I Presidential Conversation
New to the Blue
About IO years ago, when my daughter was I3 years old, she in- again, recruited the most _ _   { 1  
sisted I watch with her, the movie, “Gladiator,” I didn’t know why academically prepared class '   2   TT"
she asked but, looking for a moment to bond with my daughter, I in our institution’s history  
agreed, At the end ofthe movie, I turned to her and asked, “What Now that we have settled  
was the most important statement that Russell Crowe made to his into Maxwell Place, I have  
followers ?” redoubled my effort to un- fi;
She didn’t know, but I persisted and asked again, “Please, as a derstand our institution,     it
parent, tell me what you thought was the most important state- community and state, I have  
ment,” met with more of our  
She said, “Oh, I got it   On my command, unleash hell,” world-class faculty, spent  
After a short laugh and some time to compose myself, I said, time with our devoted
“No, The most important question was when he turned to his fol- physical plant staff and iden-
lowers and asked, (Why are we here ?”’ tiHed key community and business leaders who can expand our ca-
I asked myself the same question when I decided to uproot my pacity to serve Lexington and make it a great place to raise a
wife and our two dogs from our home in Alabama, And it is the family and start a business, Integrating their insights about the
same question I continue to ask our faculty, staff and students university and where we see ourselves in the future is a key compo-
every day, A continual assessment of our mission to serve is critical nent of my tenure,
to our beloved institution if we hope to move our university and And, Hnally, I have been fortunate enough to spend time with
the Commonwealth toward a better future, the University of Kentucky’s extended family, our alumni and
My recruitment to the University of Kentucky began more than friends who continue to support our mission in a multitude of
IO years ago when I heard President Lee T, Todd, ]r, speak at a na- ways, You are unpaid recruiters who share the countless opportu-
tional conference on the importance of land-grant institutions, nities UK can offer to the best students in your community, You
I·Iis devotion to UK and his commitment to the Commonwealth are volunteer consultants who provide crucial feedback and cre-
immediately signaled to me that UK was not just another univer- ative approaches to issues facing our institution and state, You are
sity — it was a special place with special people, private fundraisers who generously contribute to the university,
Before Iwas announced as the university’s preferred candidate, both Hscally and in-kind, And you are our extended family with
my wife, Mary Lynne, and I traveled to Lexington to visit UK and an unparalleled hospitality that has warmed our hearts,
the city we now call home, Dressed to blend in, we set out across At every turn, I grow more enthusiastic and optimistic about the
campus for six hours to discover what it was that people loved ro ad ahead, By working together with the creative minds at our
about the University of Kentucky, We met students; we spent time university, our devoted partners in the community, policy leaders
at William T, Young Library; and we visited the ]ames W Stuck- throughout our state and our committed alumni and friends, we
ert Career Center, The fervor I heard in each person’s voice con- will reach our shared aspirations,
Hrmed that UK is more than an institution — it is a family, I will continue to visit you in quarterly editions of Kentucky
Prior to my Hrst day in office, I sat down with nearly 60 faculty Alumni magazine, You can also follow our work through my blog,
from colleges and departments across campus, When I asked what uknow,uky,edu/ president, or on UKNow, the university’s official
made them proud to be a part of the University of Kentucky, one news website, at uknow,uky,edu, I look forward to our future to-
ofthe Hrst things they talked about was our incredible student gether and seeing you at some of our athletic events or one of our
body, Since my arrival, I have had the opportunity to spend time many academic or Hne arts programs,
with our new students, and I am proud to say that we have, once Until next time; continue seeing blue, Wildcats!
E2; Z? me
Eli Capilouto
President
S G G U G.
b I TM
m everyt/amg we da.
www.uka|umni.net 7