Troske Receives 2014 Lyons Award for Service

LEXINGTON, Ky. (May 2, 2014) — Kenneth R. Troske, the William B. Sturgill Professor of Economics and senior associate dean for administration, faculty and research in the Gatton College of Business and Economics at the University of Kentucky, is the 2014 recipient of the William E. Lyons Award for Outstanding Service.

The Lyons Award is presented each year to an individual associated with UK who has contributed significantly to the university, the Lexington community, and/or the Commonwealth of Kentucky. The award is named in honor of the late Bill Lyons, longtime professor of political science and public administration at UK, a dedicated scholar, teacher, and public servant who made innumerable contributions in all areas of university life and extended his professional expertise to address problems affecting the local and state communities.

"Ken Troske is a most worthy recipient of the Lyons Award," said Merl Hackbart, professor and interim director of UK's Martin School of Public Policy and Administration, which bestows the award. "Since joining the UK faculty in 2005, he has immersed himself in serving not only his students and fellow faculty, but also Lexington, the Commonwealth of Kentucky, and our nation."

Previously, Troske served as chair of the Department of Economics and as director of the Center for Business and Economic Research (CBER) in the Gatton College.

Troske is an expert in labor economics and is the author of many academic publications. He has served as a visiting scholar and research fellow at Australian National University, the Federal Reserve Bank of Cleveland and the Institute for the Study of Labor.

In addition to his academic work, Troske is very active in the community. He has  helped provide forecasts for the Lexington Fayette Urban County Government (LFUCG) Revenue Department, and has worked on other projects both for current Mayor Jim Gray and former Mayor Jim Newberry. Troske also has advised many groups including Commerce Lexington, the Kentucky Chamber of Commerce and the Bluegrass Economic Advancement Effort, a cooperative partnership between Lexington and Louisville. He currently serves on the Lexington Business Advisory Council for the Federal Reserve Bank of Cleveland and as a member of the budget committee for Lafayette High School.

Troske was selected to serve as one of only five experts on the U.S. Congressional Oversight Panel which reviewed government efforts to help stabilize the nation's economic situation in the wake of the 2008 financial crisis.

Originally from Seattle, Troske holds a bachelor’s degree from the University of Washington and graduated from the University of Chicago with a master's and Ph.D. in economics. He is married to another economist, Su Troske. They have two children and reside in Lexington.

"It is humbling to receive this honor," Troske said. "While I did not have the good fortune of knowing Bill Lyons personally, his record of service to UK, to Lexington, and to the state is legendary. To receive an award which carries his name is something I will always cherish."

During his career at UK, Lyons served as director of the Martin School, chair of the Department of Political Science, chair of the University Senate Council, executive director of the Merger Commission that established the Lexington Fayette Urban County Government, member of the Urban County Council, and chair of various LFUCG government committees.

Hackbart added, "Through this award, the life and legacy of service exemplified by Bill Lyons continues to live."

MEDIA CONTACT:  Carl Nathe, 859-257-3200; carl.nathe@uky.edu.