xt7sj38kh819 https://exploreuk.uky.edu/dips/xt7sj38kh819/data/mets.xml Lexington, Kentucky University of Kentucky Alumni Association 2016 journals English University of Kentucky Alumni Association Contact the Special Collections Research Center for information regarding rights and use of this collection. Kentucky alumnus Kentucky Alumni, vol. 87, no. 2, Summer 2016 text Kentucky Alumni, vol. 87, no. 2, Summer 2016 2016 2019 true xt7sj38kh819 section xt7sj38kh819 SUMMER 2016 Roula ALLOUCH: Defending rights and liberties for all * There’s only one place you can truly sleep like a champion on an official bed! Coach John Calipari with UK Grad and Sleep Outfitters Founder & CEO, Kim Knopf To find out more about the exclusive UK Mattress and Pillow Collection, visit sleepoutfitters.com/ukbed A portion of the proceeds benefit the S LEEP L IK E A C H A MPIO N - P L AY L IK E www.caliparifoundation.org A C H A MPIO N We are the Official Sleep Provider of ® Athletics * Summer 2016 • Volume 87 • Number 2 Roula Allouch received the UK College of Law Community Service Alumni Award for her volunteer work. Cover: Jeremy Kramer 16 Roula Allouch: Defending rights and liberties for all Roula Allouch ’02 BE, LAW ’06 is a civil litigation lawyer in Cincinnati and also serves the community, advocating on behalf of Muslim Americans concerned about civil rights. By Andrew Faught 12 Stanley Pigman: seeing blue and making a difference 20 Andy Green: From walk-on to San Diego Padres manager 22 24 26 Photo : Alaa Maghathe 28 30 Roula Allouch Departments 4 7 8 11 32 37 Pride In Blue Presidential Conversation UK News Blue Horizons Sports Alumni Clubs Born in Knott County, this UK grad achieved entrepreneurial success and transforms the lives of Kentucky engineering students. Andy Green ’00 BE has a straightforward approach to baseball and his insistence on knowing his players on a personal level helps him in his role as manager. By Robin Roenker Maxwell Place: Home sweet home The home to UK presidents began as a gift from father to son in 1871 when Dennis Mulligan, a Lexington grocer and politician, bought the land for a villa for James Hillary Mulligan. By Linda Perry Wildcat Loyalty Rewards Check out this list of valuable UK Alumni Association benefits and services available to you every day through membership. Eugene Poole Jr. : Returning the Capitol building to its original grandeur Eugene Poole Jr. ’85 DES is the U.S. Capitol jurisdiction executive and project manager for the $60 million dollar restoration of the U.S. Capitol dome. By Whitney Hale, Tina Bryson DanceBlue 2016 DanceBlue has contributed $9.8 million to the Golden Matrix Fund and the DanceBlue Kentucky Children’s Hospital Pediatric Hematology/Oncology Clinic. Lyman T. Johnson paved the way for others The UK Alumni Association released “They Came Before: The Legacy of African-American Pioneers and Trailblazers at the University of Kentucky,” about African Americans who were “firsts.” By Linda Perry 40 52 54 55 56 Class Notes In Memoriam Creative Juices Retrospect Quick Take www.ukalumni.net 1 * (800) 626-2250 • ThinkKentucky.com Think Small Business. The Kentucky Small Business Tax Credit (KSBTC) program is designed to encourage small business growth and job creation. Most for-profit businesses with 50 or fewer full-time employees are eligible. And now, the program has been expanded and simplified! Tax credits range between $3,500 and $25,000 for small businesses that have: · Hired and sustained at least one new job in the past year · Purchased at least $5,000 of qualifying equipment or technology How do I apply? Just visit KyTaxCredit.org. The Kentucky Office of Entrepreneurship has many programs to help grow small businesses in Kentucky. Services, assistance, and activities are available to all without regard to race, color, gender or national origin. 2 Summer 2016 * Board of Directors Kentucky Alumni Magazine Vol.87 No. 2 Kentucky Alumni (ISSN 732-6297) is published quarterly by the University of Kentucky Alumni Association, Lexington, Kentucky for its dues-paying members. © 2016 University of Kentucky Alumni Association, except where noted. Views and opinions expressed in Kentucky Alumni do not necessarily represent the opinions of its editors, the UK Alumni Association nor the University of Kentucky. How To Reach Us Kentucky Alumni UK Alumni Association King Alumni House Lexington, KY 40506-0119 Telephone: 859-257-8905 1-800-269-ALUM Fax: 859-323-1063 Email: ukalumni@uky.edu Update Your Record UK Alumni Association King Alumni House Lexington, KY 40506-0119 Telephone: 859-257-8800 Fax: 859-323-1063 Email: ukalumni@uky.edu Web: