Out of the Big Blue

This summer, the UK Public Relations team interviewed several UK alumni who have gone on to do great things as part of SeeBlue. See Success.

One of the interviews features UK Alum Matt Cutts, whom you may remember reading about in the Winter 2010 issue of Kentucky Alumni magazine (page 32).

Check out the story and video on Matt Cutts, employee #71 at Google, and learn more about this successful UK graduate.

Read more about Matt Cutts: http://uknow.uky.edu/content/see-success-just-google-him

A sneak peak behind the scenes as we welcome students (and future alumni!) back to campus:

Courtesy of UKPR

UK alums Mark O’Bryan ’82 DES, Mary Lee Daunhauer O’Bryan ’83 DES, Helene Steene ’93, ’04 FA and Mark Alan Gerwing ’90 DES were all recently featured in the July/August issue of Kentucky Homes & Gardens magazine.

The issue’s cover showcases the work the O’Bryans have done updating their own residence. Mark O’Bryan, associate professor in the School of Architecture and associate dean of administration for the UK College of Design, and his wife Mary Lee O’Bryan, interior design alumna and experienced professional interior designer, work together out of their Louisville-based company The Design Studio. The magazine article, “Naturally Modern,” highlights the work the O’Bryans have done giving their 1960s Louisville home a modern touch.

Mark O’Bryan’s artwork is currently on display through Sept. 1, at Base 163 in Lexington. In Louisville, his art can also be seen through Nov. 1 at the Westport Village location of the Heine Brothers Coffee Shop. An upcoming show, will bring his art to the UK campus. “Art and Architecture” will run Oct. 24 through Nov. 9, at Rasdall Gallery in the UK Student Center. Prior to the debut of his exhibit at the Rasdall Gallery, Mark O’Bryan will give a lecture titled, “The World Dwelling,” at 6 p.m. Monday, Oct. 24, at Pence Hall.

Alumna and artist Helene Steene’s work is also featured in the magazine. She says she fell in love with Lexington when she moved to the city, where she obtained her master’s degree in art from the UK College of Fine Arts. Upon graduating in 2004, Steene stayed in the city and currently works out of her studio at the Lexington Art League in Castlewood Park, and during summer visits to Asklepion, on the Greek island of Paros. Steene’s Kentucky Home and Gardens’ article, “Cosmopolitan Art,” features several of her abstract mixed media pieces, using layers of translucent oils over marble dust, including metal on wood panels, creating novel works of art.

Audiences can see Steene’s artwork on UK’s medical campus, as she just completed a 6 x 9 foot piece in the spring for the Markey Cancer Center. Outside of Lexington, Steene’s next one person exhibit will open Sept. 2 at the new Galerie Francois II, in Roanoke, Va. Visit www.helenesteene.com to see more works.

Architecture alumnus Mark Alan Gerwing, founder and principal at M. Gerwing Architects in Boulder, Colo., also was interviewed by Kentucky Homes & Gardens for, “One of the Crew.” The article talks not only about Gerwing’s roots in the Commonwealth, but also his education at UK and Yale University and his professional experience that spans outside of Boulder into such major metropolitan areas as Boston, Chicago and New York City. The architect’s portfolio includes new construction and partial renovations for homes, restaurants and retail spaces. Two of his designs are pictured in the magazine article.

Kentucky Homes & Gardens is a bi-monthly magazine that features homes across the state of Kentucky. The full publication of each issue can now be read online at http://virtual.angstromgraphics.com/publication/?i=74853.

Special thanks to Whitney Hale & Lauren Conrad for information contained in this article.

Photo courtesy of UKPR

For nearly 5,000 students, Friday, Aug. 19, marks the beginning of their collegiate career at UK, either as an incoming freshman or as a transfer student. It also kicks off one of the most exciting times on campus – K Week.

Have you always wondered what K Week is all about? Here’s an inside look at all the fun surrounding this special week on campus:

K Week officially begins Friday evening with residence hall floor meetings at 7 p.m. followed by the K Week Kick-off, where new students will meet their K Crew leaders and K Teams for the first time. K Teams are small groups of 10-15 students who are led by a veteran UK student, their K Crew leader.

