"This would be a very different university today, if not for Lyman T. Johnson. Because of that, we are committed to honoring him."

-- Chester Grundy, director of UK African-American Student Affairs

July 11, 2002 (Lexington, Ky.) -- To honor the efforts and achievements of Lyman T. Johnson, an African-American pioneer, the University of Kentucky is undertaking a commemorative bust and monument project. Chester Grundy, director of UK African-American Student Affairs, developed the monument idea with art professor Bobby Scroggins.

"We know that Lyman Johnson changed the character of the University of Kentucky," Grundy said. "This would be a very different university today, if not for Lyman T. Johnson. Because of that, we are committed to honoring him."

Scroggins has designed a life-sized bust of Johnson in hopes it would be placed in a visible campus location.

To support the monument projects, Scroggins designed a smaller version of the bust, a limited quantity of which is being sold at $250 each.

In 1948, Johnson, with the support of the Kentucky chapter of the National Association for the Advancement of Colored People, challenged Kentucky's racial segregation laws by applying for admission to the UK Graduate School.

When it was shown that other graduate programs in the state set aside for African-Americans were not equal to that of UK, Johnson was granted admission to UK's law school. Several UK administrators have shown support for the project already.

Busts have been purchased by the provost, Minority Affairs, the Commission on Diversity, Lexington Community College Minority Affairs and others.

To purchase a bust, contact Grundy at 557 Patterson Office Tower, Lexington, KY 40506-0027, cgrundy@uky.edu or (859) 257-5641.