Out of the Big Blue

Lexington is known for racing — horse racing to be precise. But for William B. Secrest ’62 BE a whole new world of racing opened up to him as a student at the University of Kentucky. That world is rally racing, more commonly known as simply rallying. Rallying is a form of automobile racing that takes place on public roads using normal road rules and conditions. Although each rally differs, drivers, along with their navigators, must navigate a course using time, speed and distance to make it to certain checkpoints throughout the race. Rallies can last for days or even months.

Secrest’s introduction to rallying was coincidental, if not serendipitous.

“I showed up outside the Sigma Phi Epsilon house in 1961 driving a red MGA that I had just bought from Paul Miller Ford for $90 a month,” says Secrest, a Greenup County native. “One of my fraternity brothers, Biz (Rodney) Cain, started asking me about my new MGA and said ‘You can go on a sports car rally now.’ I did not know what a rally was, but started asking around campus for a navigator and, finding none, Biz Cain said ‘Why don’t you navigate, you can always find a driver?’ He suggested a new freshman who, while in the Army, had raced in Germany — Dick Foster.”

Two weeks later Secrest and Foster signed up for their first sports car rally in Lexington, and Secrest joined the Sports Car Club of America, an organization he is still actively involved with today as a rally instructor. Since then, his passion for rally racing has taken him to every continent, three of the four lowest points on earth, four major deserts, the world’s second largest high-elevation lake in Kyrgyzstan and Lake Titicaca (the world’s largest high altitude lake located in Peru). He has even driven down the frozen Mackenzie River to the Arctic Ocean!

One of his favorite races was the Around the World in 80 Days Motor Challenge, the first automotive event to circumnavigate the globe. During this 80-day race, Secrest was joined by his daughter, Kelly, as driver in a 1935 Chrysler Airflow.

“The routing put the cars on six ferry boats and two ocean crossings in the Russian Antonov An-124,which is configured to haul 42 cars at once,” he says. “Usually this aircraft is hauling Formula One or World Rally Cup vehicles to faraway places like Melbourne, Australia, instead of antique classic cars.”

Just a few of the other races which Secrest has participated in include: Panama to Alaska, Great American Race (which he has raced a whopping 20 times), Sea to Shining Sea, Australian Grand Prix Rally, Inca Trail Rally and Berlin-Moscow-Berlin the Rally of the Tsars.

Secrest has always had a bit of wanderlust. While at UK, he joined the Air Force ROTC and, upon leaving the Air Force, eventually became a captain for Trans World Airlines (TWA) because it had both domestic and international destinations. He cites Cairo, Egypt, as his favorite layover city and loves visiting Morocco for its stunning topography and interesting culture. When not travelling the globe by air, land or sea, Secrest calls his centuries old family farm in Argentum, near South Shore, home.

Over the past 50 years, Secrest and his UK friend Foster continued to rally together. Just this past May they travelled to Scotland to compete in the Scottish Malts Rally. What a life Secrest has lead, in part, because of the opportunities presented to him at the University of Kentucky.

“You go to college to learn but I had no idea that one of those things would have such a major impact on my life,” he says. “Through rallies and flying as a captain for TWA I have visited over 80 countries.”

By Molly Clark

William Secrest (right) and Dick Foster make a toast at the finish line of the Scottish Malts Rally.

Secrest holds up a shirt he made for a race with the tongue-in-cheek phrase ‘I definitely said RIGHT!’

Thousands of University of Kentucky students called Haggin Hall home during their time on campus. Read below for a message to all alumni who lived in Haggin Hall from current resident director, John Michael Haky.

It is an exciting time in residence life with a new residence hall being constructed on the old Haggin Field scheduled to open next fall. As the first step in the Kentucky Promise moves forward, many other areas of campus will feel the impact of these leaps forward. One of those areas will be Haggin Hall, and while no formal plans have been put in place, the current tentative plan calls for the current academic year to be Haggin Hall’s last in operation.

While the newspapers and archives have provided information about Haggin Hall’s history, the true legacy of a residence hall is the memories it has left in its residents. My hope is, with your help, to preserve as many of these memories as possible. I am reaching out to all alumni who have had the opportunity to live in Haggin Hall for any memories you have of your time here. These memories can take many forms — pictures you might have taken or saved, friends you made in the hall, stories of things that happened in the hall (good, funny, or otherwise), tales from the legendary rivalry with Holmes Hall on the flag football field, or many of the efforts to raise money for charity. No memory is insignificant; we’re looking for anything that will help us ensure that the legacy of Haggin Hall stands tall even as the bricks come tumbling down.

