A Thankful Wildcat

This statement was taken from the University of Mount Union's blog &
couldn't be more true.

This week many students across campus are heading home for the holiday break, and the holiday season itself has really made me think about everything that I am grateful for. My college experience is definitely such a blessing- and what has made it so special- in particular, is my time in the College of Agriculture at the University of Kentucky. Agriculture has always been a passion of mine, and for every question and passion that I have had related to agriculture, I have found a class or an organization that helps me further explore my interests in agriculture. So during this time of thanksgiving, I’d like to go through a few of the reasons why I chose the College of Ag at UK, and the many things that I am grateful for within UK Ag.  

When I began applying to colleges I had a rather large list of things I wanted to have- a great academic program, opportunities for jobs, the opportunity to meet new people in social outlets, hands-on-experience within my program, and a great campus. After visiting UK’s College of Agriculture, and attending the college for about two years now, I realize that everything I could have wanted in a college is right here. I am thankful for small class sizes where the professor knows my name and I know I can talk to them any time. I am thankful for a hands-on program with a fantastic farm that I can access for labs and to further extend my knowledge of agriculture. I am thankful for the numerous clubs and activities within the College of Agriculture that allow for me to meet other people within the college of agriculture, and enjoy my time in college. I am grateful for the professors who teach the classes within the college of agriculture; who are knowledgeable about the subjects they teach and want to help students succeed. I am thankful for the jobs and internships that the College of Agriculture attracts everyday that will help me secure a job after I graduate and prepare for my future endeavors. I am thankful for my advisor, who meets with me every semester to make sure I am on track with my classes and offers helpful suggestions to continue to support me in my journey through college.

Overall, there’s a lot to be thankful for in life- family, friends, and for me, my education at the University Of Kentucky College Of Agriculture. I hope during this holiday season that you will enjoy being around family and friends, and take time to think about what you are thankful for. If you are preparing for college, it may also be a time to really consider what you are looking for in your college experience, and what you want to one day be thankful for. I wish you and your family a wonderful Thanksgiving and we hope to see you soon here at UK!

 

Veronica is a junior majoring in Equine Science & Management.  She is from Annapolis, Maryland.   She is a Resident Advisor with UK Housing and an Ag Ambassador.

Been there, showed that

 Every year since I can remember, my family and I have loaded up the truck and trailer and headed out to Louisville, Kentucky for the North American Livestock Exposition. This is one of the greatest weeks for any livestock kid. They get to see all their friends in one place, show their stock that they have worked so hard on, and get a once in a life time experience, as the quality of the animals is the best of the best. It was in 1971 when the idea of having a major livestock show in Kentucky started. This was brought up by the former Kentucky governor Wendell H. Ford and in November 17-23, 1974 the first show started. From this year on the Kentucky Exposition Center has been filled with all different types of livestock in the month of November. In the first show there were beef cattle, sheep, and pigs. Now it has grown to beef cattle, pigs, sheep, llamas, horses, goats, and dairy. There have been some big changes in the last 38 years with the different shows and how the quality of the livestock has changed. 

The UK Livestock Judging Team, from left to right: Shelby Clifford, Kaitlin Klair, Josh Duckworth, Caroline Applegate, & Victoria Hamilton.

 

            Over the past couple of years, making the trip out to Louisville was a normal routine for my family and I. Every November, my mom would send in letters to all of our teachers to get us excused absences since our schools did not have Agriculture programs. We would collect all our homework and head out the next morning. You could barely sleep the night before because you were so excited about the trip. Who wouldn’t be excited about it? You get to miss school, show your animals, and see all your friends! That sounds like a good time to me! Showing livestock is a big thing in my family because my mom and dad use to show when they were young and that is how they met. We look at it as spending time together doing something that we all enjoy. I wish that all families don’t have one activity that they can all do together and enjoy as much as livestock families do. We do get into our fair share of arguments while traveling, but in the end it all seems to work out for the best. 

            This past year was the first time in a while that I was not able to show at North American and I was pretty upset about it. Even so, I had another opportunity that was given to me and that was to be on the University of Kentucky Livestock Judging team. This was something that I thought I would never be a part of and I would have to say it was pretty awesome! During the year we have gone to some pretty amazing place, including Illinois, Kansas City, Pennsylvania, and then final contest at the North American.  Along the way, we stopped at many different producer’s farms and looked at their livestock and talked to them about different things going on in the industries. We also experienced local culture when we traveled through food and shopping! My most memorable moment of this experience would be the van rides. We were in the van for long and short periods of time. Every ride was different from what we talked about or just the things we saw and experienced in the van. We had some of the funniest conversations. This experience was one that I enjoyed and glad that I took. 

