Contact: Kelley Bozeman

Award recipients will receive citations, engraved plaques and a $2,000 cash award. The honorees also will be recognized during the UK versus Auburn men’s basketball game at Rupp Arena Feb. 23.

LEXINGTON, Ky. (Feb. 10, 2005) -- Six University of Kentucky professors are being honored for their outstanding work in the classroom. The UK Alumni Association’s 2005 Great Teacher award recipients are: Suketu P. Bhavsar, associate professor, College of Arts and Sciences; Ellen Furlough, associate professor, College of Arts and Sciences; Eugene R. Gaetke, professor, College of Law; Richard Labunski, associate professor, College of Communications and Information Studies; Thomas A. McConnell, associate professor, College of Dentistry; and Bruce A. Swetnam, associate professor, College of Design.

This is the 44th anniversary of the award, making it UK’s oldest, continuous award for teaching. Since its inception in 1961, 202 faculty members have been honored. The nominations are made by students. Selection of award recipients is made by the UK Alumni Association Great Teacher Awards Committee, in cooperation with student organizations, Omicron Delta Kappa and Mortar Board.

The recipients will be honored at the Great Teacher Awards Reception and Dinner at Spindletop Hall Feb. 22. University Provost Michael T. Nietzel will be the guest speaker. Traditionally, the recognition program has been held as a luncheon, but this year, the reception begins at 6 p.m. and dinner follows at 7 p.m. Reservations are now being accepted.

Award recipients will receive citations, engraved plaques and a $2,000 cash award. The honorees also will be recognized during the UK versus Auburn men’s basketball game at Rupp Arena Feb. 23.

For more information or to attend the event contact Heather Stanfield at (859) 257-7161 or (800) 269-ALUM by Feb. 17.