State of the University Address Highlights Power of UK's People

LEXINGTON, Ky. (Sept. 26, 2011) — The achievements of students, faculty, staff and alumni working together make the University of Kentucky an outstanding institution of higher learning and compassionate outreach.  That was the message today from UK President Eli Capilouto and UK Student Government President Micah Fielden as they presented the annual State of the University Address.  UK alumnus and emmy-winning NBC sports broadcaster Tom Hammond served as emcee.

Moved indoors to the Lexmark Room of the Main Building due to the rain, the presidents focused their message on the importance of the people who constitute UK and the impact they have on the university as well as the community, state and world.

President Capilouto noted that UK has its most accomplished freshman class ever, with an average high school GPA of 3.63 and with 30 percent of the class scoring 28 or higher on the ACT, an accomplishment that only 8 percent of Kentucky students attained this year. Capilouto also highlighted a number of outstanding students, faculty, alumni and programs at the university as examples of success.

"We have incredible stories, but I believe our best days are ahead," Capilouto said. "We must do more as the University of Kentucky to recruit, educate and graduate more successful alumni — to open opportunities and access to a degree."

He called on the campus community to challenge itself to do more to provide students with tools for success.  "We need to teach you more than the tools; we need to teach the concept behind the tools — the theory that built the tools and led to their existence. That's how we prepare you — not just for a job — but to create and invent the jobs of tomorrow," Capilouto said.

SGA President Fielden highlighted some of the most recent highly successful programs initiated by students on campus including TallyCats, a program that provides incentives for students to attend events and get more involved on campus; Cats Cruiser, a late night bus service that travels to various off-campus areas to provide a safe source of late night transportation; and the Wildcat Interest Group (WIG), a nonpartisan student lobbying organization that was created to push for greater support of higher education and to provide civic education to students through events such as a gubernatorial debate the group will sponsor on campus Oct. 26.

Fielden said he is inspired and excited by the number of students who are involved in efforts to improve the UK campus and beyond.  He noted the large number of applicants for the Freshman Leadership Development Program this year. It's from this group that many successful student-led initiatives have started.

"These students are implementing projects that have a positive impact on the university as well as the Lexington community," Fielden said. "This same way of thinking has spurred innovative programs in the past few years. It has allowed all of the student organizations on campus to have a significant impression on the undergraduate experience here at UK.

"Through student involvement, and the passion I have seen from the student body, we have the ability to shape the future of higher education in Kentucky."

The State of the University of Address was live streamed here on UKNow earlier today.  If you were unable to view the live stream of today's address, you may watch it in its entirety on the university's YouTube channel, www.youtube.com/universityofky, beginning Wednesday, Sept. 28.