Additionally, parents and families are welcomed to join faculty, staff and administrators on Friday evening for the Parents and Families Reception at the Hilary J. Boone Center while new students attend the student-only events.

Saturday is full of sessions to answer everything students want and need to know about college.  At 4 p.m., the university community officially welcomes our newest Wildcats at the New Student Induction Ceremony.

At 7 p.m. Saturday, student-only activities begin, and so does all the fun! Highlighting Saturday night are two of K Week’s most popular events, Big Blue U and Campus Ruckus. Big Blue U introduces new students to the Big Blue Nation. Students learn what it means to be a Wildcat by learning UK’s cheers and songs and hearing from UK coaches and student-athletes. Students are then led onto the field at Commonwealth Stadium for an official class photo.

Immediately following Big Blue U, the parking lot of Commonwealth Stadium is turned into a huge party known as Campus Ruckus.

The first weekend of K Week is full of fun that any Wildcat would not want to miss! For a complete K Week schedule, click here or visit the Campus Calendar for a comprehensive list of all that is happening at UK.

Chat about K Week on Twitter using the hashtag #KWeek11. Also, be sure to visit UKNow for our special series “While YoU(K) Were Away,” for an inside look at how campus prepares for students to return each fall.

Special thanks to Katy Bennett at UKPR

It’s an exciting week to be a University of Kentucky Wildcat! Students are starting to trickle back to campus and the official move-in date for all returning students is set for this Friday.

Members participating in Sorority Recruitment gather on the porch at King Alumni House.

Sounds of the UK Marching Band practice fill the air.

Have you always wanted to travel around the world? Like most adventures, traveling to far off places is more fun when you do it with other Wildcats!

Through the UK Alumni Association’s Traveling Wildcats program, you can take part in affordable and exciting excursions with first-class accommodations with a group of fellow University of Kentucky alumni.

For a sampling of international adventure, pack your appetite and join us for A Taste of Travel on Aug. 19 at Spindletop Hall in Lexington. You’ll journey to four international tasting stations and savor the scrumptious, chef-chosen selections from various global regions. At each station, your “tasting passport” will be stamped and you’ll be entered to win fabulous prizes.

Representatives will be on hand at the event to highlight the exciting excursions offered as part of the 2012 Traveling Wildcats program.

Can’t make it on Aug. 19? You can find out more about the Traveling Wildcats and see a complete listing of planned excursions on our website.  Travel dates are available throughout the year and trips are available to a variety of destinations.

Once you find a particular trip, or trips, that interest you, request brochures(s), or call Leslie Hayes at 859-257-3705 or 1-800-269-ALUM for more travel information.

Bon voyage!

It’s not the official “New Year,” but it is almost time for a new school semester and whether you are headed back to school yourself, have someone in your household going to school, or neither, many people find themselves eager to get back on track with their health this time of year. 

UK School of Human Environmental Sciences in the College of Agriculture offers an excellent way to learn more about living a healthy lifestyle. The school’s Food and Nutrition Publications are pdf documents that put health information right at your fingertips. They feature a variety of specific nutritional topics ranging from nutrition basics to biotechnology.

Check out the full list of Food and Nutrition Publications online.

And enjoy a happy, healthy new school year!

by Gretchen Bower, Program Coordinator, UK Alumni Association

Football is not just a man’s sport. That was proven Saturday, July 30 when over 200 women attended the UK Women’s Football Clinic.

The coaches were both entertaining and educational as they spent time explaining more about the rules and logistics of the game. Getting a behind the scenes look at the locker room and a detailed explanation of the new uniforms were among the days’ activities. Autographs and pictures were also taken with coaches and a few of the players.

The women left there not only with a little more knowledge of the game, but an appreciation of our coaches and the hard work they put into our football program. Only 30 days until the first game and these women will be ready!

A few photos from the event:

Coach Tee Martin introduces a member of the team.

Inside the Wildcat locker room at Commonwealth Stadium

Commonwealth Stadium

Coach Joker Phillips addresses the UK Women's Football Clinic

Former Wildcat Glenn Holt shows off the new Wildcat uniform