Archive issue
April 30, 2001

News

UK poised to grasp top-20 greatness
Wethington to speak at commencement
KinderCare offers child care for UK
Yearlong celebration honors creative writing
Urban design grant helps communities grow
Festival offers fun, freebies, food to staff
ILC, EOP honor Wethington for diversity work
Teaching awards showcase inspirational skills
UK Women's Forum seeks board members
Chancellor Zinser presents outstanding staff awards
International society honors UK Ag employees
Self-study draft reports under review by group

UK poised to grasp top-20 greatness

When he speaks of UK, he beams with the kind of pride parents exude when telling of their children's accomplishments. He recounts the University's history with vivid detail and talks of the future with the utmost confidence.

For the past 11 years, President Charles T. Wethington Jr. has guided UK in continual growth and improvement. His most recent challenge has been propelling the University toward its goal of becoming a top-20 public university, while continuing progress in both graduate and undergraduate education. As he prepares to leave the office of president in June, he has bright visions of the future and hopes that he has started the University down its path to greatness.

"This is a very critical time in the University's history," he said. "The University has the potential to be the single largest influence next to the state government on Kentucky."

As the state's flagship university, UK is Kentucky's leading entity in higher education. It bears the land-grant responsibility of assisting farmers and agricultural enterprises across the state. UK is the ninth largest economic enterprise in the commonwealth. The University makes an impact of more than $4.4 billion on Kentucky's economy, returning to communities more than $15 for every $1 in state tax allocations, and is directly linked to nearly 80,000 jobs and itself employs some 30,000 people across the state annually.

Library ribbon cutting

Tim Collins
President Wethington cuts the ribbon to open the William T. Young Library with William T. Young, left, and UK Libraries Director Paul Willis. Building the library was a goal Wethington set early in his presidency and worked diligently to see achieved.

"With that great influence comes great responsibility," Wethington said. "What we do for the University benefits the whole state."

A chief way the University can meet this responsibility is to become a top-20 public university as mandated by the General Assembly. In many ways, UK is on that track. In the past year, UK nearly tripled its number of endowed faculty positions with the help of the Research Challenge Trust Fund, an incentive from the General Assembly.

"Becoming a top-20 university is a worthwhile and laudable goal," Wethington said. "The University can achieve that objective, but it won't be easy.

He said he is pleased that the General Assembly is helping support UK on its path to greatness, but said it is unreasonable to think all the needed support could come from the state government.

"Without the support of the General Assembly and the governors, we might not be able to meet the goal, but they can't do it all either," he said. "We have got to show that the University is doing its part."

The Campaign for the University of Kentucky, unveiled in 2000, is seeking to raise $600 million to help UK do its part. The campaign is the largest of its kind in state history.

"My hope is that this top-20 business is not a hollow phrase," Wethington said, "but that with the financial support, strong leadership and constant efforts focused on the recruitment of excellent faculty, staff and students, it will be a reality. You can't be top-20 anything without excellent faculty, staff and students."

Campaign announcement
Tim Collins
Wethington announces UK's Call to Greatness goal with campaign chairperson James W. Stuckert. The Campaign for the University of Kentucky seeks to raise $600 million to help UK meet the challenge of becoming a top-20 university by the year 2020.

Wethington noted that many of UK's programs are achieving the national stature required of a top-20 university. The University holds 50 national rankings, 14 in the top 20 already. Coldstream Research Campus, planned as a 25 to 30 year development project, is making early marks locating top companies in Lexington. The campus offers researchers and students an opportunity to apply lessons of the classroom.

"We will see Coldstream Research Campus grow rapidly in the next few years," he said.

In May and June, Wethington will begin working with President-Elect Lee Todd. The two have known each other for many years, something that will make the transition easier, Wethington said. Todd has already shown great dedication to UK and weathered well the firestorm of attention his appointment brought to him.

"His character will serve him well," Wethington said. "I didn't come to UK to use this position to get another job. Lee Todd won't do that either. He has what it takes for this position."

Ultimately, the president's job is to make key decisions on behalf of the University, and not every decision is popular with everybody.

"In this job, people will give you the benefit of the doubt and will judge you on result, even if they initially oppose what you do," he said. "In the long-term, what's in the best interest of the University is not always the most popular decision. Sometimes it may be easier to make the popular decision, but that may not be best for the University."

