or tweet your question with #BehindTheBlue. Transcripts for this or other episodes of Behind the Blue can be downloaded from the show’s blog page.
To discover what’s wildly possible at the University of Kentucky, click here.
LEXINGTON, Ky. (August 26, 2024) – This year marks the 14th fall semester on campus for UK President Eli Capilouto, serving in a position he says he’s never considered as a job, but instead a life of meaning and purpose.
On this episode of ‘Behind the Blue’, Capilouto takes time at the beginning of the new academic year to discuss the momentum of the entire campus to advance Kentucky through teaching, service, research, and care. He shares why this is one of his favorite times of the year and talks about both the aspirations and challenges ahead for UK in 2024-25.
"Behind the Blue" is available on iTunes, Google Play, Stitcher and Spotify. Become a subscriber to receive new episodes of “Behind the Blue” each week. UK’s latest medical breakthroughs, research, artists and writers will be featured, along with the most important news impacting the university.
For questions or comments about this or any other episode of "Behind the Blue," email BehindTheBlue@uky.edu or tweet your question with #BehindTheBlue. Transcripts for this or other episodes of Behind the Blue can be downloaded from the show’s blog page.
To discover what’s wildly possible at the University of Kentucky, click here.
LEXINGTON, Ky. (August 22, 2024) – From college and professional football to thoroughbred racing and basketball to summer and winter Olympics, legendary sports broadcaster Tom Hammond’s voice has painted the picture of some of the most historic and iconic moments of the past 40 years of sports.
Now retired, the University of Kentucky alumnus remains involved with projects with personal meaning. He recently served as a member of the Kentucky Can: The 21st Century Campaign committee, which oversaw efforts to raise $2.1 billion dollars to support all parts of the institution’s mission: education, research, service and care.
On August 20th, Hammond released his new book – “Races, Games, and Olympic Dreams: A Sportscaster’s Life” – a look at his early life and storied career, co-written by Lexington Herald-Leader sportswriter Mark Story.
On this episode of ‘Behind the Blue’, Hammond talks about his lengthy career, the new book, and how the University of Kentucky remains an important part of his personal and professional life.
"Behind the Blue" is available on iTunes, Google Play, Stitcher and Spotify. Become a subscriber to receive new episodes of “Behind the Blue” each week. UK’s latest medical breakthroughs, research, artists and writers will be featured, along with the most important news impacting the university.
For questions or comments about this or any other episode of "Behind the Blue," email BehindTheBlue@uky.edu or tweet your question with #BehindTheBlue. Transcripts for this or other episodes of Behind the Blue can be downloaded from the show’s blog page.
To discover what’s wildly possible at the University of Kentucky, click here.
LEXINGTON, Ky. (August 15, 2024) – The summer break is nearing its end, and soon the University of Kentucky campus will once again be bustling with activity with the start of the Fall 2024 semester. For many UK students, however, their ambition and drive didn’t stop because it was summer break. Across the nation and world, undergraduate and graduate students alike have been working on expanding their experiences and education.
Regardless of whether they’ve been traveling or staying close to home, students have been enhancing what they have already learned at UK, and making plans to bring back their experiences to better their campus and communities. Summer is an ideal time of opportunity for students to take a leap into an experience within their college careers that will propel them into their chosen career field. These experiences can be catalysts in their personal lives, exposing them to new people, environments, and ideas they wouldn’t have been able to explore during the school year.
On this episode of ‘Behind the Blue’, Vendela Norris, a recent graduate from UK’s College of Communication and Information spoke with two such students about their summer experiences.
"Behind the Blue" is available on iTunes, Google Play, Stitcher and Spotify. Become a subscriber to receive new episodes of “Behind the Blue” each week. UK’s latest medical breakthroughs, research, artists and writers will be featured, along with the most important news impacting the university.
For questions or comments about this or any other episode of "Behind the Blue," email BehindTheBlue@uky.edu or tweet your question with #BehindTheBlue. Transcripts for this or other episodes of Behind the Blue can be downloaded from the show’s blog page.
To discover what’s wildly possible at the University of Kentucky, click here.
LEXINGTON, Ky. (August 8, 2024) – On July 30, UK HealthCare opened a new emergency unit dedicated to the treatment of patients experiencing a mental health crisis. The unit, known as EmPATH (Emergency Psychiatric Assessment, Treatment and Healing), is the first EmPATH unit in Kentucky.
Pioneered by internationally known emergency psychiatry expert Scott Zeller, M.D., only about 30 EmPATH units currently exist in the U.S. Rather than going to a traditional emergency room, where patients seeking care for a behavioral health issue may be waiting for hours in a stressful environment before being evaluated, EmPATH units were created to provide immediate support for patients in a carefully designed, calming environment.
UK HealthCare and New Vista have collaborated with leadership from the Cabinet for Health and Family Services to bring this new, evidence-based model of emergency behavioral health care to Kentucky. In this episode of “Behind the Blue,” Eastern State Hospital Chief Administrative Officer Lindsey Jasinski and Chief Nursing Officer Marc Woods explain why the EmPATH model is so effective, how psychiatric treatment has evolved over the years, and how Eastern State Hospital has been a leader in psychiatric care for more than two centuries.
"Behind the Blue" is available on iTunes, Google Play, Stitcher and Spotify. Become a subscriber to receive new episodes of “Behind the Blue” each week. UK’s latest medical breakthroughs, research, artists and writers will be featured, along with the most important news impacting the university.
For questions or comments about this or any other episode of "Behind the Blue," email BehindTheBlue@uky.edu or tweet your question with #BehindTheBlue. Transcripts for this or other episodes of Behind the Blue can be downloaded from the show’s blog page.
To discover what’s wildly possible at the University of Kentucky, click here.
LEXINGTON, Ky. (August 1, 2024) – Katherine Hartmann, M.D., Ph.D., is the new director of the University of Kentucky’s Center for Clinical and Translational Science (CCTS).
Hartmann is an obstetrician-gynecologist (OB-GYN), epidemiologist and health services researcher, in addition to leading the UK CCTS.
She graduated from University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill’s epidemiology Ph.D. program and Johns Hopkins University’s M.D. program. Hartmann comes to UK from Vanderbilt University where she recently served as associate dean for clinical translational scientist development.
As a physician scientist, Hartmann has years of expertise with research involving large community-recruited cohorts, behavioral interventions and clinical trials. Her work includes groundbreaking results that have answered key questions for women’s health during pregnancy.
Asking questions and finding answers is what initially sparked her interested in health research. Her goal is to improve the quality of health care for all people — a goal that aligns with the UK CCTS.
The mission of the UK CCTS is to accelerate discoveries to improve health through a multi-faceted approach to support research from bench to bedside to community.
Hartmann said the reach of the University of Kentucky and the teamwork between disciplines to find answers to pressing health questions is why she was drawn to Lexington.
Learn more about her research and her goals while leading the UK CCTS on this episode of “Behind the Blue.”
"Behind the Blue" is available on iTunes, Google Play, Stitcher and Spotify. Become a subscriber to receive new episodes of “Behind the Blue” each week. UK’s latest medical breakthroughs, research, artists and writers will be featured, along with the most important news impacting the university.
For questions or comments about this or any other episode of "Behind the Blue," email BehindTheBlue@uky.edu or tweet your question with #BehindTheBlue. Transcripts for this or other episodes of Behind the Blue can be downloaded from the show’s blog page.
To discover what’s wildly possible at the University of Kentucky, click here.
LEXINGTON, Ky. (July 25, 2024) – This year marked Kentucky Gymnastics 50th season. Fans were able to watch some incredible talent during the historic season, including the incredibly decorated Raena Worley.
The 2024 SEC Floor Co-Champion graduated in May with a dual degree in Communications and Kinesiology. She is now an assistant coach for Kentucky Gymnastics.
Worley is the second-most decorated gymnast in the history of U-K’s program with a long list of accolades. Some highlights include earning five perfect tens this past season of competition — four on floor exercise and one coming on the uneven bars.
Worley also qualified as a national championship individual competitor this year and finished as runner-up on the floor exercise.
Now, the world turns its attention to the Paris Olympics and once again gymnastics will be a must-watch event.
On this episode of “Behind the Blue” we pick Worley’s brain about competing at such a high level and see who she’s eyeing in the competition.
"Behind the Blue" is available on iTunes, Google Play, Stitcher and Spotify. Become a subscriber to receive new episodes of “Behind the Blue” each week. UK’s latest medical breakthroughs, research, artists and writers will be featured, along with the most important news impacting the university.
For questions or comments about this or any other episode of "Behind the Blue," email BehindTheBlue@uky.edu or tweet your question with #BehindTheBlue. Transcripts for this or other episodes of Behind the Blue can be downloaded from the show’s blog page.
To discover what’s wildly possible at the University of Kentucky, click here.
LEXINGTON, Ky. (July 18, 2024) – The University of Kentucky Alumni Association started the Great Teacher Award program in 1961 to honor excellent teaching at the university. There have been more than 300 teachers honored since that first year. Nominations may only be submitted by current students.
To receive the award, a candidate must:
- Hold the rank of full-time lecturer or above and have been a member of the faculty for the past three years at UK.
- Have superior knowledge of the subject matter.
- Have original and innovative classroom presentations.
- Demonstrate concern for students, both inside and outside the classroom setting.
- Not have been a recipient of the award for the past 10 years.
A committee of the UK Alumni Association Board of Directors and a representative from the student organization Omicron Delta Kappa select the recipients based on objective rating and ranking of the eligible nominations submitted.
This episode of Behind the Blue spotlights one of the six Great Teacher Award winners for 2024. Jordan Brower is an assistant professor of English where he primarily teaches film and media studies. He earned his bachelor’s degree in English at Amherst College and his Ph.D. in English and film and media studies from Yale University.
Before coming to UK in 2019, he was a lecturer in the interdisciplinary history and literature program at Harvard University and, as a graduate student and then adjunct, at Yale University.
In his research, Brower studies the ways artists — writers of fiction and screenplays, directors, stars — understand their positions within the increasingly complex and chaotic media industries in which they work. His first book, “Classical Hollywood, American Modernism: A Literary History of the Studio System” (Cambridge University Press, 2024), charts the entwined trajectories of the Hollywood studio system and literary modernism in the United States.
"Behind the Blue" is available on iTunes, Google Play, Stitcher and Spotify. Become a subscriber to receive new episodes of “Behind the Blue” each week. UK’s latest medical breakthroughs, research, artists and writers will be featured, along with the most important news impacting the university.
For questions or comments about this or any other episode of "Behind the Blue," email BehindTheBlue@uky.edu or tweet your question with #BehindTheBlue. Transcripts for this or other episodes of Behind the Blue can be downloaded from the show’s blog page.
To discover what’s wildly possible at the University of Kentucky, click here.
LEXINGTON, Ky. (July 11, 2024) – [THIS IS AN ENCORE EPISODE.] Dr. Kenneth Campbell is the director of translational research in the Division of Cardiovascular Medicine in the UK College of Medicine. His work, to help map out an important part of the heart on a molecular level was part of a study published online in the prestigious journal Nature in 2023.
Campbell says the study is important for discovering new drug therapies for heart disease, the leading cause of death in Kentucky. According to the CDC, Kentucky is among the top 10 states with the highest death rate from the disease.
On this episode of ‘Behind the Blue’, Dr. Campbell talks about this important research and how the development of the Gill Cardiovascular Biorepository has helped drive heart muscle research around the world.
"Behind the Blue" is available on iTunes, Google Play, and Spotify. Become a subscriber to receive new episodes of “Behind the Blue” each week. UK’s latest medical breakthroughs, research, artists and writers will be featured, along with the most important news impacting the university.
Transcripts for this or other episodes of Behind the Blue can be downloaded from the show’s blog page.
To discover what’s wildly possible at the University of Kentucky, click here.
LEXINGTON, Ky. (July 4, 2024) – [THIS IS AN ENCORE EPISODE.] The Kentucky Appalachian Rural Rehabilitation Network (KARRN) is a collaborative team that advocates to empower communities impacted by disability. Their focus is improving the quality of life for all. The organization is directed under the University of Kentucky College of Health Sciences and led by Patrick Kitzman, PT, Ph.D.
Each year Kitzman and his team take on multiple projects to help those who need it most. Projects include refurbishing equipment such as wheelchairs and walkers, providing adapted toys to children and fundraising for the Grace Jones Fund.
KARRN also has an undergraduate student club on UK's campus led by Clara Bond, a junior in the College of Health Sciences. Their purpose is to assess campus for accessibility and suggest changes where needed. They have also provided education to children in various schools across the Fayette County school district.
This year during One Day for UK, the University's annual giving day, all donations to the College of Health Sciences will go directly toward the Grace Jones Fund.
This fund is used to help people with physical disabilities, caused by conditions such as strokes, as well as their families. Funds can be used to pay for adult day care, medical equipment, therapy services (such as PT, OT, or Speech), transportation costs related to attending disability support services, short-term respite care, program development, education, assistive technology and marketing.
On this episode of ‘Behind the Blue’, Kitzman and Bond talk about the important work of KARRN, the collaboration the network has helped inspire, the culture shift they see happening both on and off campus, and more.
"Behind the Blue" is available on iTunes, Google Play, and Spotify. Become a subscriber to receive new episodes of “Behind the Blue” each week. UK’s latest medical breakthroughs, research, artists and writers will be featured, along with the most important news impacting the university.
Transcripts for this or other episodes of Behind the Blue can be downloaded from the show’s blog page.
To discover what’s wildly possible at the University of Kentucky, click here.
LEXINGTON, Ky. (June 27, 2024) – In February of this year, we published an episode of Behind the Blue that previewed the UK College of Pharmacy’s ‘Everything is Science’ event. ‘Everything is Science’ is a speaker-series festival that unfolds across various venues throughout Lexington. The idea behind it is to take a large and intimidating topic and make it relatable and accessible in a fun and interactive way. One of the goals of the series is to help people feel more connected to the world they live in.
The theme of this year’s ‘Everything is Science’ festival was ‘Make it Make Sense!’, where attendees would embark on a sensory journey, with the focus on the five remarkable human senses: touch, vision, taste, hearing, and smell.
On this episode of ‘Behind the Blue’, we’re featuring one of the presentations from this year’s festival. Lou Hirsch, Assistant Professor of Plant Pathology in the Martin-Gatton College of Agriculture, Food and Environment gave a talk entitled “Fungal Feasts: Fungi are all around us — and tasty!”.
This presentation has been slightly edited for time and clarity.
"Behind the Blue" is available on iTunes, Google Play, and Spotify. Become a subscriber to receive new episodes of “Behind the Blue” each week. UK’s latest medical breakthroughs, research, artists and writers will be featured, along with the most important news impacting the university.
Transcripts for this or other episodes of Behind the Blue can be downloaded from the show’s blog page.
To discover what’s wildly possible at the University of Kentucky, click here.
LEXINGTON, Ky. (June 20, 2024) – For Keith Wynn, UK’s assistant director of Transfer Recruitment, the journey to higher education wasn’t a traditional one. From dropping out of high school and working various jobs to earning his GED and eventually taking the ACT, his perseverance led him through multiple schools and changes in majors before earning his degree in 2007.
Wynn’s experiences have shaped his passion for helping others, especially transfer students, find their own paths in higher education. Those qualities of resilience and dedication are now ones he instills in the students he supports. As an admissions counselor, he discovered a deep-seated passion for guiding students through their educational journeys, emphasizing that non-traditional paths are just as valuable and impactful.
On this episode of ‘Behind the Blue’, Wynn talks about how he encourages students to break through self-imposed limitations and seize opportunities available at UK, including understanding their own potential and the breadth of possibilities awaiting them.
You can find more information about transfer admission here.
"Behind the Blue" is available on iTunes, Google Play, and Spotify. Become a subscriber to receive new episodes of “Behind the Blue” each week. UK’s latest medical breakthroughs, research, artists and writers will be featured, along with the most important news impacting the university.
Transcripts for this or other episodes of Behind the Blue can be downloaded from the show’s blog page.
To discover what’s wildly possible at the University of Kentucky, click here.
LEXINGTON, Ky. (June 13, 2024) – [THIS IS AN ENCORE EPISODE.] This week marks the beginning of Campus Pride Week here at the University of Kentucky. Celebrated nationally in June, Campus Pride Week, hosted by the Office of LGBTQ* Resources (housed in the Office for Student Success) allows students, faculty and staff an opportunity to honor pride on campus while the spring semester is still in session.
Throughout the week, the campus acknowledges the diversity of identities, experiences and histories in the LGBTQ+ community and recognizes all who have and continue to advocate for LGBTQ+ lives, rights and visibility.
While this is an annual event at the university, this year will look a bit different, as the Office of LGBTQ* Resources has hired both a new director and assistant director.
Glenn Means, new director, believes the week will provide the campus community with an opportunity to learn about the office’s resources and build community.
Prior to his new role, Means served in the UK College of Public Health as the admissions and recruitment coordinator, and before that, Means worked for the Legislative Research Commission, where he handled constituent service matters for the Commonwealth. Means also served as the development director for Big Brothers Big Sisters of the Bluegrass and the donor stewardship manager for Lexington Habitat for Humanity. Outside of his work experience, Means has volunteered with various LGBTQ* organizations.
“Through all of this work, I have had the opportunity to educate, advocate and inform people on many issues that are important to our community, including mentorship, housing, healthcare, human rights and LGBTQ+ issues,” Means said. “It is a privilege to serve in this role to allow our students to have a safe space on campus and more importantly, a place for them to be themselves.”
As new director, Means hopes to create a more inclusive, supportive and affirming campus environment for LGBTQ+ individuals. He is committed to championing diversity, equity and inclusion, and to creating a space where all individuals are respected, valued and celebrated for who they are.
Atticus White, who will serve as the new assistant director, began their journey with the Office of LGBTQ* Resources back in 2018 during their sophomore year at UK where they were an intern in the office. After graduating in 2020, they held various retail and administrative jobs, but says nothing really stuck or felt fulfilling.
“I kept thinking back to the office and how wonderful it was to work in an environment that did so much work to support a community I love,” White said. “I sent an email to the director at the time and described my work with the office previously. I made my way into an administrative assistant position. About six months into my position, I became the only full-time staff in the office. I was suddenly in charge of managing everything. While it was extremely overwhelming, I knew that I had to stay to keep our doors open and continue to support our students. After all that hard work and strife, I had the opportunity to apply for and accept the assistant director position.”
As the new assistant director, White wants to continue the great work the office has been doing since starting with the office but push for more visibility.
“Glenn and I have talked a lot about our visions for the office in the future. One of the biggest things we’ve discussed is how to make our office more visible. Many students might not even know our office exists on campus. We want to change that,” White said. “Students of any marginalized identity have specific needs that their peers might not understand or relate to. We must continue our work so that students know that they are welcome not just in our office, but on campus, in Lexington, in Kentucky, in the United States and in the world.”
Through collaborative initiatives and outreach programs, starting with Campus Pride Week, Means and White plan on making an impact the campus community can see and feel.
Throughout Campus Pride Week, the office will host a series of events, including educational workshops, guest speakers and social gatherings, designed to promote LGBTQ+ visibility and acceptance. These activities are open to all members of the university community and serve as opportunities for dialogue, learning and celebration.
“Our office has three core pillars that we strive to follow with all our work: education, advocacy and community building. Pride Week is a culmination of all these things,” White said. “I hope the campus community finds new ways to celebrate their queer and trans peers, to be better allies to them and to feel open to having discussions about identity that they may never have thought about before! Most cisgender and straight individuals may not have spent a lot of time thinking about those elements of their identity; events like these give the chance to challenge that and create the opportunity for more conversation. More than anything, I hope our campus community feels inspired by Pride Week. Pride is a beautiful time to spark new conversations, new creative endeavors and new opportunities for growth and change in our world.”
UKNow recently caught up with Means and White to discuss Campus Pride Week, their new roles and their visions for the future of the Office of LGBTQ* Resources.
"Behind the Blue" is available on iTunes, Google Play, and Spotify. Become a subscriber to receive new episodes of “Behind the Blue” each week. UK’s latest medical breakthroughs, research, artists and writers will be featured, along with the most important news impacting the university.
Transcripts for this or other episodes of Behind the Blue can be downloaded from the show’s blog page.
To discover what’s wildly possible at the University of Kentucky, click here.
LEXINGTON, Ky. (June 6, 2024) –For over three decades, Everett McCorvey, D.M.A., has been the driving force as director of UK Opera Theatre, which is part of the School of Music at the UK College of Fine Arts. The school has earned a national reputation for excellence in opera, choral and instrumental music performance, as well as in music education, music therapy, composition, theory, and music history.
As the first African American to earn a doctoral degree in music from the University of Alabama, McCorvey is personally committed to creating opportunities for UK students from diverse backgrounds to thrive.
One of McCorvey’s most renowned projects is ‘It’s A Grand Night for Singing!’, a vibrant, high-energy musical showcase featuring hits from Broadway and beyond. Since its inception in 1992, ‘Grand Night’ has captivated audiences with its Emmy Award-winning performances, highlighting the best of Broadway both past and present.
On this episode of ‘Behind the Blue’, McCorvey shares insights into his upbringing in Montgomery, Alabama, the experiences that motivated him to pursue both performance and teaching and offers a preview of this year’s ‘Grand Night’ lineup.
"Behind the Blue" is available on iTunes, Google Play, and Spotify. Become a subscriber to receive new episodes of “Behind the Blue” each week. UK’s latest medical breakthroughs, research, artists and writers will be featured, along with the most important news impacting the university.
Transcripts for this or other episodes of Behind the Blue can be downloaded from the show’s blog page.
To discover what’s wildly possible at the University of Kentucky, click here.
LEXINGTON, Ky. (May 30, 2024) – After finding great satisfaction in writing his first popular press book, “Vote for US: How to Take Back Our Elections and Change the Future of Voting,” Joshua Douglas was motivated to pursue a similar endeavor for his second book.
Douglas, a professor at the UK J. David Rosenberg College of Law, sought advice from a trusted advisor about his new idea, which focused on using bipartisan solutions to improve our elections and potentially circumventing the need for Supreme Court involvement. His advisor suggested that this concept should be the conclusion of his book, proposing instead that Douglas explore why he views the Supreme Court as problematic and why a comprehensive election reform is necessary.
The outcome is Douglas’ second book, released on May 14th, titled "The Supreme Court v. The Voters: The Troubling Story of How the Supreme Court Has Undermined Voting Rights." In this book, Douglas delves into significant voting rights cases—some lesser-known and others more familiar—to examine the pivotal moments that have profoundly affected our elections and the nation. Through clear and approachable writing, Douglas recounts each case, sheds light on the enduring electoral challenges we face, and underscores the significant influence the Supreme Court has had in creating a compromised electoral system.
On this episode of Behind the Blue, Douglas shares what attracted him to the cases discussed in his book, highlights unexpected details readers may learn about the Constitution’s treatment of voting rights, and offers ideas for reforms that could lead to meaningful improvements.
"Behind the Blue" is available on iTunes, Google Play, and Spotify. Become a subscriber to receive new episodes of “Behind the Blue” each week. UK’s latest medical breakthroughs, research, artists and writers will be featured, along with the most important news impacting the university.
Transcripts for this or other episodes of Behind the Blue can be downloaded from the show’s blog page.
To discover what’s wildly possible at the University of Kentucky, click here.
LEXINGTON, Ky. (May 23, 2024) – In October 2016, the UK College of Social Work (CoSW) established a partnership with the Department of Defense to offer the one-of-a-kind Army-UK Master of Social Work degree.
A satellite site was established within the Army Medical Department Center and School at Fort Sam Houston. The satellite implements the full-time, 60-hour CoSW program. The curriculum is delivered in a condensed format over 14 continuous months of study, and all classes are administered face-to-face on the Joint Base San Antonio-Fort Sam Houston campus. The goal is to develop well-qualified clinical social workers to fill positions across military service branches.
Colonel Teresa Murray, a graduate of the MSW program, is now the director of the very same program she graduated from.
Murray was promoted to the rank of colonel in April of this year. There are currently fewer than 10 active-duty social workers who have earned that title in the army.
With more than 21 years of active federal service, Col. Murray says the role of social workers in the military continues to evolve.
On this episode of ‘Behind the Blue’, Col. Murray discusses her career path, the importance and value of social workers serving the members of the U.S. Armed Forces, and the continuing importance of observing Memorial Day, as communities across the United States prepare to honor the brave men and women who have made the ultimate sacrifice in service to our nation.
"Behind the Blue" is available on iTunes, Google Play, and Spotify. Become a subscriber to receive new episodes of “Behind the Blue” each week. UK’s latest medical breakthroughs, research, artists and writers will be featured, along with the most important news impacting the university.
Transcripts for this or other episodes of Behind the Blue can be downloaded from the show’s blog page.
To discover what’s wildly possible at the University of Kentucky, click here.
This podcast discusses suicide, which may be difficult and distressing for some to listen to. Resources and assistance are available at 988lifeline.org.
LEXINGTON, Ky. (May 22, 2024) – On May 1, 1824, Eastern State Hospital opened its doors as part of Fayette Hospital, becoming just the second state psychiatric hospital in the nation. Now 200 years later, it also holds the distinction of being the oldest continuously operating state psychiatric hospital in the U.S.
Last week, Eastern State Hospital held a celebration to honors its 200 years of mental health service to the Commonwealth. Lexington lawyer Bruce Simpson – who received treatment at Eastern State Hospital following a suicide attempt – joined the celebration to share his personal story and to thank the staff who helped him.
On this episode of “Behind the Blue,” Simpson joins the podcast to talk openly and candidly about his nearly lifelong struggles with mental health, including his suicide attempt. He also highlights the importance of Eastern State Hospital and why mental health should be prioritized just as highly as physical health.
"Behind the Blue" is available on iTunes, Google Play, and Spotify. Become a subscriber to receive new episodes of “Behind the Blue” each week. UK’s latest medical breakthroughs, research, artists and writers will be featured, along with the most important news impacting the university.
Transcripts for this or other episodes of Behind the Blue can be downloaded from the show’s blog page.
To discover what’s wildly possible at the University of Kentucky, click here.
LEXINGTON, Ky. (May 16, 2024) – Greystar is a global leader in the investment, development, and management of high-quality rental housing properties. Greystar is one of the largest operators of rental housing in the world, with properties including apartments, senior living communities, corporate, and student housing.
In 2012, the University of Kentucky embarked upon an historic multi-phased partnership with Greystar to construct state of the art student housing facilities on campus. The development provided new housing to enhance the learning experience for students at the University of Kentucky. The multi-phased project replaced most of the existing student housing located across campus with modern state of the art facilities.
Over the past two years, Greystar and the University have embarked on a new partnership – working with students through the Explore First: Careers, Cultures and Connections program. Explore First is an education abroad program designed to equip and empower First-Generation students through participation in a 3-week education abroad program in London and Dublin.
Along with introducing career readiness within a global context, the program connects students with organizations, like Greystar, that have a global presence and employ UK graduates.
On this episode of Behind the Blue, Maria Hatch, Greystar’s Senior Director of Client Relationships, and UK’s Vice President for Student Success Kirsten Turner talk about the Explore First program and the benefits to both students and corporate participants.
"Behind the Blue" is available on iTunes, Google Play, and Spotify. Become a subscriber to receive new episodes of “Behind the Blue” each week. UK’s latest medical breakthroughs, research, artists and writers will be featured, along with the most important news impacting the university.
Transcripts for this or other episodes of Behind the Blue can be downloaded from the show’s blog page.
To discover what’s wildly possible at the University of Kentucky, click here.
LEXINGTON, Ky. (May 9, 2024) – UK HealthCare employs dozens of nurses from around the world, advancing care for a diverse Commonwealth while also providing an opportunity for international nurses to advance and continue their careers in a cutting-edge health care environment.
But packing up your life to work at a hospital on the other side of the globe is never easy. UK’s International Nurse Well-being Council offers those nurses a chance to be heard and help tackle challenges associated with living and working in a new country. The findings from the council’s monthly meetings are shared with enterprise leadership to ensure UK HealthCare stays a great place to work and patients receive the best care possible.
The council includes nurses who have been in the U.S. for years and many who are brand new. That mix of experience can help international nurses not just learn to adjust to a new place but also offer a space to be listened to and supported. The council also helps build a cross-cultural community among nurses offering events and potlucks where everyone can share a little bit of their culture.
With International Nurses Day on Sunday, check out this episode of “Behind the Blue” where UK HealthCare nurses Kobie Boateng and Anthony Ndirangu explain the challenges international nurses face and how the International Nurse Well-being Council can assist.
"Behind the Blue" is available on iTunes, Google Play, and Spotify. Become a subscriber to receive new episodes of “Behind the Blue” each week. UK’s latest medical breakthroughs, research, artists and writers will be featured, along with the most important news impacting the university.
Transcripts for this or other episodes of Behind the Blue can be downloaded from the show’s blog page.
To discover what’s wildly possible at the University of Kentucky, click here.
LEXINGTON, Ky. (May 3, 2024) — Cierra Couch, a representative of the University of Kentucky May Class of 2024, is a first-generation college student who came to UK in 2020 with a strong sense of determination, but without a clear roadmap.
As a Robinson Scholar from Hyden, Kentucky, Couch instantly found community through like-minded peers who were also from Eastern Kentucky. As time went on, she began to curate her college journey through resources like UK’s Stuckert Career Center, Student Support Services and her first-generation advisor. These services helped Couch first learn about the multitude of opportunities in the field of social work.
But it was later in her academic journey when Couch stepped into a UK student involvement fair, where, by chance, she learned about Alternative Spring Breaks (ASB), a program that connects UK students to service and learning opportunities across the U.S. and around the world. After becoming involved in ASB, Couch discovered a passion for social work and working with immigrant and refugee populations.
But perhaps Couch’s most transformative experience happened through Explore First — an education abroad program designed and implemented intentionally to equip and empower first-generation students at UK, like Couch. She was part of the inaugural cohort of students to take part in this trailblazing program, which launched in the summer of 2023. Students traveled to London and Dublin for a three-week course, which emphasized career readiness within a global context. Couch says this experience helped her solidify her career goal to work in global social work.
On this episode of “Behind the Blue,” Couch reflects on her time at UK, her experience with the Explore First program and what’s next after she walks across the Commencement stage this Friday with her social work degree.
"Behind the Blue" is available on iTunes, Google Play, Stitcher and Spotify. Become a subscriber to receive new episodes of “Behind the Blue” each week. UK’s latest medical breakthroughs, research, artists and writers will be featured, along with the most important news impacting the university.
For questions or comments about this or any other episode of "Behind the Blue," email BehindTheBlue@uky.edu or tweet your question with #BehindTheBlue. Transcripts for this or other episodes of "Behind the Blue" can be downloaded from the show’s blog page.
To discover what’s wildly possible at the University of Kentucky, click here.
LEXINGTON, Ky. (April 25, 2024) – Dr. Kenneth Campbell is the director of translational research in the Division of Cardiovascular Medicine in the UK College of Medicine. His work, to help map out an important part of the heart on a molecular level was part of a study published online in the prestigious journal Nature in 2023.
Campbell says the study is important for discovering new drug therapies for heart disease, the leading cause of death in Kentucky. According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), Kentucky is among the top 10 states with the highest death rate from the disease.
On this episode of ‘Behind the Blue’, Dr. Campbell talks about this important research and how the development of the Gill Cardiovascular Biorepository has helped drive heart muscle research around the world.
"Behind the Blue" is available on iTunes, Google Play, and Spotify. Become a subscriber to receive new episodes of “Behind the Blue” each week. UK’s latest medical breakthroughs, research, artists and writers will be featured, along with the most important news impacting the university.
Transcripts for this or other episodes of Behind the Blue can be downloaded from the show’s blog page.
To discover what’s wildly possible at the University of Kentucky, click here.
LEXINGTON, Ky. (April 19, 2024) – Robert Hayes is the Executive Director of Student Community Resources and Services in the UK Office for Student Success. His expertise and mission lies in providing support to first-generation students and offering academic advising within the College of Arts & Sciences.
He believes academic advisors serve as critical touchpoints for students, ensuring they navigate the complexities of higher education seamlessly. From pre-matriculation meetings to summer orientations, these interactions lay the groundwork for student success.
Additionally, Hayes sees the unique challenges faced by first-generation students, particularly with disparities in social capital. While these students may lack the familial frame of reference for higher education, he highlights the immense growth potential they possess.
On this episode of Behind the Blue, Hayes discusses the pivotal role advisors play as the bridge between students and the myriad of resources available to them, the evolving narrative around first-generation student research, and how institutions are shifting towards an assets-based approach, empowering students to embrace their journey with confidence.
"Behind the Blue" is available on iTunes, Google Play, and Spotify. Become a subscriber to receive new episodes of “Behind the Blue” each week. UK’s latest medical breakthroughs, research, artists and writers will be featured, along with the most important news impacting the university.
Transcripts for this or other episodes of Behind the Blue can be downloaded from the show’s blog page.
To discover what’s wildly possible at the University of Kentucky, click here.
LEXINGTON, Ky. (April 11, 2024) – This week marks the beginning of Campus Pride Week here at the University of Kentucky. Celebrated nationally in June, Campus Pride Week, hosted by the Office of LGBTQ* Resources (housed in the Office for Student Success) allows students, faculty and staff an opportunity to honor pride on campus while the spring semester is still in session.
Throughout the week, the campus acknowledges the diversity of identities, experiences and histories in the LGBTQ+ community and recognizes all who have and continue to advocate for LGBTQ+ lives, rights and visibility.
While this is an annual event at the university, this year will look a bit different, as the Office of LGBTQ* Resources has hired both a new director and assistant director.
Glenn Means, new director, believes the week will provide the campus community with an opportunity to learn about the office’s resources and build community.
Prior to his new role, Means served in the UK College of Public Health as the admissions and recruitment coordinator, and before that, Means worked for the Legislative Research Commission, where he handled constituent service matters for the Commonwealth. Means also served as the development director for Big Brothers Big Sisters of the Bluegrass and the donor stewardship manager for Lexington Habitat for Humanity. Outside of his work experience, Means has volunteered with various LGBTQ* organizations.
“Through all of this work, I have had the opportunity to educate, advocate and inform people on many issues that are important to our community, including mentorship, housing, healthcare, human rights and LGBTQ+ issues,” Means said. “It is a privilege to serve in this role to allow our students to have a safe space on campus and more importantly, a place for them to be themselves.”
As new director, Means hopes to create a more inclusive, supportive and affirming campus environment for LGBTQ+ individuals. He is committed to championing diversity, equity and inclusion, and to creating a space where all individuals are respected, valued and celebrated for who they are.
Atticus White, who will serve as the new assistant director, began their journey with the Office of LGBTQ* Resources back in 2018 during their sophomore year at UK where they were an intern in the office. After graduating in 2020, they held various retail and administrative jobs, but says nothing really stuck or felt fulfilling.
“I kept thinking back to the office and how wonderful it was to work in an environment that did so much work to support a community I love,” White said. “I sent an email to the director at the time and described my work with the office previously. I made my way into an administrative assistant position. About six months into my position, I became the only full-time staff in the office. I was suddenly in charge of managing everything. While it was extremely overwhelming, I knew that I had to stay to keep our doors open and continue to support our students. After all that hard work and strife, I had the opportunity to apply for and accept the assistant director position.”
As the new assistant director, White wants to continue the great work the office has been doing since starting with the office but push for more visibility.
“Glenn and I have talked a lot about our visions for the office in the future. One of the biggest things we’ve discussed is how to make our office more visible. Many students might not even know our office exists on campus. We want to change that,” White said. “Students of any marginalized identity have specific needs that their peers might not understand or relate to. We must continue our work so that students know that they are welcome not just in our office, but on campus, in Lexington, in Kentucky, in the United States and in the world.”
Through collaborative initiatives and outreach programs, starting with Campus Pride Week, Means and White plan on making an impact the campus community can see and feel.
Throughout Campus Pride Week, the office will host a series of events, including educational workshops, guest speakers and social gatherings, designed to promote LGBTQ+ visibility and acceptance. These activities are open to all members of the university community and serve as opportunities for dialogue, learning and celebration.
“Our office has three core pillars that we strive to follow with all our work: education, advocacy and community building. Pride Week is a culmination of all these things,” White said. “I hope the campus community finds new ways to celebrate their queer and trans peers, to be better allies to them and to feel open to having discussions about identity that they may never have thought about before! Most cisgender and straight individuals may not have spent a lot of time thinking about those elements of their identity; events like these give the chance to challenge that and create the opportunity for more conversation. More than anything, I hope our campus community feels inspired by Pride Week. Pride is a beautiful time to spark new conversations, new creative endeavors and new opportunities for growth and change in our world.”
UKNow recently caught up with Means and White to discuss Campus Pride Week, their new roles and their visions for the future of the Office of LGBTQ* Resources.
"Behind the Blue" is available on iTunes, Google Play, and Spotify. Become a subscriber to receive new episodes of “Behind the Blue” each week. UK’s latest medical breakthroughs, research, artists and writers will be featured, along with the most important news impacting the university.
Transcripts for this or other episodes of Behind the Blue can be downloaded from the show’s blog page.
To discover what’s wildly possible at the University of Kentucky, click here.
LEXINGTON, Ky. (April 4, 2024) – Every year, more than 97% of Americans, and more than 1.6 billion people worldwide, move their clocks forward one hour in the spring — allowing for more evening light as part of daylight saving time (DST).
Sure, that “spring forward” might make you more noticeably tired and cranky. But time is more than just numbers on a clock — it's a force that shapes our days, our routines and even our well-being.
And according to Tyler Kleppe’s new research, that heavy-eyed feeling doesn’t just impact simple day-to-day tasks.
In fact, the assistant professor in the Gatton College of Business and Economics at the University of Kentucky, has shown losing that hour is also affecting higher stakes decisions — like investing for one’s retirement.
“Even if you're not directly involved in capital markets, our financial system is relevant to all of us,” Kleppe said. “That’s why it remains important to evaluate regulatory actions and continue asking if they are effective.”
A number of studies show that DST transitions can negatively impact decision-making processes due to the disturbance they have on our circadian rhythm.
For example, research finds people experience more pronounced mood swings. There are also more serious consequences, such as an increase in car accidents and an uptick in health complications.
But little is known about the influence on financial markets.
“Really the core question we're exploring here is: can that disruption impact how investors respond to firms’ earnings disclosures?” Kleppe explained. “Then, we can have one more piece of evidence to help inform the national debate surrounding daylight saving time.”
On this episode of ‘Behind the Blue’, Kleppe discusses his research on how DST transitions impact investors’ reactions to corporate earnings news.
You can also learn more about Kleppe and his research here, and you can find more information about Gatton College here.
"Behind the Blue" is available on iTunes, Google Play, and Spotify. Become a subscriber to receive new episodes of “Behind the Blue” each week. UK’s latest medical breakthroughs, research, artists and writers will be featured, along with the most important news impacting the university.
Transcripts for this or other episodes of Behind the Blue can be downloaded from the show’s blog page.
To discover what’s wildly possible at the University of Kentucky, click here.
LEXINGTON, Ky. (March 27, 2024) – Four years ago, the world at large became more familiar with the field of health care known as “critical care” when the COVID-19 pandemic led to unprecedented numbers of patients being admitted to hospital intensive care units.
Dr. Ashley Montgomery-Yates, a critical care physician and senior vice chair of strategy for the UK Department of Internal Medicine, was one of the many health care providers on the front lines of the pandemic.
On this episode of “Behind the Blue,” Dr. Montgomery-Yates discusses what it means to go into the field of critical care, what life was like for the ICU teams during the pandemic, and how staff experiences helped shape the design of UK Chandler Hospital’s recently opened 12th floor – the new home of its medical and cardiovascular ICUs.
"Behind the Blue" is available on iTunes, Google Play, and Spotify. Become a subscriber to receive new episodes of “Behind the Blue” each week. UK’s latest medical breakthroughs, research, artists and writers will be featured, along with the most important news impacting the university.
Transcripts for this or other episodes of Behind the Blue can be downloaded from the show’s blog page.
To discover what’s wildly possible at the University of Kentucky, click here.
LEXINGTON, Ky. (March 21, 2024) – The Kentucky Appalachian Rural Rehabilitation Network (KARRN) is a collaborative team that advocates to empower communities impacted by disability. Their focus is improving the quality of life for all. The organization is directed under the University of Kentucky College of Health Sciences and led by Patrick Kitzman, PT, Ph.D.
Each year Kitzman and his team take on multiple projects to help those who need it most. Projects include refurbishing equipment such as wheelchairs and walkers, providing adapted toys to children and fundraising for the Grace Jones Fund.
KARRN also has an undergraduate student club on UK's campus led by Clara Bond, a junior in the College of Health Sciences. Their purpose is to assess campus for accessibility and suggest changes where needed. They have also provided education to children in various schools across the Fayette County school district.
This year during One Day for UK, the University's annual giving day, all donations to the College of Health Sciences will go directly toward the Grace Jones Fund.
This fund is used to help people with physical disabilities, caused by conditions such as strokes, as well as their families. Funds can be used to pay for adult day care, medical equipment, therapy services (such as PT, OT, or Speech), transportation costs related to attending disability support services, short-term respite care, program development, education, assistive technology and marketing.
On this episode of ‘Behind the Blue’, Kitzman and Bond talk about the important work of KARRN, the collaboration the network has helped inspire, the culture shift they see happening both on and off campus, and more.
"Behind the Blue" is available on iTunes, Google Play, and Spotify. Become a subscriber to receive new episodes of “Behind the Blue” each week. UK’s latest medical breakthroughs, research, artists and writers will be featured, along with the most important news impacting the university.
Transcripts for this or other episodes of Behind the Blue can be downloaded from the show’s blog page.
To discover what’s wildly possible at the University of Kentucky, click here.
LEXINGTON, Ky. (March 15, 2024) – Dr. Tessa London-Bounds, a cardiothoracic surgeon at UK HealthCare’s Gill Heart & Vascular Institute, had two vastly different breastfeeding experiences as a resident and later as an attending surgeon. Variations in workplace support, along with access to technology and facilities made finding a balance between caring for patients and providing for her own children difficult.
After speaking with co-workers about her experiences, she was inspired to team together with fellow surgeons to create an online survey, which asked nearly 900 surgeons to share their opinions on the challenges of access and equity in the workplace for breastfeeding surgeons.
On this episode of Behind the Blue, Dr. London-Bounds discusses how her own personal experiences helped inspire the creation of the survey, the stigma and difficulties pregnant and breastfeeding surgeons perceive in the workplace, and the positive impact she can already see from the information and understanding the researchers have aquired.
"Behind the Blue" is available on iTunes, Google Play, and Spotify. Become a subscriber to receive new episodes of “Behind the Blue” each week. UK’s latest medical breakthroughs, research, artists and writers will be featured, along with the most important news impacting the university.
Transcripts for this or other episodes of Behind the Blue can be downloaded from the show’s blog page.
To discover what’s wildly possible at the University of Kentucky, click here.
LEXINGTON, Ky. (March 7, 2024) – On March 11th, UK’s James B. Beam Institute will host their annual Beam Institute Industry Conference, where hundreds of distillers, researchers, distillery and supporting industry employees gather for 3 days of learning and information exchange in Kentucky’s signature industry.
On this episode of Behind the Blue, the Beam Institute’s Director Seth DeBolt and Research Director Brad Berron discuss the mission of the Institute, the partnerships that have enabled the construction of a 7,500 square-foot on-campus research and teaching distillery, and their dedication to training more than 1,600 students through university courses, internships, and distillery apprenticeship programs to support the next generation of leaders in the spirits industry.
"Behind the Blue" is available on iTunes, Google Play, and Spotify. Become a subscriber to receive new episodes of “Behind the Blue” each week. UK’s latest medical breakthroughs, research, artists and writers will be featured, along with the most important news impacting the university.
Transcripts for this or other episodes of Behind the Blue can be downloaded from the show’s blog page.
To discover what’s wildly possible at the University of Kentucky, click here.
LEXINGTON, Ky. (March 1, 2024) – On March 5th, 1964, following the postponement of legislation aimed at eliminating segregation in public accommodations in Kentucky, some 10,000 residents of the Commonwealth came together with notable civil rights activists, including Martin Luther King, Jr. and Jackie Robinson to participate in a March on Frankfort. This interracial protest was designed to exert pressure on the governor, urging support for a more robust legislative proposal.
