A First Lady Who Puts Others First

LEXINGTON, Ky. (Nov. 6, 2009) – The duties of the First Lady of the University of Kentucky are not easy to define. There's not a contract that outlines expectations or a handbook passed down that lists one's responsibilities. Being the First Lady of the University of Kentucky is defined by the woman that holds the position. For Patricia Brantley Todd, her philosophy on being First Lady can be defined by one word – giving.

First and foremost, she gives herself to the University and its students. Todd is known affectionately by the students as "First Mom," a title her son Troy had put on a personalized license plate for her.

"I take my job as 'first mom' very seriously," said Todd. "Just like any proud mother, I just love to talk about the great things our students are doing. The energy and spirit on campus is infectious."

"Whether it’s a cookie at the door of Maxwell Place or some advice, even if it's hard to hear, Mrs. Todd is someone I have called upon many times," Ryan Smith, Student Government president, said. "She genuinely cares about the students at this university. We are so lucky to have a first family like the Todds."

One of Todd's favorite things to brag on UK's students about is their dedication to philanthropy, a value that she and the President have continually instilled in their own children and, in turn, their "UK children."

"At the center of our students’ philanthropic world is DanceBlue," Todd continued. "Students started this program in 2006, and have doubled the amount they raised every year! They've raised more than $1.3 million dollars for pediatric cancer research. They are making a difference in the lives of children throughout the Commonwealth with their efforts, an outreach that goes hand-in-hand with the University's Top 20 goals."

Another program that Todd is exceptionally proud of is UK FUSION. This award-winning program run through the Center for Community Outreach is modeled after an experience that their daughter, Kathryn, had while attending Boston University. In a single day, UK students, faculty and staff give more than 5,000 hours of service to the Lexington community.

"This spirit of giving is filtering into our student's daily lives, and students are reaching out to help one another," Todd remarked. "We have the top student leaders on campus retreat for a weekend at a program called the University Leadership Summit. Students are then broken into small groups and asked to brainstorm ways to improve campus and campus life."

"One group of students decided that they needed to help incoming students feel like a part of campus, even before they started classes. They created the K Book, a comprehensive guide to life as a UK student. They worked and found funding for the project, and wrote a 96-page book, published it and mailed it to new students so they had it before they arrived on campus," Todd said. "This is the caliber of students that we have on this campus. They want to make UK better, and they go out and seize ways to make it happen."

"Students wouldn't feel so empowered to make UK better without the leadership that President and First Lady Todd show us every day," said Bo Milburn, editor of the K Book. "They listen to our ideas and encourage us to make them happen."

This year, Todd and her friend Nawanna Privett, are seeing a dream of theirs come to fruition. Today the Women and Philanthropy Network launches and is hosting its first event, a symposium at UK's Hilary J. Boone Center.

"Women play an important and essential role in the University of Kentucky," Todd said. "The Women and Philanthropy Network allows women to unite to become a collaborative, informed and empowered force for our great University."

Thirty-two women make up the leadership council and they represent women who touch the University in a variety of ways. The program engages women in philanthropy and education by highlighting the research, nationally-acclaimed faculty and dedicated students at UK. Ultimately the Women and Philanthropy Network will support selected scholarships, programs and research endeavors.

"We are working to create a culture of service and philanthropy at the University," Todd noted. "I am delighted that we as women can come together and use our talents and passion to improve the University."

The Women and Philanthropy Network has been a big undertaking, with a far-reaching impact across the University. However, it's the some of the little things that Mrs. Todd has done that has left a lasting impression on our students.

"I'm not sure that Mrs. Todd would even remember this, but last year I was giving a tour to a group of potential students and their families. Mrs. Todd was coming out of Maxwell Place right as we were stopping there," Milburn recalled. "She had her hands full, and I'm sure was on her way to something, but she stopped, gave me a big hug and spoke to my tour group for about 10 minutes. She answered parent questions and gave advice to the students who were on the tour. It was really special to me and meant a lot to the families because they got to experience the family feel at UK that students see every day. She's truly a special lady."