Patience is also a virtue in the university world, Wethington said. As large, complex institutions beholden to so many constituents, universities change slowly.

"You build a great university good faculty member by good faculty member, student by student and brick by brick," he said.

But students do add a special spice to the University that compels change.

"They keep the institution alive. They add a dimension you don't see in the private sector," Wethington said. "They are constantly challenging us with new ideas and perspectives.

"Being president is a wonderfully challenging position," he said. "It's a 24-hour-a-day position I have no regrets about. It has been a great honor to be president of the University of Kentucky."

Selena Stevens

Wethington to speak at commencement

President Charles T. Wethington Jr. will address the graduating class at UK's 134th annual commencement at 10 a.m. Sunday, May 6, in Memorial Coliseum. UK tradition calls for outgoing presidents to address the graduating class on their last year of service.

Wethington, who steps down in June after 11 years as president, also will present honorary doctorates to Peter P. Bosomworth, former chancellor of the Chandler Medical Center; Linda Challis Gill, a benefactor of UK's Linda and Jack Gill Heart Institute; and Frank X Walker, a catalyst for many cultural and arts initiatives in the Lexington area.

Wethington will present the William B. Sturgill Award, given annually to an outstanding member of the graduate faculty, to John F. Wilson, professor of behavioral science.

Don M. Gash, professor of anatomy and neurobiology, will receive the Albert D. and Elizabeth Kirwan Memorial Prize for original and creative research.

Student Christi Shawn Stafford, agriculture education, will deliver the senior address.

The weekend's graduation festivities include a reception by the graduate school from 8 to 10 a.m. on the 18th floor of the Patterson Office Tower the day of commencement in honor of the 2000-2001 graduate degree recipients. The UK Alumni Association will host a breakfast reception from 8 to 10 a.m. the same day at the King Alumni House on Rose Street.

Nearly 6,000 students who are candidates for graduation in August and December 2000 and May can take part in the May 6 event, including 3,806 bachelor's degrees, 1,190 master's degrees, 334 doctoral degrees and 374 professional degrees. Those students include 224 summa cum laude graduates, 324 magna cum laude graduates and 409 cum laude graduates.

President Wethington will present three Algernon Sydney Sullivan Medallions, which go each year to a male graduate, a female graduate and a non-student, all who have shown a spirit of helpfulness to others.

George Lewis

KinderCare offers child care for UK

If you are a UK employee faced with the daunting task of finding child care for your children --look no further. For nearly 11 years, the KinderCare center located on the corner of Woodland and Columbia avenues has been providing quality child care to the UK community.

Since it first opened in 1990, the center has enjoyed a unique relationship with the University.

"The UK KinderCare grew out of a need to have more convenient child care options available for the University community," said Kay Rue, area manger for KinderCare.

Fulfilling their mission, "the total development and constant nurturing of children," KinderCare encourages children to learn, play and explore. The center offers a wide variety of activities from puppets and paper to toys and tambourines. At KinderCare, children find a plethora of choices to engage and interest them. In addition, the center offers specially trained teachers and age appropriate curriculums.

"KinderCare has an excellent pre-school program. Each child enjoys their own lesson plan that progresses as the child grows," Rue said. "We also offer a full curriculum during spring break and the summer months."

The UK KinderCare cares for 137 children, ages 6 weeks to 12 years, and is open Monday through Friday from 6:30 a.m. until 6:30 p.m. The center also offers discounted rates to UK students and UK and Lexington Community College employees.

"This is a wonderful opportunity for the people at the University because of the location," Rue said. "People can stop by on their lunch breaks to see their children."

For more information or to schedule a tour, call Heather Fryman, center director, at 255-3444.

Kelley Bozeman

Editor's note: The UK College of Human Environmental Sciences houses the Early Childhood Laboratory which operates as a preschool for Fayette County children. For more information on the Early Childhood Laboratory, call 257-7732.

Yearlong celebration honors creative writing

Former program student named Yale's Young Poet of the Year.

The University of Kentucky began celebrating 50 years of its Creative Writing Program on Wednesday, April 18, when it welcomed former UK graduate student and Yale University's Young Poet of the Year Maurice Manning back to UK.

