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 line of Kentuckians who have had the

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/WN_x2oeM49eQ5OZ9kEum0b10g.

Thompson will be sharing his

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 issue

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 career than one where you have

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 are strongly encouraged to

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 awards

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 two opportunities to listen. All you have

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 to graduate.”

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.”

With the help of a Catholic priest who took

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 for the James S. Brown Graduate Student Award for Research on Appalachia and both

By Lindsey Piercy

LEXINGTON, Ky. (Dec. 10, 2021) — Christia Spears Brown, a professor in the Department of Psychology in the College of Arts and Sciences at the University of Kentucky, believes we need only to read the latest news headlines to understand the harm caused by discrimination.

As a developmental psychologist, she knows these prejudices don’t just develop as we become adults. Instead, they are formed at a young age, and they shape children who are exposed to bias in their classrooms, after-school activities and yes, even in their own homes — no matter how enlightened their parents consider

By Jenny Wells-Hosley

LEXINGTON, Ky. (Dec. 9. 2021) — Studying for finals have you stressed? Come unwind (on some aerial fabric or a trapeze) with the University of Kentucky’s new Circus Club.

Circus Club, the first organization of its kind at UK, offers students  opportunities to learn about circus arts through firsthand experience of circus skills, including juggling, acro-balancing and aerial arts.

Jess Farace, founder and president of UK Circus Club, was inspired to start the organization after taking a course with Meg Wallace, associate professor of philosophy in the UK College of Arts and Sciences. The class merged circus arts with philosophical studies. Farace loved the class so much, she wanted to offer all students a chance to experience circus.  

“It's

By Elizabeth Chapin

LEXINGTON, Ky. (Dec. 9, 2021) — Spiny mice, known for their ability to regrow lost skin, also may be able to preserve injured cardiac tissue according to a new study conducted by a research team from the University of Kentucky College of Medicine and College of Arts & Sciences.

The research, published in Nature Regenerative Medicine, shows  this mammalian species can grow new blood vessels and reduce cardiac tissue damage after a heart attack, making it a promising new model for cardiac research, said Ashley Seifert, an associate professor in the Department of Biology.

Heart disease is the leading cause of death in the United States, causing about one in four deaths. The most common type of heart

LEXINGTON, Ky. (Dec. 7, 2021) – The University of Kentucky Center for Clinical and Translational Science has awarded pilot funding to ten projects that address human health issues across the lifespan.

Justin Karr, assistant professor of psychology in the College of Arts & Sciences, received an Early Career Award for  “The Chronic Sequelae of Repetitive Mild Traumatic Brain Injury in Women.” Mentors are TK Logan, Michelle Martel and Suzanne Segerstrom.

The center provides multiple types of pilot funding to catalyze collaborative, translational research. In partnership with disease-specific centers at UK and with academic medical centers around the country, the center has provided more than 250 awards totaling $4 million, which have garnered $84.6 million in extramural funding — a return on investment of 20 to 1. 

Funding

By Lindsey Piercy

LEXINGTON, Ky. (Dec. 7, 2021) — Do you feel less than joyful during the “most wonderful time of the year?”

If so, you’re not alone. Michelle Martel, a professor and director of clinical training in the Department of Psychology in the College of Arts and Sciences at the University of Kentucky, says feeling the pressure of the holidays is fairly common.

“In my clinical and personal experience, I would say most, but not all, people report increased stress around the holidays," Martel said. "However, only a subset of vulnerable people experiences clinical problems, such as depression and anxiety,

By Jenny Wells-Hosley

LEXINGTON, Ky. (Dec. 1, 2021) — The University of Kentucky Appalachian Center will showcase the work of student researchers through its Sharing Work on Appalachia in Progress series starting next week. The series will run through the Spring 2022 semester.

Many of the presenting students are supported through the center’s James S. Brown Graduate Student Awards for Research on Appalachia and the UK Appalachian Center Eller & Billings Student Research Awards.

The presenting researchers represent four colleges and seven departments from across UK’s campus.

“We look forward to learning from these

By Jesi Jones-Bowman

LEXINGTON, Ky. (Nov. 23, 2021) — The University of Kentucky Office of Undergraduate Research recently announced 18 undergraduate winners of the 57th annual Oswald Research and Creativity Awards. Chad Risko, faculty director of the Office of Undergraduate Research, and several research ambassadors were on hand to congratulate the winners and distribute the awards.

Established in 1964 by then-UK President John Oswald, the Oswald Research and Creativity Competition encourages undergraduate research and creative activities across all fields of study.

Categories include biological sciences, design (architecture, landscape architecture and interior design), fine arts (film, music, photography, painting and sculpture), humanities (creative

By Richard LeComte 

LEXINGTON, Ky. – Sheila Jelen, Zantker professor in Jewish Literature, Culture and History in the University of Kentucky’s College of Arts & Sciences, was recognized as a finalist in the Jordan Schnitzer Book Awards for her work Salvage Poetics: Post-Holocaust American Jewish Folk Ethnographies. The book was a finalist in the category of Jewish Literature and Linguistics.