On this episode of ‘Behind the Blue’, UK professor of history Gerald Smith talks about the historical context and significance of the march, the legacy it left behind, and how, 60 years on, it continues to be commemorated.
From 1997-2005, Smith served as the director of the African American Studies and Research Program at UK, and he is the author, editor, or co-editor of five books including his newest from 2023: ‘Slavery and Freedom in the Bluegrass State: Revisiting My Old Kentucky Home’.
"Behind the Blue" is available on iTunes, Google Play, and Spotify. Become a subscriber to receive new episodes of “Behind the Blue” each week. UK’s latest medical breakthroughs, research, artists and writers will be featured, along with the most important news impacting the university.
Transcripts for this or other episodes of Behind the Blue can be downloaded from the show’s blog page.
To discover what’s wildly possible at the University of Kentucky, click here.
LEXINGTON, Ky. (February 22, 2024) – Crystal Wilkinson is a Professor of English in the UK College of Arts & Sciences and one of 16 University Research Professors for 2023-24. As the first Black woman to hold the appointment of Poet Laureate of Kentucky from 2021-2023, Wilkinson serves as an inspiration to many in the writing community, and has authored several award-winning books.
Wilkinson’s research and work primarily focuses on the stories of Black women and communities in the Appalachian and rural Southern canon. Her most recent work, ‘Praisesong for the Kitchen Ghosts’, is her first foray into nonfiction, delving into the lives and foodways of her own family.
On this episode of ‘Behind the Blue’, Wilkinson talks about the new book and how the inspiration to research and write about her family has been an inspiration to many others who wish to connect to their own ancestry and culture.
"Behind the Blue" is available on iTunes, Google Play, and Spotify. Become a subscriber to receive new episodes of “Behind the Blue” each week. UK’s latest medical breakthroughs, research, artists and writers will be featured, along with the most important news impacting the university.
Transcripts for this or other episodes of Behind the Blue can be downloaded from the show’s blog page.
To discover what’s wildly possible at the University of Kentucky, click here.
LEXINGTON, Ky. (February 15, 2024) – Science “happens” all around us, from the food we eat in the morning, to the light switch we turn off at night and everything in-between. For UK associate professor Vince Venditto, the idea of taking a large and intimidating topic and making it relatable and accessible in a fun and interactive way is important in helping people feel more connected to the world they live in.
Since 2018, he has worked with students and employees in the UK College of Pharmacy to show the greater Lexington community those connections all around us, not just in research labs. They’re doing so with ‘Everything is Science’, a speaker-series festival that unfolds across various venues throughout the city. This year’s festival has evening events from Monday, February 19th through Friday, February 23rd. With this year’s theme of ‘Make it Make Sense!’, attendees will embark on a sensory journey, where the focus will be on the five remarkable human senses: touch, vision, taste, hearing, and smell.
On this episode of ‘Behind the Blue’, Venditto is joined by Rosa Mejia-Cruz, Communications Director for the College of Pharmacy, to talk about the theme of the festival, the impact it has on attendees, and the importance of taking science out of the lab and into the community.
"Behind the Blue" is available on iTunes, Google Play, and Spotify. Become a subscriber to receive new episodes of “Behind the Blue” each week. UK’s latest medical breakthroughs, research, artists and writers will be featured, along with the most important news impacting the university.
Transcripts for this or other episodes of Behind the Blue can be downloaded from the show’s blog page.
To discover what’s wildly possible at the University of Kentucky, click here.
LEXINGTON, Ky. (February 8, 2024) – This year marks the 75th anniversary of Lyman T. Johnson’s historic legal triumph against the University of Kentucky, a milestone that marked him as the first African American student to integrate the university. Johnson, a lifelong champion of education and its transformative potential, was an advocate for equality in both education and broader society, drawing inspiration from his experiences as both a student and a teacher.
Johnson's lawsuit against the University of Kentucky proved successful, leading to his enrollment as a graduate student in the summer of 1949. While he did not complete his degree at UK, the enduring legacy he leaves behind echoes the principles he instilled in his students — the ongoing pursuit of equality and justice, and an emphasis on the role of education and independent thinking to help people navigate the path toward progress.
UK alumnus and Lexington native George Wright is one of many who have benefitted from Johnson’s efforts. Wright, a noted African American scholar and former president of Prairie View A&M University in Texas, attended UK in 1968 through a special program offered after the death of Martin Luther King, Jr., earning both bachelor’s and master’s degrees at the university.
Wright received a PhD from Duke University, returned to UK as an assistant professor, and then moved on to the University of Texas at Austin and eventually Prairie View. In 2019-20 he returned as a visiting professor in recognition of the 70th anniversary of integration at the university. At the end of that year, he remained at UK and took on the role of senior advisor to President Eli Capilouto.
On this episode of ‘Behind the Blue’, Wright talks about the personal and community significance of Black History Month, the impact Lyman T. Johnson’s victory had on his own UK experience and, as well as the impact on the cultural life of the university itself.
"Behind the Blue" is available on iTunes, Google Play, and Spotify. Become a subscriber to receive new episodes of “Behind the Blue” each week. UK’s latest medical breakthroughs, research, artists and writers will be featured, along with the most important news impacting the university.
Transcripts for this or other episodes of Behind the Blue can be downloaded from the show’s blog page.
To discover what’s wildly possible at the University of Kentucky, click here.
LEXINGTON, Ky. (February 1, 2024) – “Every single one of them said, ‘My God, I had no idea something like this happened.’ I think they are learning something about their communities that they didn’t know before,” says Anastasia Curwood, director of the Commonwealth Institute for Black Studies, referring to the reaction of students to their work with the groundbreaking Civil Rights and Restorative Justice Kentucky Project, a pilot program stemming from the pioneering CRRJ Project at Northeastern University School of Law. Prompted by the national project and working with the University of Kentucky’s Rosenberg School of Law, they recognized the urgent need to address unsolved murders in Kentucky tied to racism or racial hostility.
The multidimensional approach encompasses legal seminars, historical research, and a restorative justice element, intertwining legal expertise and historical context to unravel mysteries dating back through the past 100 years. This unique project bridges the gap between academic disciplines, offering students the opportunity to delve into cold cases that state agencies, hindered by resource constraints, often overlook or are unable to continue work on.
The significance of this initiative lies not only in its historical inquiry but also in its potential to redefine how Kentuckians perceive their past. By investigating historical wrongs, the project seeks to create a more honest narrative of the Commonwealth, acknowledging the lasting impact on families and communities.
On this episode of ‘Behind the Blue,’ Curwood is joined by Austin Zinkle, a post-doctoral scholar and co-leader of the CRRJ-Kentucky legal clinic. They discuss the intricate connections between the past and present, and their efforts to shed light on real traumas and historical injustices that continue to shape Kentucky today.
"Behind the Blue" is available on iTunes, Google Play, and Spotify. Become a subscriber to receive new episodes of “Behind the Blue” each week. UK’s latest medical breakthroughs, research, artists and writers will be featured, along with the most important news impacting the university.
Transcripts for this or other episodes of Behind the Blue can be downloaded from the show’s blog page.
To discover what’s wildly possible at the University of Kentucky, click here.
LEXINGTON, Ky. (January 25, 2024) – UK HealthCare’s Gill Heart and Vascular Institute is a renowned center for cardiovascular care, research and education. Established with the aim of advancing cardiovascular health, Gill stands as a comprehensive facility offering a wide range of services.
One of the notable features of the Gill Heart Institute is its new Sports Cardiology Program, led by Marc Paranzino, M.D. This program focuses on the cardiovascular health of athletes, addressing the unique challenges faced by individuals engaged in various levels of physical activity. The institute's sports cardiology initiatives extend beyond elite athletes to encompass individuals of all ages seeking to maintain an active lifestyle.
On this episode of ‘Behind the Blue,’ Dr. Paranzino discusses this new program, the evolving field of sports cardiology, and the potential it holds for improving cardiovascular health in an array of different age and activity groups.
"Behind the Blue" is available on iTunes, Google Play, and Spotify. Become a subscriber to receive new episodes of “Behind the Blue” each week. UK’s latest medical breakthroughs, research, artists and writers will be featured, along with the most important news impacting the university.
Transcripts for this or other episodes of Behind the Blue can be downloaded from the show’s blog page.
To discover what’s wildly possible at the University of Kentucky, click here.
LEXINGTON, Ky. (January 18, 2024) – Col. Wendy Woodall is no stranger to spending time in new locations. Growing up in a U.S. military family and living in a variety of locations during her childhood, she calls herself a native of Princeton, Ky, where her father is from.
While attending high school in Virginia, her father decided to retire from military service and move back to Kentucky. She decided to attend UK, the only school in the state she was familiar with, because of her dad’s love of UK Athletics as much as anything else. Little did she know that this decision would lead her to a fulfilling academic experience and a lifelong passion for nursing.
A proud alumna of the UK College of Nursing, Woodall earned her bachelor's degree in nursing in 1998. Her dedication to serving the nation as a military nurse has taken her to diverse locations, including active duty in South Korea and Iraq. Last year, she assumed the role of chief nursing officer at Walter Reed National Military Medical Center, a testament to her leadership journey within the U.S. Army Nurse Corps and other esteemed organizations.
On this episode of ‘Behind the Blue’, Col. Woodall shares her insights into how her experience at UK shaped her career and prepared her for the pivotal role she holds today at Walter Reed, the world's premier military medical center.
"Behind the Blue" is available on iTunes, Google Play, Stitcher and Spotify. Become a subscriber to receive new episodes of “Behind the Blue” each week. UK’s latest medical breakthroughs, research, artists and writers will be featured, along with the most important news impacting the university.
For questions or comments about this or any other episode of "Behind the Blue," email BehindTheBlue@uky.edu or tweet your question with #BehindTheBlue. Transcripts for this or other episodes of Behind the Blue can be downloaded from the show’s blog page.
To discover what’s wildly possible at the University of Kentucky, click here.
LEXINGTON, Ky. (January 10, 2024) – Monday, January 15, 2024 will mark Lexington’s 51st anniversary of the observance of Martin Luther King, Jr. Day, a US Federal holiday that honors the birth, life and dream of Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr., and is also the only national holiday designated as a national day of service to encourage Americans to volunteer for opportunities to improve their communities in a variety of ways.
As a member of the Lexington-Fayette MLK Holiday Celebration Committee for the past 13 years, Jay Alexander has been intimately involved with the planning and service surrounding the Celebration event. Alexander, the programming and music director for WBTF-FM in Lexington, believes the commemoration of Dr. King’s work shouldn’t be limited to only one day, and he sees that year-round community service active with many of the churches and community groups that take part in the celebration.
For a community he has come to know and love, he feels it’s a tremendous opportunity to serve and to bring awareness that the struggle is not over. “I have said this time and time and time again, we stand on the shoulders of giants. We would not be where we are today,” Alexander says, “without the fight and the struggle of the John Lewis’s and the Martin Luther King’s, those who got down and did the battle.”
Alexander joins this week’s ‘Behind the Blue’ to talk about this year’s event. The theme for the 2024 MLK Celebration is “MLK in 2024: Eyes Off the Prize?”, and he says that’s the question Dr. Kevin Cosby, president of Simmons College in Louisville will be answering as the keynote speaker.
Making a return appearance this year will be the Uniting Voices Chicago choir, who will be joining the Uniting Voices Lexington, a new group that has come together just this year under the leadership of Michael Preacely, DMA. The event will also see the awarding of two full-year scholarships, one to Bluegrass Community and Technical College and one to Kentucky State University.
If you’re interested in more information regarding the Lexington-Fayette Martin Luther King, Jr. Day Holiday Program, visit uky.edu/mlk. The annual Freedom March will begin at 1 p.m. on Monday, January 15th, and concludes with the Commemorative Program held at the Central Bank Center at 2 p.m. The march begins and ends at the Central Bank Center in downtown Lexington.
"Behind the Blue" is available on iTunes, Google Play, Stitcher and Spotify. Become a subscriber to receive new episodes of “Behind the Blue” each week. UK’s latest medical breakthroughs, research, artists and writers will be featured, along with the most important news impacting the university.
For questions or comments about this or any other episode of "Behind the Blue," email BehindTheBlue@uky.edu or tweet your question with #BehindTheBlue. Transcripts for this or other episodes of Behind the Blue can be downloaded from the show’s blog page.
To discover what’s wildly possible at the University of Kentucky, click here.
LEXINGTON, Ky. (January 4, 2024) – [THIS IS AN ENCORE EPISODE.] The Native American Graves Protection and Repatriation Act (NAGPRA) is a pivotal federal law enacted in 1990 that addresses the repatriation and disposition of Native American human remains, funerary objects, sacred objects and cultural patrimony.
With the understanding of the pain caused by historical practices, UK remains dedicated to working closely with Native nations, aiming to ethically repatriate these items. The size of the NAGPRA collections requires extensive expertise, staffing and resources, and is an ongoing collaborative process involving thorough consultations with Tribal stakeholders.
Dr. Celise Chilcote-Fricker, a distinguished bioarchaeologist and assistant professor in the College of Arts and Sciences, is the NAGPRA coordinator at the William S. Webb Museum of Anthropology at UK. In the five years she has been at UK, she has spearheaded various initiatives, including policy implementation, research moratorium, establishing an osteoarchaeology lab and developing digital databases shared with Native nations. Dr. Chilcote-Fricker is steadfast in leading this work with transparency, respect and meaningful consultations with Tribal representatives.
In early 2023, the university pledged nearly $900,000 over the next three years to accelerate the NAGPRA efforts. This substantial investment, a collaboration between the College of Arts and Sciences and the Office of the Provost and led by Dean Ana Franco-Watkins, aims to expand personnel and resources, doubling the team dedicated to NAGPRA efforts.
Under Dr. Chilcote-Fricker’s leadership, and with reinvigorated support from the university, UK has made commendable progress in ensuring that these cultural artifacts find their way back to their rightful homes.
Through their efforts, UK has culturally affiliated and repatriated 721 ancestors and 5,186 associated funerary objects from 39 different sites, which represents about 15% of the university’s NAGPRA-related archaeological holdings.
On this episode of ‘Behind the Blue’, Dr. Chilcote-Fricker discusses this impactful work and the University of Kentucky's commitment to honoring and returning these invaluable cultural treasures that for too long have remained within our walls.
For more information about NAGPRA, visit the National Parks Service, the Bureau of Land Management, and the Association on American Indian Affairs websites. For more information about UK’s NAGPRA efforts, visit the UK Department of Anthropology.
"Behind the Blue" is available on iTunes, Google Play, Stitcher and Spotify. Become a subscriber to receive new episodes of “Behind the Blue” each week. UK’s latest medical breakthroughs, research, artists and writers will be featured, along with the most important news impacting the university.
For questions or comments about this or any other episode of "Behind the Blue," email BehindTheBlue@uky.edu or tweet your question with #BehindTheBlue. Transcripts for this or other episodes of Behind the Blue can be downloaded from the show’s blog page.
To discover what’s wildly possible at the University of Kentucky, click here.
LEXINGTON, KY. (December 28, 2023) – [THIS IS AN ENCORE EPISODE] In 2018, the Kentucky Injury Prevention and Research Center (KIPRC), launched “Find Help Now KY”, a website that provides a near real-time treatment opening locator for substance use disorders.
The locator guides individuals to available treatment openings. It takes into consideration the substance(s) being used, payment options including commercial and public insurance programs, gender identity, preference for in- or out-patient treatment and needed co-occurring treatments such as mental health care, plus 30 more criteria.
The site provides daily availability information for treatment openings, to enable rapid admission to addiction programs.
One of the biggest barriers to accessing treatment for substance use disorders can be the time it takes to find an open space in a treatment facility. By the time a clinician, family member or patient can find the right facility for their needs and navigate the insurance process, the bed in question may have been filled or the window of opportunity for recovery may have passed.
Based on the success of FindHelpNowKY.org, the team has expanded their offerings to a new site. After recognizing the need that many patients have for stable and secure housing during the recovery process, FindRecoveryHousingNowKY.org has launched to provide a guided search tool to help overcome barriers for people seeking treatment or recovery housing.
On this episode of ‘Behind the Blue’, Leah Dick and Catherine Hines, research project managers with Find Help Now discuss the success the program has had since its inception, the growth it is experiencing with expansion into recovery housing assistance, and how the program is moving into the future as a leader for other states looking to model their efforts.
"Behind the Blue" is available on iTunes, Google Play, Stitcher and Spotify. Become a subscriber to receive new episodes of “Behind the Blue” each week. UK’s latest medical breakthroughs, research, artists and writers will be featured, along with the most important news impacting the university.
For questions or comments about this or any other episode of "Behind the Blue," email BehindTheBlue@uky.edu or tweet your question with #BehindTheBlue. Transcripts for this or other episodes of Behind the Blue can be downloaded from the show’s blog page.
To discover what’s wildly possible at the University of Kentucky, click here.
LEXINGTON, Ky. (December 21, 2023) – The University of Kentucky Alumni Association started the Great Teacher Award program in 1961 to honor excellent teaching at the university. There have been more than 300 teachers honored since that first year. Nominations may only be submitted by current students.
To receive the award, a candidate must:
- Hold the rank of full-time lecturer or above and have been a member of the faculty for the past three years at UK.
- Have superior knowledge of the subject matter.
- Have original and innovative classroom presentations.
- Demonstrate concern for students, both inside and outside the classroom setting.
- Not have been a recipient of the award for the past 10 years.
A committee of the UK Alumni Association Board of Directors and a representative from the student organization Omicron Delta Kappa select the recipients based on objective rating and ranking of the eligible nominations submitted.
This episode of Behind the Blue spotlights one of the six 2023 Great Teacher Award winners. Martina Vasil is an associate professor of music education and School of Music interim director of Undergraduate Studies. She teaches undergraduate courses in general music methods and graduate courses in music education research and popular music education.
She is passionate about making music education more accessible and meaningful for all. This shows through her work in popular music education, Orff Schulwerk (an active approach to teaching music) and her service as president of the Association for Popular Music Education. Vasil is invested in graduate student success, conducting research on this topic and advising most students in the master’s and Ph.D. music education programs.
Prior to her appointment at UK, she taught kindergarten through eighth grade general music and instrumental music (band and strings) in Pennsylvania. Since 2018, she has taught children at Lexington Montessori School. Vasil has degrees from West Virginia University and Eastman School of Music.
"Behind the Blue" is available on iTunes, Google Play, Stitcher and Spotify. Become a subscriber to receive new episodes of “Behind the Blue” each week. UK’s latest medical breakthroughs, research, artists and writers will be featured, along with the most important news impacting the university.
For questions or comments about this or any other episode of "Behind the Blue," email BehindTheBlue@uky.edu or tweet your question with #BehindTheBlue. Transcripts for this or other episodes of Behind the Blue can be downloaded from the show’s blog page.
To discover what’s wildly possible at the University of Kentucky, click here.
LEXINGTON, Ky. (Dec. 14, 2023) — A photo captures an instantaneous moment in time — allowing us to preserve a memory.
Yet, oddly, the meaning of a photograph is never fixed. Its significance has the ability to change over time.
A 4x6 frame holds a celebratory photo of Madona Elias, her mom and fellow graduates.
Elias is dressed in a black cap and gown. A golden tassel, signifying the commemorative closing of one chapter and the beginning of another, falls in front of her face — where Elias is also wearing a proud smile.
It’s 2004 and she has just graduated from the University of Aleppo in Syria.
It’s a feeling of accomplishment unlike any other — walking across the commencement stage, outstretched hand reaching for that coveted diploma.
“Never did I imagine I would have to do this again nearly 20 years later,” Elias said.
After receiving a degree in clinical mental health, Elias established herself as a mental health specialist and researcher in the global health community — serving several refugee populations (Syrian, Iraqi and Palestinian) worldwide.
As a student who often excelled, she continued to chase her desire to be a catalyst for change through education.
In 2010, Elias completed a Fellowship in medical anthropology at Newcastle University in the United Kingdom and was nominated three years in a row by the European Union as a key focal researcher from Syria in the RESCAP-MED project.
“The main purpose of the project was to build sustainable research capacity for public health and its social determinants in low and middle-income countries in the Mediterranean Region,” she explained.
With nearly two decades of experience in the Middle East, Europe and the United States, Elias implemented and oversaw complex research studies and evaluation projects with the World Health Organization (WHO), Catholic Relief Services (Caritas-Jordan) and the European Union.
On top of a successful career, Elias was nearing the completion of her doctorate and felt as if her future was falling into place.
“My life was much like anyone else's,” she said. “I had a career, a family and a home.”
In the backdrop, unrest was spreading across the Arab world.
When the Syrian war broke out in 2011, the only home Elias had ever known was no longer safe.
“I was forced to flee my beloved country.”
Elias’ international work status allowed her to seek refuge in the U.S. with her 6-year-old daughter. But many family members were left behind. “Even though I escaped the violence, part of my heart remains there,” she said.
Elias was forced to start a new life in a new country — where she would ultimately face language barriers, cultural differences and difficulties finding work.
While Elias’ education and career were not top of mind, she asked herself, “what’s next?”
That’s when a deep uncertainty began to settle in.
“English was my third language. And much of my education was not recognized in the U.S.,” Elias said. “I had to spend the next 10 years rebuilding my life from the ground up. And I had to start my career and education again from scratch.”
Pain has a way of inspiring purpose.
Elias remained resilient — determined to rebuild a bright, hopeful future for herself and her daughter.
That’s when, in 2016, she began working at UK HealthCare’s Psychiatric and Behavioral Health Care Clinic in the College of Medicine at the University of Kentucky.
“I loved the charming campus and learned how highly ranked UK's graduate programs in health care are nationwide,” she said. “While I was working, I enrolled in graduate school to earn a certificate in global health.”
Elias continued working full-time to support her family, while earning exemplary grades. In 2019, she graduated with a certificate in global health with a focus on mental health.
But that wasn’t the end of her educational story or her journey at UK.
In 2021, Elias was accepted into the online Master of Social Work (MSW) program in the College of Social Work (CoSW).
In the years that followed, she pursued the ultimate balancing act — applying herself in the classroom, in the community and at home.
“When choosing to complete my MSW as a single mom, while working two full-time jobs, the college offered me a flexible online program with a high quality of education and mentorship support that encouraged me to follow my dream,” Elias continued. “UK also has a wide array of programs that have allowed me to excel in multidisciplinary studies and foster an environment of cooperative engagement across all colleges, programs and research endeavors.”
The rigorous MSW includes options for an advanced program (30 credits) and a regular program (60 credits) to give experienced social workers and/or passionate newcomers the practical skills needed to be effective in the field.
The program is open to all undergraduate degrees and may be completed full-time or part-time, in either a hybrid or online format. MSW students also have the option to earn specialized certificates in clinical social work, child welfare, military behavioral health, rural population well-being, integrative behavioral health and substance use disorder, among others.
The MSW graduates have the highest clinical licensing pass rates in Kentucky and routinely score above the national average — making those who complete the program uniquely poised to enter a competitive job market. And in so doing, students will positively impact the lives of individuals, groups and communities around the world.
Through the CoSW, finally, Elias found a second home — and a second family.
“It's been an arduous, lengthy, challenging journey. But I managed to reinvent myself and establish roots again here in Kentucky,” she continued. “My mentors, Kalea Benner, Katherine Crabtree and Peter Polatin, believed in me when I lost faith in myself.”
What makes a photo powerful?
On a sunny December afternoon, Elias finds herself back in front of the camera, beaming with pride as she poses in graduation gown — only this time it is blue, and her daughter, now 18, is standing by her side.
It’s been 20 years since Elias’ first graduation. Now, both photos serve as a symbol — reminding her she discovered new happiness not despite challenges, but because of them.
“I worked tirelessly, regardless of my scars of war PTSD and survivor’s guilt, to become whole again as a refugee.”
Elias is aware she is one among many who are forcibly displaced because of conflict, war or natural disaster.
Through her initiative, “Global Mental Health Intervention Program During Crises and Wartime,” she hopes to not only help others like her but affect policy change surrounding mental health services for refugees.
As Elias crosses the Commencement stage — for the second time — she hopes her story of resilience encourages others to embrace the best from the worst and keep moving forward.
“Life is hard and challenging. But I am a war survivor, and now I can see why I’m still here,” she said. “Unfortunately, war is beyond our control. But refugees should have a better future and need help healing. I still have a mission to help people overcome their PTSD and find a way to live with their scars.”
"Behind the Blue" is available on iTunes, Google Play, Stitcher and Spotify. Become a subscriber to receive new episodes of “Behind the Blue” each week. UK’s latest medical breakthroughs, research, artists and writers will be featured, along with the most important news impacting the university.
For questions or comments about this or any other episode of "Behind the Blue," email BehindTheBlue@uky.edu or tweet your question with #BehindTheBlue. Transcripts for this or other episodes of Behind the Blue can be downloaded from the show’s blog page.
To discover what’s wildly possible at the University of Kentucky, click here.
LEXINGTON, Ky. (December 7, 2023) – Most of us have been involved in conversations with friends, family, co-workers and more regarding holiday decorations, and the pros and cons of those “early birds” out there who start hanging lights the day after Halloween. Or perhaps we’ve silently evaluated our neighbors on the quality or volume of their outdoor decorations (and how many inflatables they have in their yard).
Some of you listening may bristle at the idea of holiday decorations in general, especially if you’ve had a personal encounter with what you feel are “over-the-top” decorators.
It turns out, though, that there may be more going on under the surface than just an over-zealous observer of the holidays, and decorations around the home could be beneficial for a person’s mental and emotional health.
On this episode of ‘Behind the Blue’, Shannon Sauer-Zavala, an associate professor in the Department of Psychology at the University of Kentucky, discusses the psychological benefits of holiday decorations. She explains that living in accordance with our values and cultural traditions can increase positive emotions and life fulfillment.
Decorating for the holidays can bring joy and enhance the holiday spirit. Savoring the holiday experience and being mindful of the present moment can also contribute to emotional well-being. Additionally, decorations can create a sense of community and belonging. It is important to acknowledge that the holidays can be challenging for some individuals, and seeking mental health support is encouraged.
For more information about UK’s clinical services mentioned in this episode, visit The Harris Center for Psychological Services.
"Behind the Blue" is available on iTunes, Google Play, Stitcher and Spotify. Become a subscriber to receive new episodes of “Behind the Blue” each week. UK’s latest medical breakthroughs, research, artists and writers will be featured, along with the most important news impacting the university.
For questions or comments about this or any other episode of "Behind the Blue," email BehindTheBlue@uky.edu or tweet your question with #BehindTheBlue. Transcripts for this or other episodes of Behind the Blue can be downloaded from the show’s blog page.
To discover what’s wildly possible at the University of Kentucky, click here.
LEXINGTON, Ky. (November 30, 2023) – The Native American Graves Protection and Repatriation Act (NAGPRA) is a pivotal federal law enacted in 1990 that addresses the repatriation and disposition of Native American human remains, funerary objects, sacred objects and cultural patrimony.
With the understanding of the pain caused by historical practices, UK remains dedicated to working closely with Native nations, aiming to ethically repatriate these items. The size of the NAGPRA collections requires extensive expertise, staffing and resources, and is an ongoing collaborative process involving thorough consultations with Tribal stakeholders.
Dr. Celise Chilcote-Fricker, a distinguished bioarchaeologist and assistant professor in the College of Arts and Sciences, is the NAGPRA coordinator at the William S. Webb Museum of Anthropology at UK. In the five years she has been at UK, she has spearheaded various initiatives, including policy implementation, research moratorium, establishing an osteoarchaeology lab and developing digital databases shared with Native nations. Dr. Chilcote-Fricker is steadfast in leading this work with transparency, respect and meaningful consultations with Tribal representatives.
In early 2023, the university pledged nearly $900,000 over the next three years to accelerate the NAGPRA efforts. This substantial investment, a collaboration between the College of Arts and Sciences and the Office of the Provost and led by Dean Ana Franco-Watkins, aims to expand personnel and resources, doubling the team dedicated to NAGPRA efforts.
Under Dr. Chilcote-Fricker’s leadership, and with reinvigorated support from the university, UK has made commendable progress in ensuring that these cultural artifacts find their way back to their rightful homes.
Through their efforts, UK has culturally affiliated and repatriated 721 ancestors and 5,186 associated funerary objects from 39 different sites, which represents about 15% of the university’s NAGPRA-related archaeological holdings.
On this episode of ‘Behind the Blue’, Dr. Chilcote-Fricker discusses this impactful work and the University of Kentucky's commitment to honoring and returning these invaluable cultural treasures that for too long have remained within our walls.
For more information about NAGPRA, visit the National Parks Service, the Bureau of Land Management, and the Association on American Indian Affairs websites. For more information about UK’s NAGPRA efforts, visit the UK Department of Anthropology.
"Behind the Blue" is available on iTunes, Google Play, Stitcher and Spotify. Become a subscriber to receive new episodes of “Behind the Blue” each week. UK’s latest medical breakthroughs, research, artists and writers will be featured, along with the most important news impacting the university.
For questions or comments about this or any other episode of "Behind the Blue," email BehindTheBlue@uky.edu or tweet your question with #BehindTheBlue. Transcripts for this or other episodes of Behind the Blue can be downloaded from the show’s blog page.
To discover what’s wildly possible at the University of Kentucky, click here.
LEXINGTON, Ky. (November 23, 2023) – The University of Kentucky Alumni Association started the Great Teacher Award program in 1961 to honor excellent teaching at the university. There have been more than 300 teachers honored since that first year. Nominations may only be submitted by current students.
To receive the award, a candidate must:
- Hold the rank of full-time lecturer or above and have been a member of the faculty for the past three years at UK.
- Have superior knowledge of the subject matter.
- Have original and innovative classroom presentations.
- Demonstrate concern for students, both inside and outside the classroom setting.
- Not have been a recipient of the award for the past 10 years.
A committee of the UK Alumni Association Board of Directors and a representative from the student organization Omicron Delta Kappa select the recipients based on objective rating and ranking of the eligible nominations submitted.
This episode of Behind the Blue spotlights one of the six 2023 Great Teacher Award winners. Derek R. Lane is a professor in the Department of Communication. He received his Ph.D. from the University of Oklahoma and undergraduate degrees from Eastern Wyoming College, Chadron State College, and the University of Nebraska-Kearney. He has been a faculty member at UK since 1996.
In addition to teaching more than 30 different graduate and undergraduate courses, he has held administrative positions as associate dean for graduate programs in communication in the college from 2005-2009, senior associate dean from 2013-2020 and interim dean from 2018-2019. He also served as an endowed professor in the UK College of Engineering from 2004-2015.
His instructional and organizational risk and crisis communication research explains how humans understand, organize and use the information contained in face-to-face and mediated messages to improve behavior change in applied contexts. He has worked on several collaborative research teams that have secured more than $8.5 million in funding. He first received the UK Alumni Association Great Teacher Award as an assistant professor in 2000. (He is a two-time recipient of the Great Teacher Award, initially given the honor as an assistant professor in 2000.)
"Behind the Blue" is available on iTunes, Google Play, Stitcher and Spotify. Become a subscriber to receive new episodes of “Behind the Blue” each week. UK’s latest medical breakthroughs, research, artists and writers will be featured, along with the most important news impacting the university.
For questions or comments about this or any other episode of "Behind the Blue," email BehindTheBlue@uky.edu or tweet your question with #BehindTheBlue. Transcripts for this or other episodes of Behind the Blue can be downloaded from the show’s blog page.
To discover what’s wildly possible at the University of Kentucky, click here.
LEXINGTON, Ky. (Nov. 16, 2023) – At the start of every academic semester here at the University of Kentucky, there is often discussion regarding the importance of belonging for our students. But, what about our employees? UK was recently recognized for the sixth consecutive year as a great college to work for, according to a survey conducted by ModernThink. One of the reasons UK received that honor is because of its efforts to create spaces for employees to find belonging.
Employee Affinity Groups at the University of Kentucky (EAGs@UK) are voluntary clusters of employees who share common interests. These groups play an important role in building community, articulating collective concerns, and promoting employees’ holistic wellbeing. EAGs@UK also advance the university’s goals and strategic priorities around creating a campus culture of inclusion, belonging and expansion. The primary focus of EAGs@UK is to advance inclusive excellence by supporting the connection, collaboration, work life and wellbeing of every employee throughout the institution.
Susanne McGinnis and Lanesha Conner serve as co-leads for two of the university’s EAGs: McGinnis with the Asian and Asian American Affinity Group, and Conner with the African American, Black, African Diaspora Affinity Group. On this episode of ‘Behind the Blue’, they talk about UK’s Employee Affinity Groups and their mission to build community, help members provide support for one another, and advocate for the needs of minority employees on campus.
"Behind the Blue" is available on iTunes, Google Play, Stitcher and Spotify. Become a subscriber to receive new episodes of “Behind the Blue” each week. UK’s latest medical breakthroughs, research, artists and writers will be featured, along with the most important news impacting the university.
For questions or comments about this or any other episode of "Behind the Blue," email BehindTheBlue@uky.edu or tweet your question with #BehindTheBlue. Transcripts for this or other episodes of Behind the Blue can be downloaded from the show’s blog page.
To discover what’s wildly possible at the University of Kentucky, click here.
LEXINGTON, Ky. (Nov. 9, 2023) – Another election season has concluded in Kentucky, which means an end – for the moment – to the constant, almost ubiquitous campaign ads.
Another face and voice that was a major presence in most media throughout Kentucky was UK Political Science Professor Stephen Voss. Voss is an expert on Kentucky political campaigns and he has been a guest on Behind the Blue several times to share his deep, dispassionate analysis of campaigns and political strategy.
In this episode, Voss dissects what happened in the recent Kentucky gubernatorial race as well as other campaigns nationally in places such as Ohio and Virginia. He also talks about what it might mean for the presidential race in 2024.
"Behind the Blue" is available on iTunes, Google Play, Stitcher and Spotify. Become a subscriber to receive new episodes of “Behind the Blue” each week. UK’s latest medical breakthroughs, research, artists and writers will be featured, along with the most important news impacting the university.
For questions or comments about this or any other episode of "Behind the Blue," email BehindTheBlue@uky.edu or tweet your question with #BehindTheBlue. Transcripts for this or other episodes of Behind the Blue can be downloaded from the show’s blog page.
To discover what’s wildly possible at the University of Kentucky, click here.
LEXINGTON, KY. (November 2, 2023) – The University of Kentucky, along with donors and community partners, recently celebrated the achievement of the $2.1 billion goal for Kentucky Can: The 21st Century Campaign.
UK’s new Vice President for Philanthropy and Alumni Engagement Jake Lemon recently talked with Behind the Blue about what the largest fundraising campaign in the Commonwealth’s history means to our campus, state and world.
Lemon, who has been in this new role since May, also talks about what’s next for philanthropy at UK.
Learn more about the campaign and its impact here.
"Behind the Blue" is available on iTunes, Google Play, Stitcher and Spotify. Become a subscriber to receive new episodes of “Behind the Blue” each week. UK’s latest medical breakthroughs, research, artists and writers will be featured, along with the most important news impacting the university.
For questions or comments about this or any other episode of "Behind the Blue," email BehindTheBlue@uky.edu or tweet your question with #BehindTheBlue. Transcripts for this or other episodes of Behind the Blue can be downloaded from the show’s blog page.
To discover what’s wildly possible at the University of Kentucky, click here.
LEXINGTON, KY. (October 26, 2023) – In 2018, the Kentucky Injury Prevention and Research Center (KIPRC), launched “Find Help Now KY”, a website that provides a near real-time treatment opening locator for substance use disorders.
The locator guides individuals to available treatment openings. It takes into consideration the substance(s) being used, payment options including commercial and public insurance programs, gender identity, preference for in- or out-patient treatment and needed co-occurring treatments such as mental health care, plus 30 more criteria.
The site provides daily availability information for treatment openings, to enable rapid admission to addiction programs.
One of the biggest barriers to accessing treatment for substance use disorders can be the time it takes to find an open space in a treatment facility. By the time a clinician, family member or patient can find the right facility for their needs and navigate the insurance process, the bed in question may have been filled or the window of opportunity for recovery may have passed.
Based on the success of FindHelpNowKY.org, the team has expanded their offerings to a new site. After recognizing the need that many patients have for stable and secure housing during the recovery process, FindRecoveryHousingNowKY.org has launched to provide a guided search tool to help overcome barriers for people seeking treatment or recovery housing.
On this episode of ‘Behind the Blue’, Leah Dick and Catherine Hines, research project managers with Find Help Now discuss the success the program has had since its inception, the growth it is experiencing with expansion into recovery housing assistance, and how the program is moving into the future as a leader for other states looking to model their efforts.
"Behind the Blue" is available on iTunes, Google Play, Stitcher and Spotify. Become a subscriber to receive new episodes of “Behind the Blue” each week. UK’s latest medical breakthroughs, research, artists and writers will be featured, along with the most important news impacting the university.
For questions or comments about this or any other episode of "Behind the Blue," email BehindTheBlue@uky.edu or tweet your question with #BehindTheBlue. Transcripts for this or other episodes of Behind the Blue can be downloaded from the show’s blog page.
To discover what’s wildly possible at the University of Kentucky, click here.
LEXINGTON, Ky. (October 19, 2023) – The University of Kentucky Alumni Association started the Great Teacher Award program in 1961 to honor excellent teaching at the university. There have been more than 300 teachers honored since that first year. Nominations may only be submitted by current students.
To receive the award, a candidate must: •
- Hold the rank of full-time lecturer or above and have been a member of the faculty for the past three years at UK.
- Have superior knowledge of the subject matter.
- Have original and innovative classroom presentations.
- Demonstrate concern for students, both inside and outside the classroom setting.
- Not have been a recipient of the award for the past 10 years.
A committee of the UK Alumni Association Board of Directors and a representative from the student organization Omicron Delta Kappa select the recipients based on objective rating and ranking of the eligible nominations submitted.
This episode of Behind the Blue spotlights one of the six 2023 Great Teacher Award winners. University of Kentucky Alumni Chair Professor of Chemical and Materials Engineering Dibakar Bhattacharyya is also the director of the UK Center of Membrane Sciences. In addition, he is a co-principal investigator of the UK National Institute of Environmental Health Sciences Superfund Research Program and is renowned for his research on membranes for filtering and producing clean water. Bhattacharyya, universally known as “DB,” has been an educator for more than 50 years at UK.
With its enormous amount of environmental research activity with students and recent extension to virus aerosol decontamination area, UK has received extensive international recognition, and Bhattacharyya’s students have as well. He is a Fellow of the American Institute of Chemical Engineers and the North American Membrane Society. He previously won the Great Teacher Award in 1984, 1996 and 2008, and he is the 2021 recipient of the SEC Outstanding Faculty Achievement Award.
"Behind the Blue" is available on iTunes, Google Play, Stitcher and Spotify. Become a subscriber to receive new episodes of “Behind the Blue” each week. UK’s latest medical breakthroughs, research, artists and writers will be featured, along with the most important news impacting the university.
For questions or comments about this or any other episode of "Behind the Blue," email BehindTheBlue@uky.edu or tweet your question with #BehindTheBlue. Transcripts for this or other episodes of Behind the Blue can be downloaded from the show’s blog page.
To discover what’s wildly possible at the University of Kentucky, click here.
LEXINGTON, Ky. (Oct. 12, 2023) – College students today are juggling an array of challenges, from coursework, relationships and adjustment to campus life to economic strain, social injustice and mass violence. As these challenges increase, so does the data on mental health in college students.
During the 2020–2021 school year, the CDC collected data from 373 college campuses nationwide. They found that more than 60% of college students met the criteria for at least one mental health problem. As a result, school leaders are starting to think outside the box about how to best support students' mental well-being.
In honor of World Mental Health Day on Oct. 10, UKNow interviewed Kimberly Rufra, director of Prevention, Outreach, and Wellness Education Resources (POWER), to discuss all things mental well-being on the University of Kentucky’s campus.
A Kentucky Native, Rufra believes that we all share a collective responsibility in advancing the mental well-being of our students.
“Throughout my journey, I have worked closely with students, which has deepened my understanding of their needs and further fueled my commitment to their holistic well-being,” said Rufra. “While many institutions provide well-being support for their students, the newly expanded Student Well-Being area at UK is a model many are trying to replicate. The opportunity to serve as the inaugural director for POWER is an honor.”
POWER, housed in the Office of Student Success aims to provide accessible educational opportunities to promote healthy behaviors among students. They offer programs and resources to support students in managing stress, substance misuse, sexual health, sleep and mental health. Their goal is to be a one-stop location for all wellness needs.
“Our commitment to supporting students at every stage of their college experience is rooted in our desire to ensure their well-being and overall success,” said Rufra. “Mental illness can profoundly affect not only a person's mental and emotional state but also their physical health, social connections and livelihoods. Through initiatives like World Mental Health Day and similar observances, the University of Kentucky actively engages in several actions.”
These include:
- Promoting Prevention: We are committed to preventing mental health issues through awareness and proactive measures.
- Raising Awareness: We strive to increase understanding and knowledge about mental health to reduce stigma and misconceptions.
- Reducing Stigma: We work diligently to break down the barriers of stigma associated with mental health, fostering an environment where people can seek help without fear or judgment.
- Providing Support: Our focus is on offering support and resources to those in need, ensuring that no one faces mental health challenges alone.
- Training and Education: We prioritize the training and education of our community to equip individuals with the tools and knowledge to support one another effectively.
- Showcasing Coordinated Efforts: We are dedicated to demonstrating a unified front in addressing mental health issues, highlighting the collaborative efforts of various campus units and individuals.
- Recognizing Valuable Contributions: We acknowledge and honor those who play a crucial role in supporting our students and the overall well-being of the university community.
World Mental Health Day serves as an incredible opportunity for people and communities to unite behind this year’s theme ‘Mental health is a universal human right” to improve knowledge, raise awareness and drive actions that promote and protect everyone’s mental health.
While this day comes once every year, the university strives to prioritize mental health year-round and well into the future through units on campus like POWER.
“My vision for POWER is to establish ourselves as the go-to, reliable resource for health and well-being prevention matters,” said Rufra. “We aim to provide first-rate training on pertinent topics and aspire to set the standard that others in the SEC and higher education institutions seek to emulate. Our goal is to become a model for well-being and student prevention at the University of Kentucky, ensuring the implementation and revisions of our strategic plan as needed. Most importantly, we are committed to fulfilling our duty to empower members of the community with the skills to enhance their well-being.”
To learn more about Kim Rufra’s journey to UK, well-being resources on campus and how she will lead POWER into the future, listen to the Behind the Blue Above.
"Behind the Blue" is available on iTunes, Google Play, Stitcher and Spotify. Become a subscriber to receive new episodes of “Behind the Blue” each week. UK’s latest medical breakthroughs, research, artists and writers will be featured, along with the most important news impacting the university.
For questions or comments about this or any other episode of "Behind the Blue," email BehindTheBlue@uky.edu or tweet your question with #BehindTheBlue. Transcripts for this or other episodes of "Behind the Blue" can be downloaded from the show’s blog page.
To discover what’s wildly possible at the University of Kentucky, click here.
LEXINGTON, Ky. (October 5, 2023) – For over 100 years, the University of Kentucky has celebrated Homecoming week, an opportunity for students and alumni to continue the tradition of what it means to be a Wildcat. The UK Alumni Association, Student Organizations and Activities, Black Student Union, National Pan-Hellenic Council, Student Activities Board, the Office for Student Success and many other groups have been working hard to make Homecoming week a special time in the lives of students, alumni and all who participate.
The UK Alumni Association will also welcome the Golden Wildcats from the Class of 1973 for a variety of 50th reunion activities. A full list of Golden Wildcat Society reunion activities and registration information can be found on the UK Alumni Association’s website.
From Oct. 10-13, there are events for all members of the UK community leading up to the Homecoming football game against Missouri on Saturday, Oct. 14. The Lyman T. Johnson Awards Luncheon, DanceBlue Silent Auction, and National Pan-Hellenic Council Step Show are just a few of the annual events that lead into Homecoming weekend, a special tradition on UK’s campus since 1915.