Kicking off the yearlong celebration, Manning presented a reading from his work in the William T. Young Library Auditorium. Manning's current book, "Lawrence Booth's Book of Dreams," is being published by Yale University Press. This event was the first in a series of literary events marking the celebration.

"Creative writing at UK has been an excellent program for a half-century," said Gurney Norman, UK English professor and director of the writing program. "This program is a hidden jewel at UK."

Other special events are scheduled throughout the year. On Sept. 9, an exhibit of literary artifacts from Kentucky that are in the UK Libraries' Special Collection opens at the Margaret I. King Library, and several notable Kentucky writers, including Bobbie Ann Mason and Wendell Berry, will return to campus on Oct. 18 as part of a new series that will bring top creative writers to UK.

The Creative Writing Series was made possible by an endowment from Kip Cornett, a UK graduate and owner of Cornett Advertising in Lexington. Cornett will be honored at the Oct. 18 event.

Kelley Bozeman

Urban design grant helps communities grow

A fellowship grant at the UK-University of Louisville Urban Design Studio will be used to help communities build prosperity and grow wisely.

Valued at $50,000, the grant comes from NewCities Foundation, created by the Kentucky League of Cities.

NewCities aims to help communities organize, build prosperity and enjoy a better quality of life and work in Kentucky's cities and towns.

The design studio is located in downtown Louisville, where participants at a February celebration to launch NewCities included former Gov. Martha Layne Collins; Mayor David Armstrong of Louisville; Sylvia L. Lovely, executive director and CEO of Kentucky League of Cities; Virginia G. Fox, Executive Director and CEO of KET; David Mohney, dean of the UK College of Architecture and other Kentucky mayors and development officials.

George Lewis

Festival offers fun, freebies, food to staff

UK staff employees will be treated to lunch, entertainment, door prizes and other free gifts during Staff Appreciation Day 10:30 a.m. to 1:30 p.m. Friday, May 11, in Memorial Coliseum.

Various exhibitors from nearly 60 departments and offices across campus will be set up on the floor of the coliseum. Pizza, soft drinks and other items will be available on the concourse level.

Employees at the Chandler Medical Center can use free bus transportation available from the front doors of the Medical Center every 15 minutes. Free transportation also will be available for Lexington Community College and Agriculture Science Center North employees.

Last year, an estimated record crowd of 5,000 turned out for the event, which is sponsored by UK Women's Forum. Laura Holmes-McIntyre with UK Hospital Marketing and Sharon Gill with Undergraduate Studies are co-chairing this year's festivities. They hope to exceed last year's crowd.

Staff Appreciation Day Alumni Association Booth

File
The 2001 Staff Appreciation Day will be held May 11 in Memorial Coliseum and will feature information booths, such as this one by the Alumni Association, food and freebies for UK staff.

"Staff Appreciation Day 2000 was a huge success. We received a lot of compliments last year, so we expect even more people to attend this year," Holmes-McIntyre said.

She credits the success to changes that were made last year. Some of the exhibit tables were moved to the upper level concourse to ease congestion on the coliseum floor and improve crowd flow; a Web page helped promote the event; and a volunteer committee was created to recruit and place volunteers.

"This event has grown so much that it requires hundreds of volunteers to make it happen," said Gill. "We really depend on and appreciate the dedication of everyone who volunteers."

This is the ninth year for Staff Appreciation Day on the UK campus. It was held in the Student Center Ballroom originally but eventually outgrew that space.

UK President Charles T. Wethington Jr. has been an ardent supporter of UK Staff Appreciation Day since its inception.

"It has been wonderful to see Staff Appreciation Day grow in popularity every year," Wethington said. "The Women's Forum has been dedicated to organizing a top-notch event that truly reflects how much we value the staff and appreciate everything they contribute to making this University great."

For more information about Staff Appreciation Day 2001, visit the Web site at www.uky.edu/Staff/Appreciation, or contact Holmes-McIntyre at lgholm@email.uky.edu or Sharon Gill at sgill@pop.uky.edu. To volunteer to help with Staff Appreciation Day, contact Angie Cerelli, chairperson of the subcommittee for volunteers, at 257-5281 or acere@pop.uky.edu.

Kathy Johnson

ILC, EOP honor Wethington for diversity work

In his 11 years as president of the University of Kentucky, Charles T. Wethington Jr. has done much to increase diversity on campus and encourage its growth. The UK Inclusive Learning Community and the Equal Opportunity Panel recognized Wethington for his outstanding efforts April 19.

