University of Kentucky 284368 225692115 2008-07-14T22:46:21Z 74.234.128.132 {{coor title dm|38|02|N|84|30|W|type:landmark}} {{Infobox_University | name = University of Kentucky | image_name = Ukyseal.gif | image_name = Ukyseal.gif | motto = ''See Blue'' | established = 1865 | type = [[Public school|Public]] | president= Dr. [[Lee T. Todd, Jr.]] | city = [[Lexington, Kentucky|Lexington]] | state = [[Kentucky|KY]] | country = [[United States|USA]] | endowment = $831.8 million<ref name="HL_BillionDollar">{{cite news | first = Art| last = Jester| title = UK reaches billion-dollar milestone in fund-raising| url=http://www.kentucky.com/211/story/54436.html| publisher=''[[Herald-Leader]]''|date=[[27 April]], [[2007]]| accessdate=2007-05-02}}</ref> |students = 27,209<ref name="FACTBOOK_0607">{{cite web | publisher=University of Kentucky | title=Fact Booklet 2006-2007 | year=2006 | url=http://www.uky.edu/OPIE/FactBooklet0607.pdf }}</ref> | undergrad = 19,292<ref name="FACTBOOK_0607"/> | postgrad = 7,090<ref name="FACTBOOK_0607"/> | staff = 11,546<ref name="FACTBOOK_0607"/> | campus = [[Urban area|Urban]], 784 acres (3.17&nbsp;km²)<ref name="FACTBOOK_0607"/> | free_label = Athletics | free = 21 varsity teams, called "Wildcats"<ref name="UK TRAD">{{cite web | title=University of Kentucky Traditions and songs | date=[[2007-05-25]] | publisher=University of Kentucky | url=http://www.uky.edu/Home/AboutUK/traditions.html }}</ref> | colors = Blue <font color="#00407A">¦</font> and White <font color="#FFFFFF">¦</font><ref name="UK TRAD"/> | nickname = [[Kentucky Wildcats|Wildcats]] | mascot = "Blue", "The Wildcat", "Scratch"<ref name="UK TRAD"/> | affiliations = [[Southeastern Conference]] | website = [http://www.uky.edu www.uky.edu] }} The '''University of Kentucky''', also known as '''UK''', is a [[state university (U.S.)|public]], [[co-educational]], [[university]], and is also the states land-grant university, located in [[Lexington, Kentucky|Lexington]], [[Kentucky]]. Founded in 1865 by John Bowman as the ''Agricultural and Mechanical College of Kentucky'',<ref name="UK_HIS1"/> the university is the largest in the Commonwealth by enrollment, with 27,209 students, and is also the highest ranked research university in the state, according to [[U.S. News and World Report]].<ref name="FACTBOOK_0607"/><ref name="USRankings" /> The university is home to 16 colleges, a [[graduate school]], 93 [[undergraduate]] programs, 99 [[master's degrees|master programs]], 66 [[Doctor of Philosophy|doctoral]] programs, and four professional programs.<ref name="UKS_06"/> The University of Kentucky has fifteen libraries on campus. The largest is [[William T. Young Library]], a [[Federal depository library|federal depository]], hosting subjects related to [[social sciences]], [[humanities]] and [[life sciences]] collections. The university currently has an endowment of $831 million.<ref name="HL_BillionDollar"/> In recent years, the university has focused expenditures increasingly on research, following a compact formed by the [[Kentucky General Assembly]] in 1997. The directive mandated that the university become a ''Top 20'' public research institution, in terms of an overall ranking to be determined by the university itself, by the year 2020.<ref name="TOP20_why"/> == History == [[Image:Memorialhall.jpg|thumb|right|Memorial Hall on the University of Kentucky campus.]] [[John Bryan Bowman]] founded the Agricultural and Mechanical College of Kentucky (A&M), a publicly chartered department of Kentucky University, after receiving federal support through the [[Morrill Land-Grant Colleges Act]] in 1865.<ref name="UK_HIS1">{{cite web | title=History Briefs | publisher=University of Kentucky | date=[[2007-05-23]] | url=http://www.uky.edu/Home/AboutUK/history1.html | accessdate=2008-01-09 }}</ref> Courses were offered at [[Ashland, The Henry Clay Estate]].<ref name="UKChron" /> Three years later, [[James Kennedy Patterson]] became the first president of the [[land-grant university]] and the first degree was awarded. In 1876, the university began to offer [[Master's degree]] programs. Two years later, A&M separated from Kentucky University, which is now [[Transylvania University]].<ref name="UKChron">{{cite web | title=A Chronology of UK | publisher=University of Kentucky Special Collections & Digital Programs Division | date=[[2 January]], [[2008]] | accessdate=2008-01-02 | url=http://www.uky.edu/Libraries/libpage.php?lweb_id=311&llib_id=13 }}</ref> For the new school, Lexington donated a 52 [[acre]] (210,000 m²) park and fair ground, which became the core of UK's present campus.<ref name="UKChron" /> A&M was initially a male-only institution, but began to admit women in 1880.<ref name="UK_HIS1"/> In 1882, the official colors of the university, royal blue and white, were adopted. An earlier color set, blue and light yellow, was adopted earlier at a Kentucky-[[Centre College]] football game on [[December 19]], [[1891]].<ref name="UK TRAD"/> The particular hue of blue was determined from a necktie, which was used to demonstrate the color of royal blue.