By Jenny Wells-Hosley

LEXINGTON, Ky. (Feb. 9, 2022) — Less than two months ago, NASA, in coordination with the European Space Agency and the Canadian Space Agency, launched the James Webb Space Telescope into its 1.6 million-mile journey away from Earth. The project, nearly 30 years in the making, is designed to see some of the first stars and galaxies that were formed in the universe.

Since it launched, the space agency has been working to get the telescope unfolded, aligned and powered up — a meticulous process that continues to see success after success. Just this week, the telescope detected its first photons from a distant star. 

To learn more about this historic step forward in space exploration, UKNow caught up with Gary Ferland, professor of

LEXINGTON, Ky. (Feb. 8, 2022) — The University of Kentucky Nu Circle of national leadership honor society Omicron Delta Kappa inducted 53 new members at a virtual ceremony on Jan. 30, including nine from the College of Arts & Sciences. ODK recognizes superior leadership and exemplary character and encourages collaboration among members across the five phases celebrated by the society: scholarship, athletics, service, communications and arts.

The 2021-2022 inductees from A&S are Clair Ashley, Rachael Blandau, Gustavo De Aguiar Martins, Meghan Goins, Moses Ogbaje, Anna Puderbaugh, Nicholas Relich, Seth Ricketts and Stephen Turner.

By Lindsey Piercy

LEXINGTON, Ky. (Feb. 7, 2022) — It takes community and collaboration to define violence, understand the root cause and prevent it from happening in the future.

That’s why the Harry Frank Guggenheim Foundation provides research grants to leading scholars who are making a significant contribution to highlighting and addressing an issue of violence.

The Guggenheim Foundation has selected Stephen Davis and William Mattingly as recipients of its Distinguished Scholar Award.

“We are very honored that the Guggenheim Foundation elected to support our work with

By Allison Perry

LEXINGTON, Ky. (Feb. 4, 2022) — For this “UK at the Half,” we catch up with University of Kentucky biology major Kayli Bolton, a 2021 scholarship recipient from the prestigious Astronaut Scholarship Foundation (ASF). The ASF Scholarship is presented annually to outstanding college students majoring in science, technology, engineering or math (STEM).Listen here. 

A junior in the University of Kentucky College of Arts and

By Kate Maddox

LEXINGTON, Ky. (Feb. 1, 2022) — The Kentucky Geological Survey, the Department of Earth and Environmental Sciences and the University of Kentucky Appalachian Center and Appalachian Studies Program are sponsoring the “Geoscience & Environmental Justice in Appalachia” Appalachian Forum speaker series beginning Tuesday, Feb. 15. The series will feature Ann Harris, Nate Siggers and Eva Lyon.

The presentations will be in a hybrid format. If you would like to attend in person, all three of the series will be held at the UK Gatton Student Center, Room 331. The series is being held in conjunction with UK doctoral student Edward Lo'

By Ryan Girves

LEXINGTON, Ky. (Feb. 1, 2022) — The University of Kentucky is home to decades of rich Black history. To celebrate that history and to reflect on all the contributions Black Americans have made since this country’s conception, the Martin Luther King Center, along with units across campus, will celebrate Black History Month with a series of virtual and in-person events and programs throughout February. 

“This month is an opportunity to commemorate the lives, struggles and achievements of Black Americans,” said UK President Eli Capilouto. “We are today’s University of Kentucky because of the remarkable Black alumni who pushed open our doors and paved a path for those who would follow. I am excited to see our community

By Alicia Gregory and Rob Theakston 

LEXINGTON, Ky. (Jan. 31, 2022) — The University of Kentucky has been named a 2022 Beckman Scholars Program Award winner. The award will create a new program focusing on diversity and equity in undergraduate research — Scholars United by Chemistry: Cultivating Excellence through Science Stewardship (SUCCESS). This invitation-only program for top-tier research institutions provides a 15-month mentored research experience for exceptional undergraduate students in chemistry, biological sciences and associated interdisciplinary combinations.