"If you look at the diverse activities that go on now on campus, there are many more than in 1990," said Lauretta Byars, vice chancellor for minority affairs, co-convener of the ILC and a member of the EOP. "When diversity grows, it is always because leadership at the top supports and encourages it. Dr. Wethington has been a strong leader for diversity."

During his tenure, Wethington has overseen the creation of many campus programs to foster diversity, including the ILC, the "50 Years of the UK African-American Legacy" commemoration, Student Support Services and the Kentucky Excel Incentive Scholarship. He also has supported campus participation in area diversity programs such as the Lexington Commission on Race Relations and the annual Martin Luther King Jr. Day march and program.

Byars presents award to Wethington

George Lewis
Vice Chancellor for Minority Affairs Lauretta Byars presents President Wethington with a plaque from the ILC and EOP.

Wethington's term has fostered growth in the numbers of minorities and people of diverse backgrounds on campus. UK had a record minority enrollment in Wethington's first year as president, a number that has continued to climb every year. Also in that first year, the number of black faculty members on campus increased by one-third, and Wethington allocated $2.5 million to focus on women's and minority issues and $2.1 million to help erase the disparages between the salaries of male and female employees at UK. Wethington himself has appointed several women and minorities to key positions in the University's administration, including Fitzgerald Bramwell in Research and Graduate Studies as UK's second African-American vice president; Elisabeth Zinser as chancellor of the Lexington Campus --a position that made her the highest ranking woman in UK history; and Juanita Fleming as the president's special assistant for academic affairs. His tenure also saw the appointment of Retia Walker as dean of the College of Human Environmental Sciences, the first African-American female dean; Rhoda-Gale Pollack as dean of the College of Fine Arts; Kay Hoffman as dean of the College of Social Work; and Tubby Smith as the first African-American men's basketball coach.

Another effort by Wethington was to increase the numbers of international students on campus and build partnerships with international schools. In 1999, 1,500 international students studied at UK, up from 1,073 in 1990; and 290 UK students studied at international colleges, nearly double the 1990 number. UK also became a member of a study abroad/international student exchange consortium that links more than 100 universities in 35 countries. Universities in Japan, Malaysia, Africa, United Arab Emirates, China, Great Britain, France, Mexico and Central and South America all participate in programs with UK, sharing students and researchers.

"In order to provide change you have to have courage because you are going against what is comfortable for many people," Byars said. "Dr. Wethington has tried to make and has made a difference for UK."

Selena Stevens

Teaching awards showcase inspirational skills

Students at all levels want to know why they should they care passionately about subjects in which they may have no inherent interest. They look to their teachers for inspiration.

Such inspiration was evident recently as UK recognized a group of motivational leaders through its 2001 Chancellor's Awards for Outstanding Teaching. Each Outstanding Teaching Award comes with stipends of $5,000, $3,500 and $1,000 for tenured, non-tenured and teaching assistant awards, respectively. This year's recipients, honored at a ceremony April 19 were:

-- Joanna Badagliacco, sociology, Tenured Faculty Award.
"For the 10 years she has been at UK, Joanna has excelled and continued to grow as a teacher, adviser and sociologist. She leads by example in three primary areas: her teaching, her advising and her leadership of the department's undergraduate program," said James Hougland, professor of sociology, who nominated Badagliacco for the award. "Dr. B creates a superb melding of research findings and methodology with theoretical and practical investigations and discussions to create an exciting, challenging and life-transforming learning experience for her students."

Teaching Award winners group

Tim Collins
Seven UK instructors recently received the Chancellor's Awards for Outstanding Teaching. They are, from left, Ireland, Badagliacco, Ciasullo, Starr-LeBeau, Phelan, Connelly and Thompson.

-- Robert Ireland, history, Tenured Faculty Award.
"Students and faculty alike call him Dr. Bob, and the two words say it all. He is not Professor Ireland but Bob, for his affectionate warmth for his students is legendary," said Ireland's nominator, William Freehling, professor of history. "He is Dr. Bob, because the friendly geniality comes mixed with a professional scholar's passion for precise accuracy. His massively structured lectures are correct to the last detail; our students are lucky that he voluntarily teaches an extra course every semester."