www.ukalumni.net For duplicate mailings, please send both mailing labels to the address above. Member of the Council for Advancement and Support of Education Association Staff Publisher/Executive Director: Stan Key ’72 Managing Editor: Linda Perry ’84 Graphic Designer: Laura Banik Publications Production Assistant: Hal Morris Brenda Bain ’15: Records Data Entry Operator Linda Brumfield: Account Clerk III Sara-Elizabeth Bush ’13: Program Coordinator Nancy Culp: Administrative Services Assistant Jenny Dreaden: Staff Support Associate I Caroline Francis ’88, ’93, ’02: Alumni Career Counselor Jack Gallt ’84: Program Coordinator Leslie Hayes: Membership and Marketing Specialist Kelly V. Hinkel ’11: Staff Support Associate I John Hoagland ’89: Associate Director Diana Horn ’70, ’71: Principal Accountant Katie Jennings ’11: Marketing & Communications Coordinator Albert Kalim ’03: Webmaster WIlliam Raney ’14: House Support Darlene Simpson: Senior Data Entry Operator Jill Smith ’05, ’11: Associate Director Frances White: Data Entry Operator Officers David B. Ratterman ’68 EN - President Peggy S. Meszaros ’72 ED - President-elect Susan V. Mustian ’84 BE - Treasurer Stan R. Key ’72 ED - Secretary District Michelle Leigh Allen ’06 ’10 BE Jeffrey L. Ashley ’89 CI Lisa G. Atkinson ’92 CI William G. Bacon Jr. ’82 ’85 MED Trudy Webb Banta ’63 ’65 ED Brian R. Bergman ’85 ’ 86 EN Heath F. Bowling ’95 BE Michael L. Brown ’72 BE Erin Burkett ’01 EN Emmett “Buzz” Burnam ’74 ED John S. Cain ’86 BE James E. Cantrell ’76 EN Shane T. Carlin ’95 AFE Rebecca F. Caudill ’72 ’76 ED Dr. Michael A. Christian ’76 AS, ’80 DE Judith G. Clabes ’67 AS Shannon R. Corley ’98 BE Elizabeth “Betsy” Coleman Cox ’69 AS D. Michael Coyle ’62 BE, ’65 LAW Bruce E. Danhauer ’77 AFE Ruth C. Day ’85 BE Eugene L. DuBow ’53 AS Philip D. Elder ’86 AFE Abra Endsley ’98 ’01 CI Linda L. Frye ’60 AS Robert Michael Gray ’80 ’81 BE Austin H. Hays ’03 BE Wallace E. Herndon Jr. ’67 BE Derrick C. Hord ’83 CI Ann Nelson Hurst ’80 BE Lee A. Jackson ’70 SCC, ’73 AS Dr. Frank Kendrick ’90 ’92 DE Shelia M. Key ’91 PHA Turner LaMaster ’73 BE Thomas K. Mathews ’93 AS James D. McCain ’81 BE Herbert A. Miller Jr. ’72 AS, ’76 LAW Ashley S. “Tip” Mixson III ’80 BE Sherry R. Moak ’81 BE Hannah M. Myers ’93 ED Kimberly Parks ’01 BE Abigail M. Payne ’05 CI Quintissa S. Peake ’04 CI Nicholas C. Phelps ’08 BE James A. Richardson ’70 AS, ’72 ED Charlene K. Rouse ’77 DES Philip Schardein,’02 BE Sharon Lee Sears ’80 CI Marian Moore Sims ’72 ’76 ED J. Fritz Skeen ’72 ’73 BE George B. Spragens ’93 BE Reese S. Terry Jr. ’64 ’66 EN Peggy T. Tudor ’73 ’83 NUR, ’07 ED Quentin R. Tyler ’02 ’05 AFE, ’11 AS Craig M. Wallace ’79 EN Lori E. Wells ’96 BE Crystal M. Williams ’97 BE Scott Wittich ’75 BE At Large Jo Hern Curris ’63 AS, ’75 LAW Dr. Michael H. Huang ’89 AS, ’93 MED Antoine Huffman ’05 CI Matt Minner ’93 AS Will Nash ’06 AS Jane C. Pickering ’74 ED College Michelle McDonald ’84 AFE, ’92 ED - Agriculture Winn F. Williams ’71 AS - Arts & Sciences James B. Bryant ’67 BE - Business & Economics Jeremy L. Jarvi ’02 CI - Communication & Information Dr. Clifford J. Lowdenback ’99 AS, ’03 DE - Dentistry Lu Ann Holmes ’79 DES - Design Martha Elizabeth Randolph ’83 BE, ’87 ’92 ED - Education Taunya Phillips ’87 EN, ’04 BE - Engineering Kimberly Baker ’92 FA - Fine Arts Barbara R. Sanders ’72 AS, ’76 ED - Health Sciences Janis E. Clark ’78 GS, ’85 LAW - Law Dr. Emery A. Wilson ’68 ’72 MED - Medicine Patricia K. Howard ’83 ’90 ’04 NUR - Nursing Lynn Harrelson ’73 PHA - Pharmacy Vacant - Public Health Willis K. Bright Jr. ’66 SW - Social Work Alumni Trustees Cammie DeShields Grant ’77 LCC, ’79 ED Kelly Sullivan Holland ’93 AS, ’98 ED Terry B. Mobley ’65 ED Appointed Katie Eiserman ’01 ED - Athletics Thomas W. Harris ’85 AS - University Relations D. Michael Richey ’74 ’79 AFE - Philanthropy Bobby C. Whitaker ’58 CI - Honorary Jenna M. Hollinden - Student Government Association Vacant - University Senate Past Presidents George L. Atkins Jr. ’63 BE Richard A. Bean ’69 BE Michael A. Burleson ’74 PHA Bruce K. Davis ’71 LAW Scott E. Davis ’73 BE Marianne Smith Edge ’77 AFE Franklin H. Farris Jr. ’72 BE Dr. Paul E. Fenwick ’52 AFE William G. Francis ’68 AS, ’73 LAW W. P. Friedrich ’71 EN Dan Gipson ’69 EN Brenda B. Gosney ’70 HS, ’75 ED Cammie DeShields Grant ’77 LCC, ’79 ED John R. Guthrie ’63 CI Ann B. Haney ’71 AS Diane M. Massie ’79 CI Robert E. Miller John C. Nichols II ’53 BE Dr. George A. Ochs IV ’74 DE Sandra Bugie Patterson ’68 AS Robert F. Pickard ’57 ’61 EN Paula L. Pope ’73 ’75 ED G. David Ravencraft ’59 BE William Schuetze ’72 LAW David L. Shelton ’66 BE J. Tim