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  _ · UNIVERSITY OF KENTUCKY V
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K _ -, N   I don’t have to look back very far to have more to say l11Il"11S conversation than can possibly f
’     fit in this space. It’s proof that the University continues to move forward at an exciting pace.  
' ` ‘ ·- J iV>’   Among September highlights was the announcement of the Newtown Pike Expansion  
’!¤ ·"-"·’@i x . which will deliver visitors right to the front door of the University at Administration Drive  
  and at Euclid Avenue. During a trip to Washington, D.C., I attended the Kentuckians dinner,  
had breakfast with our congressional delegation, met with representatives from various fed- {
eral govemment offices, and finally, lunched with UK alumni living in the D.C. area. Patsy and I en-  
joyed talking with club president Kay Kinney, along with Steve Ward, an Air Force Two pilot featured I
in the fall Kentucky Alumnus magazine, and the many other well-wishers who were there to greet us.  I
I It was an honor to receive the Outstanding Alumnus of Kentucky Award — the Oak Award — from  
the Kentucky Advocates for Higher Education. I was indeed in very good company with other honor- I
ees, Edward Eckenhoff who founded and directs the National Rehabilitation Hospital in D.C., a gradu-
ate of Transylvania University, UK and the Washington University School of Medicine, and Astronaut I
Col. Terrence Wilcutt, another Western Kentucky guy and good friend of UK.
In October I visited with alumni on the West Coast. It was wonderful to see the Big Blue banner be-
ing carried by UK alumni living successful lives so far away from Kentucky but still staying connected
to the University.
Also in October, UK received a $22.2 million grant from the National Science Foundation to spear-  K
head a project to improve math and science education in rural areas. The project involves pre—K
through grade 12 students. UK will work with the Appalachian Rural Systemic Initiative at the Ken-
tucky Science and Technology Corporation and eight institutions of higher education, including Eastern
Kentucky University, Kentucky State University, Morehead State University, Pikeville College, Union ,
College, University of Virginia College at Wise, University of Tennessee and Somerset Community Col- n
I lege. Other colleges and universities are expected to join as the project progresses. It combines all of the  
elements I like to see: it’s a testimonial to the quality of our faculty; it addresses a real need in the Com- I
monwealth; our success with the program will lead to publishable results applicable to others; and it  
brings money into the economy of Kentucky. This grant and others received in the month puts UK on a A
record pace again this year in attracting research dollars to Kentucky.  I
In November we completed some important administrative hires —— Mike Nietzel as provost and T
Wendy Baldwin as vice president for research. A point of satisfaction in November was seeing the foot- `
ball Wildcats become an unforgettable part of UK athletic history. To these student athletes, doing `
things the right way is more than a cliché. I was deeply touched by the gesture of the team and coaching
staff when they presented me with the game ball following their sixth win of the season at Mississippi
State. They thanked me for supporting them; I thank them and new Athletics Director Mitch Bamhart
and staff for their shining light.
In the midst of the holiday season and year-end reflections, I also want to thank you for your support
of the entire University of Kentucky. Each UK alum is important to UK, and by your membership in
the UK Alumni Association you are demonstrating an extra measure of commitment that is appreci— I
ated.  
I Best wishes to you and your family in 2003.  
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4 KENTUCKY ALUMNI
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