University of Kentucky College of Arts and Sciences

The University of Kentucky Office of Undergraduate Research has selected the sixth annual 5-Minute Fast Track Research Competition finalists and winners. These undergraduates competed in the competition's preliminary round and were selected as Top 10 finalists to present their research during the final round, 5-7:30 p.m. Oct. 21 in the Healthy Kentucky Research Building's Seminar Room 150. Finalists presented their research in five minutes in front of a panel of judges and a live audience using only a single static slide. This challenges students to develop their academic, presentation and research communication skills while also allowing them to showcase their research in a captivating way. The goal of this competition is to improve undergraduate students' abilities to communicate their research effectively to a general nonspecialist audience while creating a compelling story about their scholarly work. Students compete for cash prizes: $750 for first place, $500 for second place and $250 for third place.

The UK Alumni Association announced the Alumni Ambassadors for the 2024-2025 academic year. As official student hosts of the University of Kentucky, Alumni Ambassadors promote the university at events in partnership with the Office of the President, Office of Philanthropy and the UK Alumni Association. Alumni Ambassadors represent the best and brightest of UK students, demonstrating high achievement in their collegiate careers and a dedication to the advancement of the university.

The Office of Undergraduate Research at the University of Kentucky has selected outstanding undergraduates from the College of Arts and Sciences for the Undergraduate Research Ambassador program during the 2024-25 academic year. The program's mission is to increase awareness and create opportunities for students to actively engage in research. Ambassadors must demonstrate academic excellence, leadership potential and be involved in mentored research.

Elizabeth King and Ethan Morgan were crowned 2024 University of Kentucky Homecoming queen and king during the halftime ceremonies at the UK vs. Vanderbilt Homecoming football game at Kroger Field on Oct. 12. Other students were named as finalists.

These students were selected for the University of Kentucky 2024-25 College of Arts and Sciences Student Ambassador Program.

The University of Kentucky's Department of Modern and Classical Languages, Literatures and Cultures in the College of Arts and Sciences has honored students in the spring of 2024.

The University of Kentucky Office of Undergraduate Research has selected 14 students for the 2024 Commonwealth Undergraduate Research Experience Fellowship program. Sponsored by OUR and the Office of the Vice President for Research, the CURE Fellowship program provides opportunities to develop knowledge and skills through research within eight of UK's Research Priority Areas: cancer, cardiovascular health, diabetes and obesity, energy, equity, materials science, neuroscience and substance use disorder. Students selected as CURE Fellows received a $5,000 stipend to support their research during the summer 2024 term. Fellows will engage in a research project under the guidance of a mentor. Students will interact with the other fellows in their cohort during the summer research period and present their research at the Summer Research Symposium on Aug. 27.

More than 1,800 undergraduate students have qualified for the Spring 2024 College of Arts and Sciences Dean's List at the University of Kentucky.

Undergraduate students at the University of Kentucky who participate in research under the guidance of faculty mentors have the opportunity to publish the outcomes of their work and collaborative experiences. The first edition of Aperture Journal of Undergraduate Research launched June 1, highlighting seven student-professor partnerships. Published by the Office of Undergraduate Research, the open-access, peer- and expert-reviewed journal, which will be published annually, aims to showcase scholarship conducted by UK undergraduates.

The University of Kentucky College of Arts and Sciences recognized more than 660 candidates for graduation during a commencement ceremony in May 2024 at Rupp Arena in Lexington, Kentucky.

In May 2024, the University of Kentucky's Department of Biology and Neuroscience Program in the College of Arts and Sciences honored students.

Students recently enrolled in the University of Kentucky College of Arts and Sciences for Fall 2024.

Several University of Kentucky students recently participated in and received awards at the Southern Regional Model United Nations in Charlotte, N.C. UK's Model United Nations Club represented China, Austria and Burkino Faso at the event. The China delegation won best overall delegation for the conference. The UK club gives students the chance to expand their education by preparing for and attending a Model U.N. conference. Students act as delegates from a member state in a mock United Nations committee meeting to pass resolutions.

The University of Kentucky Department of Gender and Women's Studies in the College of Arts and Sciences recently gave awards to several students. The Department of Gender and Women's Studies at the University of Kentucky investigates gender broadly conceived, and the cultures and contributions of women worldwide from feminist/womanist perspectives. The purpose of the department is to develop and coordinate an interdisciplinary curriculum in Gender and Women's Studies at the undergraduate and graduate levels; support critical research, teaching and public programming in Gender and Women's Studies that take into account various beliefs about gender, race, class, and sexuality; and foster interdisciplinary collaboration. The Gender and Women's Studies Department aims to serve the university and the Commonwealth through promotion of equity and commitment to excellence.

