2  T     
 
PRESIDENTIAL PERSPECTIVE  
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Dear Alumni: ‘ I A. a
It is my distinct pleasure to touch base with you on the considerable progress t   _
of the past and prospects for the future at the University of Kentucky as we move  3 V   p y . 
into the next millennium. In the history of our country, not many presidents have Cghmles j, Wgthmgémy JL —
had the good fortune to be in a positron to oversee their universities as they tum
the millennium corner.
As you may have seen and heard, the University is committed to reaching the highest echelons of
public institutions in this country. The goal is to become a top 20 public university over the next 20 years.
There is tremendous progress in this regard, thanks in large measure to the Capital Campaign and the
Research Challenge Trust Fund, established by the governor and the Kentucky legislature to match dollars
that we raise for high quality research. Within the past year, we exceeded our goal of $67 million in
private funding necessary to obtain matching Research Challenge Trust Fund dollars. State matching
funds brought that total to more that $134 million. V
We have launched a national marketing campaign designed to highlight the attributes and advantages A
of the University of Kentucky. Every campaign needs a theme and ours is titled, "America’s Next Great ’ y
University? ,  ·`  7 
UK has received a great deal of attention recently as this theme and our marketing efforts have been the l`  
focus of media attention in Kentucky and elsewhere. We chose the theme for the following l
A reasons;   y ‘
• It speaks to the national prominence that we have achieved in many areas and are moving ‘ ,
toward in others. I ' `
• It indicates a change in the way we measure ourselves through the use of national criteria and , `
comparisons. I ‘
• It intrigues the reader, viewer and listener, commanding attention. f
• It offers a unique position as a goal, as opposed to some more nebulous phrase. ,  
• It takes courage to say and live up to.   .
• It says something great is happening and invites others to join in that celebration.   I
• It emphasizes our quest to be great without questioning our current status as a high quality I f
institution. , I
I believe that all of us, as alumni of the University of Kentucky, can take pride in what our institution tr
has accomplished in its history, in the fine education it has provided us, and in what it has meant to us as »
we pursue our personal and professional dreams. We have watched and supported as UK has grown and I
prospered. There is no doubt that it is a better institution today.  
As "America’s Next Great University," UK will continue its move toward the goal of becoming what we   I M
know it can be — one of the best public universities in the nation. ~ A
I  .r
Sincerely,  
Charles T. Wethington jr.  
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38 KENTuc1