Skinner ’80 DES James W. Stuckert ’60 EN, ’61 BE Julia K. Tackett ’68 AS, ’71 LAW Hank B. Thompson Jr. ’71 CI Myra L. Tobin ’62 AFE J. Thomas Tucker ’56 BE Henry Wilhoit Jr. ’60 LAW Elaine A. Wilson ’68 SW Richard M. Womack ’53 AFE www.ukalumni.net 3 * Associate Director for Communications and Membership April 17, 1969 –May 2, 2016 Memories of Kelli “Kelli was one of the kindest and most positive people I have ever had the pleasure of knowing. There was never a time that my phone calls to her weren’t met with excitement and positive energy.” “Her infectious smile and kindness lifted up the room.” “She loved people and she loved her Cats — saw her handle some incredibly difficult situations with the utmost class. I will miss seeing her smile (however the game was going).” “She was a bright, shining star to all who knew her. We will remember Kelli’s smile and generous spirit.” “What a privilege it was to know this beautiful, amazing, strong woman who brought ideas, passion and energy to our industry.” “A true professional who had great passion for her colleagues, friends, and family. Kelli will be missed by all who were fortunate to know her. May her pleasant smile and warm heart live on in each of us.” “Kelli was a shining star that I looked forward to seeing every time I was at UK. She made the world a better, brighter place.” “A wonderful woman who will be missed by so many. I will miss her Facebook posts which always made me smile on the darkest of days.” 4 Summer 2016 As this summer issue was going to press, we lost our friend, colleague and editor of the Kentucky Alumni magazine, Kelli L. Elam, following her courageous 13-month battle with pancreatic cancer. Kelli’s fight against this terrible disease began in March, 2015, while in Cleveland as her beloved Kentucky Wildcats came away with another NCAA Regional Championship. Many of you had the opportunity to meet Kelli personally, while others knew her through her writing and contributions to Kentucky Alumni magazine and our social media accounts. Kelli began her career with the association in 2004 as an advertising and editorial assistant and was promoted to the associate director for communications in 2010. In 2011, she also assumed responsibility for the association’s membership program. Prior to her work with the association, she was a sports journalist for various local Kentucky newspapers. From the time of Kelli’s arrival on the association staff, she always brought to the office a bright smile, an energetic spirit, respect for others, exceptional dedication to her work and a professional approach to everything she did. She had a tremendous loyalty to the University of Kentucky and the UK Alumni Association. And she always accepted new challenges and responsibilities in her position with enthusiasm and took them on with a determination to make them work. She was always willing to do more for others and eager to lend a hand when and wherever necessary. Kelli took tremendous pride in her professional position with the UK Alumni Association, and she excelled in it. As editor of the Kentucky Alumni magazine, she always produced a very engaging and informative letter on Page 4 of the magazine. Through the magazine, the Wildcat Connection electronic newsletter, social media posts, media releases and various public relations efforts, Kelli and her staff provided opportunities for alumni and friends of UK to celebrate accomplishments, learn and connect with their alma mater. Under Kelli’s leadership, the association engaged alumni and friends through the member benefits and services program and increased nondues revenue from affinity program sponsors and advertising. She also served as the association’s media representative with UK Athletics, and Kelli loved covering the Wildcats and sharing their success with other Wildcat fans. Her loyalty and passion for UK were unfailing and inspiring, and we continue to try to follow her example in our work today. Kelli understood and shared the deep affinity alumni feel for the University of Kentucky, and she had a tremendous respect for the role they play in making UK a special place. Kelli was a vibrant and energetic woman committed to her family and her career. An avid UK Wildcats fan, Kelli leaves behind many friends and a legacy of loyalty and community involvement. She was a respected and supportive colleague and friend to both staff and alumni volunteers of the association. Kelli is survived by her mother Carolyn Elam, sister Dana Elam (Jami), sister Jonndrea Elam and brother John David Elam II. It was a privilege and an honor to know and work with Kelli, and it goes without saying