Taylor Blair Selected as Student Speaker for December Commencement

LEXINGTON, Ky. (Dec. 18, 2013)  University of Kentucky College of Education senior Taylor Blair will graduate with a degree in secondary English education this Friday while also taking part in an important Commencement tradition: serving as student speaker.

Blair, from Louisville, was selected among several candidates by UK President Eli Capilouto to represent his class at the December 2013 Undergraduate Commencement Ceremony. 

"I got a call from Dr. Capilouto the day before I was set to go home for Thanksgiving," said Blair. "I didn't recognize the number of course, and the voice said 'Hi, Taylor, this is Eli Capilouto.' So immediately I was anticipating an exciting phone call. He extended the opportunity to speak at Commencement, and I was very privileged to accept the honor."

While there's much to say about his UK experience, Blair decided to focus on those who made his experience possible. 

“You cannot condense the many months of an undergraduate career into a three to five minute speech – but you can begin to thank the people that helped us earn our degrees," said Blair. “That's why I wanted to speak. Our parents, professors and others have earned a lot of credit."

Blair has been very active on campus during his undergraduate years, serving as a Wildcat Ambassador for the UK Office of Undergraduate Admission and Registrar, a peer instructor for UK 101 and 201, and a member of the K Book editorial board. He is also a Provost Scholar. After graduation, Blair plans to continue working for UK Admissions while earning his Master’s degree. He then plans to become a high school teacher. 

“I find tremendous joy in seeing a high school student reach his or her goals,” said Blair. “In particular, I appreciate seeing high school students attain their goals of pursuing a college career at this university.”

But for now, Blair is just counting down the days until Commencement.

"I'm excited to know that I'll be leaving Memorial Coliseum holding a tangible representation of my work at UK, along with so many of my peers."

The December 2013 Commencement Ceremonies will be held Friday, Dec. 20, in Memorial Coliseum. The Graduate and Professional Commencement Ceremony will take place at 1:30 p.m., followed by the Undergraduate Commencement Ceremony at 6 p.m.  The ceremonies will also be live streamed on UKNow.

For more information about the December 2013 Commencement Ceremonies, visit www.uky.edu/Commencement

MEDIA CONTACT: Jenny Wells, 859-257-5343; jenny.wells@gmail.com