Contact: Jennifer T. Allen

LEXINGTON, Ky. (Jan. 4, 2005) -- The University of Kentucky Lyman T. Johnson Alumni Club recently recognized the contributions and accomplishments of African-American alumni and students at the 14th annual Lyman T. Johnson Alumni Banquet.

This year’s award ceremony, titled “Upholding the Torch of Excellence,” honored alumni from each of UK’s colleges, individuals who have succeeded nationally, statewide and locally. Those honorees then “pass on” their faith, determination, hard work and academic excellence to current undergraduate students who have shown those same qualities. The undergraduates then become “torch bearers” for their colleges.

William H. Turner, UK vice president for university initiatives and associate provost for multicultural and academic affairs, was the keynote speaker.

Recipients of the Torch of Excellence Awards are: LaFarin Meriwether and Quentin Tyler, College of Agriculture; Shane Boyd, Chuck Hayes, Jessica Nance and Valerie Still, Athletics; Junis L. Baldon and Amelia Jones, Gatton College of Business and Economics; BaRhonda Dickerson and Everett J. Mitchell II, College of Communications and Information Studies; Lamont Gholston, College of Dentistry; Felice M. Boyd and Marlene M. Helm, College of Education; Archie Fullwood and Darryl E. Whitley, College of Engineering; Mylissa J. Crutcher, College of Fine Arts; Karlene Helm and Tiffany T. White, College of Health Sciences; Jesse Crenshaw, College of Law; Alexandria Fields and Henry Poston, College of Nursing; Danielle Embry and Jerome White, College of Pharmacy; Elaine A. Wilson and Tiffany Lynn Woods, College of Social Work; Beverly Kirk and Willie Craft Jr., The Graduate School; Joyce Beatty, Lexington Community College; and Cecil Madison, Libraries.