that she will be missed in many ways. Both staff and alumni have mentioned how much they will miss her “me and Mama” stories and her clicking stilettos on the hardwood floor of the Helen G. King Alumni House. A recognition, possibly a scholarship, in memory of Kelli is being planned by the UK Alumni Association Board of Directors. Memorial contributions may be made payable to the UK Alumni Association and mailed to the UK Alumni Association, 400 Rose Street, King Alumni House, Lexington, KY 40506 or online at www.ukalumni.net/KelliElamMemorialFund. * As an alum of the University of Kentucky, you could receive exclusive savings on 1 auto and home insurance from Liberty Mutual. Along with valuable savings, you’ll enjoy access to benefits like 24-Hour Claims Assistance. For a free quote, call 866-477-4111 Client # 7296 This organization receives financial support for offering this auto and home benefits program. Discounts and savings are available where state laws and regulations allow, and may vary by state. To the extent permitted by law, applicants are individually underwritten; not all applicants may qualify. Coverage provided and underwritten by Liberty Mutual Insurance and its affiliates 175 Berkeley Street, Boston, MA 02116. ©2016 Liberty Mutual Insurance Valid through . 1 www.ukalumni.net 5 * We are UK Where Wildcats have been banking since 1937. Welcome to ber banking 6 Summer 2016 www.ukfcu.org 859.264.4200 * Presidential Conversation University for Kentucky Over the last several months, I’ve shared with our campus, state lawmakers, community leaders and alumni, the stories that capture our role as the University for Kentucky. It’s a powerful message that illustrates the diverse ways — through education, research, service and health care — that we serve people within our Commonwealth and beyond its borders. In one example, several major cancer groups in Kentucky — with leadership from UK’s Markey Cancer Center — worked collaboratively to reduce the Commonwealth’s startling high colorectal cancer rates. Together, the Kentucky Cancer Consortium nearly doubled the number of cancer screenings over the last several years. At the same time, the incidence rate for colorectal cancer is down nearly 25 percent and the mortality rate has dropped by 30 percent. Several UK faculty and clinicians were present at a threeday summit on heroin and opioid addiction in Atlanta. Their participation on discussion panels and in plenary sessions exemplifies UK’s expertise and capacity to address the scourge of addiction in communities across our state and nation. Our faculty’s work isn’t limited to health care. One UK professor and his students are helping design sustainable solutions for Appalachian communities rebuilding after disasters. Beginning in the Morgan County community of West Liberty, the prototypes and proposals are now helping Johnson County respond to severe flooding. Another is sharing her remarkable talent with the world. From Lexington’s new 21c Museum and Hotel, to the Museum of Arts and Design in New York City, and further still on the nation’s television screen in the Fox hit drama, “Empire,” Professor Ebony Patterson’s provocative work is in the spotlight. Her artwork raises questions about larger social constructs and perceptions of masculinity, beauty and gender ideals. These are just a few ways, among many, that the University of Kentucky faculty discover, create and serve others. They are artists, historians, economists, engineers and healers. They are colleagues, teachers and mentors who shape young minds and inspire them to serve and give back. The impact of our faculty and staff is evident during our Commencement activities. In early May, the University conferred more than 4,800 degrees to our graduates and welcomed them into the UK alumni family. While here, they, too, contributed to the UK story. Among them are participants who raised millions to fight pediatric cancer. They collected textbooks for schoolchildren in Cameroon. They competed and placed in entrepreneurial competitions with students from universities across the nation. They balanced academics with athletics, student organizations, personal obligations and friendships. And in May they left our campus with a degree, prepared to lead lives of meaning and purpose. More than 60 percent of our graduates will be employed in Kentucky next year, many are employed elsewhere, and 10 percent choose to pursue graduate degrees. These are the professionals, civic leaders and taxpayers who strengthen the economic and civic vibrancy of Kentucky and communities beyond our borders. The scope and scale of the UK