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The statistics in Kentucky for students who study abroad are pretty dismal, especially in some rural areas. The $50,000 grant will provide the university an opportunity to have some students study abroad. Hopefully, the students who study abroad will return and market the importance of studying around the world to the students in their region.
The Undergraduate Scholars Showcase will be held at 4:30 p.m. following the Board meeting. President Todd said that if students go to a research university such as UK, they should feel creativity and discovery early on. The undergraduate scholars not only feel it, but they are involved in it. This showcase shows the university's commitment to undergraduate education. When looking at the receptivity of the Top 20 Business Plan, there are four factors: undergraduate education, graduate education, faculty, and research. This showcase highlights some of UK's academic stars and shows the importance of the university's undergraduate investment.
The Collaborative Center for Literacy Development in the College of Education received a $2.8 million grant to improve literacy for adolescent readers.
The College of Education is a partner in a five-year, $26 million project to establish an Appalachian Regional Education Laboratory.
A reporter with the Chronicle of Higher Education visited campus in March for two days, and a photographer came and took pictures for an article. The university received good coverage in the article. President Todd said that he considers the Chronicle to be the Wall Street Journal of Higher Education.
President Todd said that there had also been an article about the university in USA Today. He had interviews with Business Week in New York and The Wall Street Journal in Boston. These articles are exposing some of the activities at UK, and this is another way of building the university's reputation nationally.
The university received a $1.8 million National Science Foundation grant to enrich mathematical skills for Powell and Bath counties. This is probably the fourth project the university has ongoing now to improve math and science skills in different parts of Kentucky.
The APR averages are out for all of the athletic departments. UK had 15 of 22 teams that exceeded or tied the national average among all universities.
The Markey Cancer Center announced its first formal network affiliation agreement with three hospitals throughout the state that will create a collaborative provider network and keep cancer patients close to home for treatment. The hospitals are located in Harrison County, Morehead, and Rockcastle County. Three of the hospital directors spoke at the news conference and said they liked UK's approach because it addressed their needs. For instance, some locations need doctors while others may need equipment. By keeping patients in their communities, this helps the revenue