-- Allison Connelly, Law, Non-tenured Faculty Award.
"Professor Connelly is the founding director of the college's legal clinic. Her work with the students has created a new way for our students to learn, and Professor Connelly's dedication and enthusiasm are key ingredients of the success of that program," said Connelly's nominator Allan Vestal, dean of the College of Law. "In many ways, Professor Connelly is a model of teaching excellence. She teaches in both traditional and innovative programs, to classes both large and small. She is a popular instructor, to be sure, but she is also remarkably demanding and caring. Her dedication, imagination, creativity, inspiration and concern for students are evident in all she does."

-- Gretchen Starr-LeBeau, history, Non-tenured Faulty Award.
Starr-LeBeau is an innovative teacher who has created positive learning environments for everyone from freshman fulfilling University Studies requirements to advanced graduate students in research seminars. As one student put it, ŒDr. Starr-LeBeau brings to the classroom a spirit which is difficult to categorize, but which she has successfully translated into an ability to reach out to the diverse needs of the student body,'" said Karen Petrone, professor of history. David Hamilton, professor of history, nominated Starr-LeBeau.

-- Ann Ciasullo, English, Teaching Assistant Award.
"Ann has proven to be one of the very best instructors in the Department of English over the past several years, consistently doing excellent work in a range of literature and composition courses," said her English department chairperson Gregory Waller. "At all levels, her teaching is informed by a strong sense of fair-mindedness, enthusiasm and professionalism. Ann sets the highest expectations for her students and herself."

-- Tim Thompson, sociology, Teaching Assistant Award.
"Tim has consistently earned a reputation as a highly skilled instructor," said his nominator Scott Hunt, professor of sociology. "His assignments and evaluations of students are indicators of courses that are well designed and delivered. Even though he challenges his students, he still earns high evaluations from his students. Not only is Tim an excellent classroom instructor, but he is also a great ambassador for our department."

-- Mike Phelan, sociology, Teaching Assistant Award.
"Mike works very hard at his teaching, and he provides a learning environment that students find productive and enjoyable," said Scott Hunt, professor of sociology. "He has consistently earned a reputation as a highly skilled instructor. If you were to examine the written comments provided by students, you would see that Mike's students have nothing but the highest praises for his courses and instructional abilities." Sociology department chairperson William Skinner nominated Phelan.

George Lewis

UK Women's Forum seeks board members

UK Women's Forum is seeking nominations of UK female employees to serve on its board. The UK Women's Forum board must fill six vacancies due to current board members' terms expiring June 30. The two-year terms begin July 1.

Nomination forms have been mailed to all full-time UK female faculty and staff employees. The nomination form also can be printed from the Women's Forum Web site at www.uky.edu/Other Orgs/UKWoman. The deadline for returning those is May 9.

Women's Forum Nominations Committee Chairperson Laura Holmes-McIntyre said that after nominations are in, ballots will be mailed out in mid-May for the election of the six board members.

Women's Forum is an organization with the mission to exert leadership in empowering, validating, informing, including and celebrating all women employed at UK. The 11-year-old organization is responsible for such programs at UK as Staff Appreciation Day and the Sarah Bennett Holmes Award. It also works to keep administrators and the rest of the University aware of concerns affecting female employees.

If any female employee does not receive a nomination form and does not have access to the Internet, she may contact Laura Holmes-McIntyre at lgholm0@email.uky.edu.

Kathy Johnson

Chancellor Zinser presents outstanding staff awards

Six members of the UK staff were honored April 25 as recipients of the Lexington Campus Chancellor's Awards for Outstanding Staff.

This annual honor recognizes outstanding performance and service by staff on central campus and at Lexington Community College.

The winners, who received $600 each, were:

-- Kay Cotton, staff support associate, Research and Education Center. Cotton's primary duty is to serve as a receptionist for the UK Research and Education Center in Princeton. She coordinates and schedules all public space in the facility. Cotton was described as a "person who always conveys a spirit of cooperation, friendliness and service."

-- Steven L. Ellis, instructional laboratory specialist, Department of Physics and Astronomy. Ellis' responsibility is to manage, develop and improve the undergraduate laboratories in physics, providing semester-to-semester continuity, leadership and technical modernization. As his nomination form said, "Mr. Ellis works long hours on his central task, yet volunteers for extra duty on other critical departmental issues. He is a natural leader and has become mentor and confidant for all."

