STATE-OF-THE-UNIVERSITY
12:30 p.m. Thursday, September 18, 2008
POT Plaza 
REMARKS:  
* Thank you for those kind words, Tom. This is the second consecutive year that Tom Hammond has been on campus to celebrate this event, and I appreciate him taking time out of his busy schedule to enjoy the day with us.
o Tom spent the summer witnessing history and representing his alma mater with class and excellence at the Summer Olympics in Beijing. It is honor to have you back home here at UK. 
* Thanks to Student Government President Tyler Montell. I look forward to working with you throughout the year. 
* I want to take a moment to recognize some of TylerÕs fellow Board of Trustee members who are gathered with us today: 
o Penny Brown, Ann Haney, Pam May, and Charles Sachatello
o Faculty Trustees Everett McCorvey and Ernie Yanarella   
o Staff Trustee Russ Williams
Introduction
* Last year I stood here and talked about all the exciting momentum that was taking place at the University of Kentucky. 
* We had just received full state funding for our Business Plan for the first time. And we were energized about the year ahead. 
* As you know, the economy began to slow considerably in 2007, and, in late December, we heard from Governor BeshearÕs budget office that the state budget picture was not looking positive. 
o We learned there was going to be a 3% budget reduction for all state agencies, including colleges and universities. 
o As difficult as that was to digest, the ensuing news over the next several weeks was potentially very damaging. 
o The weakening national and state economy was worse than originally thought. Governor Beshear asked all state agencies to prepare for an additional 12% budget reduction.  
* Talk about a punch to the gut. Those were some tough days Ð we didnÕt know where the dollars were going to come from. 
* But the thing that kept me going during those tough days was the will and resolve of our students, faculty, and staff. I sent out a series of e-mails during that time, encouraging people to keep working hard toward our Top 20 goal. 
o I have always believed in the simple mantra of: When in doubt, work! 
o And thatÕs exactly what this campus did. 
* Although the budget that passed was far from perfect Ð we received a 6% cut, while many other agencies received a 15% cut Ð it was better than it could have been. 
UK Progress 
* In times like these we focus on things we can control. 
* Things like student retention. 
* UKÕs retention rate for the 2007 cohort is at an all-time high of 81%, a 4.5 point increase over last year. That rate bested our previous high of 80.4% from the 1999 cohort.
* All the national data shows that when you keep students here from the first to second year, the likelihood of them graduating skyrockets.  
* And UK students graduate at a higher rate than any other public institution in Kentucky. Our six-year graduation rate was 61.2% last year, which was also a UK record. 
* I must commend our Provost Kumble Subbaswamy for his efforts to improve both those rates. He launched a ÒWar on AttritionÓ last year, focusing the campus on improving the undergraduate experience. And, after one year, those efforts are paying off. 
o I also commend our faculty in the classrooms, our advisors, and all the individuals who reached out and positively influenced the lives of our students. We would not be touting these numbers without your dedication. 
* As good as this news is for our campus, the Provost is right to remind us that there is hard work ahead. We aim to have retention and graduation rates competitive with Top 20 institutions. So we must push ours higher still.
* UKÕs message of student success is resonating with students and families across the Commonwealth and beyond. 
o The size of our freshman class is 4,044 students, up from 3,865 last year.Ê
* Many have told me that our campus looks more diverse than ever before. ThatÕs because it is. 
o First-year African-American enrollment reached an all-time high of 341 students, a 32% increase over last year. Hispanic enrollment is at 61 this year, a 39% increase.
* It is not just the size of the class that is increasing; the quality of our freshman class continues to improve. The average ACT score increased from 24.3 last year to 24.4 this year and the average GPA jumping from 3.48 in 2007 to 3.52. The number of Governor's Scholars and Governor's School for the Arts Scholars hit a record high of 389 in UK's freshman class compared to 348 last year.Ê
* Such an increase speaks to our growing popularity around the state and the nation, which was directly tied to our efforts to re-brand and re-market UK not just in Kentucky but in several targeted markets.

o Cincinnati and Columbus, Ohio; Indianapolis and Nashville

* Several individuals here today played a direct role in helping us bring in such a talented and diverse freshman class. 