<ref name="UK TRAD"/> [[Image:Main Bldg (UK).jpg|thumb|left|The [[Main Building (University of Kentucky)|Main Building]] in the foreground and the [[Patterson Office Tower]] in the background.]] On [[February 15]], [[1882]], [[Main Building (University of Kentucky)|Administration Building]] was the first building of three completed on the present campus.<ref name="UKChron" /> Three years later, the college expanded with the formation of the [http://www.ca.uky.edu/research/ Agricultural Experiment Station], which provided research results to farmers throughout the state, addressing issues relating to agribusiness, food processing, nutrition, water and soil resources and the environment.<ref name="AES">{{cite web | title=agResearch | publisher=University of Kentucky College of Agriculture | date=2007 | accessdate=2007-01-07 | url=http://www.ca.uky.edu/research/ }}</ref> This was followed up by the creation of the university's ''Agricultural Extension service'' in 1910, which was one of the first in the [[United States]].<ref name="UK_HIS2">{{cite web | title=History Briefs | publisher=University of Kentucky | date=[[2007-05-23]] | url=http://www.uky.edu/Home/AboutUK/history2.html }}</ref> The extension service became a mode of the federally mandated programs that were required beginning in 1914.<ref name="UK_HIS1"/> The school's first women's dormitory, [[Patterson Hall (University of Kentucky)|Patterson Hall]], was constructed in 1904. Residents had to cross a [[swamp]]y depression, where the student center now resides, to reach central campus.<ref name="UK_HIS1"/> Four years later, the school's name was changed to the "State University, Lexington, Kentucky" upon reaching [[university]] status, and then to the "University of Kentucky" in 1916.<ref name="UK_HIS1"/> In 1912, the University of Kentucky's [[graduate school]] opened, offering bachelor's, master's and doctoral degrees relating to Master of arts, Master of Science, Civil Engineer, Mechanical Engineer, Mining Engineer and Doctor of Philosophy,<ref name="UKChron" /> followed by the founding of the College of Commerce in 1925, known today as the [[Gatton College of Business and Economics]].<ref name="UK_HIS2"/> In 1924, [[Memorial Hall (University of Kentucky)|Memorial Hall]] was completed, dedicated to the 2,756 Kentuckians who died in [[World War I]].<ref name="UKChron"/> This was followed up by the new [[Margaret I. King Library (University of Kentucky)|King Library]], which opened in 1931 and was named for a long-time library director, Margaret I. King.<ref name="UKChron"/> The university became racially integrated in 1949 when [[Lyman T. Johnson]], an [[African American]], won a lawsuit to be admitted to the graduate program.<ref name="UK_HIS1"/> Ground was broken for the [[Albert B. Chandler Hospital]] in 1955, when [[Governor of Kentucky]] [[Happy Chandler|A. B. "Happy" Chandler]] recommended that the [[Kentucky General Assembly]] appropriate $5 million for the creation of the [[University of Kentucky College of Medicine]] and a medical center at the university.<ref name="GB_053007">{{ cite news | title=Officials Break Ground on New UK Albert B. Chandler Hospital | first=Amanda | last=Nelson | publisher=University of Kentucky | date=[[2007-05-30]] }}</ref> This was completed after a series of studies were conducted that highlighted the health needs of the citizens, as well as the need to train more physicians for the state. Five years later, the [[University of Kentucky College of Medicine|College of Medicine]] and [[University of Kentucky College of Nursing|College of Nursing]] opened, followed by the [[University of Kentucky College of Dentistry|College of Dentistry]] in 1962.<ref name="UK_HIS2"/> Authorized by the [[Kentucky General Assembly]] and signed by Governor [[Bert Combs]] in [[March 6]], [[1962]], a mandate was placed upon the University of Kentucky to form a community college system.<ref name="UKChron"/> Two years later, the Board of Trustees implements the legislation and established the Community College System, creating centers in [[Covington, Kentucky|Covington]], [[Ashland, Kentucky|Ashland]], [[Fort Knox, Kentucky|Fort Knox]], [[Cumberland, Kentucky|Cumberland]], [[Henderson, Kentucky|Henderson]] and [[Elizabethtown, Kentucky|Elizabethtown]]. In 1969, the Patterson Office Tower was completed, currently the tallest building on campus. [[Image:UKMillerHall.jpg|right|thumb|Miller Hall]] In May 1970, students at the university began protesting the [[Kent State shootings|shootings at Kent State University]].<ref name="UKChron"/> In response, Governor [[Louie Nunn]] deferred to the [[National Guard of the United States|National Guard]] in an attempt to disperse the protesters. An outdated [[ROTC]] building was destroyed by fire. Nine years later, the Singletary Center for the Arts opened, named in honor of former university president Otis Singletary.<ref name="UKChron"/> In 1979, the University of Kentucky hosted the first Kentucky [[Women Writers Conference]], which is now the longest-running conference of its kind. The Kentucky [[Women Writers Conference]] is now in its 29th year and will be help September 11-13, 2008 at the University of Kentucky and throughout the Lexington community. In 1997, the [[Kentucky General Assembly]] reorganized the community college system, withdrawing the university's jurisdiction from all but the Lexington Community College.