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President Todd Unveils 13 New Commonwealth Collaborative Projects President Todd reported that he announced 13 more Commonwealth collaborative projects. The university had 23 projects and has added 13 additional projects. The projects aim is to improve health care, education, economic development, the environment, and exposure to cultural events. The projects are accomplishing phenomenal results.
Thirty-two High-tech Startups with UK Ties Win Venture Club Recognition President Todd said that the Lexington Venture Club was formed several years ago. There are 32 companies with direct ties to UK. Each year the university celebrates new investments in early-stage companies in the Lexington area. Bluegrass early-stage companies attracted a record $64.5 million in funding during 2007 with more than half of that coming from venture capital. Venture capital investment has grown from zero dollars in 2003 to over $37 million in 2007. The average salary for the 341 full-time employees is $61,000.
Reader's Digest Calls UK the Nation's Fourth Safest Campus Reader's Digest recognized the University of Kentucky as the nation's fourth safest campus. Safely has been a priority at the university.
UK is Chosen as Participant in Energy Department's Solar Decathlon UK is one of only 20 university-led teams from around the world selected to compete in the United States Decathlon of Energy 2009 Solar Decathlon. There were only 12 universities in the United States chosen to participate. The Solar Decathlon brings together teams in a competition to design, build, and operate the most attractive and energy-efficient solar-powered house. The collaborative effort will be led by three principal investigators from the College of Design, College of Agriculture, and College of Engineering. It will involve students, faculty, and staff from six collaborating colleges and 16 centers and departments on the UK campus. The group is working on a house that will be solar driven. They will have to disassemble the house and take it to a mall in Washington D.C. to compete in the international competition.
UK-developed Lung Cancer Blood Test is Licensed to Companies A lung cancer blood test developed by UK faculty members has moved closer to the marketplace. This lung cancer blood test has been able to detect the possibility of lung cancer in patients years before being detected by a CT scan. No other test has been able to successfully detect lung cancer.
UK Hosts Metropolitan Opera's Regional Auditions; Student Advances Everett McCorvey has positioned UK's opera program so well that the university is now hosting the Tri-State Regional Finals for the Metropolitan (Met) Opera National Council Auditions. Afton Battle won this region and got to perform on the stage of the Met with a few other people in the nation. This is a tremendous honor for her and the university. It is a great recruiting tool for the School of Music.