o I want to thank Don Witt, our Assistant Provost for Enrollment Management, and Stephen Barnett in Admissions and their staffs for their tireless efforts to bring in new students. I also want to acknowledge our Public Relations and Marketing staff for their behind-the-scenes work in this effort, as they collaborated with our Admissions team to produce the marketing pieces and brochures that helped us attract this class. 

o I must commend our Visitor Center staff for the masterful job they do in welcoming students and their families to campus. I canÕt tell you how many times I hear from parents that they had no idea that their child was going to come to UK. They happen to stop by campus on their way down I-75, and immediately after their campus tour, their child says Òthis is where I want to be.Ó

o And it is not only our Visitor Center that makes a lasting impression. The various units that maintain our campus Ð that clean our buildings and keep this place looking sharp cannot be thanked enough.

o Specifically, I want the members of our Grounds Department gathered here today to raise their hands. Our team of tour guides could not do their job without your commitment to this campus each and every day of the year. You are our unsung heroes, the ones that create a campus in which we can all be proud. 

* I mentioned earlier how some of our student diversity numbers were on the rise. We all realize that diversity cannot always be measured in numbers and statistics. Creating a truly diverse campus is about developing a climate, a campus atmosphere that is warm and inviting to all of our students, faculty, staff, and visitors.  

o I want to introduce a member of our campus community who has been charged with helping us create that climate of inclusiveness, our new Vice President for Institutional Diversity J.J. Jackson. 

* Our students continue to show us something I have been preaching for a lot of years: They can compete with any of the top minds in the world. 

o UK had 20 research papers accepted to last yearÕs National Conference on Undergraduate Research. The University of Michigan, one of the nationÕs largest universities and one of the best in undergraduate research, had 16. University of Texas at Austin had 17.

o Corinne Keel from Louisville, who is with us today, was named UKÕs 13th Truman Scholar this past spring. She is one of only 80 students across the country selected as a future Òchange-agentÓ for America. 
o A group of UK engineering students participated in the 2008 North American Solar Car Challenge, a national competition to design, build, and drive solar-powered cars in a cross-country time/distance rally event. The competition started in Plano, Texas and finished in Calgary, covering a total distance of 2,400 miles. 
o Another student, Ryan Smith, took a year break from UK last year to travel the nation alongside President George Bush. Ryan is now back on campus, serving as President of the Sigma Chi fraternity. 
* UKÕs students are as committed to public service as any in the nation. 
* There is national program called Teach For America, which recruits recent college graduates to commit two years to teach in urban and rural public schools to eliminate the educational inequity we know exists across the country. The program began actively recruiting UK students during the 2005-2006 school year. Before that year, there were only 7 UK alumni working for Teach For America. Since we have been working on campus at UK, 40 UK graduates have made a commitment to expand educational opportunities for children through working with Teach For America.
o Looking ahead, I am excited because Teach For America is looking to expand its reach into Appalachia. 
o We are joined today by Allison Leet Downing, who worked for Teach For America after graduating from UK in 2005. Allison taught fifth grade math and science in Philadelphia. Only 45% of the fifth-graders in the district scored at a Proficient or Advanced level, but 83% of AllisonÕs class scored Proficient or Advanced. Allison couldnÕt stay away from Kentucky for too long; she moved back this summer and is teaching fifth-graders right here in Lexington
* We remain committed to making sure a UK education remains accessible to Kentuckians from across the Commonwealth. 
o Monica Hobson-Braun is with us today. Monica comes from Hi Hat, Kentucky, which is in Floyd County. She is a first-generation college student and came to UK thanks to our Robinson Scholars program. Not only did she matriculate through UK, she is proving that Kentuckians from every corner of the state can compete and is a third-year student in UKÕs College of Law. 
* IÕd be remiss if I didnÕt say a word or two about our student-athletes who represent this University with class and dignity. 
* Mitch Barnhart could not be here today as he had a previous engagement, but I wanted to take a moment to brag on him. When Mitch took this position, he promised to provide each and every student-athlete the opportunity to compete for championships. And he promised to compete in a clean manner. 
o Representing that philosophy today is track and field thrower Rashaud Scott, who captured the menÕs discus National Title last spring to become the first Wildcat crowned an NCAA National Champion in track and field since 1996.
o We also are joined by some student-athletes and a coach who represented UK on the world stage at the Summer Olympics in Beijing. 
* Jose Acevedo, a track and field athlete, represented Venezuela in the 200-meter dash for Venezuela. 

