Out of the Big Blue

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!

Entrepreneur. Stylist. Shopping addict. UK alumna. All four of these descriptions fit Suzanne Kopulos to a tee.

Suzanne Kopulos

A Chicago, Ill., native, Kopulos was recruited to the University of Kentucky to play on the first UK women’s softball team. Upon visiting UK, Kopulos was hooked.

“Lexington has such beautiful scenery,” she says. “The horse farms are beautiful and the weather is nice. But beyond that, UK is a huge school yet has a small town feel. Everything is so compact, and I liked that.”

At UK, she received a business degree in marketing and then went on to receive her law degree from St. Thomas University in Miami, Fla. After law school, she returned to the Windy City, and her career took a decidedly fashionable turn.

“Rather than starting a legal career, I wanted to dive into fashion,” she says. “I was very interested in what it took to launch businesses and to build brands. I liked working with local boutiques. I believe that small businesses are the soul of the community. There is always an interesting story behind why a boutique started.”

One of Kopulos’ first forays into entrepreneurship was her creation of Boujie Baby Couture, a brand that features stylish diaper bags. Most recently, Kopulos cofounded Garmental.com, which she cites as a “virtual rolodex of fashionable shops” and is like “window shopping on the Web.”

The website is akin to having your own personal stylist, featuring daily fashion fixes and trends in the fashion world. The website also promotes Chicago’s local boutiques and small businesses, a cause that means a lot to Kopulos. Someday, Kopulos hopes to venture into other markets outside of Chicago.

“Right now we have a database from all Chicago boutiques,” she says. “However, many of the brands that we feature on Garmental.com can be found in boutiques throughout the United States. One day, I would love to be in New York City, L.A., and in large southern markets like Dallas or Houston.”

Garmental.com has also recently started recruiting campus trendsetters to join their team as style representatives as part of Garmental U. Kopulos says she would love to have style reps from her alma mater. For more information about this program, click here.

When not promoting her businesses, Kopulos is a Ford Model Management stylist. Perhaps one of her most exciting career moments took place last year when she was requested to work as a stylist on Oprah’s last show featuring a star-studded lineup. There, she worked with Beyonce and saw a plethora of A-list stars.

“Although it was a 20-hour workday, I seriously saw every single star you can think of,” she says. “I stood right next to Tom Cruise forever!”

We’re proud to have Suzanne Kopulos as an alumna. She truly has a passion for fashion.

Kopulos, sitting on the far right, regularly provides fashion and style advice.

Congratulations to the UK Men’s Basketball team on winning the South Regional on Sunday! We loved this photo of the team with current UK President Eli Capilouto and former President Lee T. Todd, Jr., on each side of Coach John Calipari holding the trophy! It’s an exciting time to be a Wildcat!

Photo by Chet White, UK Athletics

In the fall of 2008, the University of Kentucky lost an exceptional student and person, Tom May. Tom, a mechanical engineering junior, was involved in a tragic car accident on the way back to Lexington from a UK Baptist Campus Ministry retreat at Laurel Lake.

He is remembered by all as a kindhearted, giving individual with a servant-like mentality to others. Before he came to UK, Tom ran cross-country and track at Louisville Male High School. He loved running, always encouraging others to do it with him, and continued to run regularly in college.

In Tom’s honor, the UK Baptist Campus Ministry will hold the 4th Annual Tom May Memorial 5K at the Commonwealth Stadium Green Lot on Sunday, March 25. Registration begins at 2 p.m. Click here for more race details.

Tom’s parents, Rob ’74 EN and Valerie, have also set up an endowed scholarship in Tom’s memory to assist UK engineering students. The Mays are a true UK legacy family. Tom’s older brother, also named Rob, received a bachelor’s degree in electrical engineering in 2000, and Tom’s youngest brother, Scott, is currently pursuing a degree in computer science (Tom’s two sisters also attended UK).

The memory of Tom May continues to live on and help others.

Tom May

Whether you are an alum, current student, fan or friend of the University of Kentucky, Wildcat Pride seems to be the common denominator that unites us all. Although this pride is something we all have in common, it means something different to everyone. In an effort to define this quality, we asked a few alums and current students to give us their definition of Wildcat Pride. Enjoy their responses, below!

We’d love to hear from you too. What does Wildcat Pride mean to you? Feel free to leave us a comment with your definition.