<ref name="UKChron"/> The other colleges were merged with the [[Kentucky Community and Technical College System|Kentucky Technical College system]] and were placed under a separate board of control. On [[April 3]], [[1998]], the [[William T. Young Library (University of Kentucky)|William T. Young Library]] opened, the largest university project at the time of completion.<ref name="HL_032298_d">{{Citation | last = Jester | first = Art | last2 = Stepp | first2 = Holly | title = Hub of the University | date = [[22 March]], [[1998]] | newspaper = [[Herald-Leader]] | pages = 2 | year = 1998}}</ref> The six-level William T. Young Library was constructed on south campus and the largest book endowment among all public university libraries in the country.<ref name="UK_FACTS"/> Nine-years later, on [[April 13]], [[2007]], ground was broken for the [[Biological Pharmaceutical Complex Building (University of Kentucky)|Biological Pharmaceutical Complex Building]], the largest planned academic building in the state of Kentucky, and one of the largest in the [[United States]].<ref name="FutureofPharmacy">{{cite web | title = Future of Pharmacy | date=[[13 April]], [[2007]] | publisher=University of Kentucky [[Albert B. Chandler Hospital]] | url=http://www.mc.uky.edu/pharmacy/building.html | accessdate = 2007-04-05 }}</ref> The Biological Pharmaceutical Complex Building complements the adjacent [[Biomedical Biological Science Research Building (University of Kentucky)|Biomedical Biological Science Research Building]], and is expected to be part of the new university research campus.<ref>{{cite web | title=Biomedical/Biological Sciences Research Building | publisher=University of Kentucky [[Albert B. Chandler Hospital]] | date=[[17 November]], [[2006]] | url=http://ukcc.uky.edu/cgi-bin/dynamo?maps.391+campus+0509 }}</ref> Other recent announcements include the construction of the new $450 million [[Albert B. Chandler Hospital]], which will be one of the largest projects in the state's history in terms of size and economic impact.<ref name="GB_053007">{{ cite news | title=Officials Break Ground on New UK Albert B. Chandler Hospital | first=Amanda | last=Nelson | publisher=University of Kentucky [[Albert B. Chandler Hospital]] | date=[[30 May]], [[2007]] }}</ref> ===Controversies=== On [[January 12]], [[2007]], the university's "Domestic Partner Benefits Committee" unanimously voted recommending [[domestic partner]] benefits, such as [[health insurance]] and employee education benefits, to [[homosexual]] couples and unmarried [[heterosexual]] couples to help enhance the university's competitiveness in attracting top faculty and staff, part of the "Top 20" plan.<ref name="HL_011307_1">{{Citation | last=Jester | first=Art | title=UK Closer to Partner Benefits | date=[[13 January]], [[2007]] | newspaper=[[Herald-Leader]] | pages=A1 | year=2007 }}</ref><ref name="HL_042107">{{Citation | last=Jester | first=Art | title=Todd backing partner benefits | date=[[21 April]], [[2007]] | newspaper=[[Herald-Leader]] | pages=A1 | year=2007 }}</ref> The program stemmed from a work-life survey of university employees in 2005 and 2006, and led to several proposals to improve employee conditions that would affect 13,600 employees, of which 68 are same-sex partners, and 272 opposite-sex partners.<ref name="HL_042107"/><ref name="HL_011307">{{Citation | title=Summary of UK's Domestic Partner Benefits Proposal | date=[[13 January]], [[2007]] | newspaper=[[Herald-Leader]] | pages=A7 | year=2007 }}</ref> The estimated cost of the original domestic partner benefits program would be $633,000 annually, less than 1% of the university's $68.2 million annual health care budget;<ref name="HL_011807">{{Citation | last= | first= | title=A fairer system - UK should approve domestic-partner benefits | date=[[18 January]], [[2007]] | newspaper=[[Herald-Leader]] | pages=A14 | year=2007 }}</ref> 40% of which would be paid from the university's undesignated general funds, with the remainder coming from various grants, contracts, athletics, and hospital revenues.<ref name="HL_011307_1"/> The measure was supported by the [[Kentucky Fairness Alliance]],<ref name="HL_042107"/> but opposed by the Family Trust Foundation and [[The Family Foundation of Kentucky]].<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.tffky.org/articles/Press%20Releases/oped%2020070219%20RN.html |title=Domestic partnership debate hits home |last=Nelson |first=Richard |publisher=The Family Foundation of Kentucky |date=[[19 February]], [[2007]] |accessdate=2007-06-08}}</ref> The measure was also opposed by state [[Kentucky House of Representatives|House]] [[Republican Party (United States)|Republican]] Stan Lee, who filed a bill to ban domestic partner coverage at Kentucky's public universities,<ref name="HL_012407">{{Citation | last=Blackford | first=Linda | title=UK Employees Receive Survey | date=[[24 January]], [[2007]] | newspaper=[[Herald-Leader]] | pages=A16 | year=2007 }}</ref> and by state House Republican [[Vernie McGaha]], who sponsored Senate Bill 152 to ban state and local governments, public and private colleges, and some quasi-government institutions<ref name="HL_030807">{{Citation | last=Stamper | first=John | title=Ban on domestic partner benefits fails | date=[[8 March]], [[2007]] | newspaper=[[Herald-Leader]] | pages=A1 | year=2007 }}</ref> from offering domestic partner benefits.