I know that I missed one year of showing at the North American, but I gained so much more by getting the experience to judge and travel to all the different places that we did. 

As an Ambassador for the College of Agriculture I encourage everyone to get INVOLVED in school! Judging is an awesome way to travel around to different states and meet new people, but it is also a time commitment and a lot of work. This is only a small comparison to the amount of fun and memories that we have as a team! If you don’t want to get try judging, UK and the College of Agriculture has many different clubs that you are able to get involved in!

 Kailtin is a junior Community & Leadership Development major from Wilmington, Delaware.  She has been involved with the UK Livestock Judging Team, UK Block & Bridle, serves as a UK Ag Ambassador, and was a past Delaware State 4-H Vice-President.  

A different kind of classroom

Have you ever wondered what it would be like to attend class absent of other students and a lecturing professor? Take away tests, papers and homework assignments that not only stress you out, but can destroy your sleep schedule. Internships give you the opportunity to learn in a different type of classroom setting. While the work element will never be eliminated from earning credits to complete graduation requirements, there is a way to switch up your traditional classroom.

This fall semester, I have been given the opportunity to gain experience in the field of public relations by completing an internship at the University of Kentucky Agricultural Communications Services. I’m constantly on my toes with different assignments that I am responsible for.  I still have deadlines, responsibilities and expectations from my supervisors, but they are right there to guide me every step of the way. I have great role models who help me any way that they can, whether they help answer questions that I have or take the time of their day to teach me a new skill. Every single day is a brand new experience.

I have been able to step out of my comfort zone and do things that I never imagined would be possible as a student. So far I have been given the opportunity to write news stories, edit radio recordings and I even experienced getting to interview individuals at the Career Fair for a video production. Along with the other intern, Breanna, we will work on editing the video production and watch the project transform from start to finish. It’s a type of curriculum that helps me practice all of the skills that I learned in required courses that I once thought I would never use again.

Interning in an area of your interest is the key to getting the most out of an internship. Just like any future career, if you don’t enjoy it today, you will most likely not enjoy that career many years down the road. Getting to walk into the office and take on different daily tasks at Ag Communications keeps everyday interesting. No filling up empty mugs with dark coffee, running errands or copying large amounts of material are considered as my daily tasks. I’m getting real hands on experience.  

I enjoy being able to get a feel for the light at the end of the tunnel after enduring a lot of courses during the past three years. Don’t take for granted any opportunity to learn. This internship has proven to me that you will never stop learning, even after you graduate.

Keep in mind that you will be graduating with many individuals who will be going after the same goals as you. What will you do to set yourself apart? Internships provide you the skills that many of your fellow peers may not have. They are work, but internships are the key to the door of opportunity that you have been working so hard for. I’m glad I took this great opportunity, and I can’t wait to see what the rest of the semester has in store for me! 

 Amber is a senior from Springfield, Kentucky.  She is a Community Leadership & Development major and is involved in Alpha Zeta.  She will graduate in May 2013.

Beyond the Costume: A Look Into the Life of a Mascot

Shhhh, I have a secret.  I may or may not know one of the University of Kentucky mascots. But, there’s one rule in mascoting: do not reveal your identity. They are the completely recognizable, but the most unrecognizable athletes of UK. Everyone knows them instantaneously by their alter egos, but would never be able to point out the humans behind the mask if they saw them on campus.

No home game would be the same without Wildcat and Scratch posing for pictures and poking fun at people. Fans get great pleasure when one of them steals the hat of their friend, but loses their sense of humor quickly when they become the butt of the joke. A particular fan favorite, though, is when a UofL fan loses their hat or University gear.

There’s definitely an art to making a giant cat have human expressions and carry on a conversation with people without actually talking. They are essentially mimes without the black and white face paint and outfit. It takes skill to improvise an entire scene that starts with something as simple as being handed a peanut by a kid who wants Wildcat or Scratch to eat it. While this may seem simple, it is infinitely more difficult to enact this scene when the peanut happens to get stuck in the mascot’s teeth. How do you tell a cheerleader that you have a peanut stuck in your teeth without actually saying the words “I have a peanut stuck in my teeth and I need help getting it out!” The crowd breaks out in laughter as he extracts the peanut and hands the now slimy peanut to an innocent cheerleader who is responsible for disposing of said peanut. 