There are a variety of ways to contact us: 1) by mail [330 Hilltop Ave, Lexington, KY 40508]; 2) by email [John Michael Haky, Haggin Hall Resident Director, at john.haky@uky.edu]; 3) our Facebook page [facebook.com/hagginhall]; or 4) via Twitter [twitter.com/ukhagginhall]. Thank you in advance for sharing your memories with us.

Construction is nearly complete of the then new Haggin Hall. Photo circa 1960.

It all started in Louisville, with Robert and Delores Barnett, the patriarch and matriarch of what is one of the largest UK families in memory. Robert Barnett earned a bachelor’s degree in pharmacy from UK in 1959 and, since then, the family has never looked back on its UK roots.

What’s so special about this family, you ask? Robert and Delores Barnett had 12 children, and they raised each of them with a love for the University of Kentucky. Each of their children agreed on one thing: they all wanted to attend the University of Kentucky. And that they did and, they all earned their degrees from UK.

“I just think my oldest son decided he wanted to go there and it rolled from each child to the next,” said Delores Barnett, a diehard UK fan who graduated from a nursing program at Saints Mary and Elizabeth Hospital in Louisville. “I don’t think anyone felt that they had to. I just think it snowballed.”

It is obvious that Delores Barnett is truly loved by each of her 12 children and 34 grandchildren who say she gave them the strength and encouragement to pursue their dreams. However, she has a deep appreciation for her children’s hard work during their college years.

“The truth is, one of the things I am most proud of is that they put themselves through college on scholarships, loans, grants and jobs,” she says. “They all turned out beautifully. Life with 12 kids was never hard. Probably at times we struggled, but we accepted each one that came along, and I don’t think they ever felt neglected.”

The Barnetts are a tight-knit family, often getting together for holidays and family outings to their favorite spot at Kenlake State Park. However, in 2004, beloved husband and father Robert Barnett passed away.

“They loved their dad a lot,” says Delores Barnett. “I was so proud of him. He was a great provider. We were never rich but always happy. I am so grateful to have my children. If I need something, they’re always here. I have been blessed.”

Delores Barnett is also excited about some of her grandchildren who have decided to attend UK. So far, one granddaughter has graduated from UK, three grandsons are current students and another granddaughter will be a UK freshman next year. We have a feeling there will be more to come!

We also caught up with the 12 Barnett siblings. They each have a unique view of their time at UK.

Bob Barnett ’82 EN of Louisville: “I was the first, so it was really cool when I was a senior and would come across three other siblings at social events or football games. We still meet at football games and tailgate.”

Kathleen Barnett Russell ’83 ED of Louisville: “I went to UK because my older brother (Bob) went there. Being only the second child, I really did not consider going elsewhere.”

David Barnett ’86 CI of Louisville: “I was born into the Big Blue Nation. I have early memories sitting in my parents’ kitchen and listening to Cawood Ledford on the radio calling UK football and basketball games. I was hooked.  My father was a graduate of UK with a degree in pharmacy so we were all pretty ‘blue’ from day one.”

Ruth Barnett Grimm ’87 NUR of Lexington: “One of my favorite memories is working at Commons Cafeteria (even the dish room). David and I worked there together for several years and made great friends doing so. This group tended to get together on weekends to socialize, too. It was nice having a big brother look out for me at parties.”

Judith Barnett Boehman ’89 PHA of Carmel, Ind.: “I remember loving the fact that I always knew someone on campus. I felt I had a one-up on other students. What a blessing to have the experienced advice from my older siblings. Some experiences, such as my very first college party hosted by my older brother, David (off campus, of course), I could have used a little more advice about. I learned to ‘cash in’ my food plan on Friday afternoons if I was headed home. I stocked up on bags of Frito Lay products, Hostess treats and six-packs of soda. What fun it was bringing treats home to my younger brothers and sisters.”

Jean Barnett Ezell ’90 ED of Lexington: “We were raised to ‘bleed blue.’ I’ll never forget going to the store the day after the basketball team won the NCAA Championship in 1978 to buy my victory T-shirt. I was 10 years old!”

Rachel Barnett Harrington ’91 AG of Lexington: “I followed in Judith’s footsteps to become one of the last ever Lady Kat mascots. I wore the Lady Kat suit from 1988-89 and had a great time traveling with and cheering on the women’s basketball team. I loved being on top of the Lady Kat pyramid!”

