UK's in Texas for More Than Basketball

LEXINGTON, Ky. (April 4, 2011) – The Final Four isn't the only event in Texas where the University of Kentucky's presence will be felt.  

UK is teaming up with the institutions of the Southeastern Conference (SEC) to host college fairs for prospective students and their families in the San Antonio and Austin areas of Texas.

"Given the timing of the Final Four taking place in Houston, we’re very excited about building on the current UK presence in Texas by meeting with students in San Antonio and Austin," said Stephen Barnett, associate director of admission and associate registrar.

For the third year in a row, all 12 schools in the SEC will come together to hold joint college fairs for area students and information breakfasts for career center staff members and guidance counselors.

“Enrollment Management is excited about partnering with the SEC schools to reach out to prospective students and parents in Texas," said Don Witt, vice provost for enrollment management.  "This is a great way to showcase what sets UK apart and to also be efficient with event planning and travel resources."

"While it’s athletics that creates the common bond among the 12 institutions, the SEC is home to many of the top-notch academic programs in the country and world, and it’s important for us to showcase the many activities taking place in the classrooms and research facilities on our campuses," Barnett said.

In the last two years, SEC college fairs were held in Columbus, Ohio, Chicago, Ill., and Washington, D.C.

"We have appreciated the opportunity to travel with the other schools of the SEC to recruit students from around the country," said Barnett.  "This is a great way for our institutions to combine our resources to share information with high school students about the extraordinary options that exist among our 12 schools."

The first college fair, open to student from San Antonio area high school students and their families, is from 4 to 8:30 p.m. Tuesday, April 5, at the Hilton San Antonio Airport Hotel, 611 NW Loop 410.

Another fair will be held from 4 to 8:30 p.m. Wednesday, April 6, at the Holiday Inn Austin NW, Arboretum Hotel, 8901 Business Park Drive. Students and families from high schools in the Austin area are invited to attend.

At each location, the college fairs will give high school students and their families the chance to meet representatives from each school in the SEC in order to learn more about each institution.

"The collaborative spirit with all of the SEC schools has been tremendous," Witt said.

"Traveling together is important because it gives students a chance to see the atmosphere that exists among our schools and shows them they can easily find an unforgettable college experience at an SEC school like the University of Kentucky," Barnett said.

To register for the SEC college fairs, visit http://seccollegefair.olemiss.edu.

For more information on UK's participation in this venture, e-mail slbarn2@uky.edu or call (859) 257-3256.

For more information on applying to UK, visit: www.applyuk.com.

To view videos about the University of Kentucky, visit: www.youtube.com/universityofkentucky.

MEDIA CONTACT:  Amy Jones, (859) 257-1754, ext. 257; amy.jones2@uky.edu