<ref name="HL_030207">{{Citation | last=Stamper | first=John | title=Partner benefits bill called a charade | date=[[2 March]], [[2007]] | newspaper=[[Herald-Leader]] | pages=A1 | year=2007 }}</ref> Both bills were never passed. University President [[Lee T. Todd, Jr.]] endorsed the benefits proposal on [[April 24]], [[2007]].<ref name="HL_042107"/> The original proposal was slated to go into effect on July 1 with the university being only the second public college in the state to offer such benefits.<ref name="HL_011307_1"/> Kentucky [[Attorney General]] [[Greg Stumbo]] stated on [[June 1]], [[2007]], however, that the benefits package violated the constitutional definition of marriage.<ref name="HL_060107">{{cite news | title=Attorney General Issues Opinion On Same-Sex Benefits | date=[[1 June]], [[2007]] | publisher=[[WLKY-TV]] | url=http://www.wlky.com/news/13427902/detail.html }}</ref> On [[June 18]], the "Sponsored Benefits Plan", an amended plan that eliminates the conflict with the definition of [[marriage]] in the [[Kentucky Constitution]], took effect on July 1. The revised plan uses no state appropriated funds.<ref name="HL_061907">{{cite news | url=http://kentucky.com/211/story/101709.html | title=UK alters plan for partner coverage | author=Boehnke, Megan and Art Jester | publisher=''[[Herald-Leader]]'' | date=[[19 June]], [[2007]] }}</ref> ==Campus== [[Image:WilliamtyounglibraryUK.JPG|thumb|right|Completed in 1998, the [[William T. Young Library]] serves both the university campus and the Commonwealth of [[Kentucky]].]] {{main|Buildings at the University of Kentucky}} The University of Kentucky is home to numerous notable structures, such as [[Main Building (University of Kentucky)|Main Building]], a four-story administration building dating to 1882,<ref name="UKChron">{{cite web | title=A Chronology of UK | publisher=University of Kentucky Special Collections & Digital Programs Division | date=[[2 January]], [[2008]] | accessdate=[[2008-01-02]] | url=http://www.uky.edu/Libraries/libpage.php?lweb_id=311&llib_id=13 }}</ref> and Patterson Office Tower, the tallest building on campus. The university is also home to several major construction projects, including the new [[Albert B. Chandler Hospital]] and the [[Biological Pharmaceutical Complex Building (University of Kentucky)|Biological Pharmaceutical Complex Building]], which will be the largest academic building in the state.<ref name="FutureofPharmacy">{{cite web | title=Future of Pharmacy | url=http://www.mc.uky.edu/pharmacy/building.html | accessdate=2007-04-05 }}</ref> The University of Kentucky once operated 14 [[community college]]s with more than 100 extended sites, centers and campuses under the [[Education in Kentucky#Kentucky Community and Technical College System (KCTCS)|Kentucky Community and Technical College System]], but relinquished control under the [[Education in Kentucky#Postsecondary Education Improvement Act of 1997|Postsecondary Education Improvement Act of 1997]].<ref name="DI_070103">{{cite news | last=Gilmore | first=Amanda | title=Merger of ACC, ATC completed | publisher=[[The Independent (Ashland)]] | date=[[1 July]], [[2003]] | accessdate=2008-01-02 | url=http://commentsengine.cnhi.zope.net/archives/dailyindependent/story_detail?story_id=7782 }}</ref> The network of community colleges is now known as the [[Kentucky Community and Technical College System]] (KCTCS). Adjoining [[Bluegrass Community and Technical College|Lexington Community College]], despite the reorganization of the community colleges, remained integrated with the university, but separated from the University of Kentucky in 2004 and became a part of KCTCS. The College of Engineering currently operates a satellite campus in [[Paducah, Kentucky|Paducah]], located on the campus of [[West Kentucky Community and Technical College]].<ref name="WKCTCS">{{cite web | title=A Rich Heritage: A Historic Timeline | publisher=[[West Kentucky Community and Technical College]] | date=2007 | accessdate=2007-01-07 | url=http://www.westkentucky.kctcs.edu/aboutus/wkctcdhist.shtml }}</ref> ==Academics and demographics== The university features 16 colleges, a [[graduate school]], 93 [[undergraduate|undergraduate programs]], 99 [[master's degrees|master programs]], 66 [[Doctor of Philosophy|doctoral programs]], and four professional programs.<ref name="UKS_06">{{ cite web | title=Consolidated Financial Statements | date=[[2006-06-30]] | publisher=University of Kentucky | url=http://www.uky.edu/Home/AnnualReport/2006_UK_Consolidated_Statement_with_cover.pdf }}</ref> === Libraries === The university is home to 15 campus libraries.