Patrick Barnett ’96 AS of Germantown, Ohio: “I remember coming to visit Bob, Kathleen, and David when they were in school and how cool and huge UK seemed. And the fact that Kathleen lived at Blazer Hall, and I remember seeing some of the basketball players around Wildcat lodge which was the coolest thing ever.”

Stephen Barnett ’96 BE of Shelbyville: “One of my first memories at UK was going to a football game with Patrick and Rachel. I had been to a few games before but going as a student with my older sister and brother was a special feeling, and it was like ‘I have arrived.’”

Maureen Barnett McLean ’97 NUR of Louisville: “There are so many memories I have of UK, but I especially remember being in elementary school and going to stay with my sisters in the residence halls during my spring break. I always enjoyed getting to walk around campus with them and eating in the cafeterias.”

Tim Barnett ’02 ’09 HS of Lexington: “As the 11th child, the path to UK had been well cleared for me. I was proud to know that my father had attended UK, and I recognized the success of my older siblings at the university. I also enjoyed my visits on ‘little sibs’ weekends and at other times throughout the school year.”

John Barnett ’02 CI of Louisville: “Being the youngest, I was definitely raised to love UK. Kind of hard not to when all my siblings and dad spoke of how great a place it was and how important it was to their lives. Didn’t hurt that all of them, mom especially, never missed a chance to cheer on the Cats in basketball and football. Although my mom personally never attended UK, she is UK. Her love of the school and the success it has helped her children attain is unparalleled. I’ve heard her say one of her proudest achievements is that all of her kids graduated not just from college, but from UK.”

By Molly Clark

Delores Barnett (second row, center in grey UK T-shirt) with all of her children, their spouses and all but 3 of her 34 grandchildren.

That chill in the air can only mean one thing: fall is right around the corner! The UK Alumni Association celebrated this wonderful season on Sunday, Sept. 16, during the 8th annual Legacy Pumpkin Festival. More than 1,000 attendees enjoyed pony rides, a petting zoo, pumpkin painting, hay rides and more at Spindletop Hall!

Most importantly, we were excited to welcome those in the Legacy Initiative Program. This program is an exclusive member benefit of the University of Kentucky Alumni Association and is our effort to assist our alumni in cultivating little Wildcats. Not only does the Legacy Initiative provide a great benefit to both association members and their children, but it also fosters UK loyalty and serves to excite Legacy children about their future at UK. Participation in the program may be all the encouragement your children need to motivate them to follow in their parent’s footsteps when it comes to college choice. For more information about this great program, click here.

Check out some photos from this fun day!

Painted pumpkins in every design and color.

A future Wildcat paints her pumpkin.

Even a camel was in attendance!

Having fun on the giant slide.

Photos by Kelly Hinkel

We’ve all heard the saying that quality is more important than quantity; and, in most cases, this is true. However, incoming first-year UK students show that it is possible to have both quantity and quality. They represent the largest-ever, first-year class and are also the most academically talented in UK history, having the highest number in memory of National Merit Finalists and record numbers of Singletary Scholars and Governor’s Scholars.

As a UK alum, you can’t help but be proud when you read the glowing statistics regarding this first-year class:

Record Quality

• 71 National Merit/National Achievement Finalists ― up from 29 last year. That number, using last year’s figures, would place UK among the top 15 public schools in the country for National Merit Finalists.

• A record number of Singletary Scholars ― 51 ― up from 34 last year, a reflection of increased investment by President Capilouto and the board in scholarships. The funding for the increase in Singletary Scholars came from the UK Athletics Department, which now contributes about $3 million annually for academic scholarships.

Record Diversity

• 533 African-American first-year students, a 26 percent increase; 1,839 undergraduates now are African-American students, an 11 percent increase.

• 166 Hispanic first-year students, a 44 percent increase; 573 undergraduate students are Hispanic, a 26 percent increase.

• 110 first-year students with international backgrounds ― a 96 percent increase; 524 undergraduates are international students, a 27 percent increase.

Record Numbers

• 4,645 first-year students, up from 4,139 last year; 69 percent of the students are from Kentucky; 31 percent are from out-of-state.

For more information about this record-breaking year, read more here.

Photo by UK Public Relations & Marketing.

