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.

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 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 Nationally Competitive Awards has announced that three College of Arts & Sciences students have been offered Fulbright U.S. Student Program scholarships to travel abroad to teach, study or pursue research for the 2023-24 academic year. Recipients of Fulbright grants are selected based on academic or professional achievement, as well as demonstrated leadership potential in their fields. The program operates in more than 140 countries.

The University of Kentucky Gaines Center for Humanities has selected 12 undergraduates as scholars for the university's Gaines Fellowship Program for the 2023-24 and 2024-25 academic years. 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 Nationally Competitive Awards announced that 10 students and five alumni were selected to receive government-funded National Science Foundation Graduate Research Fellowships. In addition, one graduate student and one alumna received honorable mention recognition from the foundation. As part of the five-year fellowship, NSF Fellows receive a three-year annual stipend of $37,000 along with a $12,000 cost of education allowance for tuition and fees for a research-based master's or doctoral degree in a STEM (science, technology, engineering or mathematics) field.

Two undergraduates have been selected as recipients of the University of Kentucky's Beckman Scholars Program, titled Scholars United by Chemistry: Cultivating Excellence through Science Stewardship.