“The University of Kentucky is honored to have been invited by the Arnold and Mabel Beckman Foundation to apply for this award," said UK President Eli Capilouto. "It is a testament to the research-

By MiKayla Carter

LEXINGTON, Ky. (Jan. 24, 2022) — Join University of Kentucky Libraries and College of Arts and Sciences 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. Saturday, Feb. 12, via Zoom, for “bell hooks: A Legacy Rooted in Love.”

This symposium will celebrate the life and legacy of bell hooks, UK Libraries' 2021 Medallion for Intellectual Achievement recipient and  author, professor, feminist and activist. 

The event is open to the public. To RSVP for the event, please click here.

Proclaimed as “one of the preeminent feminist voices of our time,” bell hooks was Professor in Residence in Appalachian Studies at

By Lindsey Piercy

The Kentucky Poet Laureate’s book of poetry, “Perfect Black" (University Press of Kentucky), is nominated in the category of “Outstanding Literary Work – Poetry.”

The NAACP Image Awards program highlights the achievements of people of color across television, music, literature and film, and the promotion of social justice through their creative endeavors.

"Me and my partner Ron Davis (who illustrated ‘Perfect Black’) are extremely honored to be a part of this tradition of celebrating Black advocacy and activism through art,” Wilkinson said. “As descendants of a long

LEXINGTON, Ky. (Jan. 19, 2022) — The University of Kentucky Department of Sociology and the UK Appalachian Center and Appalachian Studies Program will welcome Aaron Thompson, the president of the Kentucky Council on Postsecondary Education, at 2:30 p.m. Thursday, Feb. 3.

Thompson’s lecture, “Making Higher Education Matter to Kentucky,” will take place at Gatton Student Center Room 331. The lecture will be presented online as well. To join virtually, register at https://uky.zoom.us/webinar/register/

By Jenny Wells-Hosley

LEXINGTON, Ky. (Jan. 10, 2021) — The University of Kentucky is continuing its support for the new Commonwealth Institute for Black Studies (CIBS), based at UK.

Created with $250,000 of seed funding from the university last fall, the institute will now receive annual funding of $200,000 through UK’s Office for Institutional Diversity — an important step forward in helping the institute achieve its goals.

“Black studies is for everybody, and by funding the institute, UK is supporting all of us,” said Anastasia Curwood, director of CIBS and African American and Africana Studies (AAAS) at UK. “It's hard to find an

By Grace Colville

LEXINGTON, Ky. (Dec. 17, 2021) — COVID-19 has taught us many things, including the power of nurses. Yuri Maisel is graduating from the University of Kentucky College of Nursing determined to show others the kind of care she knows can make a difference.

Maisel wanted to be a nurse for the challenge. Each day, nurses face something different. Not only do they know the ins and outs of patient care, but they also serve as an advocate and confidant for their patients and families. More than anything, Maisel wanted to help others.

“Between the hands-on patient care approach and the ability to make a positive difference in someone’s life, it was an obvious choice for me,” Maisel said. “I feel like there is no better

By Jenny Wells-Hosley

LEXINGTON, Ky. (Dec. 16, 2021) — The University of Kentucky Appalachian Center, Appalachian Studies program and the UK Appalachian Research Community (formerly the UK Graduate Appalachian Research Community, or GARC) are inviting students to submit proposals for the upcoming UK Appalachian Research Symposium and Arts Showcase.

The symposium is open to all undergraduate and graduate students of all disciplines from all colleges and universities doing work pertaining to Appalachia. Students without previous presentation experience, undergraduate students, students seeking feedback on ongoing research and students creating performance or visual artworks related to Appalachia

By Jenny Wells-Hosley

LEXINGTON, Ky. (Dec. 16, 2021) — Nikky Finney , the John H. Bennet Jr. Chair in Creative Writing and Southern Letters at the University of South Carolina, will receive an Honorary Doctorate of Humanities. She will be awarded her honorary degree at a future ceremony.