-- Ann Norris, account clerk III, agronomy. Norris prepares yearly budgets, verifies monthly ledger sheets for accuracy, initiates account numbers for projects, facilitates gift and income accounts and maintains complete records for departmental accounts in addition to administrative support. Norris' nomination said, "Ann is a gracious and charming person. She is totally unflappable and maintains her great sense of humor under the most difficult circumstances."

-- Ramona "June" Johnston, senior lab technician, horticulture and landscape architecture. Johnston is responsible for planting, maintaining, harvesting, data collecting and evaluation of horticulture research plantings at the UK College of Agriculture's Research and Education Center in Princeton. Those who nominated Johnston for this award said she is "...always doing more than is asked. Johnston has a caring a charitable attitude that brings out the best in others."

-- Terry Tipton, supervisor, Maintenance and Operations. Tipton supervises the Maintenance and Operations staff. Tipton is described as a "person with a good attitude about his job and the University; he just does what it takes to fix the problem. Tipton rarely misses work and juggles many time demanding tasks at once."

-- Sharlene Wang, lab manager, Extended Campus Programs, Paducah. Wang is responsible for the installation and setup of new lab equipment, equipment preparation for lab exercises, oversight of student workers and management of computer and shop facilities. Wang's nomination said, "Despite being pulled in many different directions, Sharlene does whatever is necessary for her program."

Kelley Bozeman

International society honors UK Ag employees

Gamma Sigma Delta recognizes six for teaching, research.

A talented group of faculty, staff and supporters of the UK College of Agriculture received awards at the 46th annual initiation banquet of the Kentucky Chapter of Gamma Sigma Delta, the international honor society of agriculture.

James Jackson, animal scientist, received the Gamma Sigma Delta Master Teacher Award. Nominees for this award are recommended by their peers. The selection process also includes letters of support from students and emphasis is placed on the person who best exemplifies teaching excellence.

Kenneth Yeargan, a soybean and forages entomologist, received the George E. Mitchell Jr. Award for Outstanding Faculty Service to Graduate Students. This award places special significance on contributions to graduate training and support.

Robert L. Houtz, a horticultural biochemist, received the T.P. Cooper Research Award. This award encourages excellence in faculty research.

Lee Meyer, Extension economist, received the M.D. Whiteker Award for Excellence in Extension. The award is given annually to a member of the Association of Kentucky Extension Specialists who demonstrates outstanding accomplishment in the Kentucky Cooperative Extension Service.

C.A. "Ottie" Pantle Jr. was awarded both the T.P. Cooper Distinguished Farm Leadership Award and the Gamma Sigma Delta chapter's Outstanding Alumnus Award.

Pantle and his wife, Jane, have a 500-acre farming operation in Daviess County. He is a 1960 graduate of the UK College of Agriculture with a major in animal sciences. Pantle has provided leadership for a long list of community and state farm organizations. Among his many activities, Pantle was a strong advocate and an active participant in the formation of the Kentucky Horticulture Council and has served on the council since its establishment in 1991.

C. Oran Little and his wife, Myrtle, were awarded the chapter's Distinguished Service Award. Little recently retired from the post of the dean of the UK College of Agriculture after 10 years of distinguished service. Mrs. Little was cited for the tremendous support she provided her husband as they traveled across the Commonwealth to hundreds of events where Little met with agricultural leaders, alumni and supporters of the college.

The Kentucky chapter of Gamma Sigma Delta also received its share of recognitions from the national level. For the second year in a row, the chapter received the outstanding chapter award. This is only the second time a local chapter has won this award in two consecutive years. The UK chapter also won the National Gamma Sigma Delta New Activity Award. Only one other chapter nationwide has won both awards in the same year.

Mark Eclov

Self-study draft reports under review by group

At just past the midpoint in the self-study process, drafts of UK's self-study are being reviewed, and second drafts should be completed before summer break.

Each of the 17 committees and subcommittees has submitted first drafts of their reports. The Self-Study Steering Committee is in the process of meeting with committee chairpersons and vice chairpersons to discuss drafts and provide feedback.

During the summer, the Steering Committee will begin compiling the final report, which is due to the Commission on Colleges of the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools in December.