Last spring, Teach for America selected 27 recent graduates of the University of Kentucky to serve in America’s inner cities and rural communities. The UK group, the largest in school history, is among 5,800 new corps members selected for Teach for America, a national program in which outstanding college graduates commit to teach for two years in disadvantaged urban and rural public schools.

Of the 27 recent UK graduates selected to serve Teach for America, the following 23 have accepted teaching positions with the program:

• Michael Baird, of Corbin, Ky., a theatre graduate who will serve in St. Louis, Mo.;
• Lindsay Baranowski, of Prospect, Ky., a music performance and Spanish graduate who will serve in Milwaukee, Wis.;
• Shannon Bauer, of Louisville, Ky., a history and English graduate who will serve in Indianapolis, Ind.;
• Justin Buren, of Louisville, a political science graduate who will serve in Houston, Texas;
• Jennifer Chadwick, of Louisville, an architecture graduate who will serve in Houston;
• Molly Coon, of Indianapolis, Ind., an architecture graduate who will serve in the Delta;
• Kari Cornett, of Pineville, Ky., an English graduate who will serve in Appalachia;
• Lesley Cornett, of Whitesburg, Ky., a secondary English education graduate who will serve in Alabama;
• Anna Davis, of Ft. Mitchell, Ky., a psychology graduate who will serve in Indianapolis, Ind.;
• Megan Day, of Granger, Ind., a family sciences graduate who will serve in Alabama;
• Erin Fehrenbach, of Lexington, a biology graduate who will serve in Dallas, Texas;
• Jenna Goblirsch, of Elizabethtown, Ky., a kinesiology graduate who will serve in Chicago, Ill.;
• Bruce Herring, of Louisville, a sociology graduate who will serve in Atlanta, Ga.;
• Lauren Ison, of Greenup, Ky., a chemistry graduate who will serve in Houston, Texas;
• Angel Jackson, of Radcliff, Ky., an English and history graduate who will serve in Indianapolis, Ind.;
• Brooke McCloud, of Bowling Green, Ky., a journalism graduate who will serve in Nashville, Tenn.;
• Allison McVey, of Cynthiana, Ky., a history and international studies graduate who will serve in Nashville, Tenn.;
• Eleni Minor, of Lexington, an economics graduate who will serve in southwest Ohio;
• Brian Pierce, of Mt. Washington, Ky., an architecture graduate who will serve in South Carolina;
• Josh Ridgeway, of Winchester, Ky., a social work graduate who will serve in Indianapolis;
• Lindsey Smith, of Monticello, Ky., a secondary English education graduate who will serve in Alabama;
• Clay Stanley, of Louisville, a kinesiology graduate who will serve in New Orleans, La.; and
• Austin Wilson, of Louisville, a mathematics graduate who will serve in Oklahoma.

The 2012 class of Teach for America recruits is up two corps members from previous groups selected to serve from UK. Congratulations to all of these alums for making a difference across the country!

*Content from Whitney Hale, UK Public Relations and Marketing

Photo courtesy Teach for America.

Matthew Gray Palmer, sculptor of our beloved new Wildcat sculpture, was recently spotted on campus checking out his masterpiece.

Jeffrey Neil Burch ’77 AS just happened to be at Wildcat Alumni Plaza when he spotted the sculptor along with his wife. “I was lucky enough to get a couple of shots of him with his piece, and a shot of he and his wife on it as well,” said Burch. “He joked that he made the rock which held the plaque just big enough so that his wife could stand on it and be the same height as him in photos.”

Thank you for sharing these photos with us, Mr. Burch! In other Wildcat news, UK students are working on coming up with a name for the sculpture. Read more about this student effort here.

Matthew Gray Palmer and his wife.

Matthew Gray Palmer

Former UK Hoops player and alumna Nastassia Alcius ’06 AS has found a noble calling that will allow her to help the lives of others in the Lexington community. She recently graduated from the Lexington Fire Department Training Academy — an accomplishment that is heightened by the fact that she is just the third black female firefighter with the Lexington Fire Department.

Nastassia Alcius ’06 AS. Photo from ukathletics.com

“I always knew from a young age I wanted to do something with myself and be remembered and give back to the community that has shown me so much love,” she said in an article on Kentucky.com.

We wish Alcius the best of luck as she begins her journey as a firefighter.

To read more about her story, see the article below by Josh Kegley of the Lexington Herald-Leader.
http://www.kentucky.com/2012/08/30/2317656/former-university-of-kentucky.html