The University of Kentucky Appalachian Center & Appalachian Studies Program recently announced student awards. The Appalachian Center contributes to the land grant mission of UK by fostering community-university partnerships in research, learning and engagement in Appalachia. On UK's main campus, the center is a space for students, faculty, staff and community members to join forces in learning about and educating others about this region. The Appalachian Studies Program, like the Appalachian Center, has an active 40-year history at UK. It is an interdisciplinary program based in the College of Arts and Sciences.

Several students in the Department of Chemistry in the University of Kentucky's College of Arts and Sciences received awards recently.

Several University of Kentucky College of Arts and Sciences students received prizes and recognition from the Department of English.

Several students in the Dr. Bing Zhang Department of Statistics in the University of Kentucky's College of Arts and Sciences recently received honors.

The University of Kentucky Chellgren Center for Undergraduate Excellence announces the 2024 class of Chellgren Student Fellows. The Chellgren Center Student Fellows Program aligns with the university's goal of cultivating undergraduate excellence by providing experiences that go beyond the classroom. Through the program, students become prepared for the next phase of their career, whether it be graduate school, a position in their field or a gap year dedicated to service. The program is open to all majors and takes place during the student's second year at the university. Outstanding faculty members from across campus serve as individual mentors for the Fellows. Through regular meetings and conversations, mentors will help students develop strategies for engaging in the intellectual life of the university. This year's cohort includes 29 freshmen.

The Office of Undergraduate Research at the University of Kentucky selected outstanding undergraduates from the College of Arts and Sciences for the Undergraduate Research Ambassador program. The students participated in the 2023-24 academic year. The program's mission is to increase awareness and create opportunities for students to actively engage in research. Ambassadors must demonstrate academic excellence, leadership potential and be involved in mentored research.

Several students in the University of Kentucky's College of Arts and Sciences' Department of Geography and Environmental & Sustainability Studies program recently received awards.

The University of Kentucky chapter of Phi Beta Kappa recently inducted 22 members into the academic honor society. This year's induction ceremony was Wednesday, April 17, at the Lewis Honors College Scholars Lounge.

The University of Kentucky Office of Nationally Competitive Awards has announced that three UK students have been awarded Barry M. Goldwater Scholarships: The Goldwater Scholarship was designed to encourage outstanding students to pursue careers in the fields of mathematics, the natural sciences and engineering. Since its first award in 1989, the foundation has bestowed 10,720 scholarships.

The 22nd annual Posters-at-the-Capitol this semester featured 13 University of Kentucky undergraduate research projects that focus on such topics as public safety, energy conservation, homeownership and lung cancer prevention.

The University of Kentucky Gaines Center for Humanities has selected 12 undergraduate students for its fellowship program. The Gaines Fellowship is presented in recognition of outstanding academic performance, demonstrated ability to conduct independent research, an interest in public issues and a desire to enhance understanding of the human condition through the humanities. Founded in 1984 by a gift from John and Joan Gaines, the Gaines Center for the Humanities is designed to enrich the study of the humanities at UK and functions as a laboratory for imaginative and innovative education on UK's campus.

The University of Kentucky Office of Undergraduate Research announced during the fall semester the 15 undergraduate winners of the 59th annual Oswald Research and Creativity awards. Chad Risko, faculty director of the Office of Undergraduate Research, and Research Ambassadors congratulated the winners and distributed the awards. Established in 1964 by then-President John Oswald, the Oswald Research and Creativity Competition encourages undergraduate research and creative activities across all fields of study. Categories are: Biological Sciences. Design (architecture, landscape architecture and interior design). Fine Arts (film, music, photography, painting and sculpture). Humanities (from creative and critical-research approaches). Physical and Engineering Sciences. Social Sciences.

The University of Kentucky Office of Nationally Competitive Awards has announced that Ella Brown-Terry and Rachel Hwang have received Fulbright Canada-MITACS Globalink Research Internships, which will be completed this summer. The program provides exceptional undergraduate students the opportunity to conduct research under the supervision of Canadian university faculty members in a variety of academic disciplines.

The University of Kentucky Nu Circle of national leadership honor society Omicron Delta Kappa has inducted 43 members. The group 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 Circle was established on May 2, 1925, and was recognized with a Superior Circle award from the national organization in 2018.

The University of Kentucky College of Arts and Sciences recognized more than 230 candidates for graduation during a commencement ceremony Dec. 15, 2023, at Rupp Arena in Lexington Kentucky.

More than 1,900 undergraduate students have qualified for the Fall 2023 College of Arts and Sciences Dean's List at the University of Kentucky.