“At the University of Kentucky, Wildcat Pride extends beyond the classroom, beyond the realm of competitive sports, beyond the borders of the Commonwealth and reaching all across the globe. Wildcat Pride is an ideal that is instilled in everyone, not just students and alumni, who believes in the spirit of the university. ‘Pride’ by definition is a form of satisfaction, but ‘Wildcat Pride’ is never being satisfied and constantly excelling. Wildcat Pride is a responsibility to represent the spirit of the university and its mission till your last breath.” Stephen Bilas, Class of 2013

“Wildcat Pride is a sense of love for UK. I call this place my home and know that this is where I belong. I’m proud to attend UK and it will always hold a special place in my heart even after I walk across the stage in May. I will always bleed BLUE!” Jennifer Cox, Class of 2012

“As a young person in the 1960s planning to enter the University of Kentucky, I often took note of those UK graduates in my hometown of Maysville and how proud they seemed to be of their university. Since then, I have had that same opportunity to experience that Wildcat Pride feeling for many years. It is a true sense of feeling good about our university and what it means to so many people throughout the Commonwealth, whether students, alumni or friends of the university. We are all truly blessed to be associated with the University of Kentucky, and our Wildcat Pride should be a source of all that is good about our university and our Commonwealth. Go Cats! Go UK!” Franklin Farris ’72 BE

“As a Wildcat I am proud of my degree, the education I received at UK, and the opportunities that my four years in school have provided. Wildcat Pride is being proud of who we are and everything that campus entails. From raising $850,000 for children with cancer to having the best athletic teams in the nation, I have pride in all that our students do. My pride in this institution will extend long beyond these four years in college especially as I see how support for the Big Blue Nation extends beyond the Commonwealth.” Micah Fielden, Class of 2012

“For me Wildcat Pride is both a feeling and a life goal to be reached daily. Wildcat Pride is the desire to show support for and appreciation of all things UK — academic, athletic, cultural, and philanthropic. Wildcat Pride is honoring the traditions of those who came before us, supporting the efforts of the administrators, students, and employees who are currently on campus, and being loyal, active, involved alumni by providing for those who will come after us. For me, the avenue to engaged involvement and demonstration of Wildcat Pride is the University of Kentucky Alumni Association!” Cammie Deshields Grant ’79 ED, President of the UK Alumni Association

“To me, Wildcat Pride is more than just possessing school spirit and esteem for your university. Wildcat Pride is seeing blue in everything you do, be it cheering on the Cats or studying for that last final exam on the fifth floor of Willy T. Wildcat Pride is knowing that no matter where your life may lead you, you will always be a part of the Big Blue Nation.” Nikki Hurt, Class of 2012

“When someone asks, ‘Where is your home?’ I always say, ‘I live in Chicago, but my HOME is Kentucky.’ There is never any question as to where my allegiances lie­ — I carry Kentucky pride wherever I go. The wonderful thing about being involved with the Alumni Association is that I hear all of the positive changes that are happening at the University of Kentucky. I am proud that the University of Kentucky opens doors for Kentuckians and others and allows them to improve their lives and community with education.” Diane Massie ’79 CIS

“Wildcat Pride means having had the opportunity to obtain an excellent education which has enabled me to have a measure of success in life and give back to UK first of all myself and then other resources that can be utilized to benefit UK. Wildcat Pride is taking pride in not only the educational programs, but the school athletic programs, showing our Big Blue to the world.” Bob Pickard ’57 ’61 EN

“As a current student at the University of Kentucky, diehard Wildcat fan, and descendent of a long line of UK graduates, I have an exceptional grasp on what it means to truly experience ‘Wildcat Pride.’ Being a fan of UK is not just rooted in the tremendous success of our athletic programs, but, instead, in the incredible impact that our university has in the lives of so many students, throughout the Lexington community, and all over the globe. The University of Kentucky has given me so many opportunities and chances to grow intellectually, socially, and personally, through experiences like undergraduate research, education abroad, and involvement in a wide array of meaningful student organizations. I’ve received a world-class education at the University of Kentucky, and there is not a place I would have rather spent my college years. I know my connection to UK and ‘Wildcat Pride’ will only grow stronger when I graduate, and I look forward to spreading my love and passion for the Big Blue Nation across the globe. Go Cats!” Mary Ellen Wimberly, Class of 2013