"see blue." #selfie: Richie Simpson

LEXINGTON, Ky. (July 19, 2016) — Want to get to know the people behind some of the biggest student leadership positions on campus? We did, too! That's why we've introduced "see blue." #selfie — a series on UKNow that lets student leaders from across campus tell us a little bit more about themselves and their organizations. Up this week, 2016-17 Overall Chair of DanceBlue Richie Simpson.

Richie Simpson, an upcoming senior economics major from Lexingon, serves as the 2016-17 DanceBlue overall chair! We sat down with Simpson to get to know the true student leader behind the DanceBlue title! When he's not jamming to "Work from Home," Richie is spending his summer preparing for the 24-hour dance marathon, working part time at a local law firm and doing electrical contracting on campus! Get to know Simpson and his passion "For the Kids" in his "see blue." #selfie!

UKNow: What is your major and what year are you?

Richie Simpson: My major is econ and I'm a senior.

UK: Where are you from?

RS: I'm from Lexington, Kentucky.

UK: Tell me about your position in DanceBlue.

RS: So I serve as the overall chair for DanceBlue and in that position I am charged with helping each individual chair overcome any challenges on their way to achieving the goals they have set for themselves and for our organization.

UK: When did you become involved with DanceBlue?

RS: I became involved at the end of freshman year. I applied to be on committee and served on Corporate Committee my sophomore year.

UK: What are some major goals you have for DanceBlue this year? 

RS: Some major goals this year are reaching out to new parts of campus that haven't had the opportunity to explore DanceBlue and a more comprehensive thank you for students, community partners and even corporate sponsors.

UK: What does DanceBlue mean to you?

RS: DanceBlue is special because when I came to college I was like every other college student and I thought I was going to change the world. I heard about DanceBlue and wasn't able to participate the first year. I saw my friends do it and how they loved it and it was something I wanted to do. I wanted to make that impact they made. DanceBlue is special because of the fight we fight against cancer. My mother is a breast cancer survivor. It's special to be a part of something where people want to go out of their way to help people who have been put in tough situations.

UK: What else are you involved in? 

RS: I'm in Beta, I did UK101, taught it, and I did FUSION.

UK: What are you doing this summer to prepare for #DB17?

RS: This summer I have been working with chairs to talk about the big ideas and visions they have for DanceBlue and laying the groundwork and planning for that so when the year comes we have a plan we can execute to make sure everyone's ideas are implemented.

UK: What is one new initiative you'd like to start this year?

RS: One new initiative I'd like to start is better engaging the crowd at the marathon. For those in the crowd, they are the life support of the people dancing for 10 or 12 hours and they keep those dancers going. We want to direct things at the crowd to make sure they are having just as much fun as the dancers are.

UK: Was overall chair always a position that you wished to attain?

RS: Actually, no. When I was a freshman I remember someone telling me about their friend Claci that was overall chair and all the work she had to do to put together DanceBlue. I told them I couldn't imagine taking that on. As I was more involved, I thought my skills and qualities would be best for this position.

UK: What have you been doing throughout this summer that doesn't revolve around DanceBlue? Anything fun?

RS: So this summer I have been working part time at a law firm in downtown Lexington and I have had the opportunity to work on UK's campus with construction. I have been able to do the electrical contracting with the new Steak 'n Shake on campus.

UK: If you had a memoir about your life, what would the title be? 

RS: "It Is What It Is." I'm a big fan of that saying. Someone gave me a shirt with that as a little kid and I still wear it.

UK: If you could have a super power, what would it be?

RS: If I could have one super power, I would say fly.

UK: What was your first job?

RS: In high school I worked at Culver's as the drive-through attendant. I used to mess up the ice cream I made so people would get free ones.

UK: What is the longest road trip you've ever taken?

RS: I have been to Florida a few times driving. I went with my dad to a bucket truck auction so he could buy a new bucket truck for his business. It was somewhere deep in Florida. I just wanted to go to Disney World. We still have the bucket truck!

UK: So, DanceBlue has many mini-marathons throughout the year. What's one mini-marathon that was super memorable for you?

RS: Lexington Christian Academy's marathon. It was the first one I went to and being from Lexington it was good to see a hometown school take part in DanceBlue. The mini-marathon raised the most money any mini has in its first year. They got a ton of commitment that first year and didn't wait until it was cool to take part in it. They are the only ones that do their mini at night too, from 11 p.m. to 8 a.m.

UK: What are the top three played songs on your iTunes list? 

RS: "Under the Bridge" by the Red Hot Chili Peppers; "7 Years" by Lukas Graham; and "Work from Home" by Fifth Harmony.

UK: If you could witness any event in history what would it be? 

RS: Man landing on the moon.

UK: What is one of your most embarrassing moments?

RS: There's so many! I feel like high school was when the really embarrassing things happened. My freshman year of college, though, I went and sat in a class and I was in the wrong class the entire class and I dind't realize until the end of class when they called roll.

UK: What is one word or phrase you're guilty of saying too often?

RS: There's a multitude. Probably "it's lit."

UK: What would you tell an incoming freshman? 

RS: Explore campus because being from Lexington I thought I had a grasp of everything that's here, but as I walk now around I find places to eat, hang out or study. I wish I would have taken the time to do that instead of now when I have limited time to appreciate those things. And read all the things your parents pick up for you about UK.

UK: You are happiest when…

RS: … I'm hanging out at the lake with my little brother.

"see blue." #selfies will appear every other Tuesday on UKNow. Know a student leader we should feature? Contact Rebecca Stratton at rebecca.stratton@uky.edu to nominate someone.

UK is the University for Kentucky. At UK, we are educating more students, treating more patients with complex illnesses and conducting more research and service than at any time in our 150-year history. To read more about the UK story and how you can support continued investment in your university and the Commonwealth, go to: uky.edu/uk4ky. #uk4ky #seeblue

MEDIA CONTACT: Rebecca Stratton, rebecca.stratton@uky.edu, 859-323-2395