2 Presidential Conversation
Recognizing Accomplishments & Sacrifrces
  Nearly 7,000 undergraduate, graduate, and professional students were honored at the Univer-
  { ° sity of Kentuclqfs 143rd Commencement on Saturday May 8, at Rupp Arena. The ceremony is
  always a university highlight, as we recognize the efforts and accomplishments of our students
— if fh L; , and their families who have sacrihced so much to make this moment possible.
    ie z ’ Commencement also provides me and my fellow UK alums the opportunity to reflect on this
  _;_ institutions storied history In this issue of Kmtuc/Q/Alumni magazine, you will have the occa-
ra   sion to learn more about some of the graduates who have helped add value to all of our degrees.
The University of Kentucky Alumni Association welcomed 20 new inductees into its Hall of
`I Distinguished Alunmi in April. Established in 1965 as part ofthe universitys centennial celebra-
T g tion, the UK Alunmi Association Hall of Distinguished Alunmi recognizes outstanding alumni
4 l for personal and professional endeavors and community leadership.
0 .0; . This years class was a particularly inspiring group, featuring the Hrst female chair ofthe UK
- >¢ - W Board of Trustees, a former Kentucky Governor and current college president, a business leader
who has a UK building named after him, and several other successful business leaders, researchers,
and educators. I hope you take some time and get to know this years class — they make me proud to be a UK alunmus.
This issue also allows us to focus on a group of students who have been part of this universitys history since the very beginning. UK
has a long-standing relationship with the men and women in uniform that bravely serve this country The universitys connection to the
military spans our history For as a land-grant university the institutions original mission charged us with teaching agriculture, mechan-
ics, and military tactics. Th this day UK has been one ofthe nations top producers of Army and Air Force leaders through the Reserve
Office Training Corps program.
With iconic buildings like Memorial Hall and Memorial Coliseum, UK has consistently honored the Commonwealths veterans.
Over the past year, UK established the Veterans Resource Center to continue that tradition of support by providing UKs military and
veteran populations with the service and assistance they deserve.
With two major wars taking place overseas, more and more military veterans are returning to the Commonwealth to pursue their
higher education goals. We feel it is incumbent on us, as Kentuckys flagship university to serve those who have bravely served us. The
center strives to ensure that our veterans have a smooth transition to college. \Whether they are entering college for the Hrst time, trans-
ferring from another school, or returning after a deployment, our Veterans Resource Center is excited to provide our veteran students
with the support and services they need to be successful here at UK.
Sincerely,
Lee T`. Todd ]r.
President
b I I
S G G U G.
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www.uka|umni.net 7 ((