story is profound. From our students, to our faculty and staff, to alumni and friends who invest in us to propel and ensure the story is alive for the next generation of Wildcats, we are the University for Kentucky. Eli Capilouto President On a personal note, I want to acknowledge a dear member of the UK family. Kelli Elam, who for more than 11 years served her alma mater and its alumni family, recently lost her battle with cancer. Kelli was a special part of this place, and she was an ardent storyteller and Wildcat fan. Kelli will be missed on our campus, but the imprint she made on others throughout her life will remain a part of us and will create a bright legacy for those who follow. www.ukalumni.net 7 * UK News F. Joseph Halcomb and Joani Halcomb UK Debate Team finishes strong at nationals Completing one of the most successful years in the history of the UK Debate Team, the team recently competed at the 70th National Debate Tournament at the University of Binghamton, part of the State University of New York system. For the first time in school history, three partnerships from the UK Debate Team — Donald Grasse and Theo Noparstak; Ava Vargason and Jonathan Geldof; and Marcel Roman and Holmes Hampton — reached the elimination rounds. Emory University was the only other school to match that accomplishment. Grasse and Noparstak reached the elite eight after finishing the preliminary rounds as the sixth seed at the tournament. It was UK’s first appearance in the elite eight since 2009. The eventual champion was Harvard. “This year was about the seniors,” said David Arnett, director of the UK Debate Team. “This is a group who took a chance on Kentucky when we were rebuilding from the ground up. Four years later we’re a top five program. What can you even say about that? I’m extremely thankful to have been part of it and couldn’t be more proud of the team.” 8 Summer 2016 UK received a $7 million gift from alumnus F. Joseph Halcomb and wife Joani Halcomb to rename and transform the Department of Biomedical Engineering. The F. Joseph Halcomb III, M.D. Department of Biomedical Engineering will be the first named department in the College of Engineering. Established in 1985, the Center for Biomedical Engineering resided within the Graduate School before joining the college in 2010. In 2013, it became an official department. The Halcombs’ $7 million naming gift will add one endowed chair and two endowed fellowships to a faculty of eight — a 27 percent increase. Additionally, the Halcomb Family Graduate Fellowships in Biomedical Engineering will add fully-funded graduate fellowships to attract top graduate students and support their research. “From implanted devices to prosthetics to regenerative tissue, biomedical engineers improve the well-being of those with significant health care needs. The Halcombs’ naming gift will ensure we provide the best education and training opportunities available to the students in this flourishing program,” says Dean John Walz. After 30 prosperous years in the medical device and biotechnology industries, Halcomb knows the demands facing today’s graduates and what is required in order to succeed. “There are only seven or eight schools in the U.S. where medicine, engineering, pharmacy, dentistry and a first-rate hospital are within walking distance of each other, and UK is one of them,” he says. “The possibilities for interdisciplinary research connected to biomedical engineering are unbelievable. There’s no excuse for not collaborating!” Halcomb was inducted into the College of Engineering Hall of Distinction in 2014. UK-UofL Executive MBA Program achieves Tier One Global Ranking With its first class graduating in December 2015, the joint University of Kentucky-University of Louisville Executive MBA program is already ranked in the top tier. The UK-UofL EMBA became the only program in the region ranked in CEO Magazine’s Tier One Global EMBA programs for 2016. CEO Magazine examines the nuts and bolts of an MBA: the faculty, learning environment, class sizes, tuition fees, delivery methods, international diversity, gender make-up and more. The objective is simple: to identify schools that marry exceptional quality with great ROI. “We are pleased to be recognized with a tier one executive MBA program ranking,” said Joe Labianca, co-director of the UK-UL Executive MBA program at the UK Gatton College of Business & Economics. “It is extremely gratifying to be ranked as an outstanding program that prepares seasoned professionals to advance in their careers and achieve their goals.” This first-rate Executive MBA program is aimed at rising executives from