Out of the Big Blue

Click here to see the live blogging on Thursday, Sept. 2, at 4 p.m.

by Linda Perry

One of the advantages of working here at the King Alumni House is that the UK Art Museum is right across the street. That made it easy for me to run over there at lunch and catch a peek of the latest exhibit, “Hoofbeats and Heartbeats: The Horse in American Art,” which runs through Nov. 21. The theme of the exhibit is an exploration of the important role the horse has played in American history. (Admission to the museum is free to UK alumni, faculty, students and staff.)

Folks who know me also know I have a soft spot for anything equine, so this was right up my alley. The exhibit has about 50 paintings and sculptures by some well-known artists. Thomas Hart Benton and Frederic Remington are artists you’ll probably recognize. I got permission to snap a pic of one of the paintings to use here. It’s a really energetic piece by William R. Leigh and is titled, “Teddy Roosevelt & the Rough Riders.” Makes you feel like you need to get out of the way!

I’m guessing that one of the reasons the exhibit is in town right now is to coincide with the Alltech FEI World Equestrian Games, which take place in Lexington in a few weeks. This is a great tie to that event. 

The exhibit gave me my “horsey fix,” so it’s smooth sailing for me the rest of the week!

Get more info about UK Art Museum exhibits:  www.uky.edu/ArtMuseum/

Students enjoy good food and friends at the Welcome Back Cookout.

What you don’t want to do on the first day UK is back in session is forget your parking pass, like I did.

You also don’t want to miss the Welcome Back Cookout at the King Alumni House. Luckily, it was right downstairs from my office, so I grabbed the camera and headed down to party.

It was better than anything I expected! Honestly, the Welcome Back Cookout should be a required course on the first day of class.

Outside, students & alumni enjoyed games, ice cream and more!

Students lined the sidewalks outside waiting to enjoy the delicious food from O’Charleys, and unwind with new and old friends after their first day of classes. Music, a corn hole competition, free ice cream, and the chance to win prizes all added to the festive atmosphere. By the time I left, the party was in full swing, with over 500 in attendance. It was the perfect way to welcome students back to UK!

If only I had been wearing different shoes, I might have grabbed a K Book and stayed for the Amazing Race!

Coach Phillips and the 2010 Wildcats have fun during Media Day.

by Kelli Elam

Unless you love baseball (I admit to casually liking it), the long, hot days of summer can seem like an eternity waiting for the return of college football. The wait is almost over!  The 2010 college football season kicks off on Thursday, Sept. 2, but gets underway in earnest for me on Saturday, Sept. 4 when the Wildcats open the season on the road against in-state rival Louisville in the annual battle for the Governor’s Cup.

Four consecutive bowl appearances and a new head coach have Wildcat fans anticipating another exciting year. We’re very proud that Joker Philips, a 1989 CIS grad, is the sixth alum to lead the Kentucky program. We’re also pretty proud of the three straight wins the Cats have earned over the Cardinals and I’m looking for number four!

If you are traveling to Papa John’s Stadium for the game, stop by and see us at our  pre-game tailgate, beginning at 1 p.m. Look for the tent in front of Gate 17 on the grounds of Churchill Downs. Parking is free and the event is located just a short walk from the stadium. Join alumni and friends for good food and a special appearance by the UK Cheerleaders and Band. The cost is $5 for students, $10 for members and $15 for nonmembers. Make your reservation here.

For complete 2010 Tailgate Tour information, visit www.ukalumni.net/tailgate or contact Jill Smith 859-257-8906 or jhsmith@uky.edu.

Go Cats!

New members share their excitement as they leave Memorial Coliseum on Bid Day.

by Meg Phillips

For the last week we’ve been watching incoming freshmen women get to know their way around campus as they participated in Fall Formal Recruitment, aka Sorority Rush.  After several rounds of mutual selection, students were matched with that one perfect chapter today: Bid Day 2010.

Five years ago, I walked out of Memorial Hall with a bid to become a new member of Tri Delta and began my own journey as an undergraduate. My affiliation shaped my experience at UK in many ways and remains a part of who I am today. As I watch the girls leaving Memorial Coliseum today, I am reminded of good times, great friendships, and most of all a sisterhood that will last a lifetime. Congratulations and Best of Luck to all the new members!

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Did You Know?

There are 44 student-run general fraternities and sororities at UK. Collectively, these organizations represent over 3,700 students and offer over 400 leadership positions.

Volunteers help students unload their belonging in front of the dorms on North campus.

by Christina Noll

As I drove in to campus today, the excitement was palpable. Signs on every corner directed incoming students and their families for Move-In Day and my Twitter feed was full of faculty, staff and alumni welcoming the new Wildcats to Big Blue Nation. A walk down the Avenue of Champions revealed even more liveliness. Parents and students hurried into dorms with carts full of dorm supplies and volunteers cheerfully directed cars to suitable parking,  all set to the background music provided by the UK Marching Band practicing nearby.

As I passed Blazer Hall, I recalled the day I moved into my own dorm room and the anticipation of being “on my own” for the first time. Today, approximately 5,000 Freshmen, plus returning and transfer students begin the new academic year with the same hopes and ambition. Once the crates are unpacked and the dorm rooms decorated, it will be time to start the real fun–making new friends and hitting the books! Move-In Day also marks the beginning of one of the most exciting times on campus: K Week.

It’s been nice and quiet all summer, but now that the students are back, campus finally feels like home again. Welcome to UK!

Members of the UK Band practice the week before classes begin

by Christina Noll

One of the surest signs that summer is coming to a close in Lexington is the sound of the UK Marching Band practicing at Stoll Field.  The brass and drums knocking out the UK fight song over and over as they move toward perfecting the tune is almost as sweet as the promise of crisp, autumn air yet to come. For me, hearing the band always signifies that Fall Semester is upon us–and with it, all the excitement and potential of a new academic year and the upcoming Wildcat Football season.

For alumni, Fall Semester offers the opportunity to reconnect with UK and everything we love about our alma mater. Whether you live far from campus, or right here in Lexington, UK Alumni Association clubs are organizing events everywhere to help you get into the back-to-school spirit. From receptions, cookouts, and golf scrambles to UK’s homecoming weekend festivities, there is much going on in the coming month to celebrate. Check out our events calendar on our website for more information.