Finney spent more than 20 years as a faculty member at UK where she held the Guy Davenport Endowed Professor of English. She was an influential educator and left a legacy of excellence in the departments of English, Creative Writing and African American and Africana Studies at UK.

Finney has written six books and dozens of poems and essays that explore and confront the experiences that have shaped life in the South for herself and countless other African Americans. Her work has been honored with multiple

By Lindsey Piercy

LEXINGTON, Ky. (Dec. 16, 2021) — A local theatre company and University of Kentucky’s public radio station is presenting the Commonwealth with a “last minute” holiday gift.

Now you can get into the spirit of the season by listening to some of Kentucky’s favorite voices.

AthensWest Theatre Company is partnering with WUKY for a special production, “Last Minute Gifts” — a collection of original holiday stories told by five prominent writers. The program will feature Silas House, Bo List, Vivian Snipes, Frank X Walker and Caitlin Waltermire.

There are

By Lindsey Piercy

LEXINGTON, Ky. (Dec. 15, 2021) — Growing up in Stanford, Kentucky, Gary Chandler’s aspirations stretched far beyond the small farm he called home.

It was 1971, and the 18-year-old was on the brink of a big decision — where to attend college.

“Growing up in the 1960s and 1970s, the University of Kentucky was the school to go to if you lived in the Commonwealth,” he said. “I never thought of going to any other school.”

Feelings of anticipation and apprehension were intertwined as Chandler made a life-changing decision — to become a Wildcat. 

While UK was everything he hoped it would be, Chandler admits, he didn’t live up to his own expectations. “During the 70’s, I was not a great student — to say the least,” he continued. “My GPA barely allowed me

By Danielle Donham

LEXINGTON, Ky. (Dec. 14, 2021) — Per University of Kentucky tradition, UK President Eli Capilouto has selected two student representatives to speak at the UK Commencement Ceremonies Friday, Dec. 17, at Rupp Arena at Central Bank Center.

Two speakers in total were selected. Each speaker will address their respective ceremony. Given limitations on the number of people allowed on the stage, the speeches will be pre-recorded.

The two student speakers are:

Peyton Schroeder

The Germantown Hills, Illinois, native is finishing a bachelor’s degree in mechanical engineering and a certificate in automotive production engineering from the UK College of Engineering and is a 

By Richard LeComte

LEXINGTON, Ky. – The American Society for Clinical Pharmacology and Therapeutics has awarded The Sheiner-Beal Pharmacometrics for 2022 to Daniel Weiner, a University of Kentucky doctoral graduate and a consultant specializing in model-based drug development.

Weiner, who earned three degrees from UK, including a doctorate in mathematical statistics with an emphasis on compartmental modeling, has helped create some of the most highly used software in pharmaceutical development and has co-written a textbook in the field. He is an adjunct professor at the University of North Carolina where he is working on methods for precision dosing of patients.

“For researchers in pharmacometrics, winning the Sheiner-Beal award is a

By Jenny Wells-Hosley and Steve Shaffer

LEXINGTON, Ky. (Dec. 13, 2021) — At just 5 years old, Bisimwa “Jack” Nzerhumana saw things no human being, let alone a child, should ever have to see.

Born in the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC), a country plagued for decades by civil war, political instability and exploitation, young Nzerhumana was exposed to horrific violence daily. At times, he and his family had to literally run for their lives.

“Witnessing the brutal maltreatment of women, sitting in rooms surrounded by bodies and hearing the never-ending cries of death unfortunately became a part of my daily routine,” Nzerhumana said. “(We were) running from bullets. It was pretty tough.”

By Jenny Wells-Hosley

LEXINGTON, Ky. (Dec. 10, 2021) — The University of Kentucky Appalachian Center is offering awards and funding opportunities for students involved with work and research in the Appalachian region.

Applications for the 2022 James S. Brown Graduate Student Award for Research on Appalachia and applications for the 2022 UK Appalachian Center Eller & Billings Student Research Award are both due Feb. 15. 2022.

Graduate students are eligible to apply