The chairperson of the UK visiting committee, who is not yet appointed by SACS, will make a preliminary visit to campus in January or February 2002. The full self-study visiting committee of approximately 35 persons will visit the University April 15-18, 2002. The Commission on Colleges of SACS will vote on UK's reaffirmation of accreditation at its December 2002 annual meeting.

The Self-Study Executive Committee would like to thank all of the faculty, staff and students who have participated in this effort thus far.

Staff report

Briefs

Listserv open to staff
Any UK employee is welcome to join the UK Staff listserv.

Just send an e-mail to listserv@lsv.uky.edu. In the body of the e-mail, type the command: subscribe ukstaff. It's best if any automatic signatures are removed, so that the subscription request is the only thing in the body of the e-mail.

Donate leftovers to charity
UK Residence Life Recycling is collecting those leftover, end-of-the-semester items to donate local schools and churches. Bins to collect items from pencils to clothing will be located in residence halls across campus until the end of the semester.

School supplies will be donated to Harrison Elementary School, and clothing will be donated to Christ the King Church.

Big band, jazz concerts begin in Ecton Park May 22
Again this summer, WUKY-FM 91.3 will bring jazz to the great outdoors in Lexington. The station will join forces with Lexington Parks and Recreation and the American Federation of Musicians to present the Ecton Park Big Band and Jazz, a 14-week series of free concerts on Tuesdays beginning May 22. Each concert begins at 7 p.m. For more information, contact Gail Bennett or John Midbo at 257-3221.

Five initiated into ODK honorary
UK men's basketball coach Tubby Smith, Vice President for Research and Graduate Studies Fitzgerald Bramwell, economics Professor Richard Gift, Sonja Mather of International Affairs and Monica Mehanna of engineering communication, were initiated into UK's chapter of Omicron Delta Kappa National Leadership Honor Society in early April.

ODK is the premiere leadership honor society in the world. It recognizes leadership, and student members must also show excellent scholarship. ODK annually recognizes students, faculty and "honoris causa" initiates.

Two honored for advocacy
Juanita Fleming, president's special assistant for academic affairs, and Horst Schach, chairperson of landscape architecture, have been awarded the staff and faculty Robert G. Zumwinkle Student Rights Award. The award, given by the Student Government Association, honors students and faculty who have been advocates for student rights.

Spindletop offers recreation
With summer drawing near, many people may be looking for places to swim, play tennis and have picnics. Spindletop Hall, UK's faculty and staff alumni club, offers all this and more.

Spindletop, located on Ironworks Pike, is open to all full-time faculty and staff, and dues can be payroll deducted or paid semiannually. Annual single dues are $318, and family dues are $530. For more information, visit www.uky.edu/Other Orgs/Spindletop or call 255-2777.

LCC receives IMLS grant
Lexington Community College will be one of 23 institutions participating in "Assessing Student Learning Outcomes in Information Literacy Programs: Training Academic Librarians."

Information Services Librarian Marcia Freyman will represent LCC in the project, the purpose of which is to train librarians to work with faculty to design, implement and evaluate tools for assessing student learning resulting from information literacy instruction taught by librarians and faculty.

Wellness conference features speakers, tips on health
The eighth annual UK Wellness Conference, "A Holiday for Health and Humor," will be held Thursday and Friday, May 17 and 18.

The event will include speakers, a health fair, wellness programs and more.

Brochures on the conference will be mailed. Information will be available at www.uky.edu/HR/wellness or by calling 257-9355.

American music center dedicated
The John Jacob Niles Center for American Music was dedicated April 22 in the Lucille Little Fine Arts Library.

Niles, who lived much of his life in Clark County, is best known for his musical compositions, but he was also an instrument maker. Several of the stringed musical instruments he created are located in the Niles Center.

IT research available online
UK faculty, staff and students can tap into top-tier information technology marketing research, advisory services and training resources through a new UK Web site, www.uky.edu/Gartner.

The Web site is a gateway to GartnerGroup research and analysis and National Education Training Group learning resources.

Graduates get free membership in UK Alumni Association
All UK graduates from August 2000 to May 2001 will receive one year's free membership in the UK Alumni Association. The usual cost of membership is $35 per member per year.

Benefits include a subscription to Kentucky Alumnus, discounts at many hotels, car rentals and other merchants and eligibility for drawings for tickets to UK football and basketball games.