UK Remembers Lost Friends, Colleagues

LEXINGTON, Ky. (April 9, 2010) – The University of Kentucky will remember its fallen Tuesday, April 13, at a campuswide memorial service.

President Lee T. Todd Jr. has endorsed UK Remembers, which will honor all students, faculty, staff and alumni who have died during the past year. The idea of planning a memorial service was submitted by Nathaniel Hopkins of the UK Counseling and Testing Center through UK’s employee suggestion program, Make the Difference.

UK Remembers, which will be open to the public, begins at 7 p.m. Tuesday, April 13, in the botanical garden area next to the Student Center.

"UK Remembers will allow an opportunity for the campus community to come together in expressing condolences and grief for the well loved and respected students, faculty, staff and alumni that we lose each year," said Todd.

As a way to memorialize all deceased university-affiliated persons, the Office of Work-Life planned the one-hour service to demonstrate the university’s concern for all its students, faculty, staff and alumni. The non-denominational service will take place at the end of each spring semester with music from UK Department of Music students and faculty and brief statements read by representatives of the campus leadership.

To contribute a reflection or name of someone you would like to remember, visit the Student Government office (120 Student Center) Friday, April 9; Monday, April 12; or Tuesday, April 13; or leave a comment on Facebook “An Evening to Remember – UK Memorial Service” group wall by following the link http://www.facebook.com/home.php?#!/event.php?eid=397122495930&ref=ts  For those not able to attend, the event can also be seen live online at http://WildcatStudentTV.org

The Memorial Service Planning Committee has been endorsed by the Office of the President, the Office of Work-Life, the Staff Senate, the University Senate and Student Government Association. Licensed professionals from the Counseling and Testing Center, the Work Life Office and the Office of Campus Ministries will be available to counsel anyone attending who is in need of emotional support during or after the service. 

"The implementation of an annual memorial service will provide a unique opportunity for all members of the campus community to come together to honor those who have passed away during the calendar year," said Robynn Pease, director of Work-Life and the elected staff representative to the Board of Trustees. "Losing a fellow student or colleague can sometimes be as profound as losing a family member. Providing a formal venue to honor and grieve allows us to acknowledge the contributions the deceased have made to our lives."

Carl Nathe of UK Public Relations and Marketing will open and close the service. Dennis Bender of the UK Department of Music will sing the national anthem and "My Old Kentucky Home," while Paws and Listen will sing "Over the Rainbow." The UK Student Color Guard will present the flags. Stan Key, executive director of Alumni Affairs and director of the UK Alumni Association, will speak for UK alumni. Everett McCorvey, faculty trustee, director of opera and Lexington Opera Society Endowed Chair in Opera Studies, will speak for faculty. Robynn Pease, director UK Work-Life and staff trustee, will speak for staff. Ryan Smith, Student Government president and student trustee, will represent students.

Free parking for UK Remembers will be available in “E” lots next to the Student Center and Memorial Coliseum.

Members of the Planning Committee included Pease, Mike Adams, computer support specialist, biology, and vice chair of the Staff Senate; Melanie Elam, account clerk in Patient Account Services and member of the Staff Senate; Donna Farrar, university chaplain, UK Chandler Hospital; student Anna Hays; Lynn Hiler, program coordinator for the Chellgren Center; Brenda “BB” Huffer, parking control attendant and member of the Staff Senate; Catherine Masoud, compliance analyst for EVPHA and member of the Staff Senate; and student Jack Newton.

For more information about UK Remembers, contact Robynn Pease at 257-1003 or robynn.pease@uky.edu.