On this episode of ‘Behind the Blue’, UK Alumni Association Executive Director Jill Smith and this year’s Alumni Association President Janie McKenzie-Wells, highlight some of the events of Homecoming week, the overall mission and worldwide reach of the Alumni Association, how students and alumni can get involved, and more, including the unveiling of Alumni Commons, the newest community area at the heart of campus.
‘Behind the Blue’ is available on iTunes, Google Play, Stitcher and Spotify. Become a subscriber to receive new episodes of “Behind the Blue” each week. UK’s latest medical breakthroughs, research, artists and writers will be featured, along with the most important news impacting the university.
For questions or comments about this or any other episode of "Behind the Blue," email BehindTheBlue@uky.edu or tweet your question with #BehindTheBlue. Transcripts for this or other episodes of Behind the Blue can be downloaded from the show’s blog page.
To discover what’s wildly possible at the University of Kentucky, click here.
LEXINGTON, Ky. (September 28, 2023) – Originally from Knoxville, Tennessee, Dr. Greg Davis came to UK in 1976 as an English major, with the intent of becoming a teacher. But after taking a job as a nursing assistant to help pay the bills, Dr. Davis discovered he had a knack for medicine. After earning a medical degree in Tennessee, he quickly returned to UK and Kentucky – his home away from home – for post-graduate training.
Davis’ training led him into forensic pathology, a field of medicine that focuses on determining the cause of death through post-mortem examinations and autopsies. In this episode of ‘Behind the Blue,’ Dr. Davis takes us through the journey of his career, from serving as medical examiner for the state, launching UK’s successful Division of Forensic Consultation Service, and becoming a media personality through his WUKY radio show, “Dr. Greg Davis on Medicine.”
"Behind the Blue" is available on iTunes, Google Play, Stitcher and Spotify. Become a subscriber to receive new episodes of “Behind the Blue” each week. UK’s latest medical breakthroughs, research, artists and writers will be featured, along with the most important news impacting the university.
For questions or comments about this or any other episode of "Behind the Blue," email BehindTheBlue@uky.edu or tweet your question with #BehindTheBlue. Transcripts for this or other episodes of Behind the Blue can be downloaded from the show’s blog page.
To discover what’s wildly possible at the University of Kentucky, click here.
LEXINGTON, Ky. (September 21, 2023) – With a new semester underway, the University of Kentucky is empowering the campus community to learn more about their rights and responsibilities.
Students, faculty and staff are encouraged to take a moment and review the recently updated Code of Student Conduct, which outlines the expectations and standards that uphold the UK community — both on and off campus.
The Office of Student Conduct is responsible for ensuring students alleged of policy violations are afforded a fair process — in which they can share their side and are made aware of decisions regarding their disciplinary standard.
The code is an important tool in protecting student rights, including due process, and affirming student responsibilities. It upholds the standards of conduct and institutional values expected of UK students and promotes a safe, healthy and inclusive community.
Every five years, the university conducts a standard review of this code as required by Administrative Regulation 4:10. A committee – comprised of the Office for Student Success, legal counsel and student and faculty representatives – convened last June for this purpose.
On this episode of ‘Behind the Blue’, Libby Hogan, UK’s director of Student Conduct talks with Dean of Students Trisha Clement-Montgomery about the importance of the code, why changes were necessary, and the efforts the Office of Student Conduct makes to help students understand and navigate their rights within the campus community.
"Behind the Blue" is available on iTunes, Google Play, Stitcher and Spotify. Become a subscriber to receive new episodes of “Behind the Blue” each week. UK’s latest medical breakthroughs, research, artists and writers will be featured, along with the most important news impacting the university.
For questions or comments about this or any other episode of "Behind the Blue," email BehindTheBlue@uky.edu or tweet your question with #BehindTheBlue. Transcripts for this or other episodes of Behind the Blue can be downloaded from the show’s blog page.
To discover what’s wildly possible at the University of Kentucky, click here.
LEXINGTON, Ky. (September 14, 2023) – With more than two dozen units across campus, the UK Office for Student Success is tasked with not only facilitating excellent classroom experiences, but also with providing support for students across four primary areas: academic preparation, mental and physical wellbeing, financial stability, and belonging and community.
UK's Vice President for Student Success Kirsten Turner says this “scaffolding” is all part of a larger philosophy to prepare students for lives of meaning and purpose upon leaving the university.
On this episode of ‘Behind the Blue’, Turner talks about a variety of efforts her office is engaged in to help meet those needs for students with programs like UK Invests, which provides an investment account opportunity for all UK students, along with helping bring to life the Explore First program, which saw 60 first-generation UK students take part this summer in an integrated global learning experience in Dublin, Ireland and London, England.
"Behind the Blue" is available on iTunes, Google Play, Stitcher and Spotify. Become a subscriber to receive new episodes of “Behind the Blue” each week. UK’s latest medical breakthroughs, research, artists and writers will be featured, along with the most important news impacting the university.
For questions or comments about this or any other episode of "Behind the Blue," email BehindTheBlue@uky.edu or tweet your question with #BehindTheBlue. Transcripts for this or other episodes of Behind the Blue can be downloaded from the show’s blog page.
To discover what’s wildly possible at the University of Kentucky, click here.
LEXINGTON, Ky. (September 7, 2023) – For many first-generation students, overcoming fears are an ever-present part of their college experience. From visiting campuses, to complicated admissions, to making new friends, to leaving home, the uncertainty that can come with every step in the process can be a daunting challenge.
This past summer, 60 first-generation University of Kentucky students embraced their fears and expanded their horizons on a program that many called “life changing.”
Explore First: Careers, Cultures and Connections (Explore First), an education abroad opportunity developed by UK’s International Center and the Office for Student Success, is an integrated global learning experience with curricular and co-curricular elements. It is focused on career readiness with meaningful connections between academic attainment and post-graduation success. The experience is designed and implemented intentionally to equip and empower first-generation students who have made the bold decision to study abroad.
The Explore First program expands access to education abroad opportunities. During the program’s launch in summer 2023, four cohorts of 15 first-generation students embarked on a three-week education abroad program to either London, England, or Dublin, Ireland, with little cost to the student. Students developed transferable skills, such as critical thinking, problem solving, adaptability, independence and self-efficacy. Students completed and earned credit hours through a course that enhanced their career readiness skills.
On this episode of ‘Behind the Blue’, Kody Kiser and Tiana Thé from UK Strategic Communications converse with two of the administrators who helped develop the program: Executive Director of Education Abroad & Exchanges Niamh Larson, and Associate Provost for Internationalization Sue Roberts. They discuss how this pilot Explore First program may lead to greater opportunities for first-generation students, the continued importance of UK being an international destination for educational opportunities, the impact education abroad has on students as well as their families, and more.
On next week's 'Behind the Blue', UK's Vice President for Student Success Kirsten Turner joins the podcast to discuss the part her office played in helping Explore First become a reality, as well as the other efforts they're putting forth to provide foundational support to all of our students.”
"Behind the Blue" is available on iTunes, Google Play, Stitcher and Spotify. Become a subscriber to receive new episodes of “Behind the Blue” each week. UK’s latest medical breakthroughs, research, artists and writers will be featured, along with the most important news impacting the university.
For questions or comments about this or any other episode of "Behind the Blue," email BehindTheBlue@uky.edu or tweet your question with #BehindTheBlue. Transcripts for this or other episodes of Behind the Blue can be downloaded from the show’s blog page.
To discover what’s wildly possible at the University of Kentucky, click here.
LEXINGTON, Ky. (August 31, 2023) – The University of Kentucky Alumni Association started the Great Teacher Award program in 1961 to honor excellent teaching at the university. There have been more than 300 teachers honored since that first year. Nominations may only be submitted by current students.
To receive the award, a candidate must:
- Hold the rank of full-time lecturer or above and have been a member of the faculty for the past three years at UK.
- Have superior knowledge of the subject matter.
- Have original and innovative classroom presentations.
- Demonstrate concern for students, both inside and outside the classroom setting.
- Not have been a recipient of the award for the past 10 years.
• A committee of the UK Alumni Association Board of Directors and a representative from the student organization Omicron Delta Kappa select the recipients based on objective rating and ranking of the eligible nominations submitted.
This episode of Behind the Blue spotlights one of the six 2023 Great Teacher Award winners. Jennifer Bird-Pollan is the Associate Dean of Academic Affairs and the Judge William T. Lafferty Professor of Law in the UK Rosenberg College of Law. She teaches courses across the tax law curriculum and her research lies at the intersection of tax law and philosophy, specifically regarding the taxation of wealth transfers and issues of sovereignty in international taxation.
Bird-Pollan earned her bachelor’s degree from Penn State University, her Ph.D. from Vanderbilt University and her J.D. from Harvard Law School. Prior to coming to UK, she practiced law in the tax department of Ropes & Gray in Boston. She won the College of Law Duncan Teaching Award in 2017 and was recognized by the Women’s Law Caucus as the Outstanding Faculty Member in 2014 and 2022. From 2014-2015, she served as the Fulbright Visiting Professor at the Vienna University of Business and Economics in Vienna, Austria.
Bird-Pollan serves as the faculty advisor to the Tax Law Society and the Women’s Law Caucus. From 2018-2020, she served as Chair of the University Senate Council at UK.
"Behind the Blue" is available on iTunes, Google Play, Stitcher and Spotify. Become a subscriber to receive new episodes of “Behind the Blue” each week. UK’s latest medical breakthroughs, research, artists and writers will be featured, along with the most important news impacting the university.
For questions or comments about this or any other episode of "Behind the Blue," email BehindTheBlue@uky.edu or tweet your question with #BehindTheBlue. Transcripts for this or other episodes of Behind the Blue can be downloaded from the show’s blog page.
To discover what’s wildly possible at the University of Kentucky, click here.
LEXINGTON, Ky. (August 24, 2023) – Once again setting a record for first-year enrollment, the University of Kentucky is beginning its fall 2023 semester. With more than 6,000 new students beginning their college careers, UK’s mission of teaching, research, service and health care is more expansive, and more critical to advancing Kentucky, than ever.
Entering his 13th year of overseeing the Commonwealth’s flagship and land-grant research university, Dr. Eli Capilouto talks with UK’s Amy Timoney about his outlook and optimism for the new school year, the foundational goals that are needed for student success, the issues and challenges the university must come together to face, and more.
"Behind the Blue" is available on iTunes, Google Play, Stitcher and Spotify. Become a subscriber to receive new episodes of “Behind the Blue” each week. UK’s latest medical breakthroughs, research, artists and writers will be featured, along with the most important news impacting the university.
For questions or comments about this or any other episode of "Behind the Blue," email BehindTheBlue@uky.edu or tweet your question with #BehindTheBlue. Transcripts for this or other episodes of Behind the Blue can be downloaded from the show’s blog page.
To discover what’s wildly possible at the University of Kentucky, click here.
LEXINGTON, Ky. (August 17, 2022) – The University of Kentucky Alumni Association started the Great Teacher Award program in 1961 to honor excellent teaching at the university. There have been more than 300 teachers honored since that first year. Nominations may only be submitted by current students.
To receive the award, a candidate must:
- Hold the rank of full-time lecturer or above and have been a member of the faculty for the past three years at UK.
- Have superior knowledge of the subject matter.
- Have original and innovative classroom presentations.
- Demonstrate concern for students, both inside and outside the classroom setting.
- Not have been a recipient of the award for the past 10 years.
A committee of the UK Alumni Association Board of Directors and a representative from the student organization Omicron Delta Kappa select the recipients based on objective rating and ranking of the eligible nominations submitted.
This episode of Behind the Blue spotlights one of the six 2023 Great Teacher Award winners. Kenton Sena is a lecturer in the Lewis Honors College. He earned a bachelor’s degree in biology with a minor in literature from Asbury University, and his master’s degree and Ph.D. from the University of Kentucky. His thesis research focused on forest restoration on reclaimed surface mines in Appalachia.
He received his Ph.D. in Integrated Plant and Soil Science (Forest Science emphasis), focusing on improving methods for detection and characterizing the distribution of a nonnative pathogen (Phytophthora cinnamomi) that causes disease in the American chestnut. He has published papers in journals such as Forests, Ecological Restoration, Science of the Total Environment, and Forest Ecology and Management.
His teaching and research interests include forest restoration ecology, environmental science, and literature of the environment. His service program engages students in environmentally relevant projects in Lexington and across the Commonwealth.
"Behind the Blue" is available on iTunes, Google Play, Stitcher and Spotify. Become a subscriber to receive new episodes of “Behind the Blue” each week. UK’s latest medical breakthroughs, research, artists and writers will be featured, along with the most important news impacting the university.
For questions or comments about this or any other episode of "Behind the Blue," email BehindTheBlue@uky.edu or tweet your question with #BehindTheBlue. Transcripts for this or other episodes of Behind the Blue can be downloaded from the show’s blog page.
To discover what’s wildly possible at the University of Kentucky, click here.
LEXINGTON, Ky. (August 10, 2023) – The University of Kentucky Alumni Association started the Great Teacher Award program in 1961 to honor excellent teaching at the university. There have been more than 300 teachers honored since that first year. Nominations may only be submitted by current students.
To receive the award, a candidate must:
- Hold the rank of full-time lecturer or above and have been a member of the faculty for the past three years at UK.
- Have superior knowledge of the subject matter.
- Have original and innovative classroom presentations.
- Demonstrate concern for students, both inside and outside the classroom setting.
- Not have been a recipient of the award for the past 10 years.
A committee of the UK Alumni Association Board of Directors and a representative from the student organization Omicron Delta Kappa select the recipients based on objective rating and ranking of the eligible nominations submitted.
This episode of Behind the Blue spotlights one of the six 2023 Great Teacher Award winners. Candice Hargons is an associate professor in the Counseling Psychology program where she studies sexual wellness and healing racial trauma – all with a love ethic. She is the interim department chair in the Department of Educational, School and Counseling Psychology in the UK College of Education.
Hargons is a core faculty member of the Center for Health Equity and Transformation and a faculty affiliate of African American and Africana Studies and the Commonwealth Institute for Black Studies. She serves on the American Psychological Association Board of Directors, is a Fellow in APA Division 17 (Society of Counseling Psychology) and an APA Minority Fellow alumna.
Hargons has degrees from Spelman College, Georgia State University, Howard University and she earned her Ph.D. at the University of Georgia. She is the PI (person in charge) of the Neighborhood Healers Project and she leads the Big Sex Study, a community-based research project investigating Black sexual wellness.
"Behind the Blue" is available on iTunes, Google Play, Stitcher and Spotify. Become a subscriber to receive new episodes of “Behind the Blue” each week. UK’s latest medical breakthroughs, research, artists and writers will be featured, along with the most important news impacting the university.
For questions or comments about this or any other episode of "Behind the Blue," email BehindTheBlue@uky.edu or tweet your question with #BehindTheBlue. Transcripts for this or other episodes of Behind the Blue can be downloaded from the show’s blog page.
To discover what’s wildly possible at the University of Kentucky, click here.
LEXINGTON, Ky. (August 3, 2023) – This week’s episode of “Behind the Blue” features a guest episode of the “Research Made Possible” podcast. To subscribe to the Research Made Possible podcast on SoundCloud or Apple Podcasts, search “University of Kentucky Research Media.”
This podcast features the University of Kentucky’s recently announced eighth Research Priority Area (or RPA) in Materials Science. This RPA was chosen for its close alignment with the largest ever investment in research and development to strengthen American manufacturing, supply chains and national security—the Chips and Science Act of 2022. From medicine and manufacturing to automotive and aerospace applications, materials are vital to the future of Kentucky’s economy. UK is working with industrial partners across our region to solve today’s problems and train the workforce of the future.
Alicia Gregory, director of Research Communications, sat down with four UK leaders to learn more:
- Eric King, Assistant Vice President for Research for Federal Relations and Institutional Research Priorities
- Lisa Cassis, Vice President for Research
- Ian McClure, Associate Vice President for Research, Innovation and Economic Impact
- John Balk, Professor of Materials Engineering, Stanley and Karen Pigman College of Engineering
"Behind the Blue" is available on iTunes, Google Play, Stitcher and Spotify. Become a subscriber to receive new episodes of “Behind the Blue” each week. UK’s latest medical breakthroughs, research, artists and writers will be featured, along with the most important news impacting the university.
For questions or comments about this or any other episode of "Behind the Blue," email BehindTheBlue@uky.edu or tweet your question with #BehindTheBlue. Transcripts for this or other episodes of Behind the Blue can be downloaded from the show’s blog page.
To discover what’s wildly possible at the University of Kentucky, click here.
LEXINGTON, Ky. (July 27, 2023) – In November 2022, Rosalie Mainous became the sixth dean of the UK College of Nursing.
A Lexington native and University of Kentucky doctoral graduate, Mainous has held many leadership positions including director of academic nursing development at the American Association of Colleges of Nursing (AACN); former dean and professor at Wright State University-Miami Valley College of Nursing and Health in Dayton, Ohio; and former associate dean for graduate programs and research and former associate dean for academic affairs at the University of Louisville School of Nursing.
Mainous is a neonatal nurse practitioner and a National Institutes of Health (NIH) funded researcher. She has worked diligently to improve health outcomes and reduce disparities in those most vulnerable among us — preterm infants. Her scholarship has scanned biobehavioral clinical research, work on incivility, readiness to practice in new BSN graduates, policy initiatives related to maternal access to care, curriculum design, support for new deans and academic rigor for practice doctorates.
On this episode of ‘Behind the Blue’, Mainous talks about the allure of returning to the bluegrass to become dean of the UK College of Nursing, the insight gained from clinical work that she applies to her academic endeavors, the vital importance of nursing to the entire healthcare structure, and more.
"Behind the Blue" is available on iTunes, Google Play, Stitcher and Spotify. Become a subscriber to receive new episodes of “Behind the Blue” each week. UK’s latest medical breakthroughs, research, artists and writers will be featured, along with the most important news impacting the university.
For questions or comments about this or any other episode of "Behind the Blue," email BehindTheBlue@uky.edu or tweet your question with #BehindTheBlue. Transcripts for this or other episodes of Behind the Blue can be downloaded from the show’s blog page.
To discover what’s wildly possible at the University of Kentucky, click here.
LEXINGTON, Ky. (July 20, 2023) – THIS IS AN ENCORE EPISODE.
As a young child, Dr. Emily Marcinkowski spent a lot of time in the hospital, but not as a patient. Her mother, a single parent, worked as an Operating Room Scrub Nurse, which led to Marcinkowski spending a fair amount of time in the OR and offices during her mother’s shifts.
It was that exposure to medicine and surgery that inspired her to become a surgeon herself. In a field of healthcare that is largely dominated by men, Marcinkowski says it never occurred to her to not be a surgeon simply because she is female.
Today, Dr. Marcinkowski is a surgical oncologist at UK’s Markey Cancer Center, specializing in breast cancer, soft-tissue sarcomas and skin cancers. She says she likes surgery because of the closer relationships that surgeons have with their patients, and how that is of specific benefit in regards to working with breast cancer patients, who are often concerned with how their diagnosis and treatment affects their sexuality and self-identification.
Marcinkowski also teaches classes as an associate professor in the UK College of Medicine, where she strives to pass on her enthusiasm for her work to a new generation, along with the importance of students having the mindset of investing in themselves.
On this episode of ‘Behind the Blue’, Marcinkowski talks about her drive to be a problem solver, how surgery presents her with tangible problems she can act upon, the importance of greater diversity and patient-based inclusivity in the medical field, and more.
"Behind the Blue" is available on iTunes, Google Play, Stitcher and Spotify. Become a subscriber to receive new episodes of “Behind the Blue” each week. UK’s latest medical breakthroughs, research, artists and writers will be featured, along with the most important news impacting the university.
For questions or comments about this or any other episode of "Behind the Blue," email BehindTheBlue@uky.edu or tweet your question with #BehindTheBlue. Transcripts for this or other episodes of Behind the Blue can be downloaded from the show’s blog page.
To discover what’s wildly possible at the University of Kentucky, click here.
LEXINGTON, Ky. (July 13, 2023) – THIS IS AN ENCORE EPISODE
According to the National Women’s Business Council annual report, 42% of all U.S. businesses are owned by women, and in 2019 those businesses employed over 9.4 million workers.
However, based on the annual Women in the Workplace study by LeanIn.org and McKinsey & Company, “women leaders are switching jobs at the highest rate we’ve ever seen…[which could] have serious implications for companies” that are already facing underrepresentation in those roles.
Dr. Jennifer Siebenthaler is the Associate Dean for Undergraduate Affairs and Senior Lecturer in the Von Allmen School of Accountancy in the UK Gatton College of Business and Economics. Dr. Siebenthaler’s background as a CPA has led her to work as an auditor specializing in healthcare and other nonprofit entities, and to consulting various businesses before transitioning to education.
Dr. Susan Zhu is an Assistant Professor of Management in the UK Gatton College and a Research Fellow at the Society for Human Resource Management (SHRM). Dr. Zhu’s research interests include workplace decision-making, recruitment and staffing, and leadership. Her research focuses on understanding how employees at work make judgments and decisions, and how these judgments and decisions impact individual, team, and Human Resources (HR) functioning.
On this episode of ‘Behind the Blue’ UK Senior Elly Piatt, an Economics major from Villa Hills, Ky, sits down with these two members of the Gatton College of Business and Economics to discuss the challenges facing women in business today, the support systems in place to help women thrive, and advice they would give to students as they pursue their careers in this ever-changing field.
"Behind the Blue" is available on iTunes, Google Play, Stitcher and Spotify. Become a subscriber to receive new episodes of “Behind the Blue” each week. UK’s latest medical breakthroughs, research, artists and writers will be featured, along with the most important news impacting the university.
For questions or comments about this or any other episode of "Behind the Blue," email BehindTheBlue@uky.edu or tweet your question with #BehindTheBlue. Transcripts for this or other episodes of Behind the Blue can be downloaded from the show’s blog page.
To discover what’s wildly possible at the University of Kentucky, click here.
LEXINGTON, Ky. (July 6, 2023) – 1990 saw the first group recognized for the Chancellor’s Awards for Outstanding Teaching for Tenured and Nontenured Faculty and Teaching Assistants. The Awards were established by the Office of the Provost to reward and encourage excellence in teaching.
In accordance with the reorganization of the university in 2002, the awards were renamed the Provost Awards for Outstanding Teaching. Qualities of dedication, imagination, creativity, inspiration, and concern for students are among the traits considered for this award.
Awards are given in three categories: the Outstanding Teaching Award for tenured faculty, the Outstanding Teaching Award for Nontenured Faculty, and the Outstanding Teaching Award for Teaching Assistants.
This year’s winners for the Outstanding Teaching Award for Teaching Assistants are
- Angela Hanson – Mathematics, College of Arts and Sciences
- Katie Kohls – English, College of Arts and Sciences
- Weiss Mehrabi – Political Sciences, College of Arts and Sciences
On this episode of ‘Behind the Blue’, the three award winners talk about the significance of winning the award, their teaching philosophies and how they hope to motivate and inspire students, and more.
"Behind the Blue" is available on iTunes, Google Play, Stitcher and Spotify. Become a subscriber to receive new episodes of “Behind the Blue” each week. UK’s latest medical breakthroughs, research, artists and writers will be featured, along with the most important news impacting the university.
For questions or comments about this or any other episode of "Behind the Blue," email BehindTheBlue@uky.edu or tweet your question with #BehindTheBlue. Transcripts for this or other episodes of Behind the Blue can be downloaded from the show’s blog page.
To discover what’s wildly possible at the University of Kentucky, click here.
LEXINGTON, Ky. (June 29, 2023) – 1990 saw the first group recognized for the Chancellor’s Awards for Outstanding Teaching for Tenured and Nontenured Faculty and Teaching Assistants. The Awards were established by the Office of the Provost to reward and encourage excellence in teaching.
In accordance with the reorganization of the university in 2002, the awards were renamed the Provost Awards for Outstanding Teaching. Qualities of dedication, imagination, creativity, inspiration, and concern for students are among the traits considered for this award.
Awards are given in three categories: the Outstanding Teaching Award for tenured faculty, the Outstanding Teaching Award for Nontenured Faculty, and the Outstanding Teaching Award for Teaching Assistants.
This year’s winners for the Outstanding Teaching Award for Nontenured Faculty are
- Dr. Ima Ebong – Neurology, College of Medicine
- Doug Klein – Electrical and Computer Engineering, College of Engineering
- Cathy Catlett – Nursing, College of Nursing
On this episode of ‘Behind the Blue’, Ebong and Klein talk about the significance of winning the award, their teaching philosophies and how they hope to motivate and inspire students, and more.
"Behind the Blue" is available on iTunes, Google Play, Stitcher and Spotify. Become a subscriber to receive new episodes of “Behind the Blue” each week. UK’s latest medical breakthroughs, research, artists and writers will be featured, along with the most important news impacting the university.
For questions or comments about this or any other episode of "Behind the Blue," email BehindTheBlue@uky.edu or tweet your question with #BehindTheBlue. Transcripts for this or other episodes of Behind the Blue can be downloaded from the show’s blog page.
To discover what’s wildly possible at the University of Kentucky, click here.
LEXINGTON, Ky. (June 22, 2023) – 1990 saw the first group recognized for the Chancellor’s Awards for Outstanding Teaching for Tenured and Nontenured Faculty and Teaching Assistants. The Awards were established by the Office of the Provost to reward and encourage excellence in teaching.
In accordance with the reorganization of the university in 2002, the awards were renamed the Provost Awards for Outstanding Teaching. Qualities of dedication, imagination, creativity, inspiration, and concern for students are among the traits considered for this award.
Awards are given in three categories: the Outstanding Teaching Award for tenured faculty, the Outstanding Teaching Award for Nontenured Faculty, and the Outstanding Teaching Award for Teaching Assistants.
This year’s winners for the Outstanding Teaching Award for Tenured Faculty are
- Amanda Ellis – Biostatistics, College of Public Health
- Lynda Sharrett – Psychology, College of Arts and Sciences
- Lou Hirsch – Plant Pathology, College of Agriculture, Food and Environment (CAFÉ)
- Elizabeth Williams – Gender & Women’s Studies, College of Arts and Sciences
On this episode of ‘Behind the Blue’, they talk about the significance of winning the award, their teaching philosophies and how they hope to motivate and inspire students, and more.
"Behind the Blue" is available on iTunes, Google Play, Stitcher and Spotify. Become a subscriber to receive new episodes of “Behind the Blue” each week. UK’s latest medical breakthroughs, research, artists and writers will be featured, along with the most important news impacting the university.
For questions or comments about this or any other episode of "Behind the Blue," email BehindTheBlue@uky.edu or tweet your question with #BehindTheBlue. Transcripts for this or other episodes of Behind the Blue can be downloaded from the show’s blog page.
To discover what’s wildly possible at the University of Kentucky, click here.
LEXINGTON, Ky. (June 15, 2023) – THIS IS AN ENCORE EPISODE.
Dynamic and innovative, the University of Kentucky Department of Arts Administration leads national and international initiatives in teaching, research, professional and community service to educate and inspire responsible arts leaders, artists, and entrepreneurs.
Founded in 1987, the University of Kentucky's Department of Arts Administration offers one of the most comprehensive curriculums in the country. Already home to the oldest arts administration BA degree in the US, students are able to develop their discipline along with learning the business side of the arts. In addition, the department offers an online MFA program, and has recently added the country’s first ever PhD in arts administration.
Rachel Shane is the Department Chair and an Associate Professor of Arts Administration at the University of Kentucky. She oversees the department's three degree programs as well as the Graduate Certificate in Fundraising and Development and professional development offerings. She also teaches a variety of courses in the degree programs.
On this episode of Behind the Blue, Shane talks about the impact of the arts on the economy, how the department has grown and adapted to the changing demands of the arts industry, and the vast possibilities students have with a career in the arts.
"Behind the Blue" is available on iTunes, Google Play, Stitcher and Spotify. Become a subscriber to receive new episodes of “Behind the Blue” each week. UK’s latest medical breakthroughs, research, artists and writers will be featured, along with the most important news impacting the university.
For questions or comments about this or any other episode of "Behind the Blue," email BehindTheBlue@uky.edu or tweet your question with #BehindTheBlue. Transcripts for this or other episodes of Behind the Blue can be downloaded from the show’s blog page.
To discover what’s wildly possible at the University of Kentucky, click here.
LEXINGTON, Ky. (June 8, 2023) – Housed in the University of Kentucky College of Public Health. The Center for Innovation in Population Health helps people manage human serving systems such as health care, child welfare, juvenile justice, mental health, education and more by utilizing the Transformational Collaborative Outcomes Management framework. The Center focuses on shifting these systems away from just spending time with people to seeing the work as transformational offerings by helping people change their lives.
Dr. Michael Cole is the associate director of the Center and a professor in the Department of Health Management and Policy at the College of Public Health. Dr. Tiffany Lindsey is an assistant professor and safe systems practitioner for the center. On this episode of ‘Behind the Blue’, Cole and Lindsey discuss the Center’s mission and goals, the benefit for agencies that rely upon this type of crossover information, how the College of Public Health hopes to utilize the Center to improve upon social determinants of health in the population, and more.
"Behind the Blue" is available on iTunes, Google Play, Stitcher and Spotify. Become a subscriber to receive new episodes of “Behind the Blue” each week. UK’s latest medical breakthroughs, research, artists and writers will be featured, along with the most important news impacting the university.
For questions or comments about this or any other episode of "Behind the Blue," email BehindTheBlue@uky.edu or tweet your question with #BehindTheBlue. Transcripts for this or other episodes of Behind the Blue can be downloaded from the show’s blog page.
To discover what’s wildly possible at the University of Kentucky, click here.
LEXINGTON, Ky. (May 25, 2023) – This week’s episode of ‘Behind the Blue’ features an episode of ‘From the Blue: The UK Alumni Association Podcast’. For more information about ‘From the Blue’ or the UK Alumni Association, click here.
As the UK Alumni Association recognizes the impact women have made upon the university over the past 135 years, it is essential to consider the influence of the Board of Trustees as it governs the institution’s educational and financial policies. The UK Board of Trustees consists of 16 members appointed by the Governor, two members of the faculty, one university staff employee and one member of the student body. Trustees serve six-year terms.
Georgia M. Blazer was first woman appointed to serve on the Board of Trustees and served from 1939 to 1961. Mira Snider Ball was the first woman to serve as chair of the UK Board of Trustees in 2007. Today, the three alumni representatives to the Board are three accomplished female alumnae:
- Brenda Baker Gosney ’70 HS, ’75 ED
- Paula Leach Pope ’73 ’75 ED
- Rachel Watts Webb ’05 CI
These women recently spent time with UK Alumni Association Associate Director for Strategic Initiatives Christina Yue to share how UK has impacted their personal and professional lives.
For more information about the 135 Years of UK Women initiative, visit www.ukalumni.net/135years.
"Behind the Blue" is available on iTunes, Google Play, Stitcher and Spotify. Become a subscriber to receive new episodes of “Behind the Blue” each week. UK’s latest medical breakthroughs, research, artists and writers will be featured, along with the most important news impacting the university.
For questions or comments about this or any other episode of "Behind the Blue," email BehindTheBlue@uky.edu or tweet your question with #BehindTheBlue. Transcripts for this or other episodes of Behind the Blue can be downloaded from the show’s blog page.
To discover what’s wildly possible at the University of Kentucky, click here.
LEXINGTON, Ky. (May 18, 2023) – With over 60 employees, UK’s Purchasing Division handles around $1.4 billion worth of transactions for the entire University community. Barry Swanson, UK’s Chief Procurement Officer, says that number grows as the University grows, and he expects it to surpass $2 billion in just a few more years.
The mission of the Purchasing Division, which includes Central Purchasing, Hospital Purchasing, Construction Purchasing, UK Supply Center, and Surplus Property) is to provide service and support, in a legal and professional manner, to purchase quality goods and services at the best value to the University community.
To that end, the University is also committed to serve as an advocate for diverse businesses in their efforts to conduct day-to-day operations, transactions and interactions with UK. Marilyn Clark is UK’s Supply Diversity Manager, and oversees the Diverse Business Enterprises efforts of the department, which consists of businesses that are at least fifty-one percent owned and operated by people in the categories of minority, women, disabled, veteran and disabled veteran.
On this episode of ‘Behind the Blue’, Swanson and Clark discuss their roles and responsibilities, the diversity goals they’ve set for a positive community impact, the importance of relationship building and partnerships with small businesses around the state, and more.
"Behind the Blue" is available on iTunes, Google Play, Stitcher and Spotify. Become a subscriber to receive new episodes of “Behind the Blue” each week. UK’s latest medical breakthroughs, research, artists and writers will be featured, along with the most important news impacting the university.
For questions or comments about this or any other episode of "Behind the Blue," email BehindTheBlue@uky.edu or tweet your question with #BehindTheBlue. Transcripts for this or other episodes of Behind the Blue can be downloaded from the show’s blog page.
To discover what’s wildly possible at the University of Kentucky, click here.
LEXINGTON, Ky. (May 11, 2023) – Since the end of World War II, the United States, China and Russia have held a position as the three biggest players on the international stage. The relationships between these three countries dictated events on a global level through the end of the Cold War, according to many observers.
However, Dr. Gregory Hall contends that this relationship didn’t dissolve but actually reconfigured and adjusted to the new post-Cold War landscape of the 1990s, and actually continues even today as a feature of international politics.
Hall, an Associate Professor in UK’s Patterson School of Diplomacy and International Commerce, has held appointments at institutions in both the United States and abroad, including Hong Kong and Turkey. He also helped direct the initiative to establish a peace studies program at Morehouse College, where he previously served as Head of the Department of Political Science and Director of the International Studies Program.
On this episode of ‘Behind the Blue’, Dr. Hall discusses his new book about this ‘strategic triangle dynamic’ between the US, China and Russia, the impact that domestic policies in each country have on the bigger relationship, what both the COVID-19 pandemic and the war in Ukraine can tell us about future challenges on the world scene and more.
"Behind the Blue" is available on iTunes, Google Play, Stitcher and Spotify. Become a subscriber to receive new episodes of “Behind the Blue” each week. UK’s latest medical breakthroughs, research, artists and writers will be featured, along with the most important news impacting the university.
For questions or comments about this or any other episode of "Behind the Blue," email BehindTheBlue@uky.edu or tweet your question with #BehindTheBlue. Transcripts for this or other episodes of Behind the Blue can be downloaded from the show’s blog page.
To discover what’s wildly possible at the University of Kentucky, click here.
LEXINGTON, Ky. (May 2, 2023) – This spring, UK is celebrating nearly 6,000 degrees conferred by the Board of Trustees, with more than 4,000 of those expected to cross the stage of Rupp Arena during commencement ceremonies.
On this episode of Behind the Blue, we once again spotlight a few of those graduates to talk about their time here at UK, the memories they’ll take with them, and how they’re prepared to move ahead and make the most of what they’ve learned.
Sarah Holmes, from Louisville, is an international studies major with a Spanish minor, graduating from the UK College of Arts and Sciences. During her time at UK, she served as president of the Model United Nations Club, after she and her classmates, with support of faculty in UK International Studies, worked to reestablish the organization after it shut down during the COVID-19 pandemic.
Model UN is an educational experience in which students represent delegates from member states of the United Nations in a simulation of the UN General Assembly. Students work with other delegations to debate and collaborate on solutions for pressing and complex global issues surrounding topics such as conflict, poverty, climate action, gender inequality, global health and more.
In addition to this, Holmes has also utilized her Spanish-speaking skills through study abroad and an internship with the non-profit Community Response Coalition of Kentucky (CRCKY), serving vulnerable populations in the Lexington community. She plans to attend the UK Patterson School of Diplomacy and International Commerce in the fall.
AJ Miller, from Jackson, Kentucky, is graduating with a degree in Russian studies and minors in criminology and international studies. During his time at UK, he was very active in international studies, residing in UK’s International Village, a living learning program that supports international students, and had aspirations to study abroad in Russia, until the Russian invasion of Ukraine made that goal no longer possible.
Adding to his challenges, Miller and his family were impacted by the flooding in Eastern Kentucky last year. The International Center at UK supported Miller during this difficult time, helping him navigate the hurdles set before him. He went on to eventually study abroad in Latvia and is grateful for the support he received at UK to still achieve his goal of studying abroad.
"Behind the Blue" is available on iTunes, Google Play, Stitcher and Spotify. Become a subscriber to receive new episodes of “Behind the Blue” each week. UK’s latest medical breakthroughs, research, artists and writers will be featured, along with the most important news impacting the university.
For questions or comments about this or any other episode of "Behind the Blue," email BehindTheBlue@uky.edu or tweet your question with #BehindTheBlue. Transcripts for this or other episodes of Behind the Blue can be downloaded from the show’s blog page.
To discover what’s wildly possible at the University of Kentucky, click here.
LEXINGTON, Ky. (April 27, 2023) – Frank X Walker is the director of UK’s Master of Fine Arts program in creative writing. The state of Kentucky has a long and storied tradition of writers – across genres of fiction, poetry and essays – who are deeply connected to the state – its geography and landscape, its history and challenges. The program’s current faculty roster includes nationally recognized authors across a number of genres.
Walker is extending the legacy of UK and Kentucky’s reputation as central to the writing community, working as a poet, writer and artist. He has recently published a book geared toward a younger audience and is now at work on a new collection of poems that examines a dramatic family history that dates back to the Civil War era.
Walker is a founding member of the Affrilachian Poets, a founder/Executive Director of the Bluegrass Black Arts Consortium, the Program Coordinator of the University of Kentucky’s King Cultural Center, and a Kentucky Arts Council Al Smith Fellowship recipient. A native of Danville, Ky., Walker is a graduate of the University of Kentucky and was the 2013-14 Poet Laureate for the Commonwealth of Kentucky. He sat down with Behind the Blue recently to discuss his current and future writing endeavors as well as how he pitches the UK MFA program to outstanding young talent.
"Behind the Blue" is available on iTunes, Google Play, Stitcher and Spotify. Become a subscriber to receive new episodes of “Behind the Blue” each week. UK’s latest medical breakthroughs, research, artists and writers will be featured, along with the most important news impacting the university.
For questions or comments about this or any other episode of "Behind the Blue," email BehindTheBlue@uky.edu or tweet your question with #BehindTheBlue. Transcripts for this or other episodes of Behind the Blue can be downloaded from the show’s blog page.
To discover what’s wildly possible at the University of Kentucky, click here.
LEXINGTON, Ky. (April 20, 2023) – On January 30th of this year UK President Eli Capilouto announced the search committee for the next Executive Vice President for Health Affairs (EVPHA) for UK HealthCare. The committee is tasked with finding a replacement for previous EVPHA Dr. Mark F. Newman, who left the position at the end of 2022 to become University Advisor for Health Care Innovation and Growth.
On this special ‘Behind the Blue’, we’re sharing a recent episode of UK HealthCare’s ‘ The Loop’ podcast from April 10th. On it, UK Chief Communication Officer Jay Blanton speaks with search committee co-chairs Dr. Seth Himelhoch, chair of Psychiatry, and Dr. Nancy Cox, vice president for land-grant management and Dean of the UK College of Agriculture, Food and Environment.
Among the discussion topics covered are President Capilouto’s charge to the search committee and their process, the position and its qualifications, how the new EVPHA will work with a new dean of the College of Medicine (which is also in a search process), and more.
"Behind the Blue" is available on iTunes, Google Play, Stitcher and Spotify. Become a subscriber to receive new episodes of “Behind the Blue” each week. UK’s latest medical breakthroughs, research, artists and writers will be featured, along with the most important news impacting the university.
For questions or comments about this or any other episode of "Behind the Blue," email BehindTheBlue@uky.edu or tweet your question with #BehindTheBlue. Transcripts for this or other episodes of Behind the Blue can be downloaded from the show’s blog page.
To discover what’s wildly possible at the University of Kentucky, click here.
LEXINGTON, Ky. (April 13, 2023) – In recent years, much attention has been paid to the so-called “helping” professions – those who work on the front lines in assisting others. Social workers, teachers, police, firefighters, doctors, nurses, and other healthcare workers are among the many professionals who often face the most stressful situations in the workplace. They’re also often the ones who see the most prevalent risks associated with professional burnout, when a practitioner becomes increasingly inoperative based on the circumstances and pressures of what they’re doing.
Often, these workers are portrayed in our culture as tireless and self-sacrificing in challenging situations. Yet despite the portrayal, many of these professionals struggle to engage in adequate self-care, leading to increased incidences of burnout and job fatigue.
Dr. Justin “Jay” Miller, Dean & Dorothy A. Miller Research Professor in Social Work Education at the UK College of Social Work, has been working hard to change that situation. Deeply passionate about self-care for those helping professionals, Miller created a lab at UK devoted to researching and improving self-care.
Through the work of the self-care lab, Dr. Miller and his colleagues began to learn that social workers and other helping professionals engage with and talk about self-care in silos, which often leads to a lack of communication and information sharing between departments and institutions.
In response, Miller launched the Global Self-Care Initiative. This international partnership network, which has grown to over 17 countries, focuses on cultural nuances of professional workplaces and how self-care can help mitigate the stress caused by these workplaces.
On this episode of ‘Behind the Blue’ Dean Miller discusses the distinction of the concept of self-care vs. what it often is, how the pandemic revealed structural issues that had long been in place, the similarities of self-care needs in workspaces around the globe, and more.
"Behind the Blue" is available on iTunes, Google Play, Stitcher and Spotify. Become a subscriber to receive new episodes of “Behind the Blue” each week. UK’s latest medical breakthroughs, research, artists and writers will be featured, along with the most important news impacting the university.
For questions or comments about this or any other episode of "Behind the Blue," email BehindTheBlue@uky.edu or tweet your question with #BehindTheBlue. Transcripts for this or other episodes of Behind the Blue can be downloaded from the show’s blog page.
To discover what’s wildly possible at the University of Kentucky, click here.
LEXINGTON, Ky. (April 6, 2023) – This past December, the Ashland-based King’s Daughters Health System officially became part of the University of Kentucky, a move that helps create greater access to high-quality care for more Kentuckians. UK and King’s Daughters have had a close relationship working together on health issues for many years, and UK’s resources and infrastructure are helping King’s Daughters keep up with the significant growth they’ve recently seen.
King’s Daughters serves a 16-county region across Kentucky, Ohio and West Virginia and has more than 5,000 employees. Its health system is comprised of two acute-care hospitals totaling 465 licensed beds; an integrated network of more than 600 physicians and advanced practitioners; more than 50 ambulatory centers and practice locations; a long-term care facility; medical transport company; and six urgent care centers.
Dr. Richard Ford, a UK College of Medicine alum and former resident, who held an OB/GYN practice in Ashland for 15 years joins this episode of ‘Behind the Blue’. Dr. Ford is now the chief medical officer for inpatient and procedural services at King’s Daughters.
"Behind the Blue" is available on iTunes, Google Play, Stitcher and Spotify. Become a subscriber to receive new episodes of “Behind the Blue” each week. UK’s latest medical breakthroughs, research, artists and writers will be featured, along with the most important news impacting the university.
For questions or comments about this or any other episode of "Behind the Blue," email BehindTheBlue@uky.edu or tweet your question with #BehindTheBlue. Transcripts for this or other episodes of Behind the Blue can be downloaded from the show’s blog page.
To discover what’s wildly possible at the University of Kentucky, click here.
LEXINGTON, Ky. (March 30, 2023) – Established in 2004, the University of Kentucky College of Public Health strives to develop transformative solutions to health challenges through teaching, research and service efforts. With Kentucky at the epicenter of some of the country’s major public health challenges, the College of Public Health is dedicated to transforming and assisting in the creation of a healthier community, state, and world for everyone.
Dr. Heather M. Bush is the Acting Dean of the College of Public Health, and former Chair of the Department of Biostatics. Dr. Bush focuses her scholarly work on vulnerable populations, examining issues of women’s health, the impacts of sexual violence on health, and the prevention of sexual violence. As an investigator, she works to promote the engagement of populations typically underrepresented in research.
On this episode of ‘Behind the Blue’, Bush talks about her journey from statistics to public health, the variety of disciplines in the college and how their work impacts our daily lives, and what the College has planned for the 2023 National Public Health Week coming up April 3-9.