<ref>{{cite web | title=University of Kentucky Libraries | publisher=University of Kentucky | date=[[19 December]], [[2007]] | accessdate=2008-01-02 | url=http://www.uky.edu/Libraries/index.php }}</ref> Among them is the [[William T. Young Library]], which houses the university's social sciences, humanities and life sciences collections; the library also acts as a [[Federal depository library|federal depository]] and a [[public library]] for the [[Commonwealth of Kentucky]]: * Agricultural Information Center * Chemistry-Physics Library * Design Library * Distance Learning Library Services * Education Library * Geological Sciences Library * Law Library * Library Link at the Patterson Office Tower * Lucille Caudill Little Fine Arts Library and Learning Center * Mathematical Sciences Library * Medical Center Library * Shaver Engineering Library * Special Collections and Digital Programs * [[William T. Young Library]] ===Colleges=== * [[University of Kentucky College of Agriculture|College of Agriculture]] * [[University of Kentucky College of Arts and Sciences|College of Arts and Sciences]] * [[University of Kentucky College of Business and Economics|College of Business and Economics]] * [[University of Kentucky College of Communications & Information Studies|College of Communications & Information Studies]] * [[University of Kentucky College of Dentistry|College of Dentistry]] * [[University of Kentucky College of Design|College of Design]] * [[University of Kentucky College of Education|College of Education]] * [[University of Kentucky College of Engineering|College of Engineering]] * [[University of Kentucky College of Fine Arts|College of Fine Arts]] * [[University of Kentucky College of Health Sciences|College of Health Sciences]] * [[University of Kentucky College of Law|College of Law]] * [[University of Kentucky College of Medicine|College of Medicine]] * [[University of Kentucky College of Nursing|College of Nursing]] * [[University of Kentucky College of Pharmacy|College of Pharmacy]] * [[University of Kentucky College of Public Health|College of Public Health]] * [[University of Kentucky College of Social Work|College of Social Work]] * [http://www.gradschool.uky.edu/ The Graduate School] === Rankings === Currently the university's undergraduate program is ranked 122nd in the nation, and tied with the [[Catholic University of America]], according to ''[[U.S. News & World Report]]'s'' college rankings.<ref name="USRankings">{{cite news| url=http://colleges.usnews.rankingsandreviews.com/usnews/edu/college/rankings/brief/t1natudoc_brief.php| title=America's Best Colleges 2008|year=2007|publisher=''[[U.S. News & World Report]]'' | accessdate=2007-08-16}}</ref> The University of Kentucky has "Top 20" programs in: * [[Anatomy]] and [[neurobiology]],<ref name=rankedASdepts/><ref name=top20medical>{{cite web|url=http://www.uky.edu/PR/News/040625_nih_top-20.htm|title=Medicine Departments Rank in NIH Top-20|year=2004|publisher=University of Kentucky|accessdate=2007-02-06}}</ref> * [[Clinical psychology]],<ref name=rankedASdepts/> * Diplomacy/international relations at the [[Patterson School of Diplomacy and International Commerce|Patterson School]],<ref name=diplomacytop20>{{cite web|url=http://www.pattersonschool.uky.edu/pdf/20TopMastersPrograms.pdf|title=Inside the Ivory Tower| year=2006| publisher=[http://www.foreignpolicy.com Foreign Policy] | accessdate=2007-02-06}}</ref> * [[Educational psychology]],<ref name=rankedASdepts/> * [[Entomology]],<ref name=rankedASdepts/> * [[Hispanic]] studies,<ref name=rankedASdepts>{{cite web|url=http://www.as.uky.edu/about/Pages/ASFacts.aspx|title=A&S Facts|date=[[8 January]], [[2008]]|publisher=University of Kentucky|accessdate=2007-02-06}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.usagnet.com/state_headlines/state_story.php?tble=KY2007&ID=29|title=Two College of Agriculture Departments Rank in Top 10 Nationally|publisher=[http://www.usagnet.com USAgNet] |year=2007|accessdate=2007-02-06}}</ref> * Martin School of Public Policy and Administration,<ref name="UK_FACTS"/> * Microbiology, Immunology and Molecular Genetics,<ref name=top20medical/> * Molecular and Biomedical Pharmacology,<ref name=top20medical/> * Molecular and Cellular Biochemistry,<ref name=top20medical/> * [[Nursing]],<ref name=rankedASdepts/> * [[Pharmacy]],<ref name="KK_040607">{{cite news | last=Mitchell | first=Erica | title=Grad programs rise in rankings | publisher=[[Kentucky Kernel]] | date=[[6 April]], [[2007]] | accessdate=2007-04-06 }}</ref><ref name="UK_FACTS">{{ cite web | title=Stats-at-a-glance | publisher=University of Kentucky | date=[[23 May]], [[2007]] | url=http://www.uky.edu/Home/AboutUK/facts.html }}</ref> * [[Physiology]],<ref name=top20medical/> * [[Phytopathology|Plant pathology]],<ref name=rankedASdepts/> * Preventive Medicine and Environmental Health,<ref name=top20medical/> * [[Sanders-Brown Center on Aging (University of Kentucky)|Sanders-Brown Center on Aging]],<ref name="COM_FB"/> * [[Surgery]],<ref name="COM_FB">{{cite web|url=http://www.mc.uky.edu/medicine/admin/factbook.asp|title=College of Medicine Facts|year=2006|publisher=University of Kentucky College of Medicine|accessdate=2007-04-09}}</ref><ref name=top20medical/> The university also ranks 19th in the nation among public research universities based upon the level of faculty scholarly activity, according to the 2005 Faculty Scholarly Activity Index.<ref name=rankedASdepts/> The [[University of Kentucky College of Law|College of Law]] is the only graduate school at UK included in ''[[U.S. News & World Report]]'s'' graduate school rankings, and its ranking is 60th.