regional organizations and Photo: UK Public Relations & Marketing Photo: UK Public Relations & Marketing $7 million gift to transform UK Biomedical Engineering UK-UofL Executive MBA students maximizes the industry expertise of the students in a dynamic, cohort-based learning environment. With sessions split between the UK campus in Lexington and the UofL campus in Louisville, its Friday and Saturday classes on every other weekend allow students to keep their existing jobs, while preparing for more senior roles. “This ranking is a wonderful recognition of the unique partnership forged between Kentucky’s two top research universities to serve the Commonwealth and our region,” said T. Vernon Foster, executive director, MBA Programs and Career Management at the University of Louisville College of Business. “Our EMBA faculty members bring real-world experience to the classroom, where students can collaborate and develop effective leadership, problem-solving and research strategies.” * Children at the UK Early Childhood Lab test their new bench. Effort by UK Dining leads to 100 percent recycled bench Throughout February and March, UK students and UK Dining collected plastic lids and caps in a friendly competition between on-campus dining units. Every dining unit across campus participated and contributed to the reduction of UK Dining’s waste stream. Then, Green Tree Plastics (GTP) transformed the recycled plastic into a recycled bench. The bench was presented to the UK Early Childhood Lab in April. According to UK Sustainability Coordinator Elizabeth Ferguson, UK has redirected more than 400 pounds of waste to be repurposed into durable product by GTP since 2015. UK Dining hopes to encourage more student participation with continuous contests and events dedicated to reducing the university’s waste reduction rates through 2016. UK Dining has plans to continue its partnership with GTP to create more benches for campus. UK HealthCare has achieved Magnet Status, the highest institutional honor awarded for nursing excellence from the American Nurses Credentialing Center (ANCC) Magnet Recognition Program. Out of nearly 6,000 health care organizations in the United States, less than 7 percent have achieved Magnet designation. “Magnet recognition is a mindset and an approach in patient-centered care,” said UK HealthCare Chief Nursing UK HealthCare employs patient- and Executive Colleen Swartz. “Our team family-centered care. has been extremely dedicated, focused and committed in achieving this goal, and it shows in every interaction we have with patients and their families.” UK HealthCare has 4,473 nursing services employees including 2,006 full-time registered nurses. Achieving Magnet Status is a process that culminates in a rigorous review to demonstrate the hospital’s commitment to sustaining nursing excellence and improving professional practice. The status represents a solid commitment to continuing education and nursing specialty certification, a cultural transformation of the work environment involving a shared governance model and laser focus on patient safety. In 2001, UK HealthCare became just the 38th Magnet-recognized organization. The hospital maintained its designation until it was up for renewal in 2009, when the ANCC restructured the Magnet Recognition Program criteria. The fundamental shift from a process-structured infrastructure to an outcomes-based infrastructure led to UK HealthCare needing to make changes to regain its status. From 2010 to 2013, UK HealthCare began an improvement process that signified a cultural change toward patient- and family-centered care. That process included evaluating the nursing strategic plan, identifying areas in need of quality improvement and developing strategies for improvement, measurement and accountability. “While Magnet recognition is awarded by a nursing organization, it is truly an honor resulting from the leadership of our nurses to demonstrate that it is all of our caregivers who focus on meeting the needs of our patients, their families, and one another each and every day in our hospitals and clinics,” said Bo Cofield, UK HealthCare vice president and chief clinical operations officer. Photo: UK Public Relations & Marketing Photo: UK Dining UK HealthCare regains Magnet Status for excellence in patient care Record number on UK Dean’s List For the first time, more than 7,000 students have made the UK Dean’s List for the fall 2015 semester. A record high 7,189 students were recognized for their outstanding academic performance. That’s an increase of more than 800 since fall 2014 and over 1,000 more than spring 2015. To make a Dean’s