* Mikel Thomas, track and field, represented his native home of Trinidad and Tobago in the 110-meter hurdles.

* Elvis Burrows, a UK swim team member, could not join us today but he competed for the Bahamas in the 50-meter freestyle swim.

* And Erin Tucker, an assistant coach for UKÕs track and field team, served as a guest coach for Venezuela.

* Thank you all for representing UK on the global stage. 

* I donÕt think there is any question as to why our students are so successful. It is because the collection of professors and educators we have assembled in our classrooms is second to none. 
* The Provost and our Deans have worked hard to retain our top minds. And UK continues to be a destination school for some of the nationÕs best faculty. 
* Our faculty are not only excelling the classroom; they are conducting groundbreaking research in every discipline.

* UK researchers brought more dollars into the Commonwealth, as they continue to drive discovery, create new jobs, and work to change KentuckyÕs economy. UKÕs total research expenditures for fiscal year 2007 increased to a record-high $332 million.

* Faculty like Stephen Dobson in Entomology, who became the first UK professor to receive a prestigious Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation grant. The $5.3 million award will allow Dr. Dobson to further his research in reducing mosquito populations. His studies have global implications for world health but also a local impact as he works to commercialize his research and develop a new business right here in central Kentucky. 
* In many ways, the impact this University has on the Lexington economy is immeasurable. But being an engineer, there are portions of that impact we have found we can measure. 
* Each year, the Lexington Venture Club conducts an annual survey, showing which local companies received venture funding. 
o Last year, 55 local companies received $64.5 million in funding. 32 of the 55 companies had UK connections.
o But the statistic that blew me away is that venture capital investment has grown from zero dollars in 2003 to over $37 million today.
* As exciting as those economic numbers are, our compact with Kentucky extends far beyond our 716 acres in the heart of the Bluegrass. We are engaged with families, businesses, communities, elected leaders, and policy makers in every corner of the Commonwealth.
* We unveiled 13 new Commonwealth Collaboratives this past year. The program encourages our top faculty to engage in KentuckyÕs most intrinsic problems, hoping to solve an issue that has long held the state back from reaching its full potential. The 13 new projects join 23 existing Collaboratives that are focused on solving educational, health care, economic development, environmental, and quality of life issues. 

o The Collaboratives help us focus on a wide-array of issues Ð from working to reduce the number of pre-term and low birth rate babies born in Hopkins County to creating smoke-free communities across the state to bringing opera to over 200 schools in the Commonwealth that have never experienced the art form. 

* I have long maintained that if we remain committed to solving KentuckyÕs problems, that there would be research dollars available. 

* Our new Center of Research in Obesity and Cardiovascular Disease proves that point. The Center is led by Lisa Cassis, Professor and Chair of the Graduate Center for Nutritional Sciences, who could not be with us today as she is delivering a presentation at an American Heart Association conference in Atlanta. The Center received a $10 million COBRE grant from NIH over five years to study the connections between diabetes, obesity, and cardiovascular diseases.

o The Center is comprised of a multidisciplinary team of researchers who are the best of the best, including Alan Daugherty, Fred de beer, Andrew Morris, Susan Smyth, David Randall, Deneys van der Westhuyzen, Nancy Webb, and Wally Whiteheart.