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://grad-schools.usnews.rankingsandreviews.com/usnews/edu/grad/rankings/law/brief/lawrank_brief.php|title= America's Best Graduate Schools 2008: Top Law Schools|year=2007|publisher=''[[U.S. News & World Report]]''|accessdate=2007-12-01}}</ref> Both the [[University of Kentucky College of Medicine|College of Medicine]] and the [[Gatton College of Business and Economics]] did not make their respective lists.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://grad-schools.usnews.rankingsandreviews.com/usnews/edu/grad/rankings/med/brief/mdrrank_brief.php|title= America's Best Graduate Schools 2008: Top Medical Schools|year=2007|publisher=''[[U.S. News & World Report]]''|accessdate=2007-12-01}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=http://grad-schools.usnews.rankingsandreviews.com/usnews/edu/grad/rankings/mba/brief/mbarank_brief.php|title= America's Best Graduate Schools 2008: Top Business Schools|year=2007|publisher=''[[U.S. News & World Report]]''|accessdate=2007-12-01}}</ref> ===Research and endowment=== The University of Kentucky currently has an endowment of $831.8 million, as of 2007.<ref name="HL_BillionDollar"/> Prior endowments were $538.4 million in 2005 and $195.1 million in 1997, the rapid increases partially attributed to the "Top 20" Plan.<ref name="TOP20_Presentation"/> Currently, the [[William T. Young Library (University of Kentucky)|William T. Young]] libraries book endowment is the largest among public universities in the United States.<ref name="UK_FACTS" /> === "Top 20 Plan" === In 1997, the [[Kentucky General Assembly]] formed a compact with the university. The Top 20 Plan mandates that the University of Kentucky becomes a Top 20 public research university by 2020.<ref name="TOP20_why">{{cite web|last=Todd|first=Lee|title=UK Reaching Top 20 Critical to Moving Kentucky Forward | publisher=University of Kentucky|date=[[28 February]], [[2007]]|url=http://www.uky.edu/OPBPA/whytop20.htm }}</ref> According to the compact, states with "Top 20" universities feature higher average household incomes, higher education attainments, healthier lives and more financial security.<ref name="TOP20_Presentation">{{cite web|title=Top 20 Business Plan Presentation | publisher=University of Kentucky|date=2005|accessdate=2007-02-28 | url=http://www.uky.edu/OPBPA/Top20/Top20_sm.pdf }}</ref> As a result, fewer citizens live in poverty and as a result, fewer public dollars are spent on health care.<ref name="TOP20_why"/> The plan would also spur technological advancements due to university-based research and increase the marketability of the state to investors. As part of the "Top 20" plan, the university plans to,<ref name="TOP20_why"/> # Increase enrollment by 7,000 students to 34,000; # Increase the state's highest graduation rate by 12% to 72%; # Increase the number of faculty by 625 to total 2,500; # Increase research expenditures by $470 million to total $768 million per year; and # Increase the university's role in Kentucky's "schools, farms, businesses and communities." The "Top 20" plan has already produced results,<ref name="TOP20_Presentation"/> # Total enrollment increased from 24,061 in 1996 to 26,440 in 2004, an increase of 2,379. # The graduation rate increased from 48.1 percent in 1991 to 59.5 percent in 1998. # Research expenditures increased from $124.8 million in 1996 to $297.6 million in 2003.<ref name="TOP20_Presentation"/> It dipped slightly to $274 million for 2005.<ref name="UK_FACTS"/> It is currently ranked 28th among public universities in sponsored research.<ref name="UK_FACTS"/> # Endowment increased from $195.1 million in 1997 to $538.4 million in 2005. # Increasing the university's six-year graduation rate to 60% in 2007 from 50.8% in 1998.<ref name="UK_FACTS"/> In 2000, to help finance the "Top 20" plan, the university launched "The Campaign for the University of Kentucky", a $600 million [[fundraising]] effort that was used to "enhance facilities, academic programs, public service, and scholarships."<ref name="UK_FACTS"/> It passed that goal and the effort was raised to $1 billion. In March 2007, $1.022 billion was raised, months before the fundraising effort was set to end.<ref>{{ cite news | url=http://www.uky.edu/ukymain/spots/spot-10106.html | title=Surpassing the Goal | publisher=University of Kentucky | date=2007 }}</ref> According to the ''Statewide Facilities Condition Assessment Report'' released on [[April 4]], [[2007]], the University needs $12.5 billion to complete the 1997 mandate to become a "Top 20" institution.<ref>{{cite news | last=Jester | first=Art | title=Report: Kentucky needs $12.5 billion for university facilities by 2020 | publisher=''[[Herald-Leader]]'' | date=[[7 April]], [[2007]] | url=http://kentucky.com/181/story/33904.html | accessdate=2007-04-03 }}</ref> ==Student life== {{main|University of Kentucky Student Life}} The university offers seven main dining facilities, 23 residence halls, and numerous recreation facilities spread between three distinct campuses: north, south, and central. It is also home to more than 250 student-run organizations. ===Athletics=== [[Image:rupparenaK.JPG|thumb|right|The Kentucky cheerleaders at [[Rupp Arena]] performing the traditional "Big K" cheer during a basketball game. Seating Capacity of Rupp arena is 23,000.]] {{main|Kentucky Wildcats}} {{seealso|Kentucky Wildcats men's basketball|Kentucky Wildcats football}} Beginning in the 1890s, students at the A&M scheduled [[american football|football]] games with neighboring colleges.