List in one of the UK colleges, a student must earn a GPA of 3.6 or higher and must have earned 12 credits or more in that semester, excluding credits earned in pass-fail classes. Some UK colleges require a 3.5 GPA to make the Dean’s List. The full Dean’s List can be accessed by visiting www.uky.edu/PR/News/DeansList/. www.ukalumni.net 9 * “There is no vaccination against ignorance, but there is us. There is this university.” — Frank X Walker, UK professor and former Kentucky Poet Laureate At the University of Kentucky, we are educating more students, healing more patients, conducting more research and working more closely with communities than at any time in our 150-year history. That’s because we are the University for Kentucky. Service is our mission. It’s in our DNA. It is who we are — a distinctive community with tremendous momentum. An uncommon place united by a common purpose — to change Kentucky, to change the world. You can read more about our momentum and our work as the University for Kentucky at uky.edu/uk4ky. An Equal Opportunity University 10 Summer 2016 * Blue Horizons Experimental drug may limit harmful effects of traumatic brain injury A new report by UK researchers Linda Van Eldik and Adam Bachstetter describes an experimental drug candidate that may aid patients with traumatic brain injury (TBI). The article appeared in the journal PLoS One, the world’s largest biology journal. According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), falls, motor vehicle collisions and assaults make up the most common causes of TBI. Symptoms of TBI, which include impaired cognition, memory, and motor control, may be temporary or permanent depending on the severity of the injury. “Following a head injury, the body mobilizes immune cells to respond to the trauma and jump-start the healing process,” said Linda Van Eldik, who is director of the UK Sanders-Brown Center on Aging. “Although these immune cells help repair the injury, they also cause inflammation that may damage the tissue — a sort of double-edged sword. “Our goal is to find ways to improve the positive effects of the immune sys- tem while thwarting the inflammation process that damages tissues,” she said. Van Eldik’s laboratory identified and began testing the experimental drug MW151 in 2007. In initial testing, MW151 appeared to inhibit the release of the “bad” chemicals that caused inflammation while preserving immune cells’ repair capabilities in a form of TBI known as a closed head injury. Further evidence of MW151’s effectiveness was manifested in reduced cognitive impairment. The current work described in PLoS One tested MW151 in a second, more serious form of TBI known as mFPI. “We were delighted to see that MW151 is effective in more than one model of TBI,” said Adam Bachstetter, who is assistant professor in the Spinal Cord and Brain Injury Research Center (SCoBIRC) and the Department of Anatomy and Neurobiology and the lead author for the PLoS One article. “MW151 appears to dampen down the detrimental inflammatory responses without suppressing the normal functions that the cells need to maintain health.” According to Van Eldik, the potential impact of this treatment is significant. “Traumatic brain injury represents a major unmet medical need, as there is currently no effective therapy to prevent the increased risk of dementia and other neurologic complications, such as post-traumatic epilepsy, neuropsychiatric disorders, and post concussive symptoms such as headaches, sleep disturbances, memory problems, dizziness and irritability,” she said. “MW151 represents an important next step in the process to help people with TBI, including soldiers, athletes, car accident victims and others.” Van Eldik hopes to move MW151 into clinical trials in the next few years. Compiled from news reports about research at UK. For more information about research taking place at UK, visit www.research.uky.edu Researcher to focus on improving diets of teens 3-D models of spreading tumors may help fight cancer With a grant funded by the U.S. Department of Agriculture, Alison Gustafson will study the food purchasing patterns of teens in rural areas of Kentucky and North Carolina. The end result will hopefully be improved overall health and well-being of the participants. “Teens purchase quite a bit of food themselves,” said Gustafson, an assistant professor in the UK Department of Dietetics and Human Nutrition in the College of Agriculture, Food and Environment. “They also have a huge influence on the foods that their parents purchase.” According to the Trust for America’s Health and the Robert Wood Johnson Foundation,