Contact: Ralph Derickson

Wimberly C. Royster

The award honors William E. (Bill) Lyons, who taught political science at UK from 1968 until his death in 1994. The Lyons award is presented to a person associated with UK who has contributed significantly to the university, the community or the Commonwealth of Kentucky.

LEXINGTON, Ky. (April 29, 2004) -- The University of Kentucky William E. Lyons Award for Outstanding Service for 2004 will be awarded to Wimberly C. Royster, retired dean of the UK Graduate School and Vice President for Research and Graduate Studies, in a ceremony at 4:30 p.m. Thursday, April 29, in the Hilary J. Boone Center.

The award honors William E. (Bill) Lyons, who taught political science at UK from 1968 until his death in 1994. The Lyons award is presented to a person associated with UK who has contributed significantly to the university, the community or the Commonwealth of Kentucky.

A Henderson County native, Royster received a doctorate in mathematics at UK in 1952. He joined the mathematics department’s faculty in 1956 becoming chair of the department in 1962. In 1969, he was named dean of UK’s College of Arts and Sciences.

Royster has attracted nearly $41 million in National Science Foundation (NSF) funding to UK in his career, including a recent $25 million grant to attract and prepare science, technology and mathematics kindergarten through twelfth grade teachers in Appalachian schools. Royster also served as director of UK’s Advanced Science and Technology Commercialization Center (ASTeCC).

UK awarded Royster an honorary doctorate in 2001.

Retired UK political science department chair Bradley Canon said of Royster, “He really doesn't know the meaning of the word ‘retire.’” Canon said Royster “has worked passionately and unceasingly for the improvement of the university and Appalachian education – we have all benefited from his efforts.”