"Behind the Blue" is available on iTunes, Google Play, Stitcher and Spotify. Become a subscriber to receive new episodes of “Behind the Blue” each week. UK’s latest medical breakthroughs, research, artists and writers will be featured, along with the most important news impacting the university.
For questions or comments about this or any other episode of "Behind the Blue," email BehindTheBlue@uky.edu or tweet your question with #BehindTheBlue. Transcripts for this or other episodes of Behind the Blue can be downloaded from the show’s blog page.
To discover what’s wildly possible at the University of Kentucky, click here.
LEXINGTON, Ky. (March 23, 2023) – As a young child, Dr. Emily Marcinkowski spent a lot of time in the hospital, but not as a patient. Her mother, a single parent, worked as an Operating Room Scrub Nurse, which led to Marcinkowski spending a fair amount of time in the OR and offices during her mother’s shifts.
It was that exposure to medicine and surgery that inspired her to become a surgeon herself. In a field of healthcare that is largely dominated by men, Marcinkowski says it never occurred to her to not be a surgeon simply because she is female.
Today, Dr. Marcinkowski is a surgical oncologist at UK’s Markey Cancer Center, specializing in breast cancer, soft-tissue sarcomas and skin cancers. She says she likes surgery because of the closer relationships that surgeons have with their patients, and how that is of specific benefit in regards to working with breast cancer patients, who are often concerned with how their diagnosis and treatment affects their sexuality and self-identification.
Marcinkowski also teaches classes as an associate professor in the UK College of Medicine, where she strives to pass on her enthusiasm for her work to a new generation, along with the importance of students having the mindset of investing in themselves.
On this episode of ‘Behind the Blue’, Marcinkowski talks about her drive to be a problem solver, how surgery presents her with tangible problems she can act upon, the importance of greater diversity and patient-based inclusivity in the medical field, and more.
"Behind the Blue" is available on iTunes, Google Play, Stitcher and Spotify. Become a subscriber to receive new episodes of “Behind the Blue” each week. UK’s latest medical breakthroughs, research, artists and writers will be featured, along with the most important news impacting the university.
For questions or comments about this or any other episode of "Behind the Blue," email BehindTheBlue@uky.edu or tweet your question with #BehindTheBlue. Transcripts for this or other episodes of Behind the Blue can be downloaded from the show’s blog page.
To discover what’s wildly possible at the University of Kentucky, click here.
LEXINGTON, Ky. (March 9, 2023) – According to the National Women’s Business Council annual report, 42% of all U.S. businesses are owned by women, and in 2019 those businesses employed over 9.4 million workers.
However, based on the annual Women in the Workplace study by LeanIn.org and McKinsey & Company, “women leaders are switching jobs at the highest rate we’ve ever seen…[which could] have serious implications for companies” that are already facing underrepresentation in those roles.
Dr. Jennifer Siebenthaler is the Associate Dean for Undergraduate Affairs and Senior Lecturer in the Von Allmen School of Accountancy in the UK Gatton College of Business and Economics. Dr. Siebenthaler’s background as a CPA has led her to work as an auditor specializing in healthcare and other nonprofit entities, and to consulting various businesses before transitioning to education.
Dr. Susan Zhu is an Assistant Professor of Management in the UK Gatton College and a Research Fellow at the Society for Human Resource Management (SHRM). Dr. Zhu’s research interests include workplace decision-making, recruitment and staffing, and leadership. Her research focuses on understanding how employees at work make judgments and decisions, and how these judgments and decisions impact individual, team, and Human Resources (HR) functioning.
On this episode of ‘Behind the Blue’ UK Senior Elly Piatt, an Economics major from Villa Hills, Ky, sits down with these two members of the Gatton College of Business and Economics to discuss the challenges facing women in business today, the support systems in place to help women thrive, and advice they would give to students as they pursue their careers in this ever-changing field.
"Behind the Blue" is available on iTunes, Google Play, Stitcher and Spotify. Become a subscriber to receive new episodes of “Behind the Blue” each week. UK’s latest medical breakthroughs, research, artists and writers will be featured, along with the most important news impacting the university.
For questions or comments about this or any other episode of "Behind the Blue," email BehindTheBlue@uky.edu or tweet your question with #BehindTheBlue. Transcripts for this or other episodes of Behind the Blue can be downloaded from the show’s blog page.
To discover what’s wildly possible at the University of Kentucky, click here.
LEXINGTON, Ky. (March 2, 2023) – Dynamic and innovative, the University of Kentucky Department of Arts Administration leads national and international initiatives in teaching, research, professional and community service to educate and inspire responsible arts leaders, artists, and entrepreneurs.
Founded in 1987, the University of Kentucky's Department of Arts Administration offers one of the most comprehensive curriculums in the country. Already home to the oldest arts administration BA degree in the US, students are able to develop their discipline along with learning the business side of the arts. In addition, the department offers an online MFA program, and has recently added the country’s first ever PhD in arts administration.
Dr. Rachel Shane is the Department Chair and an Associate Professor of Arts Administration at the University of Kentucky. She oversees the department's three degree programs as well as the Graduate Certificate in Fundraising and Development and professional development offerings. She also teaches a variety of courses in the degree programs.
On this episode of Behind the Blue, Shane talks about the impact of the arts on the economy, how the department has grown and adapted to the changing demands of the arts industry, and the vast possibilities students have with a career in the arts.
"Behind the Blue" is available on iTunes, Google Play, Stitcher and Spotify. Become a subscriber to receive new episodes of “Behind the Blue” each week. UK’s latest medical breakthroughs, research, artists and writers will be featured, along with the most important news impacting the university.
For questions or comments about this or any other episode of "Behind the Blue," email BehindTheBlue@uky.edu or tweet your question with #BehindTheBlue. Transcripts for this or other episodes of Behind the Blue can be downloaded from the show’s blog page.
To discover what’s wildly possible at the University of Kentucky, click here.
LEXINGTON, Ky. (February 23, 2023) – DanceBlue is a University of Kentucky student-run organization that fundraises year-round and culminates in a 24-hour no sitting, no sleeping dance marathon. The money raised through DanceBlue is donated to the Golden Matrix Fund, established to support the kids of the DanceBlue Kentucky Children’s Hospital Hematology/Oncology Clinic both today and well into the future through an endowment.
DanceBlue funds also support the year-long fundraising engine and operations that underpin the mission, as well as providing funds to support research at the UK Markey Cancer Center.
On this episode of Behind the Blue, Grace Bush DanceBlue’s overall chair and Lauren Grant, DanceBlue’s community relations chair, discuss the upcoming marathon that will make place on March 25-26.
"Behind the Blue" is available on iTunes, Google Play, Stitcher and Spotify. Become a subscriber to receive new episodes of “Behind the Blue” each week. UK’s latest medical breakthroughs, research, artists and writers will be featured, along with the most important news impacting the university.
For questions or comments about this or any other episode of "Behind the Blue," email BehindTheBlue@uky.edu or tweet your question with #BehindTheBlue. Transcripts for this or other episodes of Behind the Blue can be downloaded from the show’s blog page.
To discover what’s wildly possible at the University of Kentucky, click here.
LEXINGTON, Ky. (February 15, 2023) – The National Pan-Hellenic Council (NPHC) was founded May 10, 1930 on Howard University’s campus in Washington, DC. Each organization within the council operates under NPHC’s mission of fostering the cooperative action of its members in addressing matters of mutual concern.
The University of Kentucky NPHC is the coordinating body for eight of the nine historically African-American fraternities and sororities. It exists under the umbrella of UK Fraternity and Sorority Life which is housed in the UK Office for Student Success. The council organizes educational and cultural programs as well as community service projects for members and the larger university community. Its signature program is the annual Homecoming Step Show, which has become a tradition on campus.
Chloe Kellom, NPHC president and member of Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority, Inc. and Kerrell Hurt Jr., current president of Omega Psi Phi Fraternity, Inc. sat down with UKNow to discuss NPHC and its role here on campus for this week’s Behind the Blue podcast.
"Behind the Blue" is available on iTunes, Google Play, Stitcher and Spotify. Become a subscriber to receive new episodes of “Behind the Blue” each week. UK’s latest medical breakthroughs, research, artists and writers will be featured, along with the most important news impacting the university.
For questions or comments about this or any other episode of "Behind the Blue," email BehindTheBlue@uky.edu or tweet your question with #BehindTheBlue. Transcripts for this or other episodes of Behind the Blue can be downloaded from the show’s blog page.
To discover what’s wildly possible at the University of Kentucky, click here.
LEXINGTON, Ky. (February 9, 2023) – In the summer of 2020, the university launched the Diversity, Equity and Inclusion (or DEI) Implementation Plan. With 17 distinct initiatives aligned with the university’s strategic guiding principles, the DEI implementation plan engages hundreds of UK community members in this work.
Over the years, faculty, staff, students and community champions have dedicated their time to advancing diversity and equity through research, service and care. The DEI implementation plan is designed to empower those change agents, embolden existing DEI efforts and introduce new initiatives to accelerate inclusive excellence at UK and beyond.
On this episode of Behind the Blue Dr. Katrice Albert, UK’s Vice President for Institutional Diversity, talks about the DEI Implementation Plan, its impact on the UK community, what to look forward to in phase two, and more.
"Behind the Blue" is available on iTunes, Google Play, Stitcher and Spotify. Become a subscriber to receive new episodes of “Behind the Blue” each week. UK’s latest medical breakthroughs, research, artists and writers will be featured, along with the most important news impacting the university.
For questions or comments about this or any other episode of "Behind the Blue," email BehindTheBlue@uky.edu or tweet your question with #BehindTheBlue. Transcripts for this or other episodes of Behind the Blue can be downloaded from the show’s blog page.
To discover what’s wildly possible at the University of Kentucky, click here.
LEXINGTON, Ky. (February 2, 2023) – Do you notice a shift in your mood when the days are shorter and darker? If so, you're not alone.
It’s not uncommon to experience stress, anxiety or even depression during the winter months. Each year, about 10% of adults in the United States experience seasonal affective disorder (SAD). The condition can reflect a change in serotonin levels and be linked to depression.
Matt Southward, an assistant professor in the Department of Psychology in the College of Arts and Sciences at the University of Kentucky, is researching treatment outcomes for those coping with anxiety, depression and personality disorders. He also works in the Treatment Innovation for Psychological Services Lab.
On this episode of Behind the Blue, Southward discusses the signs and symptoms of those winter blues, habits people can try to develop to help cope with stress and anxiety, tips on recognizing when seasonal depression may require professional help, and more.
"Behind the Blue" is available on iTunes, Google Play, Stitcher and Spotify. Become a subscriber to receive new episodes of “Behind the Blue” each week. UK’s latest medical breakthroughs, research, artists and writers will be featured, along with the most important news impacting the university.
For questions or comments about this or any other episode of "Behind the Blue," email BehindTheBlue@uky.edu or tweet your question with #BehindTheBlue. Transcripts for this or other episodes of Behind the Blue can be downloaded from the show’s blog page.
To discover what’s wildly possible at the University of Kentucky, click here.
LEXINGTON, Ky. (January 26, 2023) – Originally from Long Island, NY and growing up in Florida, Mario Maitland had a surprising love for the University of Kentucky since childhood, due to a passionate support of the Wildcats on the basketball court. When it came time for him to attend college, the choice for him was clear.
What wasn’t entirely clear was his path once he got here. Initially majoring in Biology, Mario soon learned that it wasn’t a good fit, and he was changed over to earn a degree in History, instead. Still, as graduation grew closer, he wasn’t quite sure what the next chapter of his life would hold.
It was in his final semester at UK when Mario took a podcasting class as an elective, and from that a fire ignited within. Now entering his second year of production, Mario is the creator and host of the ‘What’s Next Podcast’, where he interviews “intriguing people in their respective fields.” As he says in the show’s description, his main focus is to “connect normal individuals with inspiring people who are making a difference.”
In his short time of producing the podcast, Mario has interviewed music executives like Stephon Dupree, professional athletes such as former UK Women’s Basketball standout Rhyne Howard, clothing designers, physicians, and more.
On this episode of ‘Behind the Blue’, Mario talks about his experience at the University of Kentucky, the lessons he learned about taking advantage of opportunities and timing, his advice for current students and young alumni for pursuing their dreams, and more.
"Behind the Blue" is available on iTunes, Google Play, Stitcher and Spotify. Become a subscriber to receive new episodes of “Behind the Blue” each week. UK’s latest medical breakthroughs, research, artists and writers will be featured, along with the most important news impacting the university.
For questions or comments about this or any other episode of "Behind the Blue," email BehindTheBlue@uky.edu or tweet your question with #BehindTheBlue. Transcripts for this or other episodes of Behind the Blue can be downloaded from the show’s blog page.
To discover what’s wildly possible at the University of Kentucky, click here.
LEXINGTON, Ky. (January 19, 2023) – The College of Arts & Sciences is the oldest and largest college at the University of Kentucky, at the heart of the university’s mission to educate students and create knowledge in the humanities, social sciences, and mathematical and natural sciences.
Home to 19 academic departments that offer major degrees in 29 disciplines and 37 minors, A&S provides education in fundamentals to every undergraduate student at UK and builds foundations for advanced study in every field. Central to undergraduate and graduate education at UK, the College of Arts & Sciences accounts for teaching 85% of general education credit hours and almost half of all undergraduate credit hours, and producing the most doctoral degrees at UK.
On July 1, 2022, Dr. Ana Franco-Watkins became the new dean of A&S, coming to the University of Kentucky from her post as interim dean of the College of Liberal Arts at Auburn University. A first-generation student originally from the Azores, Franco-Watkins holds a doctorate from the University of Maryland, a master’s degree from The College of William and Mary, and a bachelor’s degree from St. Mary’s College of Maryland.
On this episode of ‘Behind the Blue’, Franco-Watkins discusses adjusting to her new role as dean of the college, how being a first-generation student with a background in Psychology informs her approach to working with members of the university community, her hopes for the future of the college, and more.
"Behind the Blue" is available on iTunes, Google Play, Stitcher and Spotify. Become a subscriber to receive new episodes of “Behind the Blue” each week. UK’s latest medical breakthroughs, research, artists and writers will be featured, along with the most important news impacting the university.
For questions or comments about this or any other episode of "Behind the Blue," email BehindTheBlue@uky.edu or tweet your question with #BehindTheBlue. Transcripts for this or other episodes of Behind the Blue can be downloaded from the show’s blog page.
To discover what’s wildly possible at the University of Kentucky, click here.
LEXINGTON, Ky. (January 11, 2023) – Monday, January 16, 2023 will mark Lexington’s 50th anniversary of the observance of Martin Luther King, Jr. Day, a US Federal holiday that honors the birth, life and dream of Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr., and is also the only national holiday designated as a national day of service to encourage Americans to volunteer for opportunities to improve their communities in a variety of ways.
The MLK Holiday Observance in Lexington provides an opportunity for the community to come together to honor King’s legacy of freedom, justice, peace and equal opportunity for all Americans. The annual march and program draws participation of several thousand people from across Central Kentucky and beyond. The theme of the 2023 MLK holiday observance is "MLK Holiday 50th Anniversary: A Half Century Of Lighting Candles Of Hope Against The Threat Of Darkness."
The program keynote speaker this year is David Hall, president of the University of the Virgin Islands. Hall is also a distinguished legal scholar who is recognized internationally for his contributions to legal scholarship on race, social justice, leadership and constitutional law. The internationally renowned youth choral ensemble Uniting Voices Chicago will be the featured artists at the Commemorative Program.
On this episode of Behind the Blue, Jay Alexander, the programming and music director for WBTF-FM in Lexington and member of the Lexington-Fayette MLK Holiday Celebration Committee talks about the significance of 50 years of observance, the opportunities the event opens doors to, the year-round impact the day has on the greater community, and more.
If you’re interested in more information regarding the Lexington-Fayette Martin Luther King, Jr. Day Holiday Program, visit uky.edu/mlk. The annual Freedom March will begin at 1 p.m. on Monday, January 16th, and concludes with the Commemorative Program held at the Central Bank Center at 2 p.m. The march begins and ends at the Central Bank Center in downtown Lexington.
"Behind the Blue" is available on iTunes, Google Play, Stitcher and Spotify. Become a subscriber to receive new episodes of “Behind the Blue” each week. UK’s latest medical breakthroughs, research, artists and writers will be featured, along with the most important news impacting the university.
For questions or comments about this or any other episode of "Behind the Blue," email BehindTheBlue@uky.edu or tweet your question with #BehindTheBlue. Transcripts for this or other episodes of Behind the Blue can be downloaded from the show’s blog page.
To discover what’s wildly possible at the University of Kentucky, click here.
LEXINGTON, Ky. (Dec. 15, 2022) – The Office of Philanthropy is the fundraising arm of the University of Kentucky. Charged with furthering the university’s mission and vision, the philanthropy staff works with faculty, students, programs, colleges and administration to identify the university’s top priorities. Then, it connects the university to the people, corporations and foundations who can make their dreams a reality.
In 2018, the university launched the $2.1 billion ‘Kentucky Can’ campaign to tackle these challenges by improving opportunities for student success, funding innovative research, improving healthcare for all Kentuckians, strengthening our alumni network and supporting our athletics programs.
The fundraising campaign is the largest in the history of the Commonwealth, and is designed to create thousands of scholarships to expand access to education at the University of Kentucky and to dramatically accelerate UK’s efforts to solve the Commonwealth’s most challenging health and economic issues.
On this episode of ‘Behind the Blue’ Tom Harris, UK’s Vice-President for university relations discusses the need for philanthropy at UK, the current state of the Kentucky Can campaign and its potential impact, the importance of alumni and friends of the university to philanthropic efforts, and more.
Become a subscriber to receive new episodes of “Behind the Blue” each week. UK’s latest medical breakthroughs, research, artists and writers will be featured, along with the most important news impacting the university.
For questions or comments about this or any other episode of “Behind the Blue, “ email BehindTheBlue@uky.edu or tweet your question with #BehindTheBlue.
LEXINGTON, Ky. (Dec. 2, 2022) – Sometimes being first in something comes with its own unique set of challenges. Take, for example, the journey of being a first generation college student, meaning neither of your parents earned a Bachelor’s degree, regardless of siblings and other relatives. In many cases, first gen students face psychological, academic, financial, and social strains that other students don’t, and are statistically at-risk to leave college within the first three years.
At UK, nearly 1 in 4 incoming freshmen and 1 in 3 transfer students are first-generation college students. First-Generation Student Services supports first-generation students at the University of Kentucky from recruitment to graduation through research-based programs, resources, best practices, and campus-wide advocacy about the needs of students who are the first in their families to go to college. Advisors advocate for first-generation students within their colleges and collaborate with other campus offices to provide the best resources to promote the success of first-generation students at UK.
As Associate Director of Student Transitions and Family Programs, Martina Martin oversees current programming and new initiatives for first-generation and off-campus students.
In addition to her work with first-generation and off-campus students, Martina is a member of NASPA: Student Affairs Administrators in Higher Education and the Kentucky Association of Blacks in Higher Education (KABHE). She is also involved with the Graduate and Professional School Showcase and Jamal Mashburn Scholarship Committee.
On this episode of ‘Behind the Blue’, Martin talks about the challenges some first-gen students face, the resources available to them, the special bonds peer mentors build that help lead these students to success, and more.
Become a subscriber to receive new episodes of “Behind the Blue” each week. UK’s latest medical breakthroughs, research, artists and writers will be featured, along with the most important news impacting the university.
For questions or comments about this or any other episode of “Behind the Blue, “ email BehindTheBlue@uky.edu or tweet your question with #BehindTheBlue.
LEXINGTON, Ky. (Nov. 22, 2022) – The TRACS (Triage, Referral, Assistance and Crisis Support) hub is a physical and virtual one-stop shop where students can come for a quick referral to support services or receive direct clinical support for a range of mental health needs, basic needs and crises.
The process is simple: if you are a student with a mental health or wellness question, or a staff/faculty member assisting a student, you can show up in-person (third floor, east wing of the Gatton Student Center), call 859-21TRACS (859-218-7227) or fill out this form for assistance.
This will allow students to connect with a team member — removing barriers to entry and aligning all mental health and well-being services across campus.
Here’s more details on how it works:
- The TRACS Hub is primarily located in the new student support space on the third floor of the east wing in the Gatton Student Center. It is staffed with new positions — experts in case management and with clinical backgrounds — who can quickly assess a student’s needs and make the appropriate referral.
- Services are offered in-person and virtually — with expanded hours (8 a.m.- 5 p.m.) to assure quick access.
Paige Greene, the new Director of the TRACS Hub, talks on this episode of Behind the Blue about her first few months as director, how holidays and other non-school factors can contribute to stress, anxiety and depression, the importance of mental health resources for members of marginalized communities, and more.
Become a subscriber to receive new episodes of “Behind the Blue” each week. UK’s latest medical breakthroughs, research, artists and writers will be featured, along with the most important news impacting the university.
For questions or comments about this or any other episode of “Behind the Blue, “ email BehindTheBlue@uky.edu or tweet your question with #BehindTheBlue.
For more information on how you can access resources, visit the Student Success website.
LEXINGTON, Ky. (Nov. 18, 2022) – On Tuesday, November 8th, Kentuckians joined their fellow Americans at the voting booth for the 2022 mid-term elections. Federal, state, and local offices were on the ballot, along with a multitude of state constitutional amendments. On a federal level, the election resulted in a divided government heading into 2023, as Republicans gained control of the House of Representatives for the first time since 2019, while Democrats retained their Senate majority.
On this episode of ‘Behind the Blue’ associate professors Dr. Emily Beaulieu Bacchus, who specializes in comparative politics, and Dr. Stephen Voss, who specializes in voting behavior and political methodology, join us to discuss the impact of these elections on a local, state, and national level. They offer insight on factors that may have swung elections from one side to the other, the shakeups in party leadership for both parties, how this year sets the stage for the 2024 elections, and more.
Become a subscriber to receive new episodes of “Behind the Blue” each week. UK’s latest medical breakthroughs, research, artists and writers will be featured, along with the most important news impacting the university.
For questions or comments about this or any other episode of “Behind the Blue, “ email BehindTheBlue@uky.edu (mail to: BehindTheBlue@uky.edu) or tweet your question with #BehindTheBlue.
LEXINGTON, Ky. (November 4, 2022) – For UK Associate Director of Recruitment Clayton Abernathy, the year-round job of academic recruitment goes hand-in-hand with a lifelong love of the University of Kentucky.
Originally from Crescent Springs, Ky, Abernathy graduated in 2016 from UK with a degree in broadcast journalism and political science. He notes that his time on campus also involved serving as president of Theta Chi fraternity, morale coordinator of DanceBlue, and news director of student-run WRFL 88.1-FM, and that his involvement in campus organizations helped him grow as a student, person, and leader.
As a recruiter, he covers Kentucky resident recruitment in Bullitt, Oldham, and Spencer counties, along with Michigan and Wisconsin. On this episode of Behind the Blue, Abernathy talks about what recruiters do and how they help potential students and their families, advice for students navigating the challenge of choosing a college or university, important deadlines coming up for potential Wildcats, and more.
‘Behind the Blue’ is available on iTunes, Google Play, Stitcher and Spotify. Become a subscriber to receive new episodes of “Behind the Blue” each week. UK’s latest medical breakthroughs, research, artists and writers will be featured, along with the most important news impacting the university.
For questions or comments about this or any other episode of "Behind the Blue," email BehindTheBlue@uky.edu or tweet your question with #BehindTheBlue. Transcripts for this or other episodes of Behind the Blue can be downloaded from the show’s blog page.
To discover what’s wildly possible at the University of Kentucky, click here.
LEXINGTON, Ky. (October 27, 2022) – THIS EPISODE IS AN ENCORE EDITION.
Primary elections in Kentucky and across the country are only weeks away and this fall promises hotly contested mid-term contests, with control of the Congress in play for Democrats and Republicans. At the same time, states across the country – including Kentucky – are engaged in redistricting of federal and state legislative districts as required every 10 years following the national census.
UK Political Science Professor Stephen Voss has a distinct and deep perspective on all of these issues. Recently, he provided expert testimony as part of litigation over Kentucky’s legislative redistricting. He also has provided his insights on the effectiveness of messaging and ads appearing already in the race for mayor in Louisville.
In this episode of Behind the Blue, Voss discusses all of these issues as well as the national and state political landscape during a tumultuous period in Kentucky and across America.
"Behind the Blue" is available on iTunes, Google Play, Stitcher and Spotify. Become a subscriber to receive new episodes of “Behind the Blue” each week. UK’s latest medical breakthroughs, research, artists and writers will be featured, along with the most important news impacting the university.
For questions or comments about this or any other episode of "Behind the Blue," email BehindTheBlue@uky.edu or tweet your question with #BehindTheBlue. Transcripts for this or other episodes of Behind the Blue can be downloaded from the show’s blog page.
To discover what’s wildly possible at the University of Kentucky, click here.
LEXINGTON, Ky. (October 20, 2022) – THIS EPISODE IS AN ENCORE EDITION.
In his first job with the Department of History at Florida Atlantic University, Derrick E. White says he wanted to “lean into the local” with his approach to teaching. It was a learning experience for both himself and his students, and an approach he continued with his second school, Dartmouth, which he says posed a different challenge because fewer students are local to the area.
White is now a full professor of history and African American and Africana Studies at the University of Kentucky. A native of Lexington, he has a wealth of local history with a personal connection, as he focuses on modern Black history, sports history and intellectual history.
Most recently, he is the author of Blood, Sweat, & Tears: Jack Gaither, Florida A&M, and the history of Black College Football. Professor White also is the co-host of The Black Athlete podcast, which discusses the history of the Black athlete in a contemporary conversation and context.
In this edition of Behind the Blue, Professor White talks about his scholarship, how it informs his teaching and his upcoming projects that focus on the intersection of race and sports against the backdrop of a famous Kentucky basketball team, not called the University of Kentucky.
"Behind the Blue" is available on iTunes, Google Play, Stitcher and Spotify. Become a subscriber to receive new episodes of “Behind the Blue” each week. UK’s latest medical breakthroughs, research, artists and writers will be featured, along with the most important news impacting the university.
For questions or comments about this or any other episode of "Behind the Blue," email BehindTheBlue@uky.edu or tweet your question with #BehindTheBlue. Transcripts for this or other episodes of Behind the Blue can be downloaded from the show’s blog page.
To discover what’s wildly possible at the University of Kentucky, click here.
LEXINGTON, Ky. (October 13, 2022) – Homecoming at the University of Kentucky is a week full of opportunities for students and alumni to continue the tradition of what it means to be a Wildcat. This year, UK celebrates its 107th Homecoming week. The UK Alumni Association, Student Organizations and Activities, Black Student Union, National Pan-Hellenic Council, Student Activities Board, the Office for Student Success and many other groups have been working hard to make Homecoming week a special time in the lives of students, alumni and all who participate.
The UK Alumni Association will also welcome the Golden Wildcats from the Class of 1972 for a variety of 50th reunion activities. A full list of Golden Wildcat Society reunion activities and registration information can be found on the UK Alumni Association’s website.
From Oct. 10-14, there are events for all members of the UK community leading up to the Homecoming football game against Mississippi State University on Saturday, Oct. 15. The Lyman T. Johnson Awards Luncheon, DanceBlue Silent Auction, and National Pan-Hellenic Council Step Show are just a few of the annual events that lead into Homecoming weekend, a special tradition on UK’s campus since 1915.
On this episode of ‘Behind the Blue’, UK Alumni Association Executive Director Jill Smith and this year’s Alumni Association President Antoine Huffman, highlight some of the events of Homecoming week, the overall mission and worldwide reach of the Alumni Association, how students and alumni can get involved, and more.
‘Behind the Blue’ is available on iTunes, Google Play, Stitcher and Spotify. Become a subscriber to receive new episodes of “Behind the Blue” each week. UK’s latest medical breakthroughs, research, artists and writers will be featured, along with the most important news impacting the university.
For questions or comments about this or any other episode of "Behind the Blue," email BehindTheBlue@uky.edu or tweet your question with #BehindTheBlue. Transcripts for this or other episodes of Behind the Blue can be downloaded from the show’s blog page.
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LEXINGTON, Ky. (October 6, 2022) – The Trauma Program Office is part of the UK HealthCare Trauma/Surgical Services service line. The team provides the day-to-day administrative operations for maintaining the UK HealthCare Chandler Hospital Adult Level I Trauma Center and the Kentucky Children’s Hospital Pediatric Level I Trauma Center.
The program office operates in accordance with the specifications of the American College of Surgeons Committee on Trauma (ACS-COT) national standards and criteria of the Resources for Optimal Care of the Injured Patient.
Its mission, vision and goals are focused on using UK HealthCare resources to promote excellence in trauma patient care for our Adult and Pediatric Level 1 Trauma Centers.
Amie Peel and Baillie McCane both work in the UK Trauma Program Office, Peel as a Trauma Education Coordinator, and McCane as a Trauma Outreach Coordinator. On this episode of ‘Behind the Blue’, they both talk about trauma preparedness, trauma care and injury prevention programs offered by their office, and some key tips on what people can do to be prepared for trauma care situations.
‘Behind the Blue’ is available on iTunes, Google Play, Stitcher and Spotify. Become a subscriber to receive new episodes of “Behind the Blue” each week. UK’s latest medical breakthroughs, research, artists and writers will be featured, along with the most important news impacting the university.
For questions or comments about this or any other episode of "Behind the Blue," email BehindTheBlue@uky.edu or tweet your question with #BehindTheBlue. Transcripts for this or other episodes of Behind the Blue can be downloaded from the show’s blog page.
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LEXINGTON, Ky. (September 29, 2022) – A collaboration between Kentucky Children’s Hospital and Cincinnati Children’s Hospital Medical Center brings together the expertise of Kentucky’s top hospital and one of the country’s best children’s hospitals to create one of the top pediatric heart programs in the country, according to U.S. News & World Report.
Entering its fifth year, the innovative Kentucky Children’s Hospital Joint Heart Program follows the one-program, two-sites model, which means pediatric cardiology experts and a team of pediatric heart surgeons at Kentucky Children’s Hospital benefits from the support of other pediatric heart specialists at Cincinnati Children’s to provide a full spectrum of children’s cardiology services. This collaboration provides Kentucky families with the reassurance of knowing they have access to exceptional heart treatment for children close to home.
Dr. Carl Backer is chief of pediatric cardiac surgery and director of the Joint Pediatric Heart Care Program. Dr. Backer joins KCH from the Ann & Robert Lurie Children’s Hospital of Chicago, where he served as the surgical director of the pediatric heart transplant program and the A.C. Buehler Professor of Surgery since 2001. He has been an attending surgeon in the division of cardiovascular-thoracic surgery since 1988, and served as head of that division from 2008 to 2018.
On this episode of ‘Behind the Blue’, Dr. Backer talks about the state of the program on its fifth anniversary, the importance of the program for the people of Kentucky, and more.
‘Behind the Blue’ is available on iTunes, Google Play, Stitcher and Spotify. Become a subscriber to receive new episodes of “Behind the Blue” each week. UK’s latest medical breakthroughs, research, artists and writers will be featured, along with the most important news impacting the university.
For questions or comments about this or any other episode of "Behind the Blue," email BehindTheBlue@uky.edu or tweet your question with #BehindTheBlue. Transcripts for this or other episodes of Behind the Blue can be downloaded from the show’s blog page.
To discover what’s wildly possible at the University of Kentucky, click here.
LEXINGTON, Ky. (September 21, 2022) – UK Invests is a first-of-its-kind initiative announced recently by the University of Kentucky.
It is a wellness effort, anchored by financial education. The premise: provide access to every student on the UK campus with a low-risk investment account. UK will match investments that students make, in small increments, for participating in healthy behaviors – such as going to the gym, conducting a wellness visit or participating in a student organization.
The idea is that micro-investments can have a macro impact. Further, according to UK Executive Vice President for Finance and Administration Dr. Eric Monday, UK Invests underscores the idea that there is tremendous long-term potential and value in a University of Kentucky degree – so much that the institution should start investing in that promise now, long before students graduate.
Monday, along with a team of UK administrators and staff, have been working on UK Invests for several months and will be rolling it out to the entire campus community over the next several months, starting this September with UK’s nearly 600 student athletes.
In this episode of ‘Behind the Blue’ Monday discusses the initiative – its goals and how it fits into a holistic approach to student wellness.
‘Behind the Blue’ is available on iTunes, Google Play, Stitcher and Spotify. Become a subscriber to receive new episodes of “Behind the Blue” each week. UK’s latest medical breakthroughs, research, artists and writers will be featured, along with the most important news impacting the university.
For questions or comments about this or any other episode of "Behind the Blue," email BehindTheBlue@uky.edu or tweet your question with #BehindTheBlue. Transcripts for this or other episodes of Behind the Blue can be downloaded from the show’s blog page.
To discover what’s wildly possible at the University of Kentucky, click here.
LEXINGTON, Ky. (September 15, 2022) – As the Vice Dean of Research for the UK College of Medicine, Dr. Rebecca Dutch oversees research for the College, from basic areas to clinical applications. Dutch also serves as a member of UK’s START team, an interdisciplinary group of UK HealthCare physicians and clinical and research leaders at UK, that continues to develop strategies to ensure safe and healthy operations on campus.
Now, at the beginning of the university’s fall 2022 semester, Dr. Dutch returns to the ‘Behind the Blue’ podcast to discuss where our community stands in regards to coronavirus, the upcoming flu season, monkeypox outbreaks, and more.
"Behind the Blue" is available on iTunes, Google Play, Stitcher and Spotify. Become a subscriber to receive new episodes of “Behind the Blue” each week. UK’s latest medical breakthroughs, research, artists and writers will be featured, along with the most important news impacting the university.
For questions or comments about this or any other episode of "Behind the Blue," email BehindTheBlue@uky.edu or tweet your question with #BehindTheBlue. Transcripts for this or other episodes of Behind the Blue can be downloaded from the show’s blog page.
To discover what’s wildly possible at the University of Kentucky, click here.
LEXINGTON, Ky. (September 8, 2022) – Part of the mission of the University of Kentucky’s College of Communication and Information is to teach students how to communicate effectively, obtain and evaluate information, and to create, produce and disseminate effective communication messages. Implementing that mission into their careers, many of the college’s graduates are doing important work in their area of study that often takes them across the globe.
Ashley Westerman is one such graduate. A 2010 journalism major from western Kentucky, she has lived out her dream of working in public radio. Currently, she is a producer for National Public Radio (NPR) based in Kiev, Ukraine, where she and her team cover the current war there, and the stories of the Ukrainian people living day-to-day in uncertainty.
On this episode of ‘Behind the Blue’, Westerman talks about growing up in Kentucky and the importance of attending the University of Kentucky, how her career path took her from Washington, DC to southeast Asia and eventually Ukraine, and how her mentors and teachers at UK prepared her for the unpredictable path her career as a journalist has led her on.
"Behind the Blue" is available on iTunes, Google Play, Stitcher and Spotify. Become a subscriber to receive new episodes of “Behind the Blue” each week. UK’s latest medical breakthroughs, research, artists and writers will be featured, along with the most important news impacting the university.
For questions or comments about this or any other episode of "Behind the Blue," email BehindTheBlue@uky.edu or tweet your question with #BehindTheBlue. Transcripts for this or other episodes of Behind the Blue can be downloaded from the show’s blog page.
To discover what’s wildly possible at the University of Kentucky, click here.
LEXINGTON, Ky. (September 2, 2022) – Comprised of more than four hundred professional staff and faculty across more than two dozen units, the University of Kentucky Office for Student Success is committed to engaging students from the time of early college outreach to graduation and beyond.
With programs ranging from the Center for Academic Resources and Enrichment Service (CARES), the Center for Support and Intervention, Campus Recreation, the Disability Resource Center, the Stuckert Career Center, Violence Intervention and Prevention, the Office of LGBTQ* Resources, University Admissions and beyond, the Office for Student Success facilitates a broad range of programs and resources designed to assist with student development and well-being in some of the most critical areas of the university experience.
Dr. Kirsten Turner is UK’s Vice President for Student Success and chief student affairs officer. A leader with a long tenure at the University of Kentucky, she transitioned to her current position after serving in multiple associate provost roles and as an architect of the institution’s strategies to improve retention and graduation rates.
On this episode of ‘Behind the Blue’, Turner talks about the overall goals for the Office for Student Success, the challenges in scaling services to match ever-growing enrollment numbers, new services like Integrated Success Coaches that assist students in all areas of wellness and more.
"Behind the Blue" is available on iTunes, Google Play, Stitcher and Spotify. Become a subscriber to receive new episodes of “Behind the Blue” each week. UK’s latest medical breakthroughs, research, artists and writers will be featured, along with the most important news impacting the university.
For questions or comments about this or any other episode of "Behind the Blue," email BehindTheBlue@uky.edu or tweet your question with #BehindTheBlue. Transcripts for this or other episodes of Behind the Blue can be downloaded from the show’s blog page.
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LEXINGTON, Ky. (August 25, 2022) – Welcoming its largest freshman class in history, the University of Kentucky begins its fall 2022 semester. As the Commonwealth’s flagship and land-grant research university continues to see exponential growth, Dr. Eli Capilouto begins his 12th year overseeing the mission of teaching, research, service and health care.
On this episode of Behind the Blue, Capilouto sits down for a conversation about the upcoming fall semester, what he admires most about UK students, his hopes for this record-setting incoming class, and what it means to see faculty, staff, students and alumni seeking out ways to assist the state in times of crisis.
"Behind the Blue" is available on iTunes, Google Play, Stitcher and Spotify. Become a subscriber to receive new episodes of “Behind the Blue” each week. UK’s latest medical breakthroughs, research, artists and writers will be featured, along with the most important news impacting the university.
For questions or comments about this or any other episode of "Behind the Blue," email BehindTheBlue@uky.edu or tweet your question with #BehindTheBlue. Transcripts for this or other episodes of Behind the Blue can be downloaded from the show’s blog page.
To discover what’s wildly possible at the University of Kentucky, click here.
LEXINGTON, Ky. (July 28, 2022) – Historically, studies have shown that Black individuals are less likely to seek and accept mental health care due to concerns regarding stigma as well as mistrust of professionals caused by documented racial inequities in treatment.
In Lexington, the Black population represents approximately 15% of residents, but in 2020, Black people represented only 7% of the population receiving community mental health services in Kentucky’s Bluegrass region.
The Neighborhood Healers Project, a new pilot project led by University of Kentucky researchers, aims to reduce this equity gap by addressing the stigma and helping Black Lexingtonians access the mental health services they need.
Candice Hargons, Ph.D., the study’s principal investigator (PI) says the five-year project, funded by the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA), will create a support system of “first-responders” within Lexington’s Black community who are trained to recognize the signs and symptoms of mental health crises and connect people to needed resources.
Hargons, a licensed psychologist and associate professor in the UK College of Education’s Department of Educational, School, and Counseling Psychology, appears on this episode of ‘Behind the Blue’ to discuss how this project will impact the Lexington community and beyond.
"Behind the Blue" is available on iTunes, Google Play, Stitcher and Spotify. Become a subscriber to receive new episodes of “Behind the Blue” each week. UK’s latest medical breakthroughs, research, artists and writers will be featured, along with the most important news impacting the university.
For questions or comments about this or any other episode of "Behind the Blue," email BehindTheBlue@uky.edu or tweet your question with #BehindTheBlue. Transcripts for this or other episodes of Behind the Blue can be downloaded from the show’s blog page.
To discover what’s wildly possible at the University of Kentucky, click here.
LEXINGTON, Ky. (July 7, 2022) – The University of Kentucky Alumni Association started the Great Teacher Award program in 1961 to honor excellent teaching at the university. There have been 307 teachers honored since that first year. Nominations may only be submitted by current students.
To receive the award, a candidate must:
- Hold the rank of full-time lecturer or above and have been a member of the faculty for the past three years at UK.
- Have superior knowledge of the subject matter.
- Have original and innovative classroom presentations.
- Demonstrate concern for students, both inside and outside the classroom setting.
- Not have been a recipient of the award for the past 10 years.
A committee of the UK Alumni Association Board of Directors and a representative from the student organization Omicron Delta Kappa select the recipients based on objective rating and ranking of the eligible nominations submitted.
This episode of Behind the Blue spotlights one of the 2022 Great Teacher Award winners. Since working at the Center for Applied Energy Research in the mid-1980s, John "Jack" Groppo, of the UK College of Engineering, has focused on mineral processing work which began with fine coal that had not been recovered because the technology didn’t exist. Today, processing fine coal is common practice. Groppo is a professor and director of undergraduate studies in mining engineering. He is the co-creator of the sustainable campus electronics recycling program at UK. He is the developer of the Center for Applied Energy Research “Energy 101” education outreach for local underserved elementary schools providing energy education with hands-on demonstrations.
He is the faculty advisor for the UK Society of Mining Engineers Student Chapter. Groppo earned his bachelor’s and master’s degrees in mining and mineral engineering from Virginia Tech and his doctorate in mining engineering from the University of Kentucky. His research interests include mineral processing, surface chemistry, power generation, and industrial and coal utilization by-product recycling.
"Behind the Blue" is available on iTunes, Google Play, Stitcher and Spotify. Become a subscriber to receive new episodes of “Behind the Blue” each week. UK’s latest medical breakthroughs, research, artists and writers will be featured, along with the most important news impacting the university.
For questions or comments about this or any other episode of "Behind the Blue," email BehindTheBlue@uky.edu or tweet your question with #BehindTheBlue. Transcripts for this or other episodes of Behind the Blue can be downloaded from the show’s blog page.
To discover what’s wildly possible at the University of Kentucky, click here.
LEXINGTON, Ky. (June 30, 2022) – The University of Kentucky Alumni Association started the Great Teacher Award program in 1961 to honor excellent teaching at the university. There have been 307 teachers honored since that first year. Nominations may only be submitted by current students.
To receive the award, a candidate must:
- Hold the rank of full-time lecturer or above and have been a member of the faculty for the past three years at UK.
- Have superior knowledge of the subject matter.
- Have original and innovative classroom presentations.
- Demonstrate concern for students, both inside and outside the classroom setting.
- Not have been a recipient of the award for the past 10 years.
A committee of the UK Alumni Association Board of Directors and a representative from the student organization Omicron Delta Kappa select the recipients based on objective rating and ranking of the eligible nominations submitted.
This episode of Behind the Blue spotlights one of the 2022 Great Teacher Award winners. Cortney Lollar, a James and Mary Lassiter Professor of Law from the UK Rosenberg College of Law, teaches and researches in the areas of criminal law, criminal procedure, remedies, race, gender, sexuality and social science.
Prior to joining the UK faculty in 2013, Lollar was a clinical faculty fellow at Washington University in St. Louis. She previously represented adult and juvenile defendants at the trial and appellate level at the Federal Defender Program in Atlanta, Georgia, and the Public Defender Service for the District of Columbia. Lollar received her bachelor’s degree from Brown University and her doctorate from New York University School of Law, where she was editor-in-chief of the Review of Law and Social Change. Her work has been cited by the U.S. Supreme Court as well as other federal and state courts.
"Behind the Blue" is available on iTunes, Google Play, Stitcher and Spotify. Become a subscriber to receive new episodes of “Behind the Blue” each week. UK’s latest medical breakthroughs, research, artists and writers will be featured, along with the most important news impacting the university.
For questions or comments about this or any other episode of "Behind the Blue," email BehindTheBlue@uky.edu or tweet your question with #BehindTheBlue. Transcripts for this or other episodes of Behind the Blue can be downloaded from the show’s blog page.
To discover what’s wildly possible at the University of Kentucky, click here.
LEXINGTON, Ky. (June 23, 2022) – The University of Kentucky Alumni Association started the Great Teacher Award program in 1961 to honor excellent teaching at the university. There have been 307 teachers honored since that first year. Nominations may only be submitted by current students.
To receive the award, a candidate must:
- Hold the rank of full-time lecturer or above and have been a member of the faculty for the past three years at UK.
- Have superior knowledge of the subject matter.
- Have original and innovative classroom presentations.
- Demonstrate concern for students, both inside and outside the classroom setting.
- Not have been a recipient of the award for the past 10 years.
A committee of the UK Alumni Association Board of Directors and a representative from the student organization Omicron Delta Kappa select the recipients based on objective rating and ranking of the eligible nominations submitted.
