STATE OF THE UNIVERSITY ADDRESS
Tyler Montell, Student Body President

September 18, 2008

I want to start by thanking everyone that helped make today a success. Kelley Bozeman and the rest of the crew at the Public Relations department did a wonderful job organizing everything for you today and they deserve a round of applause. Also, Tom Hammond, on behalf of the student body, I would like to thank you for being with us, you are one of our most valued alumnae. For what itÕs worth, by the way, I think your work in Madden 2009 deserves an Academy Award. Dr. Todd, as always, we appreciate the work you do for us. We are truly blessed to have such an innovative and accessible President, and one with such character and integrity. As a student body, we are confident in your vision for our university and we are currently making our own strides toward becoming a student body that encompasses the ideals of a Top 20 Institution.

Dr. Todd, two years ago when you introduced the 2006-2009 Strategic Plan, you told the Board that: 

ÒA university wedded to the status quo in a dynamic world will fail. Just as we need to force a discussion with the state about our need for more resources, we must force the internal discussion about our priorities.Ó

This State of the University address is a time to reflect on our successes as an institution and student body. Examine the priorities of our student body, and look toward the future by setting the standard now for future generations of Wildcats to follow in the years to come. 

Move-in day is one of the first opportunities the University has to introduce new students and their families to the Wildcat way of doing things. Anyone walking around campus that day saw hundreds of faculty, staff, administrators and students tirelessly working as a team to show our new students and parents that serving others in our campus community is a priority to us at the University of Kentucky. The Center for Community Outreach continues to excel in organizing service efforts that enable the University community to enrich the lives of citizens into the surrounding Lexington-Fayette area Ð far beyond Greg Page Apartments and Euclid Avenue. This year, over 1,300 students participated in the UK FUSION, totaling over 3,900 hours of service in a single day. I would like to commend our student body and University for valuing service, and itÕs commitment to serving a cause greater than oneÕs self.

This student body has boldly stated, through their actions, that leaving a legacy of excellence and tradition remains a priority. Through the University Leadership Summit, students are able to work with other student leaders to implement projects that will make a positive impact and leave an impression on the campus community that will last far beyond our generation. Projects like the K Book, a handbook distributed to all new students at the beginning of their first year on campus, have come to fruition. Other programs, like K Week, led this year by students Brent Ocker and Megan Herde, have engaged new students and provided them with a seemingly endless array of programming options designed to keep our students safe and engaged while on campus during their first week. Students have demonstrated that they are not only willing to commit themselves to projects that will benefit the University community in a big way, but that they are committed to finding ways to make these traditions better year after year. 

As student body, we understand that we play an integral role in helping this institution reach Top 20 status. We are committed to assisting Dr. Todd in accomplishing the goals he set out in his 2006-2009 Strategic Plan: 

Goal number one: enhance the universityÕs stature among its peers. The student body remains committed to not only excelling in academics, but performance as well. David Harper, a classical soloist from the Jazz Studies Program, was the only college student to be recognized in the classical soloist category from Downbeat magazine. Downbeat is one of the most respected jazz magazines in the country, and its annual student awards are among the most coveted in jazz education. 

Of course, how can we have a speech about how this University has improved in stature with its peers and not talk about what could be the greatest achievement of all? The emergence of the UK Football team as a consistently strong football program has made Saturdays in the fall semester more enjoyable for students and kept many not only on campus, but glued to their seats in that big, beautiful Commonwealth Stadium. When we talk about top 20 schools like Michigan, Georgia, and Ohio State, one cannot ignore how keeping students coming back Saturday after Saturday translates to students coming back year after year. 

Goal number two: prepare students for leadership in the knowledge economy and global society. Jordan Sullivan, a Political Science and Middle Eastern Studies Senior, has been awarded a National Security Education Program David L. Bored Scholarship. The $20,000 scholarship will cover her expenses as she spends a year studying Arabic in PalestineÕs West Bank. Countless students from this student body have opted to expand their boundaries and study abroad. By beginning their post-secondary education at UK, our students are better equipped for international leadership.

Goal number three: enhance the economic and intellectual capacity of Kentucky through growth in research. Our student body recognized that in order to be an excellent University, we must conduct excellent research. Many of our students are currently working with Professors on research projects designed to make life in our Commonwealth and nation better for all. Our students are gaining valuable research experience with counseling from first-tier professors that will propel them throughout their careers as innovators of the future. 

Goal number four: Embrace and nurture diversity. The University is very proud of its increased enrollment numbers this year, and Student Government has done many things to increase awareness of the different cultures represented at UK. We are very excited to be working closely with Dr. JJ Jackson in her new role here and we have begun a program, the Innovation Incentive program that will reward students for participating in events aimed at educating students about different cultures. We believe that education is the first step in the continuous celebration of diversity. We are always trying to brainstorm innovative ways to educate our student body and advocate for the different causes of our organizations.

Goal number five: engage Kentuckians through partnerships to elevate quality of life. DanceBlue, a 24-hour dance marathon overseen by the Center for Community Outreach, started in the fall of 2004 and has grown exponentially since then. In February of 2008, DanceBlue consisted of 490 dancers. Together, this team, as well as others from the community, raised $424,855.89 for the UK Pediatric Oncology Clinic. This brings the total amount raised to over $750,000 in just three short years Ð all in the name of fighting childhood cancer. It is that commitment to serving a cause greater than this University that demonstrates how University of Kentucky students exemplify true citizenship and what it means to be a part of the Unbridled Spirit of the Bluegrass.

The Wildcat way is one of integrity, mutual respect for all, personal responsibility and accountability, civic responsibility, and a desire to make the University we all know and love to be one of the best in the nation.

It is this passion for the university that leads us to where we are today. We have made many strides since the day I first set foot on this campus. Our progress thus far excites everyone for the future of this institution. I believe that in spite of all our achievements, we have not yet seen our greatest accomplishments. We are writing history. We are a part of something greater than ourselves. I encourage you all to see blue in everything you do. Be innovative. Be a leader. Believe in this vision Ð believe in the University of Kentucky.