 For some though, the giant furry cat is not an expression of fun and excitement, but a reminder of an intense fear. They never know if the child they are getting ready to take a picture with, whose parent has shoved their child into the arms of the mascot, will laugh and smile or scream, cry, and potentially run away. For some, this fear doesn’t stop when they turn 18 though. There are many, including well known UK basketball players (who will remain anonymous just as the mascots do), who’s fear of mascots extends well into their adult life. I have watched a 6’7” grown man run for his life down a school hallway and hide inside a locked classroom to avoid the mascot because of how intense his fear was. Who would think that a smiling Wildcat or Scratch could evoke such fear? They are potentially risking their life every time they suit up.

Without Wildcat and Scratch, UK would not be the same. They are there to entertain the crowds which may include dancing to popular songs, playing mascot basketball, or taking pictures with people at games and appearances. And while they are very well known, they live in anonymity which is exactly the way they want it. Because the other rule of mascoting is to never ruin the illusion. When the suit goes on, they become the mascot, but even when the suit comes off, they never truly leave the mascot behind. Every one of them has a part of that fun loving, beloved cat in them. It’s the only way they enjoy and excel at being their alter egos. 

     
Staci is a senior at the University of Kentucky, majoring in Agricultural Biotechnology.  Her family lives in Kentucky, but comes to us from Virginia.  She is the College of Agriculture SGA Senator, a COA Agriculture Ambassador, and rides horses in her spare time. 

Remember, remember, the 5th of November.

For the class of 2013, today serves an important purpose. 6 months from today, we walk across the stage and symbolically move into our future. Being a sentimental person, this has gotten me to look back at my 3.5 years as a Wildcat. As a result I decided to make a list. Since our basketball team domin8ted last year, I’m sharing 8 from a soon-to-be alumni. This is my SeeBlue Bucket List.

1)     Call your parents: Your parents love you. They’re proud that you’re here making something of your life. It may not seem like much, but talking to them regularly means a lot to them. I have lost count of the time parents have called me to see if their student is OK because they haven’t heard from them in weeks. You’re never too old to call your parents.

 2.)   Utilize the library: You’ve never lived until you’ve watched the sun rise while studying in Willy T. During Finals Week, my friends and I basically camp out for a week studying. It is perhaps the greatest asset on this campus. Apart from the plethora of books, we also have an excellent staff who are there to help make sure we use our resources to the max. 

3.)    Live on campus: Residence Halls (i.e. dorms) have a lot of negative connotations. I’ve lived on campus my entire college career and I’ve truly enjoyed my time. It forces you to meet new people who you might not have ever encountered. Some of my best memories from college have came from hanging out in the lobby of our residence halls with friends. Late night board games and Tolly Ho runs, impromptu musicals (I lived in the Fine Arts Residential College at one point), and even sitting around a table talking for hours are some of the things I’m going to remember most fondly about UK.

 4)     Hockey: I’m going to preface this with this: I still know nothing about the sport of hockey. But, I absolutely love UK Hockey. They’re a chance to get off campus and hang out with friends. Something about the chill of the Lexington Ice Center and the screaming fans just makes for a great experience. UK Hockey is a tradition in my friend group now. Just remember: The puck drops at midnight. 

5)     SAB Events: When they say there is always something going on at UK, they really mean it. The Student Activities Board always has some sort of lecture, film, or concert going on around campus. From CNN anchor Soledad O’Brien, to Drake, to SNL comedian Seth Myers, SAB brings in top notch people to help make your experience unique. 

6)     Take care of yourself: This time of year, the stress of college and the changing of the seasons can really do a number on your immune system. Luckily, we have the wonderful staff at University Health Services there to take care of you. You’ve already paid the fee…so you might as well go get checked out when you’re not feeling well. 

7)     Reach out: It’s easy to get wrapped up in the social and academic aspects of college. Don’t overlook where we are. There are hundreds of charities and community organizations in the city that provide amazing services to both us and the citizens of Lexington. You can participate in Fusion, go to the Center for Community Outreach, or just call up somewhere and ask how you can help. 

8)     Find your Unbridled Spirit: This sounds overly philosophical. It is. College is about growing as a person. It’s about figuring out who you are and where you think your life is heading. As I see it, the college equation is: two part grades, one part social life, and the remainder is you. 

The bottom line is college is a brief moment in our lives. There really is no checklist for how to make the most out of your experience. It’s up to you to figure it out. Just remember you’re not in it alone. You have literally hundreds of people here to help. From your RA, to your adviser, to your professors, or even your friends and family, you have people who will help. 

 Zeb is a senior majoring in Biosystems Engineering.  He is from Pineville, Kentucky.  After graduation, he plans to attend graduate school.  He is currently a Resident Advisor on campus and American Society of Agricultural and Biological Engineers Student Branch.