This episode of Behind the Blue spotlights one of the 2022 Great Teacher Award winners. Beth Rous, from the UK College of Education, has spent her career working to advance knowledge on how people design and lead complex human service systems. She believes that all children have a right to high quality educational experiences and has generated more than $98 million in grants and contracts to help realize this vision.
A professor in the Department of Educational Leadership Studies, Rous teaches courses in research methods. She earned her bachelor’s degree in learning disabilities, moderate disabilities and elementary education from Morehead State University; her master’s in special education: interdisciplinary early childhood education; and her doctorate in instruction and administration from the University of Kentucky. Rous serves as a research and policy associate at the Human Development Institute, serving as the founding director for the Kentucky Partnership for Early Childhood Services from 1996-2017. She is a technical advisor/consultant for the U.S. Department of Education and Health and Human Services.
"Behind the Blue" is available on iTunes, Google Play, Stitcher and Spotify. Become a subscriber to receive new episodes of “Behind the Blue” each week. UK’s latest medical breakthroughs, research, artists and writers will be featured, along with the most important news impacting the university.
For questions or comments about this or any other episode of "Behind the Blue," email BehindTheBlue@uky.edu or tweet your question with #BehindTheBlue. Transcripts for this or other episodes of Behind the Blue can be downloaded from the show’s blog page.
To discover what’s wildly possible at the University of Kentucky, click here.
LEXINGTON, Ky. (June 21, 2022) – The Office of LGBTQ* Resources is the University of Kentucky's central hub for accessing information, groups and services related to diverse sexual orientations and gender identities. Located in the Dinkle Mas Suite in the Gatton Student Center, the resource center is a campus-wide office that works to make sure that our community is a welcoming, safe and supportive place for all students, faculty, staff and alumni.
On May 9th, 2022, J’Lissabeth Faughn (she, her, hers) assumed the role of director of UK’s Office of LGBTQ* Resources, a part of the Office for Student Success. An experienced leader with a passion for social justice and student development, Faughn brings a rich history of advocacy and community building from similar roles in California, Iowa and Missouri. She holds a graduate degree in higher education and social justice from Iowa State University and an undergraduate degree from Murray State University.
On this episode of ‘Behind the Blue’, Faughn talks about how her journey of providing support to students led her to the University of Kentucky, her plans to continue the Resource Center’s legacy of creating a safe, open environment for all, and more.
"Behind the Blue" is available on iTunes, Google Play, Stitcher and Spotify. Become a subscriber to receive new episodes of “Behind the Blue” each week. UK’s latest medical breakthroughs, research, artists and writers will be featured, along with the most important news impacting the university.
For questions or comments about this or any other episode of "Behind the Blue," email BehindTheBlue@uky.edu or tweet your question with #BehindTheBlue. Transcripts for this or other episodes of Behind the Blue can be downloaded from the show’s blog page.
To discover what’s wildly possible at the University of Kentucky, click here.
LEXINGTON, Ky. (June 17, 2022) – The Loop is UK HealthCare’s internal communication network for health care employees, which includes articles, videos, podcasts and other multimedia to keep staff “in the loop” on what’s new at UK HealthCare. The Loop provides information on current events and workplace matters, as well as highlighting the work of the people who keep UK HealthCare running.
On this episode of ‘Behind the Blue’, we’re featuring a podcast interview that was recently released on The Loop featuring Dr. Tukea Talbert, Chief Diversity Officer at UK HealthCare.
Juneteenth is recognized as the day that marked slavery’s end in the United States. Also referred to as The Day of Jubilee, Juneteenth is an opportunity to celebrate freedom, but also to recognize the role slavery has played in the development of our nation and its systems.
In this interview, Talbert led colleagues Timothy Gaillard, VP for Ambulatory and Medical Group Operations at UK HealthCare and Dr. Darwin Conwell, Chair of the Department of Internal Medicine at UK HealthCare, through a discussion about the importance of the Juneteenth holiday, both in and out of the health care realm.
"Behind the Blue" is available on iTunes, Google Play, Stitcher and Spotify. Become a subscriber to receive new episodes of “Behind the Blue” each week. UK’s latest medical breakthroughs, research, artists and writers will be featured, along with the most important news impacting the university.
For questions or comments about this or any other episode of "Behind the Blue," email BehindTheBlue@uky.edu or tweet your question with #BehindTheBlue. Transcripts for this or other episodes of Behind the Blue can be downloaded from the show’s blog page.
To discover what’s wildly possible at the University of Kentucky, click here.
LEXINGTON, Ky. (June 16, 2022) – On January 1st, 1863, President Abraham Lincoln issued the ‘Emancipation Proclamation’, but it wasn’t until June 19th, 1865 that the last remaining enslaved African Americans – men and women in Galveston, Texas – learned they were free.
Since that time, June 19th, or “Juneteenth”, has been celebrated annually in various parts of the United States to commemorate emancipation as well as celebrate African-American culture. Still, it took until June 17th of 2021 for the day to be recognized as a federal holiday, after becoming more widely celebrated among African-American communities and gaining more and more mainstream attention in the US.
On this episode of Behind the Blue, Dr. Anastasia Curwood, director of The Commonwealth Institute for Black Studies and African American and Africana Studies (AAAS) at UK, discusses the Juneteenth holiday, from her personal feelings and reflections on the significance of the day, to the importance of observance of the holiday by the university, and more.
"Behind the Blue" is available on iTunes, Google Play, Stitcher and Spotify. Become a subscriber to receive new episodes of “Behind the Blue” each week. UK’s latest medical breakthroughs, research, artists and writers will be featured, along with the most important news impacting the university.
For questions or comments about this or any other episode of "Behind the Blue," email BehindTheBlue@uky.edu or tweet your question with #BehindTheBlue. Transcripts for this or other episodes of Behind the Blue can be downloaded from the show’s blog page.
For more information about CIBS, including ways you can support, visit https://cibs.as.uky.edu/.
To discover what’s wildly possible at the University of Kentucky, click here.
LEXINGTON, Ky. (June 14, 2022) – The University of Kentucky Alumni Association started the Great Teacher Award program in 1961 to honor excellent teaching at the university. There have been over 300 teachers honored since that first year. Nominations may only be submitted by current students.
To receive the award, a candidate must:
- Hold the rank of full-time lecturer or above and have been a member of the faculty for the past three years at UK.
- Have superior knowledge of the subject matter.
- Have original and innovative classroom presentations.
- Demonstrate concern for students, both inside and outside the classroom setting.
- Not have been a recipient of the award for the past 10 years.
A committee of the UK Alumni Association Board of Directors and a representative from the student organization Omicron Delta Kappa select the recipients based on objective rating and ranking of the eligible nominations submitted.
This episode of Behind the Blue spotlights one of the 2022 Great Teacher Award winners. Olivia Davis, from the Gatton College of Business and Economics, joined the faculty at the University of Kentucky in January 2018. She was in public accounting with PricewaterhouseCoopers LLP in the assurance practice before joining UK. As a CPA with nearly 14 years of experience, Davis brings a wealth of practical experience to her classroom. She invites her students to go beyond just the technical accounting and auditing concepts by sharing real-world, current scenarios with them.
Davis serves as the faculty advisor for the UK Student Chapter of the National Association of Black Accountants and she is a professional member of NABA. She earned her bachelor’s and master’s in accounting from UK. Davis was awarded the Gatton College Teaching Excellence Award in 2020, the 2021 Gatton College Faculty of the Year (student selected) and the 2021 University of Kentucky Provost’s Award for Outstanding Teaching.
"Behind the Blue" is available on iTunes, Google Play, Stitcher and Spotify. Become a subscriber to receive new episodes of “Behind the Blue” each week. UK’s latest medical breakthroughs, research, artists and writers will be featured, along with the most important news impacting the university.
For questions or comments about this or any other episode of "Behind the Blue," email BehindTheBlue@uky.edu or tweet your question with #BehindTheBlue. Transcripts for this or other episodes of Behind the Blue can be downloaded from the show’s blog page.
To discover what’s wildly possible at the University of Kentucky, click here.
LEXINGTON, Ky. (June 9, 2022) – Dr. Eric N. Monday is UK’s executive vice president for finance and administration. One of his responsibilities in that role is to oversee the development and implementation of the university’s annual budget.
In a few days, the UK Board of Trustees will consider a $5.6 billion budget for 2022-2023. It is the largest budget in the history of the university – fueled by continued growth in the university’s health care enterprise and research missions as well as what is expected to be the largest first-year class ever at UK.
On this episode of Behind the Blue, Monday explains how the budget is shaped, some of the areas of emphasis for the budget and how it is helping move the institution’s mission forward – to advance Kentucky.
"Behind the Blue" is available on iTunes, Google Play, Stitcher and Spotify. Become a subscriber to receive new episodes of “Behind the Blue” each week. UK’s latest medical breakthroughs, research, artists and writers will be featured, along with the most important news impacting the university.
For questions or comments about this or any other episode of "Behind the Blue," email BehindTheBlue@uky.edu or tweet your question with #BehindTheBlue. Transcripts for this or other episodes of Behind the Blue can be downloaded from the show’s blog page.
To discover what’s wildly possible at the University of Kentucky, click here.
LEXINGTON, Ky. (June 7, 2022) – The University of Kentucky Alumni Association started the Great Teacher Award program in 1961 to honor excellent teaching at the university. There have been 307 teachers honored since that first year. Nominations may only be submitted by current students.
To receive the award, a candidate must:
- Hold the rank of full-time lecturer or above and have been a member of the faculty for the past three years at UK.
- Have superior knowledge of the subject matter.
- Have original and innovative classroom presentations.
- Demonstrate concern for students, both inside and outside the classroom setting.
- Not have been a recipient of the award for the past 10 years.
A committee of the UK Alumni Association Board of Directors and a representative from the student organization Omicron Delta Kappa select the recipients based on objective rating and ranking of the eligible nominations submitted.
This episode of Behind the Blue spotlights one of the 2022 Great Teacher Award winners. Zachary Bray, from the Rosenberg College of Law, is a James and Mary Lassiter Professor of Law at the Rosenberg College of Law. A Lexington native and graduate of the University of Notre Dame and the Yale Law School, Bray worked at the University of Houston Law Center before coming to UK as a visiting assistant professor in 2015. He was promoted to full professor in 2020. At the University of Houston, he was recognized with a university-wide Provost’s Teaching Excellence Award. Bray’s research focuses on monument law, private land trusts, low-income housing, the Endangered Species Act, groundwater conflicts and religious land use. Bray has taught as a visitor at the Washington University School of Law and The College of William & Mary Law School. He has taught undergraduate students considering law school in the Kentucky Legal Education Opportunity Summer Institute and the University of Houston Law Center Pre-Law Pipeline Program.
"Behind the Blue" is available on iTunes, Google Play, Stitcher and Spotify. Become a subscriber to receive new episodes of “Behind the Blue” each week. UK’s latest medical breakthroughs, research, artists and writers will be featured, along with the most important news impacting the university.
For questions or comments about this or any other episode of "Behind the Blue," email BehindTheBlue@uky.edu or tweet your question with #BehindTheBlue. Transcripts for this or other episodes of Behind the Blue can be downloaded from the show’s blog page.
To discover what’s wildly possible at the University of Kentucky, click here.
LEXINGTON, Ky. (June 2, 2022) – The University of Kentucky Alumni Association started the Great Teacher Award program in 1961 to honor excellent teaching at the university. There have been more than 300 teachers honored since that first year. Nominations may only be submitted by current students.
To receive the award, a candidate must:
- Hold the rank of full-time lecturer or above and have been a member of the faculty for the past three years at UK.
- Have superior knowledge of the subject matter.
- Have original and innovative classroom presentations.
- Demonstrate concern for students, both inside and outside the classroom setting.
- Not have been a recipient of the award for the past 10 years.
A committee of the UK Alumni Association Board of Directors and a representative from the student organization Omicron Delta Kappa select the recipients based on objective rating and ranking of the eligible nominations submitted.
This episode of Behind the Blue spotlights one of the 2022 Great Teacher Award winners. Beth Barnes, from the UK College of Communication and Information, is a professor and the director of Undergraduate Studies in the Department of Integrated Strategic Communication. She leads the international studies programs for the college and represents it on the university’s International Advisory Council. She has taught in Cape Town, South Africa and London, England. Her specialty areas include international education, media audience measurement, curriculum development and non-profit strategic communication. She worked in both advertising and public relations prior to teaching. Barnes teaches the introductory course in the ISC major as well as courses in account management, public relations and sales promotion, and sponsorship. For 13 years she was director of the School of Journalism and Telecommunications. Barnes earned her bachelor’s degree from The College of William & Mary and her master’s in advertising and her doctorate in communication studies from Northwestern University.
"Behind the Blue" is available on iTunes, Google Play, Stitcher and Spotify. Become a subscriber to receive new episodes of “Behind the Blue” each week. UK’s latest medical breakthroughs, research, artists and writers will be featured, along with the most important news impacting the university.
For questions or comments about this or any other episode of "Behind the Blue," email BehindTheBlue@uky.edu or tweet your question with #BehindTheBlue. Transcripts for this or other episodes of Behind the Blue can be downloaded from the show’s blog page.
To discover what’s wildly possible at the University of Kentucky, click here.
LEXINGTON, Ky. (May 26, 2022) – On Tuesday, May 31st the World Health Organization (WHO) will observe ‘World No Tobacco Day’. The purpose of this yearly celebration is to provide information to the public regarding the dangers of tobacco use, as well as shine a light on the business practices of tobacco companies, what the WHO is doing to fight the tobacco epidemic, and what people can do for themselves and their families to live a healthier, tobacco-free lifestyle.
Dr. Ellen Hahn is a Professor in the Colleges of Nursing and Public Health at the University of Kentucky and Director of BREATHE (Bridging Research Efforts and Advocacy Toward Healthy Environments), a multi-disciplinary research, outreach, and practice collaborative of the College of Nursing and its partners. BREATHE’s vision is that all people will have access to clean air and live in healthy environments.
With over 80 organizational community partners, BREATHE is a clearinghouse for information, research and analysis, and policy development, as well as community education and outreach related to smoke- and tobacco-free policies, tobacco health disparities, electronic smoking devices, tobacco prevention and treatment, and radon reduction. These programs include the Tobacco Policy Research Program, the Kentucky Center for Smoke-free Policy (KCSP), and the Radon Policy Research Program.
Dr. Hahn also serves as Director of UK-CARES (Center for Appalachian Research in Environmental Sciences). On this episode of Behind the Blue, Hahn talks about the significance of World No Tobacco Day, the work of the BREATHE collaborative, how it’s never too late for communities and their members to go smoke-free, and more.
"Behind the Blue" is available on iTunes, Google Play, Stitcher and Spotify. Become a subscriber to receive new episodes of “Behind the Blue” each week. UK’s latest medical breakthroughs, research, artists and writers will be featured, along with the most important news impacting the university.
For questions or comments about this or any other episode of "Behind the Blue," email BehindTheBlue@uky.edu or tweet your question with #BehindTheBlue. Transcripts for this or other episodes of Behind the Blue can be downloaded from the show’s blog page.
To discover what’s wildly possible at the University of Kentucky, click here.
LEXINGTON, Ky. (May 18, 2022) – The University of Kentucky is proud to be the home of global leaders in aging and brain research, all striving towards the same goal: finding a stop to the 6th leading cause of death in the United States: Alzheimer’s Disease. UK’s Sanders-Brown Center on Aging has been around for nearly half a century, helping lead the way in Alzheimer’s and dementia research. Center Director Dr. Linda Van Eldik firmly believes they will find a cure through the work going on right here on the UK campus.
With their dedicated work recently earning the center renewed funding from the National Institute on Aging, education and community support are big parts of the role Sanders-Brown plays. In between various trainings, workshops and community events, they are also making life-changing and life-saving discoveries.
Soon, Van Eldik and others at Sanders-Brown will be able to welcome a very valuable piece to their research – the volunteers – into a brand new facility at UK HealthCare’s Turfland Campus.
On this episode of Behind the Blue, Van Eldik joins UKPR’s Hillary Smith to discuss the larger game plan of finding a cure, and the team effort between those volunteers, the world-class faculty and staff at Sanders-Brown, and the University of Kentucky as a whole.
"Behind the Blue" is available on iTunes, Google Play, Stitcher and Spotify. Become a subscriber to receive new episodes of “Behind the Blue” each week. UK’s latest medical breakthroughs, research, artists and writers will be featured, along with the most important news impacting the university.
For questions or comments about this or any other episode of "Behind the Blue," email BehindTheBlue@uky.edu or tweet your question with #BehindTheBlue. Transcripts for this or other episodes of Behind the Blue can be downloaded from the show’s blog page.
To discover what’s wildly possible at the University of Kentucky, click here.
LEXINGTON, Ky. (May 12, 2022) – Every year, the University of Kentucky celebrates thousands of graduating individuals who receive degrees and make their way into the workforce and the world.
For many of these graduates, leaving the world of the university brings a whole new set of challenges as they ask themselves, “what’s next?” Being prepared to live on their own, finding success in a new job, reaching out to new support networks and more can be a daunting set of obstacles for those departing UK.
On this episode of ‘Behind the Blue’, two members of UK’s Office of Student Success talk about tips on facing the future as a UK alum, and also what current students can do during their college career to make the most of their time here and be ready to confidently move on after graduation.
Kayla Gill is a Senior Program Advisor with Off-Campus Student Services. A native of Lexington, Kayla serves as an advocate and advisor with first year students residing off-campus and first-generation students living on and off campus. She works to implement diversity and inclusion program initiatives for marginalized students as well as foster a sense of belonging for students.
Originally from Michigan, Mark Williams works as a Senior Program Specialist with UK’s Community & Professional Development Programs. Williams spent time after college working as an accountant in both public accounting and insurance firms, but realized his passion was serving students and helping them transition from college into their careers.
"Behind the Blue" is available on iTunes, Google Play, Stitcher and Spotify. Become a subscriber to receive new episodes of “Behind the Blue” each week. UK’s latest medical breakthroughs, research, artists and writers will be featured, along with the most important news impacting the university.
For questions or comments about this or any other episode of "Behind the Blue," email BehindTheBlue@uky.edu or tweet your question with #BehindTheBlue. Transcripts for this or other episodes of Behind the Blue can be downloaded from the show’s blog page.
To discover what’s wildly possible at the University of Kentucky, click here.
LEXINGTON, Ky. (May 4, 2022) — This spring, the University of Kentucky is celebrating more than 5,300 degrees conferred by the Board of Trustees, with around 3,900 expected to cross the stage of Rupp Arena at Central Bank Center during the UK Commencement Ceremonies.
On this episode of "Behind the Blue," we spotlight three of those graduates to talk about their time at UK, the memories they’ll take with them and how they’re prepared to move ahead and make the most of what they’ve learned.
Growing up, Emily Lucke’s father spent time in Iraq as a member of the U.S. military, and sent home newspapers and other material written in Arabic that fascinated the Clarksville, Tennessee native. Upon arrival at UK, Lucke was able to turn that fascination into a career path, majoring in both political science and international studies, and becoming a member of the Lewis Honors College. Equipped with a foreign language component in Arabic, she completed an internship at the U.S. Homeland Security- Kentucky Intelligence Fusion Center. There, she translated and examined terrorism propaganda and threats to critical infrastructure, and collaborated on key intelligence questions posed by terrorism.
Lucke is proud of the personal and academic growth she experienced at UK, along with leadership and project management skills that she feels will take her far in her career. She believes it’s important for students to take advantage of counseling and other self-care resources the university provides in order to make the most of their time here and experience college to its fullest potential.
Breona Link is a UK superstar and her light shines bright among her peers. The Bowling Green, Kentucky native calls her four years at UK the best of her life. Link made it her mission to get involved as much as possible during college to make the most of her education. She is the president of the UK Student Activities Board, the former president of the UK NAACP, director of MLK Wildcats for Service, a UK 101 peer instructor and held an internship with Charles Booker for Senate.
Link encourages any new student to dive in and try everything. It will open doors you could have never dreamed possible. She will graduate from the College of Health Sciences' Clinical Leadership and Management program.
Balancing an excellent academic standing while conducting high quality research, Alison Porter has soared through her veterinary science master’s program in the UK College of Agriculture, Food and Environment, with determination and tenacity. The Oil Springs, Kentucky native is eager to return to her Eastern Kentucky roots and be a force for good, ready to serve the underserved population and community where she was raised.
As a physician, Porter will fulfill a great need. With her well-rounded science background and acceptance into the UK College of Medicine, she will be well equipped to serve these rural communities and individuals without access to top-rate medical care in their local areas.
"Behind the Blue" is available on iTunes, Google Play, Stitcher and Spotify. Become a subscriber to receive new episodes of “Behind the Blue” each week. UK’s latest medical breakthroughs, research, artists and writers will be featured, along with the most important news impacting the university.
For questions or comments about this or any other episode of "Behind the Blue," email BehindTheBlue@uky.edu or tweet your question with #BehindTheBlue. Transcripts for this or other episodes of Behind the Blue can be downloaded from the show’s blog page.
To discover what’s wildly possible at the University of Kentucky, click here.
LEXINGTON, Ky. (April 28, 2022) – University of Kentucky President Eli Capilouto is finishing his 11th year at the helm of the state’s flagship, land-grant institution of higher learning.
This academic year, the university finalized and has begun to implement its next Strategic Plan: The UK Purpose. One of the key principles of that plan is about how the institution works to “take care of its people.”
In this episode of Behind the Blue, Capilouto discusses in more detail how UK is working to act on that principle with a proposed budget that reflects University priorities, the hopefulness and enthusiasm that comes from spring graduates entering the Kentucky workforce, as well as how a second year has gone in grappling with a global pandemic.
"Behind the Blue" is available on iTunes, Google Play, Stitcher and Spotify. Become a subscriber to receive new episodes of “Behind the Blue” each week. UK’s latest medical breakthroughs, research, artists and writers will be featured, along with the most important news impacting the university.
For questions or comments about this or any other episode of "Behind the Blue," email BehindTheBlue@uky.edu or tweet your question with #BehindTheBlue. Transcripts for this or other episodes of Behind the Blue can be downloaded from the show’s blog page.
To discover what’s wildly possible at the University of Kentucky, click here.
LEXINGTON, Ky. (April 21, 2022) – Primary elections in Kentucky and across the country are only weeks away and this fall promises hotly contested mid-term contests, with control of the Congress in play for Democrats and Republicans. At the same time, states across the country – including Kentucky – are engaged in redistricting of federal and state legislative districts as required every 10 years following the national census.
UK Political Science Professor Stephen Voss has a distinct and deep perspective on all of these issues. Recently, he provided expert testimony as part of litigation over Kentucky’s legislative redistricting. He also has provided his insights on the effectiveness of messaging and ads appearing already in the race for mayor in Louisville.
In this episode of Behind the Blue, Voss discusses all of these issues as well as the national and state political landscape during a tumultuous period in Kentucky and across America.
"Behind the Blue" is available on iTunes, Google Play, Stitcher and Spotify. Become a subscriber to receive new episodes of “Behind the Blue” each week. UK’s latest medical breakthroughs, research, artists and writers will be featured, along with the most important news impacting the university.
For questions or comments about this or any other episode of "Behind the Blue," email BehindTheBlue@uky.edu or tweet your question with #BehindTheBlue. Transcripts for this or other episodes of Behind the Blue can be downloaded from the show’s blog page.
To discover what’s wildly possible at the University of Kentucky, click here.
LEXINGTON, Ky. (April 14, 2022) – Walking across campus is one of John Thelin’s favorite aspects of working at the University of Kentucky for one reason. He loves running into his colleagues and former students.
It’s that community that he says he will miss the most as his time at UK draws to a close.
Thelin, a university research professor in the College of Education's Educational Policy Studies and Evaluation department, is set to retire after 43 years in higher education - 26 of those spent at UK.
A regarded authority on the history of higher education and public policy, Thelin’s recent book “Essential Documents in the History of Higher Education,” 2nd edition, made Forbes’ list of Best Higher Education Books of 2021.
In this episode of Behind the Blue, Thelin sits down with two of his former students, Amy Jones-Timoney and Jay Blanton, to recount his time at UK and discuss the future of higher education – both on this campus – and at colleges and universities across the country.
"Behind the Blue" is available on iTunes, Google Play, Stitcher and Spotify. Become a subscriber to receive new episodes of “Behind the Blue” each week. UK’s latest medical breakthroughs, research, artists and writers will be featured, along with the most important news impacting the university.
For questions or comments about this or any other episode of "Behind the Blue," email BehindTheBlue@uky.edu or tweet your question with #BehindTheBlue. Transcripts for this or other episodes of Behind the Blue can be downloaded from the show’s blog page.
To discover what’s wildly possible at the University of Kentucky, click here.
LEXINGTON, Ky. (April 7, 2022) – Few moments change the course of history.
The Scopes Trial – where teaching evolution in schools became a national debate – is one of those moments. And it has a very distinct and profound connection to the University of Kentucky.
John Scopes, the young school teacher in Dayton, Tenn. who was being prosecuted for teaching evolution in the schools, was a graduate of the University of Kentucky. He had been deeply influenced by teachers at UK and the university’s third president, from 1917 to 1940, Franklin LeRond McVey.
Prior to the Scopes Trial, McVey was one of the leaders of an effort in Kentucky to block legislation that proposed to prohibit the teaching of evolution in the schools. McVey’s powerful rhetoric and political skills prevailed as the legislation was narrowly defeated. The movement then moved to Tennessee, setting the stage for one of the most important trials and debates of 20th Century America.
Erik Reece is a professor of English at the University of Kentucky and the author of several books of non-fiction, along with poetry and magazine articles in leading national publications.
He is working on a book-length treatment and examination of the Scopes Trial, its Kentucky connections and its meaning for us today.
On this episode of Behind the Blue, Reece discusses this project, the writing process, his influences, the importance of Kentucky in American letters and writing and how teaching informs his work."Behind the Blue" is available on iTunes, Google Play, Stitcher and Spotify. Become a subscriber to receive new episodes of “Behind the Blue” each week. UK’s latest medical breakthroughs, research, artists and writers will be featured, along with the most important news impacting the university.
For questions or comments about this or any other episode of "Behind the Blue," email BehindTheBlue@uky.edu or tweet your question with #BehindTheBlue. Transcripts for this or other episodes of Behind the Blue can be downloaded from the show’s blog page.
To discover what’s wildly possible at the University of Kentucky, click here.
LEXINGTON, Ky. (March 31, 2022) – In his first job with the Department of History at Florida Atlantic University, Derrick E. White says he wanted to “lean into the local” with his approach to teaching. It was a learning experience for both himself and his students, and an approach he continued with his second school, Dartmouth, which he says posed a different challenge because fewer students are local to the area.
White is now a full professor of history and African American and Africana Studies at the University of Kentucky. A native of Lexington, he has a wealth of local history with a personal connection, as he focuses on modern Black history, sports history and intellectual history.
Most recently, he is the author of Blood, Sweat, & Tears: Jack Gaither, Florida A&M, and the history of Black College Football. Professor White also is the co-host of The Black Athlete podcast, which discusses the history of the Black athlete in a contemporary conversation and context.
In this edition of Behind the Blue, Professor White talks about his scholarship, how it informs his teaching and his upcoming projects that focus on the intersection of race and sports against the backdrop of a famous Kentucky basketball team, not called the University of Kentucky.
"Behind the Blue" is available on iTunes, Google Play, Stitcher and Spotify. Become a subscriber to receive new episodes of “Behind the Blue” each week. UK’s latest medical breakthroughs, research, artists and writers will be featured, along with the most important news impacting the university.
For questions or comments about this or any other episode of "Behind the Blue," email BehindTheBlue@uky.edu or tweet your question with #BehindTheBlue. Transcripts for this or other episodes of Behind the Blue can be downloaded from the show’s blog page.
To discover what’s wildly possible at the University of Kentucky, click here.
LEXINGTON, Ky. (March 24, 2022) – Throughout March for Women’s History Month, the University of Kentucky is spotlighting Women Making History. These women are leading their fields of research, crossing traditional academic boundaries, and impacting Kentucky’s most pressing challenges including opioid use disorder treatment, aging and Alzheimer’s, water and air filtration, environmental impacts on health and suicide prevention.
They are mentoring the next generation of women scientists and scholars, curating stories and creating artworks illuminating who we are. Their work and voices shape the University of Kentucky.
The “Women Making History” series continues with this episode of Behind the Blue featuring Deirdre Scaggs, associate dean of UK’s Special Collections Research Center and director of the Wendell H. Ford Public Policy Research Center.
Scaggs takes us back in time to describe what life was like for women throughout the history of the University of Kentucky – from its infancy until today. You’ll be introduced to the many female leaders who pushed boundaries in their work as students, faculty members and administrators.
Scaggs recently collaborated with UK Libraries senior oral historian Terry Birdwhistell on the book “Our Rightful Place: A History of Women at the University of Kentucky, 1880-1945.”
“Our Rightful Place” was published by the University Press of Kentucky in July 2020.. Through yearbooks, photographs and other materials housed in Special Collections, the work explores the struggle for gender equity in higher education by examining UK’s first women undergraduates, faculty and administrators.
"Behind the Blue" is available on iTunes, Google Play, Stitcher and Spotify. Become a subscriber to receive new episodes of “Behind the Blue” each week. UK’s latest medical breakthroughs, research, artists and writers will be featured, along with the most important news impacting the university.
For questions or comments about this or any other episode of "Behind the Blue," email BehindTheBlue@uky.edu or tweet your question with #BehindTheBlue. Transcripts for this or other episodes of Behind the Blue can be downloaded from the show’s blog page.
To discover what’s wildly possible at the University of Kentucky, click here.
LEXINGTON, Ky. (March 10, 2022) – Websites, videos, photographs, and brochures give future Wildcats a good sense of what life is like at the University of Kentucky.
But there’s just something about being ‘on’ campus that helps prospective students decide that UK is the right fit for them.
That’s why the campus visit is so important to Grace Johnson, director of the UK Visitor Center.
On this episode of Behind the Blue, Johnson talks about how the campus visit process works, the talented students who serve as tour guides and the work that goes into making sure campus is a welcoming place for every visitor to our campus.
"Behind the Blue" is available on iTunes, Google Play, Stitcher and Spotify. Become a subscriber to receive new episodes of “Behind the Blue” each week. UK’s latest medical breakthroughs, research, artists and writers will be featured, along with the most important news impacting the university.
For questions or comments about this or any other episode of "Behind the Blue," email BehindTheBlue@uky.edu or tweet your question with #BehindTheBlue. Transcripts for this or other episodes of Behind the Blue can be downloaded from the show’s blog page.
To discover what’s wildly possible at the University of Kentucky, click here.
LEXINGTON, Ky. (March 1, 2022) – Some of the toughest environmental challenges we face are matters of filtration. Whether it’s capturing pollutants to purify drinking water or removing contaminants and viruses to filter air, at the University of Kentucky, chemical engineers are finding solutions to these problems.
On this episode of Behind the Blue, Dr. Isabel Escobar, professor of Chemical Engineering in the UK College of Engineering and National Governing Board Chair of the Association for Women In Science, leads a discussion with her female chemical engineering team. Escobar and two of her students will share what it’s really like to be a woman in STEM research, the reality of balancing work and family, and advice for choosing the right mentor.
"Behind the Blue" is available on iTunes, Google Play, Stitcher and Spotify. Become a subscriber to receive new episodes of “Behind the Blue” each week. UK’s latest medical breakthroughs, research, artists and writers will be featured, along with the most important news impacting the university.
For questions or comments about this or any other episode of "Behind the Blue," email BehindTheBlue@uky.edu or tweet your question with #BehindTheBlue. Transcripts for this or other episodes of Behind the Blue can be downloaded from the show’s blog page.
To discover what’s wildly possible at the University of Kentucky, click here.
LEXINGTON, Ky. (February 24, 2022) – DanceBlue is a University of Kentucky student-run organization that fundraises year-round and culminates in a 24-hour no sitting, no sleeping dance marathon.
The money raised through DanceBlue is donated to the Golden Matrix Fund, established to support the kids of the DanceBlue Kentucky Children’s Hospital Hematology/Oncology Clinic both today and well into the future through an endowment. The Golden Matrix Fund was created to benefit the clinic’s patients and families, by providing care and support for the kids through giving them and their families comfort.
DanceBlue funds also support the year-long fundraising engine and operations that underpin the mission, as well as providing funds to support research at the UK Markey Cancer Center. Through more than 15 years of DanceBlue, more than $18 million has been raised to support this cause.
On this episode of Behind the Blue, DanceBlue Overall Chair Nick Joseph and Marketing Chair Jennifer Derk talk about their personal experiences with DanceBlue, the impact they see the event has on the UK community, and more.
"Behind the Blue" is available on iTunes, Google Play, Stitcher and Spotify. Become a subscriber to receive new episodes of “Behind the Blue” each week. UK’s latest medical breakthroughs, research, artists and writers will be featured, along with the most important news impacting the university.
For questions or comments about this or any other episode of "Behind the Blue," email BehindTheBlue@uky.edu or tweet your question with #BehindTheBlue. Transcripts for this or other episodes of Behind the Blue can be downloaded from the show’s blog page.
To discover what’s wildly possible at the University of Kentucky, click here.
LEXINGTON, Ky. (February 17, 2022) – In 2009, Dr. Mark Evers came to Kentucky to serve as the director of the University of Kentucky Markey Cancer Center with one overarching goal in mind: to reduce the significant burden of cancer in our state.
Thirteen years into his tenure, the UK Markey Cancer Center has grown into a robust cancer program that U.S. News and World Report consistently ranks as one of the top 50 in the country. Since becoming a National Cancer Institute-designated center in 2013, Markey’s research funding and patient volumes have increased substantially – so much, in fact, that the cancer center has outgrown the buildings it has called home for the past four decades.
In this episode of Behind the Blue, Dr. Evers takes us through some of the most important milestones and accomplishments of the Markey team during his time at UK, and discusses plans for Markey’s future – including a new outpatient facility that will enhance the patient care experience.ko
"Behind the Blue" is available on iTunes, Google Play, Stitcher and Spotify. Become a subscriber to receive new episodes of “Behind the Blue” each week. UK’s latest medical breakthroughs, research, artists and writers will be featured, along with the most important news impacting the university.
For questions or comments about this or any other episode of "Behind the Blue," email BehindTheBlue@uky.edu or tweet your question with #BehindTheBlue. Transcripts for this or other episodes of Behind the Blue can be downloaded from the show’s blog page.
To discover what’s wildly possible at the University of Kentucky, click here.
LEXINGTON, Ky. (February 10, 2022) – In the fall of 2020, the University of Kentucky announced plans to establish a proposed Commonwealth Institute for Black Studies (CIBS) – a multidisciplinary program designed to highlight UK’s growing research around issues of race and racism.
The interdisciplinary institute establishes research clusters across the campus and promotes the university’s growing research and scholarship on topics of importance in African history and African American history, such as slavery and the quest for freedom, racial discrimination and violence, and the long struggle for civil rights.
This year, the university has announced continued annual funding of $200,000 through UK’s Office for Institutional Diversity – an important step forward in helping the institute achieve its goals.
On this episode of Behind the Blue, Dr. Anastasia Curwood, director of CIBS and African American and Africana Studies (AAAS) at UK, talks about the continued mission of the institute, the connections that present day issues have to Black studies, a student body hungry for this kind of information, and more.
"Behind the Blue" is available on iTunes, Google Play, Stitcher and Spotify. Become a subscriber to receive new episodes of “Behind the Blue” each week. UK’s latest medical breakthroughs, research, artists and writers will be featured, along with the most important news impacting the university.
For questions or comments about this or any other episode of "Behind the Blue," email BehindTheBlue@uky.edu or tweet your question with #BehindTheBlue. Transcripts for this or other episodes of Behind the Blue can be downloaded from the show’s blog page.
For more information about CIBS, including ways you can support, visit https://cibs.as.uky.edu/.
To discover what’s wildly possible at the University of Kentucky, click here.
LEXINGTON, Ky. (February 3, 2022) – For Kayli Bolton, adversity in life became a driving force during high school. The Corbin, Kentucky native says it was her mother’s breast cancer diagnosis during her sophomore year that influenced her choice of studies in college, along with an interest in biomedical sciences research.
Since the beginning of her freshman year at UK, Bolton has been active in undergraduate research working in Professor Matthew Gentry’s laboratory in the Department of Molecular and Cellular Biochemistry in the UK College of Medicine. She has had the opportunity to participate in several metabolomics projects concerning glycogen storage diseases in Gentry’s Lab and describes her experience as a crucial launching point for her continued research in graduate school and her career. One of UK's three 2021-22 Goldwater Scholars, Bolton is also part of the Markey STRONG Scholars Program.
Now a junior majoring in biology in the UK College of Arts and Sciences, Bolton is also a member of the Lewis Honors College. In addition to her other accolades, Bolton was announced as one of 2021’s 60 recipients to be awarded a scholarship of up to $15,000 from the Astronaut Scholarship Foundation (ASF). The ASF Scholarship is presented annually to outstanding college students majoring in science, technology, engineering or math (STEM).
A nonprofit organization, ASF was established by the Mercury Astronauts in 1984. Its goal is to aid the U.S. in retaining its world leadership in science and technology by providing scholarships for exceptional college students pursuing degrees in these fields. Since that time, astronauts from the Gemini, Apollo, Skylab and Space Shuttle programs have joined in this educational endeavor. UK students have earned a total of $216,000 from the ASF since 1998.
"Behind the Blue" is available on iTunes, Google Play, Stitcher and Spotify. Become a subscriber to receive new episodes of “Behind the Blue” each week. UK’s latest medical breakthroughs, research, artists and writers will be featured, along with the most important news impacting the university.
For questions or comments about this or any other episode of "Behind the Blue," email BehindTheBlue@uky.edu or tweet your question with #BehindTheBlue. Transcripts for this or other episodes of Behind the Blue can be downloaded from the show’s blog page.
The Office of Nationally Competitive Awards assists current UK undergraduate and graduate students and recent alumni in applying for external scholarships and fellowships funded by sources (such as a nongovernment foundation or government agency) outside the university. These awards honor exceptional students across the nation. Students who are interested in these opportunities are encouraged to begin work with the office, housed in the Chellgren Center for Undergraduate Excellence, well in advance of the scholarship deadline. Staff is available for in-person and virtual appointments to discuss opportunities for the 2021-2022 academic year and beyond.
To discover what’s wildly possible at the University of Kentucky, click here.
LEXINGTON, Ky. (January 27, 2022) – When University of Kentucky alum Elle Smith was crowned Miss USA in November, her life changed in an instant.
With her name catapulted into the national spotlight, Smith quickly learned the power of the Miss USA title and platform, and the importance of capitalizing on every open door.
During her year of reign as Miss USA, Smith will work with the National Cervical Cancer Coalition to educate women about cervical cancer prevention and treatment in an effort to empower women to seek preventative care.
She ultimately chose this platform in honor of her late grandmother, who passed away from the disease in 2015.
As Smith prepares for her year of advocacy ahead, she spoke with experts from the UK Markey Cancer Center about the importance of education and awareness surrounding cervical cancer, including preventative screenings and immunization.
On this episode of Behind the Blue, Smith is joined by Dr. Rachel Miller, a Markey gynecologic oncologist; and Dr. Pamela Hull, the associate director of Population Science and Community Impact with Markey.
"Behind the Blue" is available on iTunes, Google Play, Stitcher and Spotify. Become a subscriber to receive new episodes of “Behind the Blue” each week. UK’s latest medical breakthroughs, research, artists and writers will be featured, along with the most important news impacting the university.
For questions or comments about this or any other episode of "Behind the Blue," email BehindTheBlue@uky.edu or tweet your question with #BehindTheBlue. Transcripts for this or other episodes of Behind the Blue can be downloaded from the show’s blog page.
To discover what’s wildly possible at the University of Kentucky, click here.
LEXINGTON, Ky. (January 20, 2022) – Living in a global pandemic has been something everyone has had to adjust to. One of the areas that many people had been previously unaware of, but have now become more educated about, has been public Health.
In 2004, the University of Kentucky established the College of Public Health to develop transformative solutions to health challenges through teaching, research and service efforts. The College takes a serious approach to public health responsibility for all communities and individuals in the Commonwealth of Kentucky and beyond.
Residing in a state that is at the epicenter in some of our most major public health challenges, including obesity, cardiovascular disease, and cancer, the College of Public Health is made up of six main departments: Biostatistics, Epidemiology, the Graduate Center for Gerontology, Health Management & Policy, Preventive Medicine & Environmental Health, and Health, Behavior & Society..all dedicated to transforming and assisting in the creation of a healthier community, state and world – for everyone.
Since 2016, Donna Arnett has been Dean of the UK College of Public Health, and says we can see public health in every aspect of our lives. Arnett always knew she wanted to work in health care, and during her career fell in love with research, specifically epidemiology. On this episode of Behind the Blue, Arnett talks about the hard work the College of Public Health has done during the pandemic in service to both students and community, as well as the promise and potential that comes from working in a state with such dramatic disparities in health.
"Behind the Blue" is available on iTunes, Google Play, Stitcher and Spotify. Become a subscriber to receive new episodes of “Behind the Blue” each week. UK’s latest medical breakthroughs, research, artists and writers will be featured, along with the most important news impacting the university.
For questions or comments about this or any other episode of "Behind the Blue," email BehindTheBlue@uky.edu or tweet your question with #BehindTheBlue. Transcripts for this or other episodes of Behind the Blue can be downloaded from the show’s blog page.
For more information regarding the UK College of Public Health, click here.
To discover what’s wildly possible at the University of Kentucky, click here.
LEXINGTON, Ky. (January 13, 2022) – Monday, January 17, 2022 marks the observance of Martin Luther King, Jr. Day, a US Federal holiday that honors the birth, life and dream of Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr., and is also the only national holiday designated as a national day of service to encourage Americans to volunteer for opportunities to improve their communities in a variety of ways.
Here in Lexington, this year’s celebration will include a Freedom March and a virtual program directly following, featuring special guest US Senator Raphael Warnock. The theme of this year’s celebration is “Dr. King’s Beloved Community 2022: Facing A Time of Reckoning in An Age of Denial.”
On this episode of Behind the Blue, two members of the Lexington-Fayette MLK Holiday Celebration Committee discuss with UK Strategic Communications staff the work that has gone into planning this year’s event. Kendriana Price, assistant director of diversity for the UK College of Agriculture, Food and Environment talks with Meg Mills and Jenny Wells-Hosley, and Jay Alexander, the programming and music director for WBTF-FM in Lexington, speaks with Steve Shaffer and Ryan Girves.
If you’re interested in more information regarding the Lexington-Fayette Martin Luther King, Jr. Day Holiday Program, visit uky.edu/mlk. The parade will take place at 10 a.m. on Monday, January 17th, with lineup beginning at 9 a.m. at the Lexington Central Bank Center in Exhibit Hall C. The program following the Freedom March will now be VIRTUAL ONLY, beginning at noon on YouTube. You can watch the stream live by clicking here.
"Behind the Blue" is available on iTunes, Google Play, Stitcher and Spotify. Become a subscriber to receive new episodes of “Behind the Blue” each week. UK’s latest medical breakthroughs, research, artists and writers will be featured, along with the most important news impacting the university.
For questions or comments about this or any other episode of "Behind the Blue," email BehindTheBlue@uky.edu or tweet your question with #BehindTheBlue. Transcripts for this or other episodes of Behind the Blue can be downloaded from the show’s blog page.
To discover what’s wildly possible at the University of Kentucky, click here.
LEXINGTON, Ky. (January 12, 2022) – This week marks the start of the first full week of classes for the University of Kentucky campus.
As we begin this Spring 2022 semester, ‘Behind the Blue’ sat down with UK President Eli Capilouto to reflect upon the obstacles and triumphs the UK Family experienced in 2021 and to look ahead to the opportunities and excitement that lies ahead in this new year.
Listen to learn more about how our campus is once again responding to the challenges presented by the COVID-19 pandemic and why Capilouto is so proud of this community.
"Behind the Blue" is available on iTunes, Google Play, Stitcher and Spotify. Become a subscriber to receive new episodes of “Behind the Blue” each week. UK’s latest medical breakthroughs, research, artists and writers will be featured, along with the most important news impacting the university.
