News & Information

Kim Wilson, alongside First Lady Patsy Todd presented the half-million dollar check to the President of the United Way of the Bluegrass, Kathy Plomin, during the first official time out at the UK vs. Alabama game on February 9.

The United Way campaign at the University of Kentucky has experienced a record year, raising $501,474. This total represents a fifty-nine percent increase in dollars given in 2006.

UKUW campaign chair Kim Wilson, Associate Vice-President for Human Resources, expressed appreciation to employees and campaign leaders for their generosity and commitment to making this year’s campaign a success. “The additional dollars raised in this year’s campaign will unite our community and greatly improve the quality of life for many Kentuckians. We owe a great deal of gratitude to the UK family for its generosity.” Wilson attributed the success of the 2007 campaign to special activities held in support and promotion of the campaign, and the work of the campaign’s 45 cabinet members and area departmental solicitors. “So many events were held to raise money for the campaign. It was touching to see and learn of the efforts of our campus community. We simply could not have raised so much had it not been for the work of our cabinet members and departmental solicitors.” Volunteer solicitors personally invited, encouraged and collected donations for their units and departments.

Individual donor numbers increased from 1,366 in 2006 to 1,903 in 2007. More than 140 of those individual donors donated at least one percent of their annual salaries.

In an event on March 4, UK was recognized by United Way of the Bluegrass as the third largest fundraiser, one of the region’s top campaigns. The University was presented with several awards, including:

• The “Chairman’s Award” for showing exceptional dedication, both by increasing contributions and by providing community leadership.
• Kim Wilson received the “Outstanding Executive Involvement Award” for leading UK’s United Way of the Bluegrass campaign to a 59% increase over the previous year.
• Marc Mathews, UK Treasurer, was recognized with the “George Hern Award,” named in honor of the 1974 to 1993 President of the United Way of the Bluegrass. Mathews co-chaired the Public Service Division of the annual campaign and led his division to raise $800,000 — up $200,000 from the previous year.