Contact: Kelley Bozeman

Class of Kentucky represents a partnership between UK, CHA Health and WKYT-TV. Its purpose is to promote and recognize the outstanding achievements of the Commonwealth’s best and brightest students. Each student will be selected by their high school based on academic record, community service and leadership within their school.

LEXINGTON, Ky. (April 27, 2004) -- The University of Kentucky today unveiled a new program recognizing academically talented and community-oriented high school sophomores from throughout the Commonwealth of Kentucky. The new program will be facilitated through UK’s Office of Undergraduate Admission and University Registrar.

The new program, called “Class of Kentucky,” honors one top sophomore from each high school in the state. More than 300 students are expected to be selected. They will be featured in television spots airing on WKYT-TV, WYMT-TV, WBKO-TV, and WAVE-TV throughout the state, and they will be invited to attend a day-long program at UK in July to introduce them to college life and the University of Kentucky.

Class of Kentucky represents a partnership between UK, CHA Health and WKYT-TV. Its purpose is to promote and recognize the outstanding achievements of the Commonwealth’s best and brightest students. Each student will be selected by their high school based on academic record, community service and leadership within their school.

“The Class of Kentucky program allows us to recognize the achievements of these bright young students early on in high school,” said UK President Lee T. Todd Jr. “I don’t believe we've ever begun the recruiting process this early. We are letting them know, at an early age, that their hard work has not gone unnoticed, and that we believe they have what it takes to attend UK, and we want them here.”

President Todd said that many of these students honored through Class of Kentucky will be recruited by colleges and universities around the country, but that UK believes it is critical to the state’s future that most of them stay in Kentucky.

“Kentucky needs their expertise and leadership in the future, to help keep it moving forward,” Todd said. “I also want to thank CHA Health and WKYT-TV for their commitment to this program. Without them, this program would not be possible. Both have been great community partners with the university, and we are thankful for their continued support.”

“As the flagship university of Kentucky, UK has a mission of service to the Commonwealth. The Class of Kentucky is a wonderful complement to our purpose of research, service and teaching. We are proud to honor today's students and tomorrow's leaders,” said Don Witt, director of undergraduate admission and university registrar at UK.

“CHA Health is proud to be a partner with the University of Kentucky and WKYT-TV in sponsorship of the Class of Kentucky program,” said Neal Spero, chief marketing officer of CHA Health. “This program shows the commitment of community partners to keep Kentucky’s best and brightest here in the state.

Wayne Martin, vice president of Gray Television said, on behalf of WKYT, WYMT, WBKO and Steve Langford, general manager of WAVE-TV, that he would like to congratulate the students selected as members of the inaugural Class of Kentucky.

“The Class of Kentucky program is a prestigious program which highlights some of the Commonwealth’s brightest high school students. Their commitment to academic excellence, service-oriented leadership and community involvement is a powerful testament to each student’s strength of character,” Martin said. “We are proud to be in partnership with CHA Health and the University of Kentucky to recognize these students.”