For questions or comments about this or any other episode of "Behind the Blue," email BehindTheBlue@uky.edu or tweet your question with #BehindTheBlue. Transcripts for this or other episodes of Behind the Blue can be downloaded from the show’s blog page.
To discover what’s wildly possible at the University of Kentucky, click here.
LEXINGTON, Ky. (January 6, 2022) – THIS EPISODE IS AN ENCORE EDITION.
Each year, the University of Kentucky Disability Resource Center, or DRC, partners with qualified students with a wide range of disabilities to assist them in gaining equal access to institutional programs and services consistent with their unique needs. The Center seeks to responsibly advocate the needs of students with disabilities to the campus community through consultation and outreach efforts with administration, faculty, students and university partners.
David Beach is the director of the Disability Resource Center (DRC), housed in the Office for Student Success.
Starting this October the DRC is working with UKNow on a series titled “Many People, Creating One Accessible Community,” which focuses on raising awareness surrounding the DRC, accessibility and how each of us on campus can help UK be a more accessible place for all.
On this episode of Behind the Blue, Beach discusses the often unseen or unknown challenges students with disabilities often face while accessing campus facilities, how students can access the resources of the DRC, and what this new series means to the campus community as a whole.
"Behind the Blue" is available on iTunes, Google Play, Stitcher and Spotify. Become a subscriber to receive new episodes of “Behind the Blue” each week. UK’s latest medical breakthroughs, research, artists and writers will be featured, along with the most important news impacting the university.
For questions or comments about this or any other episode of "Behind the Blue," email BehindTheBlue@uky.edu or tweet your question with #BehindTheBlue. Transcripts for this or other episodes of Behind the Blue can be downloaded from the show’s blog page.
To discover what’s wildly possible at the University of Kentucky, click here.
LEXINGTON, Ky. (December 30, 2021) – THIS EPISODE IS AN ENCORE EDITION.
While some stress in our life can be useful in encouraging personal growth, constant long term exposure to mental stress can be detrimental to health. Introducing additional major stress from events like midterm exams can not only cause minor issues like headaches or trouble sleeping, it can also have long term impacts on the body.
Throughout the year, two areas in the University of Kentucky’s Office of Student Success work to support students with programs and resources for the benefit of both mental and physical wellness.
The UK Counseling Center works with students in areas ranging from mental health and academic counseling to crisis and emergency assistance.
From club sports and intramurals to fitness, dining and healthy sleep programs and beyond, Campus Recreation and Wellness works to provide quality recreation and wellness programs and services for the campus community that support student success and promote healthy lifestyles.
On this episode of ‘Behind the Blue’, UK Senior Courtney Cavallo recently sat down with Dr. Megan Marks, Assistant Director of the UK Counseling Center, and Ron Lee, Director of Campus Recreation and Wellness, to discuss wellness during midterms, the trends they see with students this time of year, the resources that are available to students year-round and more. This interview originally appeared as a University of Kentucky Facebook Live event.
"Behind the Blue" is available on iTunes, Google Play, Stitcher and Spotify. Become a subscriber to receive new episodes of “Behind the Blue” each week. UK’s latest medical breakthroughs, research, artists and writers will be featured, along with the most important news impacting the university.
For questions or comments about this or any other episode of "Behind the Blue," email BehindTheBlue@uky.edu or tweet your question with #BehindTheBlue. Transcripts for this or other episodes of Behind the Blue can be downloaded from the show’s blog page.
For information about UK Counseling, visit uky.edu/counselingcenter.
For more information regarding programs and resources from Campus Recreation and Wellness, visit uky.edu/recwell.
For more information about WellKentucky, please visit wellkentucky.uky.edu.
To discover what’s wildly possible at the University of Kentucky, click here.
LEXINGTON, Ky. (December 23, 2021) – THIS EPISODE IS AN ENCORE EDITION.
Within UK’s role as Kentucky's flagship, land grant university, the University of Kentucky Center for Clinical and Translational Science (CCTS) unites clinicians, researchers, and communities to accelerate the translation of basic science discoveries to tangible improvements in health.
Since 2006, the CCTS has focused on addressing chronic health disparities in rural and underserved populations throughout the Commonwealth and the Central Appalachian region. They work closely with institutional and community partners to collaboratively identify local challenges and opportunities to improve wellbeing.
On this episode of Behind the Blue, CCTS Director Dr. Philip A. Kern talks about the vast amount of work the Center supports. Since his recruitment to UK in 2009, Dr. Kern has been continuously funded for both his own NIH-funded research program as well as his leadership of the CCTS. He has also served as a mentor, colleague, and collaborator on numerous other projects. In addition, he continues to provide clinical and educational services within the Barnstable Brown Diabetes Center and Division of Endocrinology.
"Behind the Blue" is available on iTunes, Google Play, Stitcher and Spotify. Become a subscriber to receive new episodes of “Behind the Blue” each week. UK’s latest medical breakthroughs, research, artists and writers will be featured, along with the most important news impacting the university.
For questions or comments about this or any other episode of "Behind the Blue," email BehindTheBlue@uky.edu or tweet your question with #BehindTheBlue. Transcripts for this or other episodes of Behind the Blue can be downloaded from the show’s blog page.
To discover what’s wildly possible at the University of Kentucky, click here.
LEXINGTON, Ky. (December 16, 2021) – The UK HealthCare Transplant Center has a history of success and second chances. Since 1964 when they performed the first kidney transplant in Kentucky, the Transplant Center has emerged as one of the top hospitals in the country for a variety of organ transplants.
The Center also has a number of locations across the Commonwealth where patients can undergo screening, have their pre- and post-transplant follow appointments, and meet regularly with their providers while still staying close to home.
Dr. Meera Gupta is a transplant surgeon and clinician-scientist at the UK HealthCare Transplant Center. On this episode of ‘Behind the Blue’, Dr. Gupta talks about her time at the Center, the benefit for patients and their families to have these surgeries done right here in Kentucky, the milestones and future outlook for the Center, and more.
"Behind the Blue" is available on iTunes, Google Play, Stitcher and Spotify. Become a subscriber to receive new episodes of “Behind the Blue” each week. UK’s latest medical breakthroughs, research, artists and writers will be featured, along with the most important news impacting the university.
For questions or comments about this or any other episode of "Behind the Blue," email BehindTheBlue@uky.edu or tweet your question with #BehindTheBlue. Transcripts for this or other episodes of Behind the Blue can be downloaded from the show’s blog page.
To discover what’s wildly possible at the University of Kentucky, click here.
LEXINGTON, Ky. (December 9, 2021) – As the University of Kentucky nears the end of the Fall 2021 semester, COVID-19 infection rates have once again started to rise across the state. Now, a new variant, Omicron, creates new set of challenges for the Commonwealth, country and world.
As the Vice Dean of Research for the UK College of Medicine, Dr. Rebecca Dutch oversees research for the College, from basic areas to clinical applications. Dutch also serves as a member of UK’s START team, an interdisciplinary group of UK HealthCare physicians and clinical and research leaders at UK, that continues to develop strategies to ensure safe and healthy operations on campus.
Dr. Dutch returns to the ‘Behind the Blue’ podcast this week to discuss UK’s current state of play in handling the coronavirus pandemic. She joins UKPR’s Kody Kiser and UK Chief Communications Officer Jay Blanton to again share her thoughts on a wide range of pandemic topics, including the Omicron variant, what it means for testing and vaccines, best practices for the University community, and more.
"Behind the Blue" is available on iTunes, Google Play, Stitcher and Spotify. Become a subscriber to receive new episodes of “Behind the Blue” each week. UK’s latest medical breakthroughs, research, artists and writers will be featured, along with the most important news impacting the university.
For questions or comments about this or any other episode of "Behind the Blue," email BehindTheBlue@uky.edu or tweet your question with #BehindTheBlue. Transcripts for this or other episodes of Behind the Blue can be downloaded from the show’s blog page.
To discover what’s wildly possible at the University of Kentucky, click here.
LEXINGTON, Ky. (December 2, 2021) – Research at the University of Kentucky is a $468 million enterprise that touches every part of the university community. Scientists and scholars come from around the world to teach, discover and lead in fields that cross all of UK’s colleges, programs and library system.
Dr. Lisa Cassis has served as the University of Kentucky's Vice President for Research since June 2015. As head of the university’s research enterprise, she oversaw creation of the $265 million Healthy Kentucky Research Building, which is home to researchers focusing on Kentucky’s most pressing health challenges: cancer, diabetes and obesity, cardiovascular diseases and substance use disorder. As a professor and researcher in the Department of Pharmacology and Nutritional Sciences in the UK College of Medicine, Dr. Cassis has been continuously funded by the National Institutes of Health (NIH) for 30 years.
She is principal investigator on several multi-million-dollar federal grants, including serving as program director of an $11.3 million NIH grant that supports the Center of Biomedical Research Excellence (COBRE) focusing on obesity and cardiovascular diseases. She is an expert on the renin-angiotensin system, which her research has shown to be a link between obesity and hypertension.
On this episode of Behind the Blue, Dr. Cassis is joined by Alicia Gregory, UK’s Director of Research Communications, for a conversation that touches on the impact of UK's Healthy Kentucky Research Building, UK's "trifecta" of NIH research designations that power our infrastructure, and UK's work to take discoveries into communities across the Commonwealth.
"Behind the Blue" is available on iTunes, Google Play, Stitcher and Spotify. Become a subscriber to receive new episodes of “Behind the Blue” each week. UK’s latest medical breakthroughs, research, artists and writers will be featured, along with the most important news impacting the university.
For questions or comments about this or any other episode of "Behind the Blue," email BehindTheBlue@uky.edu or tweet your question with #BehindTheBlue. Transcripts for this or other episodes of Behind the Blue can be downloaded from the show’s blog page.
To discover what’s wildly possible at the University of Kentucky, click here.
LEXINGTON, Ky. (November 25, 2021) – This week in the United States we celebrate the national holiday of Thanksgiving. Once again, we thought it would be a good time to take stock of the things we may have in our lives to be thankful for.
On this episode of Behind the Blue, we spent some time this week in both the Gatton Student Center on campus, as well as via Zoom, talking with students and staff about being back in an in-person setting on campus, the people in their lives they’re grateful for, and also learning about some of their favorite Thanksgiving foods and traditions.
Enjoy this short episode, and we hope that you might also have an opportunity to reflect on things you’re thankful for, as well as traditions that are unique and special for you and yours.
"Behind the Blue" is available on iTunes, Google Play, Stitcher and Spotify. Become a subscriber to receive new episodes of “Behind the Blue” each week. UK’s latest medical breakthroughs, research, artists and writers will be featured, along with the most important news impacting the university.
For questions or comments about this or any other episode of "Behind the Blue," email BehindTheBlue@uky.edu or tweet your question with #BehindTheBlue. Transcripts for this or other episodes of Behind the Blue can be downloaded from the show’s blog page.
To discover what’s wildly possible at the University of Kentucky, click here.
LEXINGTON, Ky. (November 18, 2021) – The University of Kentucky Recycling program has set sustainability goals for campus designed to significantly reduce the University’s waste. In an effort to reach those goals, the program strives to offer a comprehensive recycling program, outstanding service and interactive education.
Despite some of the complications from the pandemic, the program has continued to make exciting progress towards their sustainability goals throughout 2020 and 2021, including expansion of the food waste composting program to coffee shops on campus, an increase of collection spots for yard/green waste by grounds, recycling concrete from sidewalk repairs on campus, and the development of online resources for faculty, staff and students.
Esther Moberly came to the University in 2015, starting as the recycling coordinator. In 2017, Moberly stepped into a new role as the Waste, Recycling and Trucking Manager for the University, where she oversees operations of the Waste Management and Recycling departments for UK.
On this episode of Behind the Blue, Moberly talks about the responsibilities of her department, from the collection, removal and proper disposal of all the University’s municipal solid waste, to the implementation of plans to significantly reduce that waste through recycling, reduction and reuse programs on campus.
"Behind the Blue" is available on iTunes, Google Play, Stitcher and Spotify. Become a subscriber to receive new episodes of “Behind the Blue” each week. UK’s latest medical breakthroughs, research, artists and writers will be featured, along with the most important news impacting the university. “The Kentucky Wildcast”, the UK Staff Senate podcast, is also available on your favorite podcast platforms.
For questions or comments about this or any other episode of "Behind the Blue," email BehindTheBlue@uky.edu or tweet your question with #BehindTheBlue. Transcripts for this or other episodes of Behind the Blue can be downloaded from the show’s blog page.
To discover what’s wildly possible at the University of Kentucky, click here.
LEXINGTON, Ky. (November 11, 2021) – Established in 2002, the University of Kentucky Staff Senate is the official representative body of the staff of the University. Beyond representing the interests of staff in conversations and decision making with university administration, the Staff Senate works to strengthen relationships and empower all university employees and students to participate in the decision-making process.
Staff Senate is behind special events such as the Outstanding Staff Awards, UK Appreciation Day, Conversation with the President, UK Remembers, and more. The Senate consists of 133 Senators across 5 sectors, with 13 standing committees that address issues such as Community Outreach, Employee Engagement, Benefits and Professional Development
On this episode of Behind the Blue, UK Staff Senate Chair Olivia Ellis talks about her involvement with Staff Senate, what compelled her to advocate for others, and programs such as the Lunch and Learn series, mentorship programs, and crisis relief efforts for fellow UK staff.
"Behind the Blue" is available on iTunes, Google Play, Stitcher and Spotify. Become a subscriber to receive new episodes of “Behind the Blue” each week. UK’s latest medical breakthroughs, research, artists and writers will be featured, along with the most important news impacting the university. “The Kentucky Wildcast”, the UK Staff Senate podcast, is also available on your favorite podcast platforms.
For questions or comments about this or any other episode of "Behind the Blue," email BehindTheBlue@uky.edu or tweet your question with #BehindTheBlue. Transcripts for this or other episodes of Behind the Blue can be downloaded from the show’s blog page.
To discover what’s wildly possible at the University of Kentucky, click here.
LEXINGTON, Ky. (November 4, 2021) – The University of Kentucky is proud to be the home of global leaders in aging and brain research, all striving towards the same goal: finding a stop to the 6th leading cause of death in the United States: Alzheimer’s Disease.
UK’s Sanders-Brown Center on Aging has been around for nearly half a century, helping lead the way in Alzheimer’s and dementia research. Center Director Dr. Linda Van Eldik firmly believes they will find a cure through the work going on right here on the UK campus.
With their dedicated work recently earning the center renewed funding from the National Institute on Aging, education and community support are big parts of the role Sanders-Brown plays. In between various trainings, workshops and community events, they are also making life-changing and life-saving discoveries.
Soon, Van Eldik and others at Sanders-Brown will be able to welcome a very valuable piece to their research – the volunteers – into a brand new facility at UK HealthCare’s Turfland Campus.
On this episode of Behind the Blue, Van Eldik joins UKPR’s Hillary Smith to discuss the larger game plan of finding a cure, and the team effort between those volunteers, the world-class faculty and staff at Sanders-Brown, and the University of Kentucky as a whole.
"Behind the Blue" is available on iTunes, Google Play, Stitcher and Spotify. Become a subscriber to receive new episodes of “Behind the Blue” each week. UK’s latest medical breakthroughs, research, artists and writers will be featured, along with the most important news impacting the university.
For questions or comments about this or any other episode of "Behind the Blue," email BehindTheBlue@uky.edu or tweet your question with #BehindTheBlue. Transcripts for this or other episodes of Behind the Blue can be downloaded from the show’s blog page.
To discover what’s wildly possible at the University of Kentucky, click here.
LEXINGTON, Ky. (October 28, 2021) – The University of Kentucky is once again accepting new Wildcats, this time for the Fall 2022 semester. As high school students and families prepare to embark upon the college journey, and transfer students consider becoming part of the Big Blue Nation, the decisions they face can become daunting at times. Deadlines, degree paths, even whether or not college is the right choice at all, the University of Kentucky Office of Enrollment Management serves to assist students in making many of these decisions that will shape their future.
Christine Harper serves as the Associate Vice President for Student Success and Chief Enrollment Officer for the University. With over 20 years of higher education experience in areas of enrollment management and student affairs, Harper brings a wealth of knowledge and experience to the Enrollment Management team. Currently, Harper leads the offices of undergraduate admissions, student financial aid and scholarships, new student orientation, first year experience, and parent and family association.
On this episode of “Behind the Blue,” Harper discusses her role at the university and shares the knowledge she has gained in that role to help students and their families have the best college search experience possible.
"Behind the Blue" is available on iTunes, Google Play, Stitcher and Spotify. Become a subscriber to receive new episodes of “Behind the Blue” each week. UK’s latest medical breakthroughs, research, artists and writers will be featured, along with the most important news impacting the university.
For questions or comments about this or any other episode of "Behind the Blue," email BehindTheBlue@uky.edu or tweet your question with #BehindTheBlue. Transcripts for this or other episodes of Behind the Blue can be downloaded from the show’s blog page.
To discover what’s wildly possible at the University of Kentucky, click here.
LEXINGTON, Ky. (October 21, 2021) – THIS EPISODE IS AN ENCORE EDITION.
If, in recent memory, you’ve attended a University of Kentucky football game at Kroger Field you will, no doubt, be familiar with the guest on this episode of ‘Behind the Blue.’ In fact, if you’ve listened to ‘Behind the Blue’ over the past several years, you’ve heard the voice of Carl Nathe, as he’s interviewed many people who have put their hard work and effort into making the university work.
A native of Pleasantville, New York, Nathe is a graduate of the University of Maryland – College Park. He’s been at UK for over 30 years, since 1989, and has been the voice of Kroger Field since 1997. A former sports reporter and anchor at WLEX-TV in Lexington, Nathe also served as sideline reporter for selected statewide and regional live telecasts of UK Women’s basketball games.
On this episode of ‘Behind the Blue’, the spotlight is turned around for a rare interview with Nathe about the end of his UK career, the inspirations that guided him along the way, and the moments and memories he’ll take with him.
"Behind the Blue" is available on iTunes, Google Play, Stitcher and Spotify. Become a subscriber to receive new episodes of “Behind the Blue” each week. UK’s latest medical breakthroughs, research, artists and writers will be featured, along with the most important news impacting the university.
For questions or comments about this or any other episode of "Behind the Blue," email BehindTheBlue@uky.edu or tweet your question with #BehindTheBlue. Transcripts for this or other episodes of Behind the Blue can be downloaded from the show’s blog page.
To discover what’s wildly possible at the University of Kentucky, click here.
LEXINGTON, Ky. (October 14, 2021) – While some stress in our life can be useful in encouraging personal growth, constant long term exposure to mental stress can be detrimental to health. Introducing additional major stress from events like midterm exams can not only cause minor issues like headaches or trouble sleeping, it can also have long term impacts on the body.
Throughout the year, two areas in the University of Kentucky’s Office of Student Success work to support students with programs and resources for the benefit of both mental and physical wellness.
The UK Counseling Center works with students in areas ranging from mental health and academic counseling to crisis and emergency assistance.
From club sports and intramurals to fitness, dining and healthy sleep programs and beyond, Campus Recreation and Wellness works to provide quality recreation and wellness programs and services for the campus community that support student success and promote healthy lifestyles.
On this episode of ‘Behind the Blue’, UK Senior Courtney Cavallo recently sat down with Dr. Megan Marks, Assistant Director of the UK Counseling Center, and Ron Lee, Director of Campus Recreation and Wellness, to discuss wellness during midterms, the trends they see with students this time of year, the resources that are available to students year-round and more. This interview originally appeared as a University of Kentucky Facebook Live event.
"Behind the Blue" is available on iTunes, Google Play, Stitcher and Spotify. Become a subscriber to receive new episodes of “Behind the Blue” each week. UK’s latest medical breakthroughs, research, artists and writers will be featured, along with the most important news impacting the university.
For questions or comments about this or any other episode of "Behind the Blue," email BehindTheBlue@uky.edu or tweet your question with #BehindTheBlue. Transcripts for this or other episodes of Behind the Blue can be downloaded from the show’s blog page.
For information about UK Counseling, visit uky.edu/counselingcenter.
For more information regarding programs and resources from Campus Recreation and Wellness, visit uky.edu/recwell.
For more information about WellKentucky, please visit wellkentucky.uky.edu.
To discover what’s wildly possible at the University of Kentucky, click here.
LEXINGTON, Ky. (October 7, 2021) – Each year, the University of Kentucky Disability Resource Center, or DRC, partners with qualified students with a wide range of disabilities to assist them in gaining equal access to institutional programs and services consistent with their unique needs. The Center seeks to responsibly advocate the needs of students with disabilities to the campus community through consultation and outreach efforts with administration, faculty, students and university partners.
David Beach is the director of the Disability Resource Center (DRC), housed in the Office for Student Success.
Starting this October the DRC is working with UKNow on a series titled “Many People, Creating One Accessible Community,” which focuses on raising awareness surrounding the DRC, accessibility and how each of us on campus can help UK be a more accessible place for all.
On this episode of Behind the Blue, Beach discusses the often unseen or unknown challenges students with disabilities often face while accessing campus facilities, how students can access the resources of the DRC, and what this new series means to the campus community as a whole.
"Behind the Blue" is available on iTunes, Google Play, Stitcher and Spotify. Become a subscriber to receive new episodes of “Behind the Blue” each week. UK’s latest medical breakthroughs, research, artists and writers will be featured, along with the most important news impacting the university.
For questions or comments about this or any other episode of "Behind the Blue," email BehindTheBlue@uky.edu or tweet your question with #BehindTheBlue. Transcripts for this or other episodes of Behind the Blue can be downloaded from the show’s blog page.
To discover what’s wildly possible at the University of Kentucky, click here.
LEXINGTON, Ky. (September 30, 2021) – Discussed as early as 1957, the Hall of Distinguished Alumni of the University of Kentucky Alumni Association was established along with the construction of the Helen G. King Alumni House in 1963. The Hall pays tribute to those UK alumni who have distinguished themselves and their alma mater through their contribution to the welfare of the commonwealth and nation in arts, sciences, business, industry, engineering, journalism, politics, military science, religion, agriculture, labor or other fields of endeavor.
The original selection of inductees of the University of Kentucky Alumni Association Hall of Distinguished Alumni included 85 in 1963. Two years later in 1965, 39 inductees were chosen and the first official recognition ceremony of the members took place that year in conjunction with the university’s Centennial Anniversary.
On this episode of Behind the Blue, two individuals with unique connections to the Hall talk about its impact on the Commonwealth, the country and the world.
Taunya Phillips is a past president of the UK Alumni Association board of directors. Currently, Phillips is the director of the Office of Technology Commercialization at the University of Kentucky where she oversees a team of 14 staff managing the University’s intellectual property, licensing and startup portfolios.
Previously, she was the senior associate director of New Ventures & Alliances, where she was focused on overseeing key alliances for OTC and managing support and services for UK and Lexington entrepreneurs and startups.
She has worked at UK since 1999, where her previous positions have been assistant vice president for Commercialization & Economic Development, chief financial officer for Kentucky Technology, Incorporated, College of Engineering lecturer, and Minority Engineering program director. Taunya has a Bachelor of Science in chemical engineering and a Master of Business Administration, both from the University of Kentucky.
Charles Wethington, Jr. was named to the Hall of Distinguished Alumni on April 21, 1995. Dr. Wethington was elected the 10th president of the University of Kentucky September 18, 1990, serving in that role until June of 2001.
He began his career in higher education in 1965 as an educational psychology instructor on the Lexington campus of the University and two years later was named Chief Administrator of Maysville Community College. In 1971, he moved to Lexington as Assistant Vice President, becoming Vice President of the Community College System in 1981.
In the University reorganization of 1982, he was named Chancellor of the UK Community College System, one of the three major sectors of UK. In 1987, he was given university wide responsibilities for public and governmental relations in addition to his community college role, and his title was changed to Chancellor for the Community College System and University Relations.
"Behind the Blue" is available on iTunes, Google Play, Stitcher and Spotify. Become a subscriber to receive new episodes of “Behind the Blue” each week. UK’s latest medical breakthroughs, research, artists and writers will be featured, along with the most important news impacting the university.
For questions or comments about this or any other episode of "Behind the Blue," email BehindTheBlue@uky.edu or tweet your question with #BehindTheBlue. Transcripts for this or other episodes of Behind the Blue can be downloaded from the show’s blog page.
To discover what’s wildly possible at the University of Kentucky, click here.
LEXINGTON, Ky. (September 23, 2021) – UK’s Saha Cardiovascular Research Center recently held its annual Cardiovascular Research Day, an event that showcases innovative research in cardiovascular health. The event features prominent speakers in the field of cardiovascular health, and was the first in-person scientific conference in the field of lipid and lipoprotein metabolism and cardiovascular disease in nearly two years.
With 250 attendees from UK and nearly 40 other universities, the event featured a wide variety of research activity from scientists and researchers, from trainees to prominent senior scientists.
This week’s episode of ‘Behind the Blue’ features the director of the Saha Cardiovascular Research Center and chair of the UK Department of Physiology, Dr. Alan Daugherty. Dr. Daugherty is also the Gill Heart Foundation Chair of Preventive Cardiology. He serves as editor-in-chief of the American Heart Association’s Arteriosclerosis, Thrombosis and Vascular Biology (ATVB) journal, and his research focuses on molecular mechanisms of vascular diseases, including atherosclerosis and aortic aneurysms.
"Behind the Blue" is available on iTunes, Google Play, Stitcher and Spotify. Become a subscriber to receive new episodes of “Behind the Blue” each week. UK’s latest medical breakthroughs, research, artists and writers will be featured, along with the most important news impacting the university.
For questions or comments about this or any other episode of "Behind the Blue," email BehindTheBlue@uky.edu or tweet your question with #BehindTheBlue. Transcripts for this or other episodes of Behind the Blue can be downloaded from the show’s blog page.
To discover what’s wildly possible at the University of Kentucky, click here.
LEXINGTON, Ky. (September 16, 2021) – Making the transition to college can be an intimidating time not only for incoming undergraduate students, but also for families, as they seek to support their students from their earliest days on campus through graduation.
Embracing a multidimensional concept of family and the diversity of family structures, including families of origin and families of choice, the UK Parent and Family Association invites parents, guardians, grandparents, spouses/partners, and any other supportive people in the lives of UK students to join for free. The Association strives to enhance student success by actively engaging parents and families as part of the larger university community through publications, programs, and services. Their goal is to offer the best way to stay informed, get connected and find support for families and their students.
On this episode of Behind the Blue, two members from UK’s Office for Student Success talk about their work with these families and students.
Nancy Stephens is the head of the New Student and Family Programs team, working with programs such as the K Week fall welcome week and the UK Parent and Family Association.
Nicki Jenkins is the Senior Program Specialist for the Parent and Family Association, overseeing all day-to-day functions and coordinating events and programs.
Together they discuss the Parent and Family Association and the work they do, including UK’s Family Weekend coming up this weekend, September 17-19th.
"Behind the Blue" is available on iTunes, Google Play, Stitcher and Spotify. Become a subscriber to receive new episodes of “Behind the Blue” each week. UK’s latest medical breakthroughs, research, artists and writers will be featured, along with the most important news impacting the university.
For questions or comments about this or any other episode of "Behind the Blue," email BehindTheBlue@uky.edu or tweet your question with #BehindTheBlue. Transcripts for this or other episodes of Behind the Blue can be downloaded from the show’s blog page.
To discover what’s wildly possible at the University of Kentucky, click here.
LEXINGTON, Ky. (September 9, 2021) – Telehealth, or the delivery of health care services through electronic communication, has been at the forefront of UK’s College of Health Sciences academics since 2015. Between lack of access to services in both rural and urban areas, and rising preferences to a virtual health care experience, the growth in telehealth and communications technology is forever altering the landscape of health care.
Joneen Lowman, associate professor in the communication sciences and disorders program with the college, first began work with the Linking Kids to Speech Language Pathologists (LinKS) program, and is now at the helm of a new Graduate Certificate in Telehealth. The program is the first of its kind among health sciences colleges and is the only telehealth certificate available in the state of Kentucky.
On this episode of Behind the Blue, Lowman talks about the growth of telehealth services and how this certificate program is assisting students meet the rising need for it in the Commonwealth and beyond.
"Behind the Blue" is available on iTunes, Google Play, Stitcher and Spotify. Become a subscriber to receive new episodes of “Behind the Blue” each week. UK’s latest medical breakthroughs, research, artists and writers will be featured, along with the most important news impacting the university.
For questions or comments about this or any other episode of "Behind the Blue," email BehindTheBlue@uky.edu or tweet your question with #BehindTheBlue. Transcripts for this or other episodes of Behind the Blue can be downloaded from the show’s blog page.
To discover what’s wildly possible at the University of Kentucky, click here.
LEXINGTON, Ky. (September 2, 2021) – Within UK’s role as Kentucky's flagship, land grant university, the University of Kentucky Center for Clinical and Translational Science (CCTS) unites clinicians, researchers, and communities to accelerate the translation of basic science discoveries to tangible improvements in health.
Since 2006, the CCTS has focused on addressing chronic health disparities in rural and underserved populations throughout the Commonwealth and the Central Appalachian region. They work closely with institutional and community partners to collaboratively identify local challenges and opportunities to improve wellbeing.
On this episode of Behind the Blue, CCTS Director Dr. Philip A. Kern talks about the vast amount of work the Center supports. Since his recruitment to UK in 2009, Dr. Kern has been continuously funded for both his own NIH-funded research program as well as his leadership of the CCTS. He has also served as a mentor, colleague, and collaborator on numerous other projects. In addition, he continues to provide clinical and educational services within the Barnstable Brown Diabetes Center and Division of Endocrinology.
"Behind the Blue" is available on iTunes, Google Play, Stitcher and Spotify. Become a subscriber to receive new episodes of “Behind the Blue” each week. UK’s latest medical breakthroughs, research, artists and writers will be featured, along with the most important news impacting the university.
For questions or comments about this or any other episode of "Behind the Blue," email BehindTheBlue@uky.edu or tweet your question with #BehindTheBlue. Transcripts for this or other episodes of Behind the Blue can be downloaded from the show’s blog page.
To discover what’s wildly possible at the University of Kentucky, click here.
LEXINGTON, Ky. (August 25, 2021) – A national leader with more than 25 years of experience at some of the country’s leading institutions has been selected as the University of Kentucky’s next vice president for institutional diversity.
Katrice A. Albert, Ph.D., will begin her duties as vice president for institutional diversity on Sept. 27, according to an announcement from UK President Eli Capilouto.
Highlights of Albert’s career in leading diversity and education efforts include:
- Serving as the top diversity officer and a senior executive at Louisiana State University and the University of Minnesota system as well as the NCAA, where she also led Human Resources.
- Authoring two volumes of work around issues of race, racial equity and mental health. She is the author of a forthcoming work on leadership in intercollegiate athletics.
- Serving on the editorial board of the Journal of Community Engagement. Albert also has been published in other academic journals related to psychology, counseling and development.
- Teaching graduate-level courses in multicultural counseling, the politics of race and gender, and serving as an adjunct faculty member in education at LSU.
- Consulting with some of the leading governmental, civic, religious, private, public and nonprofit sector institutions throughout the country on issues of diversity, development and strategy. Clients have included: the U.S. Department of Homeland Security, American Red Cross, the Neiman Marcus Group and the Universities of Notre Dame, Nebraska, West Florida and Central Florida.
On this edition of ‘Behind the Blue’, UK Chief Communications Officer Jay Blanton talks with Albert about what she’s looking forward to in joining UK, particularly at this moment, as the institution is engaged in a broad-based and expansive effort around diversity, equity and inclusion (DEI).
You can read more about UK’s DEI efforts here: https://dei.uky.edu/.
You can read Capilouto’s message to the campus about Albert here.
"Behind the Blue" is available on iTunes, Google Play, Stitcher and Spotify. Become a subscriber to receive new episodes of “Behind the Blue” each week. UK’s latest medical breakthroughs, research, artists and writers will be featured, along with the most important news impacting the university.
For questions or comments about this or any other episode of "Behind the Blue," email BehindTheBlue@uky.edu or tweet your question with #BehindTheBlue. Transcripts for this or other episodes of Behind the Blue can be downloaded from the show’s blog page.
To discover what’s wildly possible at the University of Kentucky, click here.
LEXINGTON, Ky. (August 19, 2021) – Dr. Eli Capilouto became the 12th President of the University of Kentucky on July 1, 2011. Under his leadership, the Commonwealth's flagship and land grant research university has grown from $2.7 billion to nearly $5.1 billion in total operations and has gained significant momentum in fulfilling its mission of teaching, research, service and health care.
On this episode of Behind the Blue, Capilouto sits down for a conversation about the upcoming fall semester, the work to return to “normal” in the midst of the pandemic, UK’s Strategic Plan and how its implementation will guide the University into the future.
"Behind the Blue" is available on iTunes, Google Play, Stitcher and Spotify. Become a subscriber to receive new episodes of “Behind the Blue” each week. UK’s latest medical breakthroughs, research, artists and writers will be featured, along with the most important news impacting the university.
For questions or comments about this or any other episode of "Behind the Blue," email BehindTheBlue@uky.edu or tweet your question with #BehindTheBlue. Transcripts for this or other episodes of Behind the Blue can be downloaded from the show’s blog page.
To discover what’s wildly possible at the University of Kentucky, click here.
LEXINGTON, Ky. (August 12, 2021) – The University of Kentucky Alumni Association started the Great Teacher Award program in 1961 to honor excellent teaching at the university. There have been 307 teachers honored since that first year. Nominations may only be submitted by current students.
To receive the award, a candidate must:
- Hold the rank of full-time lecturer or above and have been a member of the faculty for the past three years at UK.
- Have superior knowledge of the subject matter.
- Have original and innovative classroom presentations.
- Demonstrate concern for students, both inside and outside the classroom setting.
- Not have been a recipient of the award for the past 10 years.
A committee of the UK Alumni Association Board of Directors and a representative from the student organization Omicron Delta Kappa select the recipients based on objective rating and ranking of the eligible nominations submitted.
This episode of Behind the Blue features part two of interviews with the 2021 winners of the Great Teacher Awards. On this episode, we’ll be talking with three of them: Christopher Crawford, from the College of Arts & Sciences, Physics and Astronomy, Chad Risko, representing the College of Arts & Sciences, Chemistry, and Kathleen Swan, representing the College of Education, Curriculum and Instruction.
"Behind the Blue" is available on iTunes, Google Play, Stitcher and Spotify. Become a subscriber to receive new episodes of “Behind the Blue” each week. UK’s latest medical breakthroughs, research, artists and writers will be featured, along with the most important news impacting the university.
For questions or comments about this or any other episode of "Behind the Blue," email BehindTheBlue@uky.edu or tweet your question with #BehindTheBlue. Transcripts for this or other episodes of Behind the Blue can be downloaded from the show’s blog page.
To discover what’s wildly possible at the University of Kentucky, click here.
LEXINGTON, Ky. (August 5, 2021) – The University of Kentucky Alumni Association started the Great Teacher Award program in 1961 to honor excellent teaching at the university. There have been 307 teachers honored since that first year. Nominations may only be submitted by current students.
To receive the award, a candidate must:
- Hold the rank of full-time lecturer or above and have been a member of the faculty for the past three years at UK.
- Have superior knowledge of the subject matter.
- Have original and innovative classroom presentations.
- Demonstrate concern for students, both inside and outside the classroom setting.
- Not have been a recipient of the award for the past 10 years.
A committee of the UK Alumni Association Board of Directors and a representative from the student organization Omicron Delta Kappa select the recipients based on objective rating and ranking of the eligible nominations submitted.
This episode of Behind the Blue features part one of interviews with the 2021 winners of the Great Teacher Awards. Featured on this episode are:
- Clark Kebodeaux, representing the College of Pharmacy, Pharmacy Practice and Science
- Wayne Sanderson, representing both the College of Agriculture, Food and Environment, Department of Biosystems and Agricultural Engineering as well as the College of Public Health, Epidemiology
- Joseph H. Hammer, representing the College of Education, Department of Educational, School and Counseling Psychology.
"Behind the Blue" is available on iTunes, Google Play, Stitcher and Spotify. Become a subscriber to receive new episodes of “Behind the Blue” each week. UK’s latest medical breakthroughs, research, artists and writers will be featured, along with the most important news impacting the university.
For questions or comments about this or any other episode of "Behind the Blue," email BehindTheBlue@uky.edu or tweet your question with #BehindTheBlue. Transcripts for this or other episodes of Behind the Blue can be downloaded from the show’s blog page.
To discover what’s wildly possible at the University of Kentucky, click here.
LEXINGTON, Ky. (July 29, 2021) – The University of Kentucky is quickly approaching the start of the fall 2021 semester, and plans are in place for a full capacity restart.
Concerns about the COVID-19 pandemic aside, newly arriving students, along with their families, are always full of questions as they navigate their way onto campus. How will I meet and make new friends? What will I eat? Where will I study? These are only a few of the concerns students have as they transition to college life.
Joining Behind the Blue this week are two guests who work year-round to answer those questions and more.
Sarah Ballard is the Executive Director of the First-Year Experience and Early Outreach programs here at UK. Nicki Jenkins is the Senior Program Specialist for the Parent and Family Association. We talk with them about what they do to help relieve concerns, provide balance, and work to provide students and their families with the best foundation possible on their way to graduation.
"Behind the Blue" is available on iTunes, Google Play, Stitcher and Spotify. Become a subscriber to receive new episodes of “Behind the Blue” each week. UK’s latest medical breakthroughs, research, artists and writers will be featured, along with the most important news impacting the university.
For questions or comments about this or any other episode of "Behind the Blue," email BehindTheBlue@uky.edu or tweet your question with #BehindTheBlue. Transcripts for this or other episodes of Behind the Blue can be downloaded from the show’s blog page.
To discover what’s wildly possible at the University of Kentucky, click here.
LEXINGTON, Ky. (July 22, 2021) – In her work as chair of UK’s Department of Molecular & Cellular Biochemistry, Dr. Rebecca Dutch partners with researchers and faculty from multiple disciplines across the University of Kentucky.
Now, Dutch is taking on even more research responsibilities, as she was recently appointed Vice Dean of Research for the UK College of Medicine. In her new role, she will oversee and encourage research, from basic areas to clinical applications and more for the College.
Dr. Dutch returns to the ‘Behind the Blue’ podcast this week to discuss UK’s current state of play in handling the coronavirus pandemic. She joins UKPR’s Kody Kiser and UK Chief Communications Officer Jay Blanton to share her thoughts on a wide range of pandemic topics, including:
- Delta and other variants of the coronavirus, who it’s most affecting and the likelihood of becoming infected with or without use of vaccines
- Understanding the differences in the messaging coming from the CDC vs. the World Health Organization
- What efforts can be taken to get vaccination rates up among the population
- The continuing search for the origins of the virus and the possible connection to laboratories in China
"Behind the Blue" is available on iTunes, Google Play, Stitcher and Spotify. Become a subscriber to receive new episodes of “Behind the Blue” each week. UK’s latest medical breakthroughs, research, artists and writers will be featured, along with the most important news impacting the university.
For questions or comments about this or any other episode of "Behind the Blue," email BehindTheBlue@uky.edu or tweet your question with #BehindTheBlue. Transcripts for this or other episodes of Behind the Blue can be downloaded from the show’s blog page.
To discover what’s wildly possible at the University of Kentucky, click here.
LEXINGTON, Ky. (July 15, 2021) – THIS EPISODE IS AN ENCORE EDITION. Medical trauma, the emotional and physiological reactions that many children with medical conditions and their family members experience, happens to millions of people and can cause a variety of adverse reactions, regardless of the severity of the medical condition being treated.
On this episode of ‘Behind the Blue’, Dr. Meghan Marsac and Melissa Hogan discuss their new book that addresses medical trauma, how to understand it and tips to overcome it. ‘Afraid of the Doctor: Every Parent’s Guide to Preventing and Managing Medical Trauma’ is the first book written for parents with the primary goal of equipping them with the knowledge and skills to support their children through medical challenges. The book will be available beginning July 16, 2021, and you can find more information here.
Marsac is a pediatric psychologist and tenured Associate Professor here at the University of Kentucky and Kentucky Children’s Hospital, with expertise in promoting adjustment and preventing post-traumatic stress in parents and their children with medical conditions. Clinically, she implements evidence-based practices to facilitate families' management of medical treatment and emotional adjustment to challenging diagnoses and medical procedures. In addition, Dr. Marsac specializes in training medical teams in the implementation of trauma-informed medical care.
Hogan earned a Juris Doctor with a focus on health law from the University of Pittsburgh School of law, where she served as executive editor of the Law Review. She has worked as an attorney, a consultant on law firm strategy, and an adjunct professor of legal writing and health care regulatory law.
Hogan is the mother of three boys, the youngest of whom was diagnosed with the rare disease Hunter syndrome as a toddler. Soon after her son’s diagnosis, she began to blog about what she was learning and her family’s experience with her son’s condition. That blog connected her to a community of parents around the world whose children had Hunter syndrome or other chronic conditions.
"Behind the Blue" is available on iTunes, Google Play, Stitcher and Spotify. Become a subscriber to receive new episodes of “Behind the Blue” each week. UK’s latest medical breakthroughs, research, artists and writers will be featured, along with the most important news impacting the university.
For questions or comments about this or any other episode of "Behind the Blue," email BehindTheBlue@uky.edu or tweet your question with #BehindTheBlue. Transcripts for this or other episodes of Behind the Blue can be downloaded from the show’s blog page.
To discover what’s wildly possible at the University of Kentucky, click here.
LEXINGTON, Ky. (July 8, 2021) – THIS EPISODE IS AN ENCORE EDITION. On March 1, UK HealthCare opened its expanded Interventional Services facility at Chandler Hospital. Offering less invasive alternatives to traditional surgery, Interventional Services have seen tremendous growth in recent years.
Dr. Driss Raissi is the Medical Director for Interventional Services and the Vascular & Interventional Radiology Division Chief at UK HealthCare, and has overseen the expansion of this newly renovated, 50,000 square foot facility designed to accommodate the growing number of patients who qualify for less invasive surgery and procedures.
On this episode of Behind the Blue, Dr. Raissi talks about what interventional radiology covers, the life-changing impact it offers patients who cannot be served by other means of treatment, the benefits this new facility will provide the Commonwealth, and more.
"Behind the Blue" is available on iTunes, Google Play, Stitcher and Spotify. Become a subscriber to receive new episodes of “Behind the Blue” each week. UK’s latest medical breakthroughs, research, artists and writers will be featured, along with the most important news impacting the university.
For questions or comments about this or any other episode of "Behind the Blue," email BehindTheBlue@uky.edu or tweet your question with #BehindTheBlue. Transcripts for this or other episodes of Behind the Blue can be downloaded from the show’s blog page.
To discover what’s wildly possible at the University of Kentucky, click here.
LEXINGTON, Ky. (July 1, 2021) – If, in recent memory, you’ve attended a University of Kentucky football game at Kroger Field you will, no doubt, be familiar with the guest on this episode of ‘Behind the Blue.’ In fact, if you’ve listened to ‘Behind the Blue’ over the past several years, you’ve heard the voice of Carl Nathe, as he’s interviewed many people who have put their hard work and effort into making the university work.
A native of Pleasantville, New York, Nathe is a graduate of the University of Maryland – College Park. He’s been at UK for over 30 years, since 1989, and has been the voice of Kroger Field since 1997. A former sports reporter and anchor at WLEX-TV in Lexington, Nathe also served as sideline reporter for selected statewide and regional live telecasts of UK Women’s basketball games.
On this episode of ‘Behind the Blue’, the spotlight is turned around for a rare interview with Nathe about the end of his UK career, the inspirations that guided him along the way, and the moments and memories he’ll take with him.
"Behind the Blue" is available on iTunes, Google Play, Stitcher and Spotify. Become a subscriber to receive new episodes of “Behind the Blue” each week. UK’s latest medical breakthroughs, research, artists and writers will be featured, along with the most important news impacting the university.
For questions or comments about this or any other episode of "Behind the Blue," email BehindTheBlue@uky.edu or tweet your question with #BehindTheBlue. Transcripts for this or other episodes of Behind the Blue can be downloaded from the show’s blog page.