* I talked to Lisa about why she thought we received the award. And she told me quite simply it was because of KentuckyÕs health problems. The team did not shy away from the conditions in this state. In fact, they did the very opposite and cited our ÒKentucky UgliesÓ in their proposal. They listed the fact that Kentucky ranks 7th worst in the nation for obesity and diabetes, 4th worst for physical activity, and 9th worst for high blood pressure. 
* That is one reason why we have seen such growth in our academic medical campus. Another reason is the fact that we are conducting our business the right way Ð by partnering with community hospitals. 
* The Òright wayÓ is allowing us to build a new $700 million UK Chandler Hospital. Combined with our new College of Pharmacy, the southern end of campus will look and feel drastically different in the months and years ahead. 
* One last thing I want to talk to you about us a project that is taking place that has me optimistic about the future of this place, and I hope it invigorates you as well. Because it speaks to the very essence of our land-grant mission of education, research, and service.
* It is called the Henderson Project and it was started when a pair of Henderson community leaders and UK architecture grads wanted to do something to revitalize downtown Henderson.
* They contacted Drura Parrish, a faculty member in our College of Design, who also is native of Henderson. 
* Drura brought 13 students from diverse backgrounds Ð some from Kentucky, some from as far away as Thailand Ð to develop 21st century concepts and ideas to reinvigorate the area.
* The students generated several design concepts and presented them to the community. One of the concepts was this idea of an algae project at Henderson Municipal Power and Light.
* Algae has great research potential in scrubbing carbon emissions in coal-fired power plants. Algae uses carbon dioxide to grow, which when applied properly, can make coal-fired power plants more environmentally-friendly. 
* But there is a second component that has promising potential Ð and thatÕs algal biodiesel. Algal biodiesel is one of the only avenues available for high-volume re-use of the carbon dioxide emitted from power plants. 
* This technology combines the best of both worlds. It helps the power industry dispose of carbon monoxide, while potentially filling the need for alternative fuels in the transportation sector.
* Project leaders contacted Rodney Andrews and our Center for Applied Energy Research, who became immediately interested in the Henderson opportunity. The CenterÕs interest has now developed into an agreement with Henderson Municipal Power and Light to be a host site for an algae scrubber.Ê 
* As part of the deal, CAER has hired a full-time Regional Project Coordinator, who is based in Henderson.ÊThat individual will not only work with the algae project, they will work to establish sustainable energy projects throughout Western Kentucky.
* The Henderson Project also has caught the eye of new College of Design Dean Michael Speaks. Dean Speaks says the Henderson Project will serve as the foundation for the School of ArchitectureÕs new urban research and design post-graduate program, which he is currently developing. 
* The plan calls for UK to collaborate with cities along Ohio River, starting with Henderson, as research areas to help them transform from industrial to knowledge-based economies. Dean Speaks hopes the program will look to help cities like Henderson reinvigorate their communities. 
* I like to tell this story because it shows what we can do as a University community when we work together Ð when we break down the silos and listen to each other and build partnerships that will improve Kentucky communities. The Henderson Project is what being a Top 20 public research university is all about. 
* We have never sought Top 20 status for its own sake. We seek it because we know that universities such as ours are the surest path to the realization of dreams. People in states with Top 20 universities have higher incomes.

* Unemployment rates are lower there and fewer public dollars are spent on health care. These states have healthier children and fewer people living in poverty.

* We seek Top 20 status because it reflects a breadth of capacity to change our state in fundamental ways, delivering the sustained economic success and the social and physical health the people of Kentucky deserve. 

* Our doors of opportunity must open wider for all students who can do the work, regardless of their economic status. Our efforts at discovery must strengthen. Our battle against disease must intensify. And our engagement with businesses and communities must deepen.

* There will be those who say this difficult financial moment is evidence that KentuckyÕs leaders no longer support our mission and mandate. The naysayers will use this time as an excuse for deeper cynicism and will urge retreat from our aspirations. 

* But we cannot use current conditions as license to shrink from the responsibility that has been placed upon our shoulders. We must keep our eyes firmly fixed on the promise embodied in our goals, regardless of the current haze that can partially obscure our view of what we know we must become. 

* We cannot give in to the temptation to sit idly by, waiting for better days. If we do, we resign ourselves to being facilitators of an unacceptable status quo instead of seizing our distinctive role as a vehicle for improving economic conditions. If this University is not working, every day, to build sustained economic prosperity in Kentucky, that prosperity will never arrive.

* I thank you for resisting the temptation to sit idly by and reaching out to transform the Commonwealth. Together, we will create the kind of state that we can all be proud of Ð the type of state that is built on 21st century principals of knowledge, discovery, creativity, innovation, and openness. 
* Thank you, again, for coming out today. Keep working hard, keep reaching for your dreams, and keep helping us change this Commonwealth.
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