Singletary Scholars spread Valentine’s cheer at Golisano Children’s at UK
LEXINGTON, Ky. (Feb. 10, 2026) — During the Service Learning for Singletary Scholars course, first-year students wrote Valentine’s cards and assembled nearly 40 goody bags for patients at Golisano Children’s at UK. Scholars delivered the treats to the patients before Valentine’s Day.
The course co-instructors, Tony Colella and Laura Bryan, Ph.D., who is also the Lewis Honors College interim dean, encourage servant leadership among their students. It is a lesson that took root with first-year Singletary Scholar Harper Ritchey.
“This activity allowed me to practice my servant leadership and make a positive impact on my community,” said Ritchey, a natural resources and environmental science major from Princeton, Kentucky. “When writing the cards, I tried to include uplifting, positive messages and jokes in the hopes of bringing a smile to the patient who receives it.”
Having known people who were hospitalized at a young age, first-year Singletary Scholar Oliver Martin, a mathematics major from Fort Thomas, Kentucky, recognized how frightening the experience can be.
“If I can do something as simple as making a quick goody bag, and a child’s day will be better, count me in every time,” Martin said.
First-year Singletary Scholar Madelyn Settles, a biosystems engineering major from Winchester, Kentucky, also felt grateful for the opportunity to “give back in a meaningful way.”
“Delivering cards to patients is such a hard feeling to describe,” Settles said. “It’s heartbreaking to see kids who are stuck in the hospital, but at the same time, it brings so much joy to be able to put a smile on their faces and brighten their day.”
The goody bags included a handwritten card, a fruit snack and assorted toys such as heart-shaped stress balls, stretchy fidgets or bubbles.
Up to 25 Otis A. Singletary Scholars are identified during the college application process for their future potential to lead lives of intellect, integrity and service in Kentucky and the world. Scholars experience all the benefits that the Lewis Honors College offers, plus the opportunity to take three one-credit courses designed to deepen their understanding of leadership and access to a dedicated honors faculty member for advice and mentorship.
As the state’s flagship, land-grant institution, the University of Kentucky exists to advance the Commonwealth. We do that by preparing the next generation of leaders — placing students at the heart of everything we do — and transforming the lives of Kentuckians through education, research and creative work, service and health care. We pride ourselves on being a catalyst for breakthroughs and a force for healing, a place where ingenuity unfolds. It's all made possible by our people — visionaries, disruptors and pioneers — who make up 200 academic programs, a $476.5 million research and development enterprise and a world-class medical center, all on one campus.