State of University Address Focuses on Innovation
LEXINGTON, Ky. (Sept. 14, 2010) – Against the backdrop of a continued global recession, innovation is an increasingly important component of economic and social success.
So, in his final State of the University Address, University of Kentucky President Lee T. Todd Jr., will focus on some of the UK faculty, staff, students and alumni who are innovators even in the midst of challenging times.
“Innovation is bubbling up from every corner of our campus,” said Todd. “Our students, faculty and staff continue to stare adversity in the face and, instead of whining, they are trying to find creative solutions to help us through these tough times.”
Todd – along with Student Government President Ryan M. Smith – will speak about the state of the university Thursday, Sept. 16, at Patterson Office Tower Plaza. Activities begin at 11 a.m. with free food and student organizations with exhibits throughout the plaza area. The program begins at 11:30. In the case of inclement weather, activities will be held under the covered ends of the White Hall Classroom Building.
[IMAGE2]
Tom Hammond, Emmy-award winning NBC broadcaster and UK alumnus, will serve as emcee for the event. Smith will deliver a message from Student Government, followed by President Todd.
In addition to focusing on innovation, Todd’s message will reflect on the successes of the university despite the challenging economy as well as goals for the future of the institution. Research expenditures are now at record levels --- nearly $370 million; the university recently announced a record retention rate of 81.8 percent and announced the most academically prepared freshman class in its history even as enrollment continues to increase.
As part of that message, Todd will also recognize several outstanding UK faculty, staff, students and alumni along with several UK programs that are examples of excellence and innovation. A few of the honorees include:
- Henry “Bub” Asman, a 1971 graduate of UK, has been a sound editor on nearly 60 motion picture and television shows and is a 2007 Oscar winner for his work on Clint Eastwood’s film “Letters from Iwo Jima”
- UK’s Campus Dining Services, a department that has made enormous strides in improving campus life by responding to student requests for more national restaurants on campus and expanded their catering options and conservation efforts
- UK Track and Field standout Rondel Sorrillo and Coach Don Weber; Sorrillo, a native of Trinidad and Tobago, captured UK’s first NCAA Championship in the 200-meter dash in 2010; he is also an eight-time All American
- P20 Innovation Lab, headed by the College of Education and Dean Mary John O’Hair, works to connect university innovations with schools to create lasting change in the daily practices of students principals and educators
- UK HealthCare's Chandler Hospital Emergency Department, represented by Dr. Roger Humphries, chair of the Department of Emergency Medicine, is the only Level 1 Trauma Center serving Central and Eastern Kentucky; it is one of the most technologically advanced facilities of its kind in the world
Anyone unable to attend the event is encouraged to watch the State of the University Address via live-streaming on UKNow, UK’s official news website, at www.uky.edu/uknow.
Those interested can also interact and follow along during the State of the University Address using Twitter. Follow the hashtag #StateofUK for live tweets from the University’s official Twitter account, @universityofky.
More information is also available on the University of Kentucky’s official Facebook page here.