<ref name="UK_HIS3">{{cite web | title=History Briefs | publisher=University of Kentucky | date=[[23 May]], [[2007]] | url=http://www.uky.edu/Home/AboutUK/history3.html }}</ref> In 1902, the [[basketball]] program began on campus, originally as a women's sport;<ref name="UK_HIS3"/> a men's team was added one year later. The "[[Wildcat]]s" became associated with the university shortly after a [[American football|football]] victory over [[Illinois Fighting Illini football|Illinois]] on [[October 9]], [[1909]].<ref name="UK TRAD"/> The then-chief of the military department, Commandant Carbuiser, stated that the team had "fought like wildcats." The slogan was later adopted by the university, and a mascot debuted in 1976.<ref name="UK TRAD"/> In 1930, then-[[high school]] coach [[Adolph Rupp]] was hired as a basketball coach for the university, a career that would span over 40 years until 1972.<ref name="UKChron"/> During his tenure, he lead the [[Kentucky Wildcats men's basketball|Wildcats]] to four [[NCAA]] championships in 1948, 1949, 1951 and 1958.<ref name="UK_HIS3"/> The Wildcats later won a fifth championship under [[Joe B. Hall]] in 1978, another in 1996 under [[Rick Pitino]] and its last under [[Tubby Smith|Orlando "Tubby" Smith]] in 1998.<ref name="UK_HIS3"/> The university also boasts a [[cross country running|cross country]] national team championship (women's, 1988), eight individual championships in [[artistic gymnastics|gymnastics]], an [[Olympic Games|Olympic]] medalist in [[athletics (track and field)|track and field]], and 16 national championships in [[cheerleading]].<ref name="UK_FACTS"/> Other athletic programs sponsored at the varsity level include [[baseball]], men's and women's [[basketball]], men's and women's [[cross country running]], [[American football|football]], men's and women's [[golf]], women's [[artistic gymnastics|gymnastics]], the coeducational sport of [[shooting sports|rifle]], men's and women's [[football (soccer)|soccer]], women's [[softball]], men's and women's [[competitive swimming|swimming]] and [[diving]], men's and women's [[tennis]], men's and women's [[athletics (track and field)|track and field]] and women's [[volleyball]].<ref>{{cite web|title=ukatlhetics.com | publisher=University of Kentucky | date=2008 | accessdate=2008-01-03 | url=http://www.ukathletics.com/}}</ref> The school also has a popular club-level men's [[ice hockey]] team. ===Song=== Notable among a number of songs commonly played and sung at various events such as [[commencement]], [[convocation]] and athletic games is the University of Kentucky [[fight song]]: ''[[On, On, U of K]]''. ===Greek life=== Nineteen [[fraternities and sororities|sororities]] and twenty-six [[fraternities and sororities|fraternities]] serve the university, representing over 3,000 students with a budget of $3.2 million per year.<ref>{{cite web|title=Greek Welcome|publisher=University of Kentucky|date=[[21 September]], [[2006]]|accessdate=2008-01-11|url=http://www.uky.edu/StudentAffairs/Greek }}</ref> The governing bodies include the [[National Panhellenic Council]], an organization for nine historically black organizations, international Greek assemblies, the [[National Panhellenic Conference]] for sororities and the [[North-American Interfraternity Conference|Interfratnerity Council]] for the fraternities.<ref>{{cite web|title=UK Interfraternity Council|date=2008|accessdate=2008-01-11|url=http://www.kentuckyifc.com }}</ref> ===Media=== The University of Kentucky is currently served by two independent [[Frequency Modulation|FM]] stations. The first, 91.3 FM [[WUKY]], is an [[Adult Album Alternative|Triple-A]] station and was the first university-owned FM radio station in the [[United States]] and [[Kentucky]]'s first public radio station.<ref name="WUKY_About">{{cite news | title = About WUKY | publisher = [[WUKY]] | url = http://www.wuky.org/aboutus.html | accessdate = 2007-05-08 }}</ref> The operations started on [[October 17]], [[1940]] as [[WBKY]] out of [[Beattyville, Kentucky|Beattyville]], although the station moved five years later to Lexington.<ref name="WUKY_About"/> The Electrical and Computer Engineering Department was the home of one of the earliest college amateur [[radio station]]s in the United States, beginning with [[W4JP]] that began continuous operation prior to [[World War I]]. The station broadcasted until amateur radio licenses were granted by the [[Federal Government of the United States|US Government]].<ref>{{cite web | title=The University of Kentucky Amateur Radio Club | publisher=University of Kentucky College of Engineering | accessdate=2008-01-03 | url=http://www.uky.edu/StudentOrgs/UKARC/ }}</ref> In 1971, the station was one of the first to carry NPR's "All Things Considered" and helped debut [[National Public Radio]], changing its call letters to WUKY in 1989 to better reflect its affiliation with the university. In 2007, it became the first Lexington radio station to broadcast in high-definition digital radio.