To discover what’s wildly possible at the University of Kentucky, click here.
LEXINGTON, Ky. (June 24, 2021) – Jen Smith is an instructor in the School of Journalism and a self-described recovering sportswriter who worked for the Lexington Herald-Leader in various positions for more than 20 years, including writer, copy editor and designer.
While working in the sports department, she covered everything from high school sports to racing — both the horse and horsepower kinds — before settling into the University of Kentucky football beat in 2011. She also covered UK women’s basketball for more than 15 seasons.
Smith has a passion for sports, but also for good storytelling across multiple platforms, editing and journalism history. In addition to her teaching duties, Smith is now focused as well on creating a sports journalism program and academic path at UK.
In 2016 and 2017, she was named Kentucky Sports Writer of the Year by the National Sports Media Association. Smith also was a Top 10 sports beat writer in the country in 2017, according to the Association of Professional Sports Editors. During her two decades in the journalism industry, she won multiple sports feature and story competitions.
In this episode of Behind the Blue, Smith discusses taking on her new role as a teacher, the state of journalism and what’s next for the profession in a time of economic challenge. (This interview was recorded in February of 2021.)
"Behind the Blue" is available on iTunes, Google Play, Stitcher and Spotify. Become a subscriber to receive new episodes of “Behind the Blue” each week. UK’s latest medical breakthroughs, research, artists and writers will be featured, along with the most important news impacting the university.
For questions or comments about this or any other episode of "Behind the Blue," email BehindTheBlue@uky.edu or tweet your question with #BehindTheBlue. Transcripts for this or other episodes of Behind the Blue can be downloaded from the show’s blog page.
To discover what’s wildly possible at the University of Kentucky, click here.
LEXINGTON, Ky. (June 17, 2021) – Members of the University of Kentucky Board of Trustees today are considering a proposed $5.1 billion UK budget for 2021-2022. The budget describes how the university funds the salaries of some 20,000 employees, sets tuition for 30,000 students and details the operations of a hospital system that now comprises roughly half of UK’s budget.
But at its core, according to UK’s Executive Vice President for Finance and Administration, Eric Monday, a budget is about values and priorities. Monday believes a budget provides a roadmap to better understand what the institution really values.
In this episode of Behind the Blue, Monday discusses those values and priorities in detail as he breaks down a record budget for the University of Kentucky.
"Behind the Blue" is available on iTunes, Google Play, Stitcher and Spotify. Become a subscriber to receive new episodes of “Behind the Blue” each week. UK’s latest medical breakthroughs, research, artists and writers will be featured, along with the most important news impacting the university.
For questions or comments about this or any other episode of "Behind the Blue," email BehindTheBlue@uky.edu or tweet your question with #BehindTheBlue. Transcripts for this or other episodes of Behind the Blue can be downloaded from the show’s blog page.
To discover what’s wildly possible at the University of Kentucky, click here.
LEXINGTON, Ky. (June 10, 2021) – Medical trauma, the emotional and physiological reactions that many children with medical conditions and their family members experience, happens to millions of people and can cause a variety of adverse reactions, regardless of the severity of the medical condition being treated.
On this episode of ‘Behind the Blue’, Dr. Meghan Marsac and Melissa Hogan discuss their new book that addresses medical trauma, how to understand it and tips to overcome it. ‘Afraid of the Doctor: Every Parent’s Guide to Preventing and Managing Medical Trauma’ is the first book written for parents with the primary goal of equipping them with the knowledge and skills to support their children through medical challenges. The book will be available beginning July 16, 2021, and you can find more information here.
Marsac is a pediatric psychologist and tenured Associate Professor here at the University of Kentucky and Kentucky Children’s Hospital, with expertise in promoting adjustment and preventing post-traumatic stress in parents and their children with medical conditions. Clinically, she implements evidence-based practices to facilitate families' management of medical treatment and emotional adjustment to challenging diagnoses and medical procedures. In addition, Dr. Marsac specializes in training medical teams in the implementation of trauma-informed medical care.
Hogan earned a Juris Doctor with a focus on health law from the University of Pittsburgh School of law, where she served as executive editor of the Law Review. She has worked as an attorney, a consultant on law firm strategy, and an adjunct professor of legal writing and health care regulatory law.
Hogan is the mother of three boys, the youngest of whom was diagnosed with the rare disease Hunter syndrome as a toddler. Soon after her son’s diagnosis, she began to blog about what she was learning and her family’s experience with her son’s condition. That blog connected her to a community of parents around the world whose children had Hunter syndrome or other chronic conditions.
"Behind the Blue" is available on iTunes, Google Play, Stitcher and Spotify. Become a subscriber to receive new episodes of “Behind the Blue” each week. UK’s latest medical breakthroughs, research, artists and writers will be featured, along with the most important news impacting the university.
For questions or comments about this or any other episode of "Behind the Blue," email BehindTheBlue@uky.edu or tweet your question with #BehindTheBlue. Transcripts for this or other episodes of Behind the Blue can be downloaded from the show’s blog page.
To discover what’s wildly possible at the University of Kentucky, click here.
LEXINGTON, Ky. (June 3, 2021) – Crystal Wilkinson is an associate professor of English at the University of Kentucky and an award-winning author. Her novel, The Birds of Opulence was the winner of the 2016 Ernest J. Gaines Prize for Literary Excellence. She is also the author of Water Street and Blackberries, Blackberries. She also has been nominated for a Pushcart Prize and her short stories, poems and essays have appeared in numerous journals and anthologies including most recently in the Oxford American and Southern Cultures.
Most recently, she was named the state’s poet laureate for 2021-2022, the first time a black woman has been appointed to the prestigious post.
In this episode of Behind the Blue, Wilkinson discusses growing up in Appalachian Kentucky, her love of writing and teaching and what she is focused on now in her creative work.
"Behind the Blue" is available on iTunes, Google Play, Stitcher and Spotify. Become a subscriber to receive new episodes of “Behind the Blue” each week. UK’s latest medical breakthroughs, research, artists and writers will be featured, along with the most important news impacting the university.
For questions or comments about this or any other episode of "Behind the Blue," email BehindTheBlue@uky.edu or tweet your question with #BehindTheBlue. Transcripts for this or other episodes of Behind the Blue can be downloaded from the show’s blog page.
To discover what’s wildly possible at the University of Kentucky, click here.
LEXINGTON, Ky. (May 27, 2021) – Jennifer Greer joined the University of Kentucky in 2019 as Dean of the College of Communication and Information.
She came to UK after several years as an academic administrator at both the University of Alabama and the University of Nevada. She served as associate provost at the University of Alabama, handling faculty personnel issues, faculty orientation and leadership programs, and providing oversight for several academic support and compliance units in Academic Affairs.
She also has been recognized for her excellence in teaching, winning collegewide teaching awards at Nevada and Alabama and was honored with a university award for excellence in academic advising at Alabama.
This academic year, she returned to the classroom to teach – in the midst of a pandemic.
In this episode of Behind the Blue, Greer discusses the challenges of running a growing college, returning to the classroom and the future of communication and media.
"Behind the Blue" is available on iTunes, Google Play, Stitcher and Spotify. Become a subscriber to receive new episodes of “Behind the Blue” each week. UK’s latest medical breakthroughs, research, artists and writers will be featured, along with the most important news impacting the university.
For questions or comments about this or any other episode of "Behind the Blue," email BehindTheBlue@uky.edu or tweet your question with #BehindTheBlue. Transcripts for this or other episodes of Behind the Blue can be downloaded from the show’s blog page.
To discover what’s wildly possible at the University of Kentucky, click here.
LEXINGTON, Ky. (May 20, 2021) – A 1972 graduate of the UK Dental School, Dr. Jeff Okeson returned in 1974 to begin a now 46-year career as a faculty member of the UK College of Dentistry. Inducted into the 2015 class of the UK Hall of Distinguished Alumni, Dr. Okeson has touched the lives of a vast number of students as well as members of the surrounding community.
Having worked as a teacher, a researcher, a lecturer and a representative of the University on a national and even international level, Dr. Okeson now serves as Dean of the College of Dentistry, a role he views as a privilege that enables him to give back to the school that gave him so much.
In an interview recorded in January of 2021, Dr. Okeson talks with UKPR’s Carl Nathe about how the pandemic pushed the College to find new ways of keeping students immersed in their work, the innovations in dentistry that UK Dentistry students are being trained in, the importance of getting dental care back into underserved areas of Kentucky, and more.
"Behind the Blue" is available on iTunes, Google Play, Stitcher and Spotify. Become a subscriber to receive new episodes of “Behind the Blue” each week. UK’s latest medical breakthroughs, research, artists and writers will be featured, along with the most important news impacting the university.
For questions or comments about this or any other episode of "Behind the Blue," email BehindTheBlue@uky.edu or tweet your question with #BehindTheBlue. Transcripts for this or other episodes of Behind the Blue can be downloaded from the show’s blog page.
To discover what’s wildly possible at the University of Kentucky, click here.
LEXINGTON, Ky. (May 13, 2021) – One of the many jewels in the crown of the University of Kentucky is the Patterson School of Diplomacy and International Commerce.
This distinguished graduate program has been preparing its students for careers in both public service and the private sector for 60 years.
Recently, Carl Nathe of UK Public Relations and Strategic Communications had the chance to talk with faculty member and interim director of the Patterson School, Kathleen Montgomery, for this latest installment of the ‘Behind the Blue’ podcast.
"Behind the Blue" is available on iTunes, Google Play, Stitcher and Spotify. Become a subscriber to receive new episodes of “Behind the Blue” each week. UK’s latest medical breakthroughs, research, artists and writers will be featured, along with the most important news impacting the university.
For questions or comments about this or any other episode of "Behind the Blue," email BehindTheBlue@uky.edu or tweet your question with #BehindTheBlue. Transcripts for this or other episodes of Behind the Blue can be downloaded from the show’s blog page.
To discover what’s wildly possible at the University of Kentucky, click here.
LEXINGTON, Ky. (May 6, 2021) – Four decades ago, Northern Ireland native Jonathan Allison earned an exchange scholarship to pursue graduate study in the United States.
His original plan was to earn a Master’s degree then return to his homeland to resume his career of teaching literature and poetry to high school students. Instead he wound up earning a Ph.D. from the University of Michigan and decided to become a college professor in America.
It became the good fortune of the University of Kentucky to hire Allison to join the faculty of the Department of English in the College of Arts and Sciences in 1988. He’s been at UK ever since and currently serves as chair of this esteemed department.
Carl Nathe of UK Public Relations and Strategic Communications recently did an in-depth interview with Allison for this edition of ‘Behind the Blue’.
"Behind the Blue" is available on iTunes, Google Play, Stitcher and Spotify. Become a subscriber to receive new episodes of “Behind the Blue” each week. UK’s latest medical breakthroughs, research, artists and writers will be featured, along with the most important news impacting the university.
For questions or comments about this or any other episode of "Behind the Blue," email BehindTheBlue@uky.edu or tweet your question with #BehindTheBlue. Transcripts for this or other episodes of Behind the Blue can be downloaded from the show’s blog page.
To discover what’s wildly possible at the University of Kentucky, click here.
LEXINGTON, Ky. (April 29, 2021) – On March 1, UK HealthCare opened its expanded Interventional Services facility at Chandler Hospital. Offering less invasive alternatives to traditional surgery, Interventional Services have seen tremendous growth in recent years.
Dr. Driss Raissi is the Medical Director for Interventional Services and the Vascular & Interventional Radiology Division Chief at UK HealthCare, and has overseen the expansion of this newly renovated, 50,000 square foot facility designed to accommodate the growing number of patients who qualify for less invasive surgery and procedures.
On this episode of Behind the Blue, Dr. Raissi talks about what interventional radiology covers, the life-changing impact it offers patients who cannot be served by other means of treatment, the benefits this new facility will provide the Commonwealth, and more.
"Behind the Blue" is available on iTunes, Google Play, Stitcher and Spotify. Become a subscriber to receive new episodes of “Behind the Blue” each week. UK’s latest medical breakthroughs, research, artists and writers will be featured, along with the most important news impacting the university.
For questions or comments about this or any other episode of "Behind the Blue," email BehindTheBlue@uky.edu or tweet your question with #BehindTheBlue. Transcripts for this or other episodes of Behind the Blue can be downloaded from the show’s blog page.
To discover what’s wildly possible at the University of Kentucky, click here.
LEXINGTON, Ky. (April 22, 2021) – One of the career fields which promises plenty of opportunity now and for the future is engineering.
Whether it is civil engineering, computer science and engineering, mechanical engineering or another area of this wide-ranging field, engineers are problem solvers. As such they play a key role in everything from developing new health care technologies, to building better bridges, to finding solutions for environmental challenges.
Professor Rudy Buchheit is in his third year as dean of the University of Kentucky College of Engineering. In this edition of the ‘Behind the Blue’ podcast, Carl Nathe visits with Buchheit to talk about the ongoing growth of the college and more.
"Behind the Blue" is available on iTunes, Google Play, Stitcher and Spotify. Become a subscriber to receive new episodes of “Behind the Blue” each week. UK’s latest medical breakthroughs, research, artists and writers will be featured, along with the most important news impacting the university.
For questions or comments about this or any other episode of "Behind the Blue," email BehindTheBlue@uky.edu or tweet your question with #BehindTheBlue. Transcripts for this or other episodes of Behind the Blue can be downloaded from the show’s blog page.
To discover what’s wildly possible at the University of Kentucky, click here.
LEXINGTON, Ky. (April 15, 2021) – Last March, as the country began to come to grips with a global pandemic, University of Kentucky officials made the decision to move all classes to online formats.
Thousands of classes and courses sections were moved – in two weeks.
In the last year, significant investments have been made in technology to help facilitate a combination of different formats for learning and classes – online and remote, in-person, hybrid and other teaching methods such as synchronous and asynchronous learning. In some ways, the pandemic has hastened a conversation around the different ways – and the best ways – students learn, particularly since our students have grown up with sophisticated technology at their fingertips.
To discuss trends in both technology and teaching, Behind the Blue talked with experts on campus, who are exploring what’s new in these fields as well as what works best for students and faculty when it comes to learning.
Kathi Kern is a professor of history, the director of the Center for the Enhancement of Learning and Teaching and Associate Provost of Teaching, Learning and Academic Innovation at UK.
Emily Croteau is a lecturer in biology at UK, who is interested in learning about best methods and practices in teaching biology, which includes using real-life examples to demonstrate how relatable biological concepts are to our lives.
Matthew Wilson is an associate professor of geography and a visiting scholar at Harvard, who co-founded and co-directs the New Mappings Collaboratory, which studies and facilitates new engagements with geographic representation.
"Behind the Blue" is available on iTunes, Google Play, Stitcher and Spotify. Become a subscriber to receive new episodes of “Behind the Blue” each week. UK’s latest medical breakthroughs, research, artists and writers will be featured, along with the most important news impacting the university.
For questions or comments about this or any other episode of "Behind the Blue," email BehindTheBlue@uky.edu or tweet your question with #BehindTheBlue. Transcripts for this or other episodes of Behind the Blue can be downloaded from the show’s blog page.
To discover what’s wildly possible at the University of Kentucky, click here.
LEXINGTON, Ky. (April 8, 2021) – The Arboretum is a 100-acre public garden located on the campus of the University of Kentucky. It draws over 200,000 visitors annually who can see and learn about native and horticultural plants from across the Commonwealth.
The mission of the Arboretum is to showcase Kentucky landscapes and serve as a resource center for environmental and horticultural education, research, and conservation.
On this episode of ‘Behind the Blue’, Carl Nathe of UK Public Relations and Strategic Communications visits with Arboretum Director Molly Davis.
"Behind the Blue" is available on iTunes, Google Play, Stitcher and Spotify. Become a subscriber to receive new episodes of “Behind the Blue” each week. UK’s latest medical breakthroughs, research, artists and writers will be featured, along with the most important news impacting the university.
For questions or comments about this or any other episode of "Behind the Blue," email BehindTheBlue@uky.edu or tweet your question with #BehindTheBlue. Transcripts for this or other episodes of Behind the Blue can be downloaded from the show’s blog page.
To discover what’s wildly possible at the University of Kentucky, click here.
LEXINGTON, Ky. (March 18, 2021) – The arts play a significant role in the quality of life for many of us. Music, theatre, dance, painting, sculpture, you name it…The work of artists touches us, inspires us, makes us think and so often brings us joy.
Mark Shanda came to the University of Kentucky as dean of the College of Fine Arts in the summer of 2017. In this installment of the ‘Behind the Blue’ podcast, Carl Nathe of UK Public Relations and Strategic Communications talks with Shanda about the continuing growth of the college, as well as the innovative ways its various units are still connecting with the public in spite of the ongoing pandemic.
"Behind the Blue" is available on iTunes, Google Play, Stitcher and Spotify. Become a subscriber to receive new episodes of “Behind the Blue” each week. UK’s latest medical breakthroughs, research, artists and writers will be featured, along with the most important news impacting the university.
For questions or comments about this or any other episode of "Behind the Blue," email BehindTheBlue@uky.edu or tweet your question with #BehindTheBlue. Transcripts for this or other episodes of Behind the Blue can be downloaded from the show’s blog page.
To discover what’s wildly possible at the University of Kentucky, click here.
LEXINGTON, Ky. (March 12, 2021) – These are exciting times in the University of Kentucky College of Design, which prepares both undergraduate and graduate students for a wide array of career opportunities.
Mitzi Vernon is now in her sixth year as dean of the college. Vernon has led the college to develop new programs and expand collaborations with other academic units at UK.
And soon, construction is expected to begin on transforming an older part of campus into the new home for the College of Design, bringing students, faculty and staff together in ways not seen before.
On this episode of Behind the Blue, UKPR’s Carl Nathe interviews Dean Vernon about these topics and more
"Behind the Blue" is available on iTunes, Google Play, Stitcher and Spotify. Become a subscriber to receive new episodes of “Behind the Blue” each week. UK’s latest medical breakthroughs, research, artists and writers will be featured, along with the most important news impacting the university.
For questions or comments about this or any other episode of "Behind the Blue," email BehindTheBlue@uky.edu or tweet your question with #BehindTheBlue. Transcripts for this or other episodes of Behind the Blue can be downloaded from the show’s blog page.
To discover what’s wildly possible at the University of Kentucky, click here.
LEXINGTON, Ky. (March 4, 2021) – Students often are figuratively encouraged to ‘reach for the stars’…Yet there are those who actually follow this aspirational goal in a very literal way.
For example: Longtime University of Kentucky Professor of Physics and Astronomy Gary Ferland, who recently received a very rare honor for his work in blazing new trails in his chosen field.
On this episode of Behind the Blue, UKPR’s Carl Nathe talks with Ferland about his life, his career, and why he loves working with students
"Behind the Blue" is available on iTunes, Google Play, Stitcher and Spotify. Become a subscriber to receive new episodes of “Behind the Blue” each week. UK’s latest medical breakthroughs, research, artists and writers will be featured, along with the most important news impacting the university.
For questions or comments about this or any other episode of "Behind the Blue," email BehindTheBlue@uky.edu or tweet your question with #BehindTheBlue. Transcripts for this or other episodes of Behind the Blue can be downloaded from the show’s blog page.
To discover what’s wildly possible at the University of Kentucky, click here.
LEXINGTON, Ky. (March 2, 2021) – The University of Kentucky is prioritizing student success by providing resources which are making a real difference in improving retention and graduation rates across the institution. Research has proven the higher the percentage of freshman students who return for their sophomore year, the higher the percentage of students who successfully earn their degree.
For the past three decades, Toni Thomas has dedicated her UK career to helping students. On this episode of Behind the Blue, UKPR’s Carl Nathe talks with Thomas about UK CARES, the Center for Academic Resources and Enrichment Services
"Behind the Blue" is available on iTunes, Google Play, Stitcher and Spotify. Become a subscriber to receive new episodes of “Behind the Blue” each week. UK’s latest medical breakthroughs, research, artists and writers will be featured, along with the most important news impacting the university.
For questions or comments about this or any other episode of "Behind the Blue," email BehindTheBlue@uky.edu or tweet your question with #BehindTheBlue. Transcripts for this or other episodes of Behind the Blue can be downloaded from the show’s blog page.
To discover what’s wildly possible at the University of Kentucky, click here.
LEXINGTON, Ky. (February 25, 2021) – 30 years ago, the University of Kentucky and its College of Medicine established the UK Center of Excellence in Rural Health.
Since that time, CERH, which also serves as the federally designated Kentucky Office of Rural Health, has been supporting the health and well-being of rural Kentuckians by promoting access to health services and educational opportunities.
Headquartered in Hazard and with employees located across the Commonwealth, CERH is directed by Fran Feltner. On this episode of the ‘Behind the Blue’ podcast, UKPR’s Carl Nathe talks with Feltner about the important work being carried out by the center, the challenges of working in rural health versus being in more populous areas, how that work has adapted to change over three decades, and more.
"Behind the Blue" is available on iTunes, Google Play, Stitcher and Spotify. Become a subscriber to receive new episodes of “Behind the Blue” each week. UK’s latest medical breakthroughs, research, artists and writers will be featured, along with the most important news impacting the university.
For questions or comments about this or any other episode of "Behind the Blue," email BehindTheBlue@uky.edu or tweet your question with #BehindTheBlue. Transcripts for this or other episodes of Behind the Blue can be downloaded from the show’s blog page.
To discover what’s wildly possible at the University of Kentucky, click here.
LEXINGTON, Ky. (February 18, 2021) – Dr. Rebecca Dutch, chair of UK’s Department of Molecular & Cellular Biochemistry, continues to help lead researchers and faculty from multiple disciplines across the University of Kentucky as part of the global effort to treat, understand and eradicate COVID-19.
Dutch last spoke with Behind the Blue in April of 2020, discussing the COVID-19 Unified Research Experts (CURE) Alliance team, a workgroup within UK’s College of Medicine, which works to bring together UK experts from across the campus to focus on advising COVID-19 patient care and clinical trials based on emerging research and potential treatment options.
On this episode of Behind the Blue, Dutch talks about the new vaccines being used to combat the coronavirus, the genetic variations of the virus that are appearing in different parts of the world, her outlook for when we may emerge from the pandemic, and more.
Read more about CURE here: http://uknow.uky.edu/research/university-kentucky-researchers-unite-fight-covid-19
"Behind the Blue" is available on iTunes, Google Play, Stitcher and Spotify. Become a subscriber to receive new episodes of “Behind the Blue” each week. UK’s latest medical breakthroughs, research, artists and writers will be featured, along with the most important news impacting the university.
For questions or comments about this or any other episode of "Behind the Blue," email BehindTheBlue@uky.edu or tweet your question with #BehindTheBlue. Transcripts for this or other episodes of Behind the Blue can be downloaded from the show’s blog page.
To discover what’s wildly possible at the University of Kentucky, click here.
LEXINGTON, Ky. (Feb. 11, 2021) – The University of Kentucky, including UK HealthCare, the UK Emergency Operations Center and hundreds of volunteers from across campus are stepping up to fight the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic.
UK’s football stadium, Kroger Field, is serving as the site for vaccinating between two and three thousand (2,000-3,000) Kentuckians per day to protect against the virus.
In this edition of the ‘Behind the Blue’ podcast, Carl Nathe talks with two leaders in UK HealthCare who are helping to coordinate this massive public health effort, Dr. Ashley Montgomery-Yates and Dr. Philip Almeter.
"Behind the Blue" is available on iTunes, Google Play, Stitcher and Spotify. Become a subscriber to receive new episodes of “Behind the Blue” each week. UK’s latest medical breakthroughs, research, artists and writers will be featured, along with the most important news impacting the university.
For questions or comments about this or any other episode of "Behind the Blue," email BehindTheBlue@uky.edu or tweet your question with #BehindTheBlue.
To discover what’s wildly possible at the University of Kentucky, click here.
LEXINGTON, Ky. (Feb. 4, 2021) – Kimberly White is in her seventh year as a faculty member in the University of Kentucky College of Education’s Department of Curriculum and Instruction. As teachers in training, students at the college learn the content they will teach, in addition to how to manage a classroom.
White, who is an associate clinical professor of elementary education at UK, has authored a new textbook tailored to match the structure and content of the classroom management course she teaches for future elementary teachers.
In this edition of the ‘Behind the Blue’ podcast, Carl Nathe talks with White about her career as an educator, how she came to be part of the UK family, and what led to this new book which is expected to be widely used in college and university teacher training programs across the country.
"Behind the Blue" is available on iTunes, Google Play, Stitcher and Spotify. Become a subscriber to receive new episodes of “Behind the Blue” each week. UK’s latest medical breakthroughs, research, artists and writers will be featured, along with the most important news impacting the university.
For questions or comments about this or any other episode of "Behind the Blue," email BehindTheBlue@uky.edu or tweet your question with #BehindTheBlue.
To discover what’s wildly possible at the University of Kentucky, click here.
LEXINGTON, Ky. (Jan. 28, 2021) – Christian M. M. Brady was the inaugural TW Lewis Dean of the Lewis Honors College at the University of Kentucky. He is a scholar of ancient Hebrew and Jewish Literature, and has been a long-time national leader in Honors education, coming to UK after a 10-year stint as dean of the Schreyer Honors College at Penn State University.
Brady has recently taken on the administrative role of serving as interim dean of UK’s College of Arts & Sciences. Brady also recently authored the book, Beautiful and Terrible Things: A Christian Struggle with Suffering, Grief, and Hope. It is a Biblical scholar’s poignant examination of grief and grace in the wake of the sudden death of his young son.
On this episode of Behind the Blue, Brady discusses his book, his scholarship, what he loves about honors education at a public research university and his new administrative role.
"Behind the Blue" is available on iTunes, Google Play, Stitcher and Spotify. Become a subscriber to receive new episodes of “Behind the Blue” each week. UK’s latest medical breakthroughs, research, artists and writers will be featured, along with the most important news impacting the university.
For questions or comments about this or any other episode of "Behind the Blue," email BehindTheBlue@uky.edu or tweet your question with #BehindTheBlue.
To discover what’s wildly possible at the University of Kentucky, click here.
LEXINGTON, Ky. (Jan. 21, 2021) – As of January 1, 2021, the University of Kentucky’s J. David Rosenberg College of Law has a woman as its permanent dean for the first time in its storied history.
Mary J. Davis, who has taught at UK’s law school for more than three decades, also played a key role in helping to design the college’s expanded and totally renovated building.
Recently, Davis joined Carl Nathe for a ‘Behind the Blue’ podcast interview to talk about her life, her career, and her aspirations for the school.
In this edition of the ‘Behind the Blue’ podcast, Brooks talks with Carl Nathe about the work he and his office are doing in the areas of diversity, equity, inclusion and more.
"Behind the Blue" is available on iTunes, Google Play, Stitcher and Spotify. Become a subscriber to receive new episodes of “Behind the Blue” each week. UK’s latest medical breakthroughs, research, artists and writers will be featured, along with the most important news impacting the university.
For questions or comments about this or any other episode of "Behind the Blue," email BehindTheBlue@uky.edu or tweet your question with #BehindTheBlue.
To discover what’s wildly possible at the University of Kentucky, click here.
LEXINGTON, Ky. (Jan. 14, 2021) – In the fall of 1970, a young man from southern Indiana enrolled at the University of Kentucky. Over 50 years later, Keith Elkins remains a part of the Lexington and Kentucky media scene.
In this edition of the ‘Behind the Blue’ podcast, Carl Nathe talks with Elkins, a 1974 graduate of UK, about his family ties to Kentucky and an ongoing career which includes sports radio play-by-play work, television news anchoring, public relations, and now podcasting.
"Behind the Blue" is available on iTunes, Google Play, Stitcher and Spotify. Become a subscriber to receive new episodes of “Behind the Blue” each week. UK’s latest medical breakthroughs, research, artists and writers will be featured, along with the most important news impacting the university.
For questions or comments about this or any other episode of "Behind the Blue," email BehindTheBlue@uky.edu or tweet your question with #BehindTheBlue.
To discover what’s wildly possible at the University of Kentucky, click here.
LEXINGTON, Ky. (Jan. 7, 2021) – What will the future of energy storage look like? Whether it be batteries for electronic devices like cell phones, laptops, tablets, and smart watches, or for electric cars and hybrid vehicles, or for units that play an integral role in the operations of major power plants, researchers at the University of Kentucky’s Center for Applied Energy Research (CAER) are working to speed the development of the next generation of more efficient and safer battery technology.
The CAER investigates energy technologies to improve the environment. Researchers contribute to technically-sound policies related to fossil and renewable energy.
The CAER is a UK unit that is staffed by professional scientists and engineers, has extensive interactions with faculty members and students, and provides analytical services for outside organizations. CAER adds to the teaching and instruction arm of UK by educating students from pre-college to postgraduate levels and being involved in labor force development for the Commonwealth.
On this episode, UKPR’s Carl Nathe recently talked with UK faculty members Chad Risko and Susan Odom about their work and how this research connects to students in the classroom and the laboratory.
"Behind the Blue" is available on iTunes, Google Play, Stitcher and Spotify. Become a subscriber to receive new episodes of “Behind the Blue” each week. UK’s latest medical breakthroughs, research, artists and writers will be featured, along with the most important news impacting the university.
For questions or comments about this or any other episode of "Behind the Blue," email BehindTheBlue@uky.edu or tweet your question with #BehindTheBlue.
To discover what’s wildly possible at the University of Kentucky, click here.
LEXINGTON, Ky. (Dec. 29, 2020) – In only his third year at the University of Kentucky, Jason Brooks already is making a very significant imprint by positively impacting the lives of students, faculty, and staff across campus.
The Kansas native joined UK in 2018 as director of the Martin Luther King, Jr. Cultural Center and promptly expanded programming, educational opportunities, and outreach raising the profile of the center to many citizens in the greater Lexington area. In 2020, he was named to a new position, executive director of institutional engagement for UK.
In this edition of the ‘Behind the Blue’ podcast, Brooks talks with Carl Nathe about the work he and his office are doing in the areas of diversity, equity, inclusion and more.
"Behind the Blue" is available on iTunes, Google Play, Stitcher and Spotify. Become a subscriber to receive new episodes of “Behind the Blue” each week. UK’s latest medical breakthroughs, research, artists and writers will be featured, along with the most important news impacting the university.
For questions or comments about this or any other episode of "Behind the Blue," email BehindTheBlue@uky.edu or tweet your question with #BehindTheBlue.
To discover what’s wildly possible at the University of Kentucky, click here.
LEXINGTON, Ky. (Dec. 22, 2020) – Dr. Mark V. Williams is in his seventh year as a member of the UK HealthCare team at the University of Kentucky. This highly respected physician and researcher is constantly looking at ways to improve the patient experience, drawing upon what he has learned during a career which has taken him from Emory University in Atlanta, to Massachusetts General Hospital in Boston, to Northwestern University in Chicago, and now to Kentucky.
Carl Nathe visited with Williams in a wide-ranging interview which makes up today’s edition of our ‘Behind the Blue’ podcast.
"Behind the Blue" is available on iTunes, Google Play, Stitcher and Spotify. Become a subscriber to receive new episodes of “Behind the Blue” each week. UK’s latest medical breakthroughs, research, artists and writers will be featured, along with the most important news impacting the university.
For questions or comments about this or any other episode of "Behind the Blue," email BehindTheBlue@uky.edu or tweet your question with #BehindTheBlue.
To discover what’s wildly possible at the University of Kentucky, click here.
LEXINGTON, Ky. (Dec. 17, 2020) – For over 80 years, the UK College of Social Work (CoSW) has been a leader in social work education. Through rigorous research, excellence in instruction, and steadfast service, the CoSW works to improve the human condition. Always, in all ways, according to their mission.
In addition to the main campus in Lexington, the College has satellite campuses at the Center of Excellence in Rural Health in Hazard, Kentucky and Fort Sam Houston in San Antonio, Texas. The College offers four unique academic programs, including a Bachelors of Arts in Social Work, Master of Social Work, Doctor of Social Work, and Doctorate of Philosophy in Social Work.
Not yet 40 years of age, Jay Miller is in his second year as dean of the University of Kentucky College of Social Work. Miller grew up in foster care and thus is acutely aware of what an important role effective, professional social work can play in the development of a young person and how social work can make a positive impact on individuals and the broader society.
Miller recently joined Carl Nathe for a ‘Behind the Blue’ podcast interview about ways the college is expanding access to social work education at the bachelor’s, master’s, and doctoral levels.
"Behind the Blue" is available on iTunes, Google Play, Stitcher and Spotify. Become a subscriber to receive new episodes of “Behind the Blue” each week. UK’s latest medical breakthroughs, research, artists and writers will be featured, along with the most important news impacting the university.
For questions or comments about this or any other episode of "Behind the Blue," email BehindTheBlue@uky.edu or tweet your question with #BehindTheBlue.
To discover what’s wildly possible at the University of Kentucky, click here.
LEXINGTON, Ky. (Dec. 15, 2020) – As the fundraising arm of the University of Kentucky, the Office of Philanthropy is charged with furthering the university’s mission and vision. The philanthropy staff works with faculty, students, programs, colleges and administration to identify the university’s top priorities. Then, it connects the university to the people, corporations and foundations who can make their dreams a reality.
In the fall of 1969, Muhlenberg County native Mike Richey enrolled at the University of Kentucky in Lexington as a college freshman. More than 51 years later, the University’s Vice President for Philanthropy and Chief Philanthropy Officer’s love for UK burns brighter than ever.
Recently, Richey joined Carl Nathe for a ‘Behind the Blue’ podcast interview to talk about the school’s ongoing ‘Kentucky Can’ efforts, the 21st Century Campaign for the University of Kentucky and more.
"Behind the Blue" is available on iTunes, Google Play, Stitcher and Spotify. Become a subscriber to receive new episodes of “Behind the Blue” each week. UK’s latest medical breakthroughs, research, artists and writers will be featured, along with the most important news impacting the university.
For questions or comments about this or any other episode of "Behind the Blue," email BehindTheBlue@uky.edu or tweet your question with #BehindTheBlue.
To discover what’s wildly possible at the University of Kentucky, click here.
LEXINGTON, Ky. (Dec. 10, 2020) – The mission of UK’s Extension department is to make a difference in the lives of Kentucky citizens through research-based education. Jointly with our other land-grant partner, Kentucky State University, UK Extension takes the University to people in their local communities, addressing issues of importance to all Kentuckians.
Now in her 32nd year as a University of Kentucky Extension Agent, Jennifer Bridge recently received a major national award in recognition of her innovative service and tireless dedication to the people of Meade County.
In this edition of the ‘Behind the Blue’ podcast, Carl Nathe talks with Bridge about the passion she brings to her work and some of the ways this family and consumer sciences agent goes above and beyond in improving the lives of those around her.
"Behind the Blue" is available on iTunes, Google Play, Stitcher and Spotify. Become a subscriber to receive new episodes of “Behind the Blue” each week. UK’s latest medical breakthroughs, research, artists and writers will be featured, along with the most important news impacting the university.
For questions or comments about this or any other episode of "Behind the Blue," email BehindTheBlue@uky.edu or tweet your question with #BehindTheBlue.
To discover what’s wildly possible at the University of Kentucky, click here.
LEXINGTON, Ky. (Dec. 9, 2020) – It has been nearly one year since the SARS-CoV-2 coronavirus changed the world. With millions of people infected and over a quarter million dead in the United States, the novel coronavirus continues its pervasive hold on our health and well-being.
After months of stress, frustration and uncertainty, people are itching to travel and visit loved ones during the height of the holiday season, despite increasing cases of COVID-19. As the virus continues to dominate news coverage, people are clinging to the anticipation of promising vaccine trials from Pfizer, Moderna and several other companies. How will these vaccines, and potentially others still to come, change the course of the pandemic? Will we be able to return to normal and how long could that take?
On this episode of Behind the Blue, we speak with Vincent Venditto, an assistant professor in the University of Kentucky College of Pharmacy’s Department of Pharmaceutical Science, and Brooke Hudspeth, an associate professor and Chief Practice Officer for the University of Kentucky College of Pharmacy. In our third and final part of this interview, we ask Vince and Brooke about how this pandemic possibly ends, and how we progress into a new world after COVID-19.
"Behind the Blue" is available on iTunes, Google Play, Stitcher and Spotify. Become a subscriber to receive new episodes of “Behind the Blue” each week. UK’s latest medical breakthroughs, research, artists and writers will be featured, along with the most important news impacting the university.
For questions or comments about this or any other episode of "Behind the Blue," email BehindTheBlue@uky.edu or tweet your question with #BehindTheBlue.
To discover what’s wildly possible at the University of Kentucky, click here.
LEXINGTON, Ky. (Dec. 8, 2020) – It has been nearly one year since the SARS-CoV-2 coronavirus changed the world. With millions of people infected and over a quarter million dead in the United States, the novel coronavirus continues its pervasive hold on our health and well-being.
After months of stress, frustration and uncertainty, people are itching to travel and visit loved ones during the height of the holiday season, despite increasing cases of COVID-19. As the virus continues to dominate news coverage, people are clinging to the anticipation of promising vaccine trials from Pfizer, Moderna and several other companies. How will these vaccines, and potentially others still to come, change the course of the pandemic? Will we be able to return to normal and how long could that take?
On this episode of Behind the Blue, we speak with Vincent Venditto, an assistant professor in the University of Kentucky College of Pharmacy’s Department of Pharmaceutical Science, and Brooke Hudspeth, an associate professor and Chief Practice Officer for the University of Kentucky College of Pharmacy. In part two of our interview with Vince and Brooke, we discuss who exactly takes part in vaccine trials, the issues those trials may run into, when to expect some type of herd immunity and more.
"Behind the Blue" is available on iTunes, Google Play, Stitcher and Spotify. Become a subscriber to receive new episodes of “Behind the Blue” each week. UK’s latest medical breakthroughs, research, artists and writers will be featured, along with the most important news impacting the university.
For questions or comments about this or any other episode of "Behind the Blue," email BehindTheBlue@uky.edu or tweet your question with #BehindTheBlue.
To discover what’s wildly possible at the University of Kentucky, click here.
LEXINGTON, Ky. (Dec. 7, 2020) – It has been nearly one year since the SARS-CoV-2 coronavirus changed the world. With millions of people infected and over a quarter million dead in the United States, the novel coronavirus continues its pervasive hold on our health and well-being.
After months of stress, frustration and uncertainty, people are itching to travel and visit loved ones during the height of the holiday season, despite increasing cases of COVID-19. As the virus continues to dominate news coverage, people are clinging to the anticipation of promising vaccine trials from Pfizer, Moderna and several other companies. How will these vaccines, and potentially others still to come, change the course of the pandemic? Will we be able to return to normal and how long could that take?
On this episode of Behind the Blue, we speak with two members of the UK College of Pharmacy all about the history and implementation of vaccines, and what to expect from the rollout of these new vaccines designed to combat our current pandemic.
Vincent Venditto is an assistant professor in the University of Kentucky College of Pharmacy’s Department of Pharmaceutical Science. Dr. Venditto received training in organic synthesis and vaccine development. He obtained a BS in chemistry from Gettysburg College and then worked for two years at the National Cancer Institute of the National Institutes of Health as a cancer research trainee before attending graduate school. He obtained a PhD in chemistry from Texas A&M University and worked on vaccine development as an NIH postdoctoral fellow at University of California, San Francisco.
Brooke Hudspeth is an associate professor and Chief Practice Officer for the University of Kentucky College of Pharmacy. An alumnus of the college’s PharmD and Community Residency programs, she serves as a preceptor for pharmacy students and residents, and as the CPO, oversees all community pharmacy efforts for the college while working to elevate the care available to those in the Commonwealth.
"Behind the Blue" is available on iTunes, Google Play, Stitcher and Spotify. Become a subscriber to receive new episodes of “Behind the Blue” each week. UK’s latest medical breakthroughs, research, artists and writers will be featured, along with the most important news impacting the university.
For questions or comments about this or any other episode of "Behind the Blue," email BehindTheBlue@uky.edu or tweet your question with #BehindTheBlue.
To discover what’s wildly possible at the University of Kentucky, click here.
LEXINGTON, Ky. (Dec. 3, 2020) – Since its inception in 1889, the UK Alumni Association is a self-governed, nonprofit membership organization that serves the University of Kentucky and its many alumni, students, parents and friends.
From maintaining the Helen G. King Alumni House as the alumni home on campus, to scholarships, Homecoming and Golden Wildcat reunion activities, providing networking opportunities with UK graduates around the world and more, the vision of the UK Alumni Association is to “Enhance the lives of alumni, the university, and its students and provide opportunities for increased engagement by current and future alumni in service to each other, to the university, and to the communities that the university serves across the Commonwealth and beyond.”
On this episode of Behind the Blue, UKPR’s Carl Nathe is joined by Jill Smith, Executive Director and Associate Vice-President of the UK Alumni Association, and current UK Alumni Association President Hannah Myers. Myers and Smith talk about their shared UK backgrounds and how their time here inspired them to give back to their communities, the 131 year history of the Alumni Association and how it has developed and adapted over that time, the importance of being the “history holders” and tradition-keepers for the University, and more.
"Behind the Blue" is available on iTunes, Google Play, Stitcher and Spotify. Become a subscriber to receive new episodes of “Behind the Blue” each week. UK’s latest medical breakthroughs, research, artists and writers will be featured, along with the most important news impacting the university.
For questions or comments about this or any other episode of "Behind the Blue," email BehindTheBlue@uky.edu or tweet your question with #BehindTheBlue.
To discover what’s wildly possible at the University of Kentucky, click here.
LEXINGTON, Ky. (Nov. 26, 2020) – Coming from a large family in Nebraska, Dr. Mark Prendergast grew up with a desire to help others.
Prendergast, the Director of the Neuroscience Bachelor of Science degree program in the UK College of Arts & Sciences, has used that desire to find demonstrative ways to increase the number of students of color in the neuroscience field.
“We have a longstanding commitment to addressing issues of diversity, inclusivity and equity,” says Prendergast. “And one of our most important missions as faculty and scientists is to train the next generation of scientists and professors. And we have to, absolutely must do that, with diversity, inclusivity and equity in mind.”
From 2013-2019, he co-directed a NIH-funded research training program for undergraduate students. The 10-week lab course studied alcohol at different levels of analysis, including cellular, behavioral and social. Prendergast says their mission was to address underrepresented minorities in the program.
In 2020, Prendergast began working with Joe Springer, Director of the UK Spinal Cord and Brain Injury Research Center, to develop the African-American Research Training Scholars Program. The program funds up to five 12-month awards for undergraduate students who identify as Black or African-American to work in a laboratory studying spinal cord injury or neuro-trauma.
On this episode of Behind the Blue, UKPR’s Carl Nathe talks with Prendergast about developing partnerships across campus, keeping students engaged in programs with work opportunities and mentorships, and more.
"Behind the Blue" is available on iTunes, Google Play, Stitcher and Spotify. Become a subscriber to receive new episodes of “Behind the Blue” each week. UK’s latest medical breakthroughs, research, artists and writers will be featured, along with the most important news impacting the university.
For questions or comments about this or any other episode of "Behind the Blue," email BehindTheBlue@uky.edu or tweet your question with #BehindTheBlue.
To discover what’s wildly possible at the University of Kentucky, click here.
LEXINGTON, Ky. (Nov. 19, 2020) – The statistics on Alzheimer’s and dementia inducing brain disease are frightening to look at, and unlike research into cancer and heart disease, researchers have often been frustrated in their efforts to make progress in understanding these diseases.
Dr. Peter Nelson, of the University of Kentucky’s Sanders-Brown Center on Aging, has spent the last 15 years in the Commonwealth helping to lead the fight against Alzheimer’s and dementia inducing brain disease. “Clinical trials are where we’re going to make the difference in Alzheimer’s disease and dementia research,” says Nelson. “My colleagues who do the clinical trials do the most clinical trials of anybody in the country. More than Harvard, more than Stanford, more than U. Chicago, the very best in the world. So, if people want to be involved in clinical trial research, this is the place they go.”
On this episode of Behind the Blue, UKPR’s Carl Nathe talks with Nelson about the work of the Sanders-Brown Center on Aging, the strategies involved in working with such a complex set of diseases, the personal experience that drives his efforts in this research, and more.
