Out of the Big Blue

Perhaps one of the best ways to learn about what other UK alumni are up to is to hear it “straight from the horse’s mouth.” (That seems an appropriate idiom considering UK is located in the Horse Capital of the World!)

UK Alumni Career Services has been doing just that with its “Career Spotlight” videos. These videos have proven to be very interesting. We encourage you to check them out, here. Currently featured are alums who recently opened their own distillery, an alumnus who is a fromager (Don’t know what that is? Watch the video!) and an alumna who organizes the largest fundraiser of the year for the Lexington Division of the American Heart Association.

If you are a UK alum and would like to have your 15 minutes of fame in a “Career Spotlight” video, contact Kelly Allgeier, alumni career counselor, at kelly.higgins@uky.edu

If you were a student at UK in the 1962-63 school year, chances are Jack Guthrie ’63 CIS kept you abreast of the current news stories at UK, the nation and around the world as editor of the independent school newspaper, the Kentucky Kernel.

Jack Guthrie was editor of the Kentucky Kernel during the 1962-63 school year. (Photo from The Kentuckian, 1963)

Under Guthrie’s charge, the Kernel reported on national issues such as the civil rights struggle and the Bay of Pigs invasion. The Kernel even initiated an editorial campaign that eventually led to the integration of athletics at UK, in spite of some strident opposition locally and throughout the Southeastern Conference.

Recently, as a way to give back to the newspaper that meant so much to him, Guthrie created a fund in the UK College of Communications and Information Studies to provide the equivalent of a full-tuition scholarship to future editors-in-chief of the Kentucky Kernel.

“Being the editor of the Kernel is more than a full-time job,” Guthrie said. “It takes more than eight hours a day. When I was with the Kernel, we were here morning, noon and night. Throw in a couple of classes, and you don’t have time for a part-time job. If you do, then you’re really burning the candle at both ends.”

Becca Clemons, recently named editor for the 2012-13 school year, will be the scholarship’s first recipient.

“It’s already an incredible honor to be selected as editor-in-chief,” Clemons said. “This just makes it even more special.”

Guthrie, founder of Guthrie/Mayes Public Relations in Louisville, says he created the scholarship to make it easier for Kernel editors to dedicate themselves to the newspaper without having to worry about how to make ends meet, and to inspire more students to aspire to editorial leadership.

We think Jack Guthrie’s commitment to UK students is great! Also, Jack is involved with the UK Alumni Association. He served as president of the association in 1988.

*compiled from material written by Keith Hautala, UK PR and Marketing

It seems obvious to say that Kentuckians are fiercely proud of their UK basketball team. With today’s talented superstars, it is no wonder that UK has one of the most renowned college basketball programs in history. However, a college program this successful did not happen overnight. For many past decades, there have been talented, beloved players to grace the hallowed grounds of Alumni Gymnasium, Memorial Coliseum and Rupp Arena.

Recently, we were saddened to hear of the passing of one of these original Wildcat greats, Dr. Layton “Mickey” Rouse ’40 AS. Rouse played under Coach Adolph Rupp from 1938-40 and his jersey was the first to be retired by the program.

After graduating from UK, Rouse went to dental school at the University of Louisville and was a dentist in Carrollton, Ky., for 40 years before retiring. He was inducted into the UK Athletics Hall of Fame in 2005.

Dr. Rouse was a true original. He, along with others, helped to form the tradition that is UK basketball.

Layton "Mickey" Rouse. Photo from the Kentuckiana Digital Library.

There have been several changes around campus lately that got us thinking about the places that our alums called home during their time at the University of Kentucky.

Back in October, the UK Board of Trustees approved renaming the North Hall residence building to “David P. Roselle Hall” in honor of the University of Kentucky’s ninth president. That’s not the only change that has been in the works. Today, UK is breaking ground on the New Central Residence Hall located in Haggin Field behind Haggin Hall near the intersection of University Drive and Hilltop Avenue.

Over the next several years, we imagine that campus will get several new buildings and dorms, as well as renovations to the older, yet much loved, residence buildings. Living on campus is an integral part of the college experience. So, let us know, where did you call home when you were a student at UK? What did you like most about it?

Two students in a UK dorm room circa 1935. Photo from Explore UK.

A week from today, University of Kentucky alumni, friends and family will descend on UK’s campus for a weekend of fun, education and reminiscing during our annual Alumni Weekend. We here at the UK Alumni Association are excited to welcome our alums back to campus! Throughout the year, we’ve been working hard to guarantee that this will be an unforgettable weekend for all who attend.

The fun will kick off on Thursday, April 19, during the Pure Blue Networking event at the Barrel House Distillery in historic downtown Lexington. This unique distillery is owned by UK alumni Jeff Wiseman and Dr. Peter Wright. Attendees will have the opportunity to hear them talk about the challenges and rewards of starting a business in today’s economy.

On Friday, April 20, alumni, friends and the campus community will gather to unveil the newest tradition at UK, Wildcat Alumni Plaza. The focal point of the plaza is a beautiful 7 foot tall, 9 foot wide wildcat sculpture that will invoke UK pride in all who attend. This will be an event to remember.

The weekend is packed with lots of other events that you won’t want to miss. To see all of the other events, and to register, visit www.ukalumni.net/alumniweekend. Be sure to register by April 16.

We hope to see you there!

We look forward to seeing alumni and their families at this year’s Alumni Weekend.

Over the past few weeks, the University of Kentucky campus has been in full bloom. We took some photos to capture the beauty of this season here at UK. Springtime in the Bluegrass Region is lovely. Enjoy! To expand the photo, click on the image.

Flowering trees next to Singletary Center for the Arts.

Purple tulips grace a flower bed across from the Main Building.

Who wouldn't want to walk to class along this pathway?

Grehan Journalism Building.

A robin (lower far right) imitates the bird sculpture in the University of Kentucky Art Museum lawn.

Photos by Molly Clark.

On Tuesday, April 3, a 7 foot tall, 9 foot wide, Wildcat found its way home to the University of Kentucky campus. As the focal point of the new Wildcat Alumni Plaza, this intricately detailed bronze sculpture is sure to become a new tradition for UK. Created by sculptor Matthew Gray Palmer of Washington state, the Wildcat represents the dignity, strength and vigilance in which the UK family takes great pride.

Construction of Wildcat Alumni Plaza started in November 2011 and is located off Avenue of Champions directly across from Memorial Coliseum. Tuesday’s installation of the Wildcat marked a milestone in the completion of the plaza.

A formal Wildcat sculpture and plaza unveiling will take place Friday, April 20, at 3:30 p.m. This event is contingent on the completion of the plaza and weather. We hope to see you there as we unveil this beautiful piece of art!

If you’d like to keep an eye on the construction progress of Wildcat Alumni Plaza, you can check out our Earth Cam here.

The Wildcat being installed as the focal point of the new Wildcat Alumni Plaza. Photo by Jeff Hounshell.

A close shot of the Wildcat's face. The details of the sculpture are impressive! Photo by Jeff Hounshell.

What a great day to be a Wildcat. Congratulations to the UK Men’s Basketball team on winning their eighth national championship!

Confetti rains down as the Cats claim their eighth title. Photo by Chet White, UK Athletics.

The team gathers around Coach John Calipari and President Eli Capilouto as they hold the trophy. Photo by Chet White, UK Athletics.

If you’re looking to stock up on championship gear, be sure to visit www.kentuckygear.com. Don’t forget to use discount code ALUMNI10 for 10 percent off your entire purchase.

Way to go Cats!