<ref name="WUKY_About"/> The second is 88.1 FM [[WRFL]] which has been in operation since 1988.<ref name="WRFL_About">{{cite news | title = About | publisher = [[WRFL]] | url = http://wrfl881.org/about.html | accessdate = 2007-05-08 }}</ref> WRFL is operated by students and broadcasts live 24 hours a day, 7 days a week, and features music that is spread across most genres. The campus is also served by the [[The Kentucky Kernel|Kentucky Kernel]], a student-run, financially independent daily newspaper, with the first issue published in 1915.<ref name="KK_About">{{cite web|title=General Information|url=http://www.kykernel.com/home/generalinformation|accessdate=2007-11-02|publisher=[[Kentucky Kernel]]}}</ref> The official [[yearbook]] of the University of Kentucky is the ''Kentuckian'', first published in 1906.<ref name="UKChron" /> The ''Kentuckian'' was preceded by at least one previous book, the ''Echo''. ==Alumni== {{main|List of University of Kentucky alumni}} The university has over 140,246 alumni in the state of Kentucky,<ref>{{cite web | title=Alumni throughout the Bluegrass State | publisher=University of Kentucky Alumni Association | date=January 2007 | accessdate=2008-01-11 | url=http://www.ukalumni.net/Maps/statewebmap.htm}}</ref> 216,737 in the [[United States]],<ref>{{cite web | title=Alumni across the nation | publisher=University of Kentucky Alumni Association | date=January 2007 | accessdate=2008-01-11 | url=http://www.ukalumni.net/Maps/framemap.htm}}</ref> and 1,119 internationally.<ref>{{cite web | title=Alumni around the world | publisher=University of Kentucky Alumni Association | date=January 2007 | accessdate=2008-01-11 | url=http://www.ukalumni.net/Maps/worldmap.htm}}</ref> The University of Kentucky Alumni Association is the primary affiliation for former students and faculty, and is located at the corner of Rose Street and Euclid Avenue. The building, dedicated in 1963, is named for Helen G. King, the first permanent director of the association and was former "Miss University of Kentucky." The association also meets at Spindletop Hall, a large mansion along Iron Works Pike, which serves as a central alumni gathering point.<ref>{{cite news | title=Mission & History | date=2007 | accessdate=2008-01-11 | publisher=University of Kentucky Alumni Association | url=http://www.ukalumni.net/pages.php?page_id=6 }}</ref> The University of Kentucky boasts five governors, including current [[Governor of Kentucky]] [[Steve Beshear]], current [[Governor of Ohio]] [[Ted Strickland]], and former governors [[Ernie Fletcher]], [[Paul E. Patton]] and [[Tom Jefferson Terral]], and former governor, [[U.S. Senator]] and Commissioner of [[Major League Baseball]] [[Happy Chandler|Albert "Happy" Chandler]]. It also claims [[Ken Lucas]], a former [[U.S. representative]] from the commonwealth's fourth [[congressional district]], current [[U.S. Senator]] [[Mitch McConnell]], Carol Gatton, an automobile dealer executive and donor of the largest gift ever to the university, and Paul Chellgren, [[Chairman]] and [[CEO]] of [[Ashland Inc.]].<ref>{{cite news | title=Twenty to be inducted into UK Hall of Distinguished Alumni | last=Scharfenberger | first=John | date=[[10 April]], [[2000]] | accessdate=2008-01-11 | publisher=University of Kentucky | url=http://www.uky.edu/PR/News/Archives/2000/April2000/distalumni.htm }}</ref> The university was also the home of Dr. [[Thomas Hunt Morgan]], a scientist and winner of the 1933 [[Nobel Prize in Physiology or Medicine]], and [[William Lipscomb]], 1976 winner of the [[Nobel Prize in Chemistry]].<ref name="UKChron"/> <center> <gallery> Image:Thomas_Hunt_Morgan.jpg|[[Thomas Hunt Morgan]], recipient of the [[Nobel Prize]] in Chemistry, and father of modern [[genetics]] Image:Mitch McConnell official photo.jpg|[[Mitch McConnell]], [[U.S. Senator]], current [[Senate Minority Leader]] Image:Ashley Judd head.jpg|[[Ashley Judd]], actress </gallery> </center> ==Points of interest== * [[Commonwealth Stadium (Kentucky)|Commonwealth Stadium]] * [[Memorial Coliseum (Lexington)|Memorial Coliseum]] * [[Memorial Hall, University of Kentucky|Memorial Hall]] * [[University of Kentucky/Lexington-Fayette Urban County Government Arboretum]] * [[University of Kentucky Research and Education Center Botanical Garden]] * [[William T. Young Library]] * [[University of Kentucky Art Museum]] == References == {{reflist|2}} == External links == * [http://www.uky.edu/ University of Kentucky] * [http://www.gradschool.uky.edu/ The Graduate School] * [http://www.ukalumni.net/ University of Kentucky Alumni Association] * [http://www.ukathletics.com/ University of Kentucky Athletics] * [http://Channel50.uky.edu/ UK Channel 50] {{Kentucky Higher Education}} {{Southeastern Conference}} [[Category:Land-grant universities and colleges|Kentucky, University of]] [[Category:University of Kentucky| ]] [[Category:Southeastern Conference|Kentucky, University of]] [[Category:Educational institutions established in 1865]] [[Category:Schools of public health]] [[Category:Oak Ridge Associated Universities]] [[de:University of Kentucky]] [[es:Universidad de Kentucky]] [[eo:Universitato de Kentukio]] [[fa:دانشگاه کنتاکی]] [[fr:Université du Kentucky]] [[no:University of Kentucky]] [[ta:கென்டக்கி பல்கலைக்கழகம்]] [[zh:肯塔基大学]]