"Behind the Blue" is available on iTunes, Google Play, Stitcher and Spotify. Become a subscriber to receive new episodes of “Behind the Blue” each week. UK’s latest medical breakthroughs, research, artists and writers will be featured, along with the most important news impacting the university.
For questions or comments about this or any other episode of "Behind the Blue," email BehindTheBlue@uky.edu or tweet your question with #BehindTheBlue.
To discover what’s wildly possible at the University of Kentucky, click here.
LEXINGTON, Ky. (Nov. 12, 2020) – The COVID-19 pandemic has had a major impact on colleges and universities across the country, and while current students have been severely affected, prospective students are also suffering due to limitations on taking the standardized ACT or SAT tests for admission.
As the Commonwealth of Kentucky’s flagship, land-grant institution, UK is doing everything possible to insure that access to higher education is simpler for future students. For the 2021-22 academic year admissions cycle, the University of Kentucky will be test-optional, meaning students can apply without a test score.
“We ran our data here at the University of Kentucky, and it paired very well with the national data” says Christine Harper, UK’s Associate Vice-President for Student Success and Chief Enrollment Officer, “finding that GPA is a better indication of student success and retention.”
On this episode of Behind the Blue, Harper is joined by Asia Payne, UK’s Assistant Director of Academic Scholarships to talk about what test-optional means for prospective students, the range of scholarships available, the continuing availability of campus tours, and more.
"Behind the Blue" is available on iTunes, Google Play, Stitcher and Spotify. Become a subscriber to receive new episodes of “Behind the Blue” each week. UK’s latest medical breakthroughs, research, artists and writers will be featured, along with the most important news impacting the university.
For questions or comments about this or any other episode of "Behind the Blue," email BehindTheBlue@uky.edu or tweet your question with #BehindTheBlue.
To discover what’s wildly possible at the University of Kentucky, click here.
LEXINGTON, Ky. (Oct. 30, 2020) –
Tuesday will mark one of the most important – and certainly unusual – elections in decades.
Local, state and federal elections are being contested in the midst of a pandemic and in the wake of unrest across the country around issues of racism. The country is deeply polarized. Recovery from a deep recession is uneven and unsure. The Congress is in a stalemate over whether to provide more stimulus as part of relief from COVID-19.
Tuesday night – and the days afterward – will determine who controls both the House and the Senate as well as the Presidency. In Kentucky, major races for the U.S. Senate, Congress and local legislative offices have captured national attention and drawn tens of millions of dollars in contributions from individuals and groups across the country.
To help sort out all the questions and bring clarity to a confusing and anxious election season, Behind the Blue interviewed D. Stephen Voss, an associate professor of political science at UK, and resident expert in elections and voting behavior. (https://polisci.as.uky.edu/user/1620) In thisepisode, Voss discusses potential outcomes in a number of races, the vagaries of polling and how deeply divided politically our country is right now.
"Behind the Blue" is available on iTunes, Google Play, Stitcher and Spotify. Become a subscriber to receive new episodes of “Behind the Blue” each week. UK’s latest medical breakthroughs, research, artists and writers will be featured, along with the most important news impacting the university.
For questions or comments about this or any other episode of "Behind the Blue," email BehindTheBlue@uky.edu or tweet your question with #BehindTheBlue.
To discover what’s wildly possible at the University of Kentucky, click here.
LEXINGTON, Ky. (Oct. 27, 2020) – The University of Kentucky has recently announced plans to elevate and expand its commitment to diversity, student success, accountability and its historic land-grant mission of service as part of an expansion of UK President Eli Capilouto’s leadership team.
As part of that expansion, UK is creating the position of chief accountability officer and audit executive, which will serve as a direct report to Capilouto, who says that the major reorganization is focused on the strategic imperatives, critical to UK’s capacity to not only survive, but thrive as the institution confronts what he calls the “twin pandemics” of COVID-19 and systemic racism.
Currently chief auditor, Joe Reed will move along with the division he oversees from the Office of the Executive Vice President for Finance Administration, into this new role of Chief accountability officer and audit executive.
On this episode of Behind the Blue, Reed discusses this new role; how it differs from his previous position as chief auditor, why this organizational change was needed at UK, the meaning and impact it provides to the overall mission of the University of Kentucky, and more.
"Behind the Blue" is available on iTunes, Google Play, Stitcher and Spotify. Become a subscriber to receive new episodes of “Behind the Blue” each week. UK’s latest medical breakthroughs, research, artists and writers will be featured, along with the most important news impacting the university.
For questions or comments about this or any other episode of "Behind the Blue," email BehindTheBlue@uky.edu or tweet your question with #BehindTheBlue.
To discover what’s wildly possible at the University of Kentucky, click here.
LEXINGTON, Ky, (Oct. 22, 2020) – Nationwide protests in the U.S. have captivated humans around the globe, catapulting discussions of race, justice and policing to the forefront of national discourse.
While police brutality has been prevalent in the United States for decades, high-profile incidents of police using deadly force against unarmed people of color has emphasized the need for intentional dialogue surrounding racial injustice and systemic racism.
“For people who are racially minoritized, the recent uprisings are part of a continued conversation that has never been optional to engage,” said Nicole Martin, director of Inclusive Excellence and Diversity Education (IEDE) at the University of Kentucky. “What we are witnessing in the uprisings is a response to a centuries long cry for recognition of Black humanity and Black life. For those whom society at large does not appear to apply the lens of race, there has been an increased desire for education around the history and theories of race in the United States.”
As protests continue around the world, it is evident that individuals are ready to engage in advocacy, revolution and, most often, conversation.
Although conversation alone will not lead to the dismantling of the oppressive systems that have led to the political, economic and social suppression of Black people, Indigenous people and people of color, ongoing dialogue can serve as a catalyst in igniting the change necessary to create the equity that marginalized communities deserve.
On this week’s edition of “Behind the Blue,” Martin and her colleague Rae Loftis, IEDE associate, discuss navigating difficult conversations surrounding race and equity, why these conversations are important in moving the campus forward and the role IEDE plays at the university in creating a campus community invested in expanding diversity, equity and inclusion initiatives.
IEDE serves the university as a centralized educational unit for expanding diversity, equity and inclusion initiatives. Rooted in an organized effort to create a campus community invested in exposing, challenging and minimizing the effects of interpersonal and institutionalized discrimination, IEDE is committed to supporting the broader mission of UK’s strategic plan.
To learn more about IEDE and its services, click here.
"Behind the Blue" is available on iTunes, Google Play, Stitcher and Spotify. Become a subscriber to receive new episodes of “Behind the Blue” each week. UK’s latest medical breakthroughs, research, artists and writers will be featured, along with the most important news impacting the university.
For questions or comments about this or any other episode of "Behind the Blue," email BehindTheBlue@uky.edu or tweet your question with #BehindTheBlue.
To discover what’s wildly possible at the University of Kentucky, click here.
LEXINGTON, Ky. (Oct. 8, 2020) – Totaling more than $429 million, the University of Kentucky saw a record-breaking year of research funding for the 2019-20 academic year, a 3% increase from the previous year. UK also continues to climb in national research rankings, coming in at 63rd among 624 public and private universities.
Leading the way in this area is Dr. Lisa Cassis, UK’s Vice-President for Research. Cassis oversees the university’s vast research efforts on fighting cancer, heart disease, diabetes, obesity, opioid addiction and more.
On this week’s episode of Behind the Blue, Cassis joins UKPR’s Carl Nathe to discuss the many areas research is prioritizing, including greater diversity and inclusion, the increasing commitment to opportunities for undergraduate research, returning research efforts to higher capacity during the COVID-19 pandemic, and more.
"Behind the Blue" is available on iTunes, Google Play, Stitcher and Spotify. Become a subscriber to receive new episodes of “Behind the Blue” each week. UK’s latest medical breakthroughs, research, artists and writers will be featured, along with the most important news impacting the university.
For questions or comments about this or any other episode of "Behind the Blue," email BehindTheBlue@uky.edu or tweet your question with #BehindTheBlue.
To discover what’s wildly possible at the University of Kentucky, click here.
LEXINGTON, Ky. (Sept. 24, 2020) – The University of Kentucky is six weeks into a fall 2020 semester built around a hybrid of in-person and online classes. Masks, distancing, hand-washing, daily screenings and campus wide COVID-19 testing have become the protocol for the campus population, an initiative determined to provide a safe environment to fulfill UK’s missions of education, research, service and care.
As the university begins its all-SEC football season, starting September 26th at Auburn, University President Eli Capilouto recently joined UKPR’s Carl Nathe in a conversation for ‘UK at the Half.’
On this edition of Behind the Blue, we present that interview in its entirety, as Capilouto discusses the University’s return to classes, how the planning process which started in the spring continues to inform decisions made in the midst of changing circumstances, ongoing efforts regarding diversity, equity and inclusion and more.
"Behind the Blue" is available on iTunes, Google Play, Stitcher and Spotify. Become a subscriber to receive new episodes of “Behind the Blue” each week. UK’s latest medical breakthroughs, research, artists and writers will be featured, along with the most important news impacting the university.
For questions or comments about this or any other episode of "Behind the Blue," email BehindTheBlue@uky.edu or tweet your question with #BehindTheBlue.
To discover what’s wildly possible at the University of Kentucky, click here.
LEXINGTON, Ky. (Sept. 22, 2020) – The University of Kentucky recently announced a major reorganization of senior administration that energizes three strategic imperatives: putting students and their success at the center of all we do; constructing a bigger table for decision-making with people and resources to get the job done; and creating more accountability around the plans we make and more transparency on how we measure our progress.
In doing so, the president has expanded budget authority and responsibility for the Office for Institutional Diversity (OID) and announced the launch of a national search in the coming weeks for a permanent vice president for institutional diversity (VPID).
Currently, George Wright fills the role of interim VPID. Wright will continue in this role through the national search and move to the permanent position of senior adviser to President Capilouto once the new VPID is selected.
On this week’s edition of “Behind the Blue,” Wright discusses his role in the reorganization, his vision for OID’s future and how this reorganization will guide the university to accelerate its progress, even in the midst of this uncertain moment.
"Behind the Blue" is available on iTunes, Google Play, Stitcher and Spotify. Become a subscriber to receive new episodes of “Behind the Blue” each week. UK’s latest medical breakthroughs, research, artists and writers will be featured, along with the most important news impacting the university.
For questions or comments about this or any other episode of "Behind the Blue," email BehindTheBlue@uky.edu or tweet your question with #BehindTheBlue.
To discover what’s wildly possible at the University of Kentucky, click here.
LEXINGTON, Ky. (September 11, 2020) – University of Kentucky College of Agriculture, Food and Environment Dean Nancy Cox has recently been named by President Eli Capilouto as the Vice President for Land-Grant Engagement.
Dean Cox will take on this additional role while continuing her academic leadership in the College of Agriculture, Food and Environment. Cox became dean of the college in 2014, having previously served as Associate Dean for Research and Associate Director of the Experiment Station at UK.
This edition of “Behind the Blue” explores Cox’s vision for the newly-created position, the ever-evolving role of extension and the responsibility behind being a land-grant institution for the Commonwealth of Kentucky.
"Behind the Blue" is available on iTunes, Google Play, Stitcher and Spotify. Become a subscriber to receive new episodes of “Behind the Blue” each week. UK’s latest medical breakthroughs, research, artists and writers will be featured, along with the most important news impacting the university.
For questions or comments about this or any other episode of "Behind the Blue," email BehindTheBlue@uky.edu or tweet your question with #BehindTheBlue.
To discover what’s wildly possible at the University of Kentucky, click here.
LEXINGTON, Ky. (August 27, 2020) – Rural and African American communities face a number of health challenges – diabetes, lung cancer and heart disease being among the most common.
Dr. Lovoria Williams in the UK College of Nursing is surveying the congregants in Appalachian and central Kentucky churches to develop interventions designed to help people in those communities adapt their behavior and adopt healthy lifestyle choices. Additionally, she’s examining the effect of COVID-19 on those communities and the impact it has had on the congregants’ mental, emotional and financial well-being.
On this episode of Behind the Blue, Dr. Williams discusses her research, how it’s being received in those rural communities, what insight they hope to gain from the data and more.
"Behind the Blue" is available on iTunes, Google Play, Stitcher and Spotify. Become a subscriber to receive new episodes of “Behind the Blue” each week. UK’s latest medical breakthroughs, research, artists and writers will be featured, along with the most important news impacting the university.
For questions or comments about this or any other episode of "Behind the Blue," email BehindTheBlue@uky.edu or tweet your question with #BehindTheBlue.
To discover what’s wildly possible at the University of Kentucky, click here.
LEXINGTON, Ky. (August 20, 2020) – As the University of Kentucky prepares for the start of the fall 2020 semester, efforts are underway to provide COVID-19 testing for all students planning a physical return to campus. Between August 3rd and August 22nd, testing for all 30,000 students – undergraduate, graduate and professional will be available at no cost to students at five sites on campus. The idea is to create a baseline for university officials as plans are implemented for ongoing daily screening, contact tracing and other health measures.
In addition, students moving into residence halls on campus are being provided ‘health kits’, containing digital thermometers, sanitizers, masks and other items, in an effort to promote healthy behavior to reduce transmission of the virus and flatten the infection curve. This behavior includes washing hands, sanitizing common surfaces, and maintaining at least 6 feet of distance from others…otherwise known as the more familiar term “social distancing”.
It’s that concept of distancing that is the focus of this episode of Behind the Blue. While distancing from each other is part of the desired behavior our health officials have been urging in order to combat this pandemic, humans have basic needs for emotional and social connection, and members of our society are being asked to do what we aren’t always well-equipped to do in the face of a crisis – nothing. On this week’s podcast, Tony Love, an assistant professor of sociology in the UK College of Arts and Sciences, and we’ll be talking about the importance of staying socially connected – even during times when we cannot be physically together.
"Behind the Blue" is available on iTunes, Google Play, Stitcher and Spotify. Become a subscriber to receive new episodes of “Behind the Blue” each week. UK’s latest medical breakthroughs, research, artists and writers will be featured, along with the most important news impacting the university.
For questions or comments about this or any other episode of "Behind the Blue," email BehindTheBlue@uky.edu or tweet your question with #BehindTheBlue.
To discover what’s wildly possible at the University of Kentucky, click here.
LEXINGTON, Ky. (August 6, 2020) – The discussions over removal of Confederate memorials in the United States have been some of the more prominent ones in our current cultural landscape. Gaining momentum from other recent social movements that are happening concurrently, from Black Lives Matter to #MeToo and beyond, the focus of these discussions now seems to have widened to include memorials and statues that go well further back than the American Civil War, and beyond the borders of this country.
Amy Murrell Taylor, the T. Marshall Hahn Jr. Professor of History at the University of Kentucky, last appeared on Behind the Blue in September of 2017. On this newest episode, Taylor returns to discuss how this movement has progressed over the past three years, and how the University and Lexington are approaching these conversations. “I think Lexington has gotten past the most contentious part of the monument piece of all of this,” says Taylor. “But monuments are just one piece of a much bigger struggle for racial justice.”
Taylor also talks about her recent book, “Embattled Freedom: Journeys Through the Civil War’s Slave Refugee Camps”, and its themes of freedom not just coming to people despite the war and its resolution, but that it had to be sought after in the midst of it.
"Behind the Blue" is available on iTunes, Google Play, Stitcher and Spotify. Become a subscriber to receive new episodes of “Behind the Blue” each week. UK’s latest medical breakthroughs, research, artists and writers will be featured, along with the most important news impacting the university.
For questions or comments about this or any other episode of "Behind the Blue," email BehindTheBlue@uky.edu or tweet your question with #BehindTheBlue.
To discover what’s wildly possible at the University of Kentucky, click here.
LEXINGTON, Ky. (July 30, 2020) – This summer, the United States has seen nationwide demonstrations and protests in light of, among other things, the killing of George Floyd during an arrest in Minneapolis on may 25th. Local protests quickly spread across the country, and the New York Times cited polls that estimated, as of July 3rd, between 15 and 26 million people had participated at some point in the demonstrations, making them the largest in U.S. history.
On this week’s episode of Behind the Blue, UK Assistant Professor of History Dr. Eladio Bobadilla discusses these movements, and helps provide some context to what we’re seeing. “Historically, only sustained, prolonged, well-organized movements have accomplished meaningful political and social change,” explains Dr. Bobadilla, discussing the arc of social movements. “Successful movements take time, they take pressure, they take criticism, they take organization, and they take sacrifice. I think if I were to sum up the history of social movements, when a movement succeeds those are the elements that it requires.”
"Behind the Blue" is available on iTunes, Google Play, Stitcher and Spotify. Become a subscriber to receive new episodes of “Behind the Blue” each week. UK’s latest medical breakthroughs, research, artists and writers will be featured, along with the most important news impacting the university.
For questions or comments about this or any other episode of "Behind the Blue," email BehindTheBlue@uky.edu or tweet your question with #BehindTheBlue.
To discover what’s wildly possible at the University of Kentucky, click here.
LEXINGTON, Ky. (July 23, 2020) – The University of Kentucky has announced detailed plans for testing up to 30,000 students for COVID-19 as part of its plan to restart in-class instruction on August 17.
The testing details are the first in a series of announcements UK will be making over the next few weeks regarding steps being taken to protect the health, safety and well-being of the campus community as it prepares for the Fall 2020 semester.
On this episode of Behind the Blue, Tyler Gayheart, Director of Strategic Communications and Enterprise Salesforce Operations, Nick Kehrwald, UK’s Dean of Students, and UK Police Chief Joe Monroe join us to discuss this announcement and the testing plans that will attempt to create a baseline of screening, contact tracing, and other health measures for the UK community.
"Behind the Blue" is available on iTunes, Google Play, Stitcher and Spotify. Become a subscriber to receive new episodes of “Behind the Blue” each week. UK’s latest medical breakthroughs, research, artists and writers will be featured, along with the most important news impacting the university.
For questions or comments about this or any other episode of "Behind the Blue," email BehindTheBlue@uky.edu or tweet your question with #BehindTheBlue.
To discover what’s wildly possible at the University of Kentucky, click here.
LEXINGTON, Ky. (July 9, 2020) – In spending nearly 30 years at the University of Kentucky, Dr. Sonja Feist-Price has worn many hats. From a faculty member in the College of Education to a member of the Provost’s leadership team advocating for students and faculty.
Most recently, Feist-Price has served as UK’s Vice President for Institutional Diversity. Now, she’s preparing to put away (but keep close by) her Wildcat blue to don a different blue, as she leaves the University to become Provost at the University of Michigan-Flint.
On this episode of Behind the Blue, Feist-Price discusses the lessons she’s learned in her time here at UK, her passion for education and mentoring students, and the calling she feels to make a positive difference in Flint.
"Behind the Blue" is available on iTunes, Google Play, Stitcher and Spotify. Become a subscriber to receive new episodes of “Behind the Blue” each week. UK’s latest medical breakthroughs, research, artists and writers will be featured, along with the most important news impacting the university.
For questions or comments about this or any other episode of "Behind the Blue," email BehindTheBlue@uky.edu or tweet your question with #BehindTheBlue.
To discover what’s wildly possible at the University of Kentucky, click here.
LEXINGTON, Ky. (June 25, 2020) – More than 1,000 people in Kentucky are on the waiting list for a lifesaving organ. More than 22 people die each day awaiting a transplant, and someone is added to the national waiting list every ten minutes.
Second chances start at the University of Kentucky HealthCare Transplant Center. Since 1964, more than 2,600 kidney transplants have taken place, thanks to a dedicated team of physicians, surgeons, nurse practitioners and nurse coordinators, pharmacists, nutritionists, social workers, and support staff. They specialize in caring for transplant patients and guiding them through the transplant process, from the initial consultation through surgery and beyond.
“Patients in Kentucky often don’t have the means to go out of state, so having a center here ensures that our patients get the care they need and the care they deserve,” said Dr. Meera Gupta, surgical director of the kidney and pancreas transplant program. “Here in Lexington, we serve a large geographic area, and we have outreach clinics in Louisville, northern Kentucky and Bowling Green so we can support our patients at all points of their transplant journey by letting them stay closer to home for routine care.”
Staff at the UK Transplant Center are with patients every step of the way, from initial screenings, to lifelong follow up care. Upon first visits with patients, nurse coordinator Ashleigh Mefford encourages them to think of her as a new member of their family, one who they can call at any time for questions.
“They truly become members of our transplant family, because we follow them forever,” said Dr. Gupta.
The majority of kidneys come from deceased donors, and once transplanted, can last 10-15 years. A kidney from a living donor can last twice as long and reduce a patient’s time on the transplant waiting list from years to weeks.
“Regardless of the source of the donated kidney, recipients get a much needed second chance at living a happy and healthy life,” said Dr. Gupta.
On this edition of Behind the Blue, transplant practice manager Bethany Banks joins Mefford and Dr. Gupta to discuss the UK Transplant Center, what patients can expect when they come to the clinic, and more.
"Behind the Blue" is available on iTunes, Google Play, Stitcher and Spotify. Become a subscriber to receive new episodes of “Behind the Blue” each week. UK’s latest medical breakthroughs, research, artists and writers will be featured, along with the most important news impacting the university.
For questions or comments about this or any other episode of "Behind the Blue," email BehindTheBlue@uky.edu or tweet your question with #BehindTheBlue.
To discover what’s wildly possible at the University of Kentucky, click here.
More than 90% of U.S. adult support organ donation, but only 60% are registered donors. Each year, the number of people on the waiting list grows larger than both the number of donors and transplants. To learn more about becoming a registered organ donor, visit www.organdonor.gov to learn more how you can give the gift of life.
LEXINGTON, Ky. (June 19, 2020) – Tracy Campbell is the E. Vernon Smith and Eloise C. Smith Professor of American History at UK. He has written well-received accounts of voter fraud in the country, a biography of the Gateway Arch and a compelling biography of Ed Prichard, a legendary name in Kentucky politics whose life was a story of tragedy and redemption.
Recently, Campbell’s latest book was published – The Year of Peril: America in 1942. It is a month-by-month chronicle of 1942, a tumultuous and often unsettling year in which America fully engaged in World War II. The deeply researched and richly detailed book underscores the fragility of democracy, the challenge of mobilizing a country for a historic war effort, the divisions of politics and policy that continue today and the promise and possibility of what happens when a country unites behind an unprecedented effort.
On this edition of Behind the Blue, Campbell talks about his book, his exhaustive research to make it happen, and what it tells us about today and the future of our country.
"Behind the Blue" is available on iTunes, Google Play, Stitcher and Spotify. Become a subscriber to receive new episodes of “Behind the Blue” each week. UK’s latest medical breakthroughs, research, artists and writers will be featured, along with the most important news impacting the university.
For questions or comments about this or any other episode of "Behind the Blue," email BehindTheBlue@uky.edu or tweet your question with #BehindTheBlue.
To discover what’s wildly possible at the University of Kentucky, click here.
LEXINGTON, Ky. (June 11, 2020) – This week, the University of Kentucky will unveil plans for a fall 2020 restart. The plan is based on concept plans developed by three teams of faculty, staff and students, and refined with input from the full university community.
On the previous episode of Behind the Blue, we spoke with three students who shared their experiences from a spring semester in which the UK campus was forced to close and move classes to an online format due to the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic. Though the goal is to return this fall to in-person classes on the UK campus, planning and consideration will be made in case an outbreak of the novel coronavirus once again forces UK to close for the semester.
On this week’s episode of ‘Behind the Blue’, we talk with three UK faculty members to get their perspective of the unexpected shift to an all-online format, tips for making the online experience more productive, and advice they might give to other faculty or students if we’re once again faced with a “virtual semester”.
Dr. Lou Hirsch is a lecturer in the Department of Plant Pathology and the director of Undergraduate Studies of Agricultural and Medical Biotechnology and Agricultural Individualized Curriculum in the UK College of Agriculture, Food and Environment.
Dr. Renee Kaufmann is an assistant professor in the College of Communication and Information, specifically in the School of Information Science.
Dr. Darshak Patel is a Senior Lecturer of Economics and the Director of Undergraduate Studies at The University of Kentucky Gatton College of Business and Economics.
Mentioned in this episode is the University of Kentucky’s Center for the Enhancement of Learning and Teaching (CELT), which provides extensive support to faculty in adapting their classes to an online learning environment. For more about CELT and their work at UK, click here.
"Behind the Blue" is available on iTunes, Google Play, Stitcher and Spotify. Become a subscriber to receive new episodes of “Behind the Blue” each week. UK’s latest medical breakthroughs, research, artists and writers will be featured, along with the most important news impacting the university.
For questions or comments about this or any other episode of "Behind the Blue," email BehindTheBlue@uky.edu or tweet your question with #BehindTheBlue. Transcripts for this or other episodes of Behind the Blue can be downloaded from the show’s blog page. You can watch a video version of this podcast here.
To discover what’s wildly possible at the University of Kentucky, click here.
LEXINGTON, Ky. (June 5, 2020) – Like so many other colleges and universities around the country and world, the University of Kentucky was forced to close their campus and move classes to an online format in order to finish the spring-2020 semester, due to the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic.
Students living both on-campus and off were resigned to finish their classes away from their classmates. Residence halls closed and students moved home, bringing an unexpected end to their on-campus experience for the 2019-20 academic year.
Now, as we move into a summer of all-online classes, the University is currently working on plans to re-start and welcome students back in the fall, but just how that will work is still under development.
Kelsey Hutchison is a junior Arts Administration and Dance double-major from Cynthiana, Ky., Ben Branscum is a spring 2020 Media Arts and Studies graduate from Stearns, Ky., and Keyera Jackson is a spring 2020 Journalism graduate from Atlanta, Ga.
On this week’s episode of ‘Behind the Blue’, these three students share some of their experiences from this spring, along with their insight on how they made the best of a less-than-desirable situation.
"Behind the Blue" is available on iTunes, Google Play, Stitcher and Spotify. Become a subscriber to receive new episodes of “Behind the Blue” each week. UK’s latest medical breakthroughs, research, artists and writers will be featured, along with the most important news impacting the university.
For questions or comments about this or any other episode of "Behind the Blue," email BehindTheBlue@uky.edu or tweet your question with #BehindTheBlue. Transcripts for this or other episodes of Behind the Blue can be downloaded from the show’s blog page. You can watch a video version of this podcast here.
To discover what’s wildly possible at the University of Kentucky, click here.
LEXINGTON, Ky. (May 29, 2020) – We are in the eleventh week of the social distancing measures put in place to deal with the COVID-19 pandemic at the University of Kentucky.
During that time, we’ve produced a great deal of video, audio and written content to communicate with our students, faculty, staff, and community, and we’ve taken major steps in putting together a plan for our fall restart.
Here to talk about what the past few months have been like - and what the future could look like - is the twelfth president of the University of Kentucky, Dr. Eli Capilouto.
"Behind the Blue" is available on iTunes, Google Play, Stitcher and Spotify. Become a subscriber to receive new episodes of “Behind the Blue” each week. UK’s latest medical breakthroughs, research, artists and writers will be featured, along with the most important news impacting the university.
For questions or comments about this or any other episode of "Behind the Blue," email BehindTheBlue@uky.edu or tweet your question with #BehindTheBlue. Transcripts for this or other episodes of Behind the Blue can be downloaded from the show’s blog page. You can watch a video version of this podcast here.
To discover what’s wildly possible at the University of Kentucky, click here.
LEXINGTON, Ky. (May 14, 2020) – The distinctive residential educational experience provided by the University of Kentucky has attracted thousands of students from across Kentucky, the country and the globe. That experience is critical for the future. This differentiated education will be more necessary than ever to help UK and students meet the ongoing and daunting new challenges our world must now confront.
To that end, UK is making plans to open in August for the fall semester. To reach that goal, the university has undertaken a restart process and guiding principles to ‘Reinvent Normal’ for the campus community. Between April 26 and April 28, multiple teams were formed and asked to draft parallel concept papers for four different restart options. Teams were then asked to present their concept papers May 11-12. Currently, the university is consolidating the ideas, and will circulate them soon for campus-wide input.
On this week’s episode of Behind the Blue, UK’s Executive Vice President for Finance and Administration, Dr. Eric N. Monday, returns to the podcast to discuss that process and the potential timeline for selection and adoption of a plan.
"Behind the Blue" is available on iTunes, Google Play, Stitcher and Spotify. Become a subscriber to receive new episodes of “Behind the Blue” each week. UK’s latest medical breakthroughs, research, artists and writers will be featured, along with the most important news impacting the university.
For questions or comments about this or any other episode of "Behind the Blue," email BehindTheBlue@uky.edu or tweet your question with #BehindTheBlue. Transcripts for this or other episodes of Behind the Blue can be downloaded from the show’s blog page. You can watch a video version of this podcast here.
To discover what’s wildly possible at the University of Kentucky, click here.
LEXINGTON, Ky. (May 7, 2020) – Over the past several weeks, we’ve spoken with several people who have provided leadership and guidance to our University community during the coronavirus pandemic. From medical personnel like Dr. Rebecca Dutch, to University administrative members like Executive Vice President for Finance and Administration Eric Monday, each have provided valuable insight on how the University of Kentucky have faced up to the challenges presented by our fight against COVID-19.
Incoming Student Government Association President Courtney Wheeler started her term of office on April 29th, 2020. A junior double major in Business Management with Business and Organizational Communication from Louisville, KY, Wheeler served SGA during the 2019-20 academic year as the SGA Chief of Staff.
On this week’s episode of Behind the Blue, Wheeler talks about her personal adjustments to an all online schedule due to COVID-19, the efforts Student Government made to move online and maintain their level of advocacy for students, how she has been working with the University to walk through a variety of scenarios to anticipate what the fall semester may look like at UK, and more.
"Behind the Blue" is available on iTunes, Google Play, Stitcher and Spotify. Become a subscriber to receive new episodes of “Behind the Blue” each week. UK’s latest medical breakthroughs, research, artists and writers will be featured, along with the most important news impacting the university.
For questions or comments about this or any other episode of "Behind the Blue," email BehindTheBlue@uky.edu or tweet your question with #BehindTheBlue. Transcripts for this or other episodes of Behind the Blue can be downloaded from the show’s blog page. You can watch a video version of this podcast here.
To discover what’s wildly possible at the University of Kentucky, click here.
LEXINGTON, Ky. (April 30, 2020) –John Thelin is widely considered one of the pre-eminent historians of higher education in America. His work – A History of Higher Education in America – is considered a seminal work regarding the evolution of colleges and universities in this country. He is a prolific writer and author, having explored topics as far-reaching as college sports, public policy and philanthropy.
During this public health crisis, he has been interviewed in publications across the country, such as The Atlantic, about the impact of the virus on colleges and universities.
On this special edition of Behind the Blue, Thelin discusses obstacles that have confronted higher education before and the challenges that now lie ahead.
"Behind the Blue" is available on iTunes, Google Play, Stitcher and Spotify. Become a subscriber to receive new episodes of “Behind the Blue” each week. UK’s latest medical breakthroughs, research, artists and writers will be featured, along with the most important news impacting the university.
For questions or comments about this or any other episode of "Behind the Blue," email BehindTheBlue@uky.edu or tweet your question with #BehindTheBlue. Transcripts for this or other episodes of Behind the Blue can be downloaded from the show’s blog page. You can watch a video version of this podcast here.
To discover what’s wildly possible at the University of Kentucky, click here.
LEXINGTON, Ky. (April 23, 2020) –Among his many duties, UK’s Executive Vice President for Finance and Administration Dr. Eric N. Monday has helped lead the crisis response of the university to COVID-19. It’s something he has a great deal of experience in, having helped lead responses to two major hurricanes while serving in senior positions at Louisiana State University.
This week, however, Monday is also part of a discussion about what will be a very challenging budget this coming year – a challenge created by the blows to the economy from the coronavirus. Along with President Eli Capilouto and other senior leaders, Monday leads a team that is developing a proposed budget for 2020-2021. The idea, President Capilouto said in an email to campus last week, is to make the “painful and tough choices” now that will “position UK to thrive when we emerge from this crisis.”
Dr. Monday joins us on this special episode of ‘Behind the Blue’ to discuss that process and the steps UK is taking from here.
"Behind the Blue" is available on iTunes, Google Play, Stitcher and Spotify. Become a subscriber to receive new episodes of “Behind the Blue” each week. UK’s latest medical breakthroughs, research, artists and writers will be featured, along with the most important news impacting the university.
For questions or comments about this or any other episode of "Behind the Blue," email BehindTheBlue@uky.edu or tweet your question with #BehindTheBlue. Transcripts for this or other episodes of Behind the Blue can be downloaded from the show’s blog page. You can watch a video version of this podcast here.
To discover what’s wildly possible at the University of Kentucky, click here.
LEXINGTON, Ky. (April 16, 2020) – In 1918, as the United States sent troops to the Western Front for the final months of World War I, an influenza pandemic raged across the globe, infecting nearly a quarter of the world’s population of around 500 million at that time. The death toll was immense, with estimates anywhere from 17-50 million, and some as high as 100 million lives lost. The University of Kentucky was not immune to this deadly pandemic and in response turned its gymnasium, now known as Buell Armory, into a makeshift hospital with help from the Red Cross.
Terry L. Birdwhistell, senior oral historian in the Louie B. Nunn Center for Oral History at UK Libraries, has a personal connection to the 1918 flu pandemic, due to his own family being impacted. “Back then in Anderson County,” Birdwhistell says, “a farm family would have six, eight, 10 kids, to work the farm. I always thought it was odd that my father was an only child, coming out of that environment.” Birdwhistell says his mother told him in later years, “your grandmother had the flu that year, she was pregnant and she lost the baby, and she couldn’t have any more children. It put it all in perspective.”
On this special edition of “Behind the Blue,” Kody Kiser and Carl Nathe of UK Public Relations and Strategic Communications talk with Birdwhistell about life at the time of the 1918 influenza pandemic, how the university and community responded, the unique roles our university presidents played both then and now, and more.
"Behind the Blue" is available on iTunes, Google Play, Stitcher and Spotify. Become a subscriber to receive new episodes of “Behind the Blue” each week. UK’s latest medical breakthroughs, research, artists and writers will be featured, along with the most important news impacting the university.
For questions or comments about this or any other episode of "Behind the Blue," email BehindTheBlue@uky.edu or tweet your question with #BehindTheBlue. Transcripts for this or other episodes of Behind the Blue can be downloaded from the show’s blog page. You can watch a video version of this podcast here.
To discover what’s wildly possible at the University of Kentucky, click here.
LEXINGTON, Ky. (April 9, 2020) – Kentucky is currently one of 14 states that has postponed its election primary. The voting day in the Commonwealth has been changed from May 19 to June 23. As states around the country weigh the costs of postponing vs. the potential risks of keeping schedules in the face of the COVID-19 pandemic, many people are beginning to discuss what all of this may mean for the general election in November.
On this special edition of the Behind the Blue, Joshua A. Douglas provides some insight as to how these situations are playing out around the country. Douglas is the Thomas P. Lewis Professor of Law at UK’s J. David Rosenberg College of Law. He teaches and researches election law and voting rights, civil procedure, constitutional law and judicial decision making. Douglas is the author of ‘Vote for US: How to Take Back our Elections and Change the Future of Voting’, a book that aims to provide hope and inspiration for a positive path forward on voting rights.
"Behind the Blue" is available on iTunes, Google Play, Stitcher and Spotify. Become a subscriber to receive new episodes of “Behind the Blue” each week. UK’s latest medical breakthroughs, research, artists and writers will be featured, along with the most important news impacting the university.
For questions or comments about this or any other episode of "Behind the Blue," email BehindTheBlue@uky.edu or tweet your question with #BehindTheBlue. Transcripts for this or other episodes of Behind the Blue can be downloaded from the show’s blog page. You can watch a video version of this podcast here.
To discover what’s wildly possible at the University of Kentucky, click here.
LEXINGTON, Ky. (April 3, 2020) – Rebecca Dutch has been at the University of Kentucky for nearly 20 years. She is considered a leader in the field of virology – the study of viruses -- and now serves as chair of UK’s Department of Molecular & Cellular Biochemistry.
But her newest field of exploration is unlike anything she has done in her storied career.
She is helping lead researchers and faculty from multiple disciplines across the University of Kentucky as part of the global effort to treat, understand and eradicate COVID-19. The COVID-19 Unified Research Experts (CURE) Alliance team, a new workgroup within UK’s College of Medicine, is bringing together UK experts from across the campus to focus on advising COVID-19 patient care and clinical trials based on emerging research and potential treatment options.
College of Medicine Dean Robert DiPaola recently announced the creation of CURE, which the college is funding with additional support from UK’s Vice President for Research Lisa Cassis.
“Over the next weeks, we will assess emerging studies to guide the College of Medicine’s clinical enterprise to provide the best COVID-19 patient care available,” said Dutch, who is CURE leader “Our goal in the long term is to identify the best options for patient participation in ongoing clinical trials, as well as clinical trials we can develop right here at UK.”
Dutch says the team, which is now meeting multiple times a week via Zoom, is also identifying potential COVID-19 research collaborations among UK experts. Several CURE team members have expertise directly related to COVID-19.
In this special edition of Behind the Blue, Dutch discusses her efforts and those of others across the campus to find treatments for COVID-19 as well as why the virus has spread the way it has and how we can all better protect ourselves and others.
Read more about CURE here: http://uknow.uky.edu/research/university-kentucky-researchers-unite-fight-covid-19
"Behind the Blue" is available on iTunes, Google Play, Stitcher and Spotify. Become a subscriber to receive new episodes of “Behind the Blue” each week. UK’s latest medical breakthroughs, research, artists and writers will be featured, along with the most important news impacting the university.
For questions or comments about this or any other episode of "Behind the Blue," email BehindTheBlue@uky.edu or tweet your question with #BehindTheBlue. Transcripts for this or other episodes of Behind the Blue can be downloaded from the show’s blog page. You can watch a video version of this podcast here.
To discover what’s wildly possible at the University of Kentucky, click here.
LEXINGTON, Ky. (April 1, 2020) – Kentucky is a wonderful place to be involved with horses, whether for breeding, racing, showing, pleasure riding, you name it. And the University of Kentucky’s Sports Medicine Research Institute is a terrific place to be involved with athletes, studying various aspects of performance.
On this week’s edition of the “Behind the Blue” podcast, Carl Nathe of UK Public Relations and Strategic Communications talks with Nick Heebner and Kimberly Tumlin about a new research effort, the Equestrian Athlete Initiative.
"Behind the Blue" is available on iTunes, Google Play, Stitcher and Spotify. Become a subscriber to receive new episodes of “Behind the Blue” each week. UK’s latest medical breakthroughs, research, artists and writers will be featured, along with the most important news impacting the university.
For questions or comments about this or any other episode of "Behind the Blue," email BehindTheBlue@uky.edu or tweet your question with #BehindTheBlue. Transcripts for this or other episodes of Behind the Blue can be downloaded from the show's blog page.
To discover what’s wildly possible at the University of Kentucky, click here.
LEXINGTON, Ky. (March 29, 2020) – The 2019 Novel Coronavirus (COVID-19) is a new illness that was first identified in Wuhan, China, in December 2019, with patients reporting cases of fever and acute respiratory illness. Since that time, other countries, including the U.S., have seen cases of the illness.
As a diverse and globally engaged research institution with a world-class academic medical center, the University of Kentucky has been closely monitoring developments related to the COVID-19 outbreak and their potential impacts on the university community. The health and safety of our faculty, staff and students is our highest priority.
On the academic side, UK is one of many universities to move its classes online using channels such as Zoom – a video conferencing platform – as part of an effort to reduce the number of people on campus. It’s all part of a plan to use ‘social distancing’ to minimize exposure to the virus throughout the community, in order to reduce the case load hospitals may face at any one time. This helps alleviate an overload in the need for beds, personal protective gear, ventilators, and other medical equipment and resources.
On this week’s edition of the “Behind the Blue” podcast, Kody Kiser and Carl Nathe of UK Public Relations and Strategic Communications talks with UK Chief Communications Officer Jay Blanton about the work being undertaken across campus, UK HealthCare, and across the Commonwealth to adapt to these challenging conditions, work to save lives, and continue to be Kentucky’s indispensable institution.
"Behind the Blue" is available on iTunes, Google Play, Stitcher and Spotify. Become a subscriber to receive new episodes of “Behind the Blue” each week. UK’s latest medical breakthroughs, research, artists and writers will be featured, along with the most important news impacting the university.
For questions or comments about this or any other episode of "Behind the Blue," email BehindTheBlue@uky.edu or tweet your question with #BehindTheBlue.
To discover what’s wildly possible at the University of Kentucky, click here.
LEXINGTON, Ky. (March 25, 2020) – 2019-20 has been quite a year for the University of Kentucky’s J. David Rosenberg College of Law, including a first-place finish for a pair of its students at a prestigious national championship competition.
On this week’s edition of the “Behind the Blue” podcast, Carl Nathe of UK Public Relations and Strategic Communications talks with faculty member Jennifer Bird-Pollan (pronounced Pole – in) about these and other outstanding students at the law school, as well as her own career.
"Behind the Blue" is available on iTunes, Google Play, Stitcher and Spotify. Become a subscriber to receive new episodes of “Behind the Blue” each week. UK’s latest medical breakthroughs, research, artists and writers will be featured, along with the most important news impacting the university.
For questions or comments about this or any other episode of "Behind the Blue," email BehindTheBlue@uky.edu or tweet your question with #BehindTheBlue.
To discover what’s wildly possible at the University of Kentucky, click here.
LEXINGTON, Ky. (March 18, 2020) – Hundreds of veterans are enrolled in classes at the University of Kentucky. Since its founding nearly 12 years ago, the UK Veterans Resource Center has been a central source of help and comfort for these vets who are pursuing everything from bachelor’s degrees to advanced graduate and professional degrees.
On this week’s edition of the “Behind the Blue” podcast, Carl Nathe of UK Public Relations and Strategic Communications talks with office director Tony Dotson about the origins of the center and the resources it provides.
"Behind the Blue" is available on iTunes, Google Play, Stitcher and Spotify. Become a subscriber to receive new episodes of “Behind the Blue” each week. UK’s latest medical breakthroughs, research, artists and writers will be featured, along with the most important news impacting the university.
For questions or comments about this or any other episode of "Behind the Blue," email BehindTheBlue@uky.edu or tweet your question with #BehindTheBlue.
To discover what’s wildly possible at the University of Kentucky, click here.
LEXINGTON, Ky. (March 11, 2020) – The University of Kentucky and its College of Agriculture, Food and Environment continue to build on their tradition of helping the people of Kentucky in myriad ways. As an example, UK’s Cooperative Extension Service is bringing new energy and resources to bear in tackling the state’s opioid crisis and other addiction issues.
On this week’s edition of the “Behind the Blue” podcast, Carl Nathe of UK Public Relations and Strategic Communications talks with Jennifer Hunter and Alex Elswick about how their work with extension partners in all 120 counties of the Commonwealth is making a real difference.
"Behind the Blue" is available on iTunes, Google Play, Stitcher and Spotify. Become a subscriber to receive new episodes of “Behind the Blue” each week. UK’s latest medical breakthroughs, research, artists and writers will be featured, along with the most important news impacting the university.
For questions or comments about this or any other episode of "Behind the Blue," email BehindTheBlue@uky.edu or tweet your question with #BehindTheBlue.
To discover what’s wildly possible at the University of Kentucky, click here.
LEXINGTON, Ky. (March 4, 2020) – Mike Richey came to the University of Kentucky from Muhlenberg County in the fall of 1969 as a freshman. Now in his 51st year on campus, his great love for UK continues to grow and he demonstrates it every day as the institution’s chief philanthropy officer.
On this week’s edition of the “Behind the Blue” podcast, Carl Nathe of UK Public Relations and Strategic Communications talks with Richey about ‘Kentucky Can: The 21st Century Campaign for the University of Kentucky’ and other topics.
"Behind the Blue" is available on iTunes, Google Play, Stitcher and Spotify. Become a subscriber to receive new episodes of “Behind the Blue” each week. UK’s latest medical breakthroughs, research, artists and writers will be featured, along with the most important news impacting the university.
For questions or comments about this or any other episode of "Behind the Blue," email BehindTheBlue@uky.edu or tweet your question with #BehindTheBlue.
To discover what’s wildly possible at the University of Kentucky, click here.