2013 has certainly been a great year for the University of Kentucky College of Agriculture, Food and Environment! We have so much to be reflective on in this season of togetherness and celebration of love. Below are some reasons that 2013 has been such a banner year for us all. This is no way serves as an official list, but one of reflection and promise as we look toward a bright 2014. Check out the University's holiday greeting and then come back to check out the rest of the blog........
What's In a Name?
This year brought on a name change for our College. Our new name has stirred emotions of alumni, students and others, bringing on much discussion. The new name, College of Agriculture, Food and Environment truly does encapsulate who we are and what we do by today's standards. For those in the industry, agriculture is such an implied word. But what about for generations removed from the farm? The addition of "...,Food and Environment" helps focus on some of the pressing challenges for the industry in the future and helps with public education on some of the issues we are working so hard to research, educate and extend ourselves into Kentucky's communities. The name change allows the general public to better understand who we are: The landgrant College focusing on contributions and innovations in animal sciences and animal health; in crop, plant and food production; in the health and well-being of Kentuckians through nutrition, family development and activity; in food production, development and food security; in environmental stewardship through design, alternative fuel approaches, woodland and natural resource management; and in personal development through leadership, economic and humanitarian measures.
In short, the new name allows us to prepare for the challenges of 2014 and beyond. We are poised to better tell our story and continue making a difference in the lives of Kentucky and beyond.
Our Students
Our student body currently sits at its largest in UK history. The University is now nearly 30,000 Wildcat strong. The many accomplishments of our students through awards in undergraduate research, leadership roles taken throughout campus and nationwide in organizations, and the high academic caliber of our student body make this a big pride point among our Big Blue Nation faithful. As a top ten research college of agriculture, we hold high esteem for the accomplishments of our students- in and outside the classroom.
Our college's largest undergraduate and freshman classes have came the past two years. As over 400 freshman and transfer students have entered our door, our undergraduate student enrollment is at 2699 students, and with adding graduate students, we sit at just shy of 3200 total students. The scholastic achievements of our students make them our college's most academically talented group in our history. This year's mid-fifty percantile for our incoming class was a 22-27 ACT and a 3.3-3.9 high school GPA. One of our incoming freshman, Megan Harper, of Calloway County, was named a Belles of the American Royal and Agriculture Future of America Scholar. Others received many top scholarships from around the University and around the country.
Our students continue to impress through academic research, like Devin Henry through the agricultural biotechnology program, Amanda Pesquira who received the Alltech Young Scientist Award, or landscape architect students, Jared Kailen, Justin Menke, and Thomas Wortman, who received Oswald Awards for research and creativity.
Our UKAg students hold leadership positions across the ranks of campus as well. DanceBlue is a student-ran philanthropy on campus and involves many of our students. This year's overall student chair is Claci Ayers, an agricultural biotechnology student and UK's current Homecoming Queen. Many of our other students, including Christa Childers, a dietetics student, who serves on the Family Relations Committee, and Alex Bugg and Kaitlin Klair, serving as team captains of the CAFE Cow Tippers DanceBlue Team, a group consisting of students from across the College. DanceBlue is one of my favorite things our students do each year and it truly brings our campus together. If you have never been, try and check it out February 22-23, 2014. The video includes last year's reveal and the group dance number at the end, and is sure to inspire you and get your toe-tapping.
Our faculty and staff
We are widely known for our committed faculty and staff that serve the College in so many ways.
We began 2013 with two of our professors, Dr. Roberta Dwyer and Dr. John Grove, being named Outstanding Teachers at the University. We will begin 2014 by having another recipient, Dr. Mark Coyne, receiving the same distinction.
On a national front, Dr. Bill Silvia, Animal Sciences, was recognized as a Regional National Teacher by the USDA and APLU. Also from Animal Sciences, Dr. Debra Aaron received the Distinguished Service Award from the Southern Section of the American Society of Animal Science.
Dr. Kelly Webber, Dietetics and Human Nutrition, received a NIH grant for work on weight loss. The year's Patricia Brantley Todd Award Recepients were recently named from our School of Human Environmental Sciences, including Jason Hans, Family Science, for the teaching award.
Some of our student programming won awards at the annual NAADA Conference, including programs for National Ag Awareness Day and Ag Bash.
Leadership
Finally, we want to thank and acknowledge the leadership and administration of Dr. Scott Smith. Dr. Smith leaves our College where he has been Dean since 2001. We appreciate his work and commitment to the Commonwealth and wish him the best, although he's not going very far and will be teaching some sections of GEN 100 for our students.
We also want to welcome Dr.Nancy Cox into the role of Dean effective January 1, 2014. We know that she will be a visionary dean and lead UK Ag to even greater heights.
In Summary......
It's been a great year to be a Wildcat, and hope that some of you who may be prospective Wildcats or parents of a soon-to-be-Wildcat see the many proud accomplishments for our College this year, in years prior and in years to come. How will you prospective Wildcats engage your potential here at UK and make your mark? We look back on an exciting year for our College, and look forward to the greatness that 2014 will bring for our UK Ag Family.
Remember that our Incoming Freshmen Scholarships are due January 15, 2014!
Happy Holidays!!
- Jason H.
Jason Headrick is the Director of Student Relations for the College of Agriculture, Food and Environment. He is a 2002 graduate of UK with a B.S. in agricultural communications and is set to complete his MA in May 2014. He serves on the board for the National Agricultural Alumni and Development Association. He also is on the board for the Fayette County UK Alumni Club.
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