I Pride In Blue
Spring is a time for inspiration and revitalization. . .
  and March Madness, of course!
I l   _ It’s with great pride that we bring you the spring 2012 issue of Kentuclqr Alumni maga-
• .
zine.
Before joining the staff of the UK Alumni Association in December 2004, I worked at a
weekly newspaper. While there, I found myself marking the passage of time not by days or
weeks, but by editions of the paper. It’s funny, I now Hnd myself doing the same thing with
issues of Kentuclqr Alumni magazine. It’s always exciting and yet somehow surprising
when another quarter has passed, and we can share another issue with you.
We began working on this issue in the middle of the winter, but it was easy to imagine
spring — which brings to mind new beginnings, inspiration and unlimited potential. The
same can be said about our cover story The River Cities Project is about the dedication and inspiration of architecture alums
working to revive their community It’s also about a terrihc partnership with the UK College of Design that will renew Ken-
tuclqr’s river cities and in the process challenge and inspire students to gain invaluable experience while helping to transform
communities. Tim Skinner, past president of the UK Alumni Association, Hrst shared the story of the River Cities Project
with me and thought it might make a good story. Turns out he was right.
I know you will want to read about former Wildcat great Walter McCarty as he embarks on a new career as an aspiring R&B
singer/ songwriter. McCarty a 10-year veteran of the NBA, has an amazing voice. I’m sure most of you remember McCarty as
the starting forward on UK’s 1996 NCAA National Championship team. You probably also remember “the shot” by McCarty
— the three-pointer from the corner that Hnally gave the Cats the lead after trailing by 31 points with 15:34 remaining at LSU
on Feb. 15, 1994. The 99-95 victory is the greatest comeback in UK history. The “Mardi Gras Miracle” is on my list of games
that I will always remember exactly where I was when it happened. I asked McCarty what he recalls about the game and he
said, interestingly, that despite the large dehcit, the team never really felt they were out of it. And about hitting that shot? I·Ie
said it happened just like it was drawn up in the huddle during a timeout. Check out wwwwaltermccartycom to hear Walter’s
music.
We introduce you to our 2012 UK Alumni Association Great Teacher Award recipients. This year’s honorees once again
showcase the power of great teaching. Be sure to check out the Web extra noted on page 29 of the wonderful video created by
UK Public Relations. It’s very insightful, and you can really see why these great teachers inspire their students to be great.
Congratulations to all!
I·Iave you ever wondered what it would be like to live in another country? We offer you a lo ok at the views outside the win-
dows of some of our international alumni members. From Nagoya, japan, to Athens, Greece, to St. Croix, Virgin Islands ( jeal-
ous!), UK alumni are showing Wildcat Pride around the globe.
Spring brings the unveiling and dedication of the new Wildcat Alumni Plaza, featuring a stunning bronze Wildcat sculpture.
It’s sure to become a new tradition on campus, and you can be a part of it through the Wildcat Alumni Plaza paver program.
You can also keep an eye on the construction progress of the plaza with the EarthCam, donated by alum Brian Cury. The plaza
is located off Avenue of Champions directly across the street from Memorial Coliseum. The camera sits atop that building for
a real bird’s-eye view. For more information about the project, purchasing a paver and to see the EarthCam view,
visit www.wildcatalumniplaza.com.
I hope you enjoy this issue of Kentucky Alumni. If you have an idea or suggestion for a future story in the magazine, please
share it with me. You can reach me at 859-257-7164 or kelli.elam@ukyedu. As always, your feedback is appreciated.
With Pride in Blue,
· SEG lY)lUG.
·.LQ/gk jfwvex
Kelli Elam
P.S. As March Madness approaches, please join me in a collective “Go Cats!”
4 Spring 2012