UK College of Communication and Information: Improving Lives Through Excellence in Research, Service, Education and Training
LEXINGTON, Ky. (Oct. 27, 2015) — The College of Communication and Information — the fastest growing college at the University of Kentucky — prepares students for success upon graduation by providing them the skills needed in all aspects of communication. There are five majors, four minors, two graduate programs, two living learning programs, several undergraduate certificates and countless student organizations within the college, all inspired by a rich history and tradition in communication and information.
This rich history dates back to the 1890s when the college first began to offer journalism courses. It was visionary leaders like Enoch Grehan that were vital in the expansion and growth of the college. Grehan played a key role in establishing the first Department of Journalism in 1914, served as its first director and led fundraising efforts for the original construction of the Grehan Journalism Building, still the iconic hub of the college today. In 1924, he helped establish the Kentucky Kernel, the independent student-run newspaper housed in the Grehan Building that still produces award-winning publications to this date.
While ambassadors like Grehan played a prominent role in shaping the College of Communication and Information, there were countless others who were influential in the college’s history. In 1917 Margaret King began teaching library methods for teachers, which set the framework for the establishment of the Department of Library Science, later headed by Mildred Semmons in 1932. After 10 years, the Department of Library Science became fully accredited.
From 1950 to present day, the college has continued to grow. In 1950 the Department of Journalism officially became the School of Journalism, and the Kentucky Kernel donated $425,000 to the University of Kentucky for the renovation of the Grehan Journalism Building.
In 1968, the School of Communication was established, including three departments: Journalism, Telecommunications and Speech. Seven years later, in 1975, the School of Communication was abolished and replaced with a School of Journalism and the Department of Human Communication.
Just one year after the School of Communication was abolished, the College of Communications was re-established. It merged with the College of Library and Information Science in 1993, to create the College of Communications and Information Studies, later renamed the College of Communication and Information.
In 1997, the Advertising program within the School of Journalism and Telecommunications was developed into what is now Integrated Strategic Communication.
In July 2011, H. Dan O’Hair, dean of the University of Kentucky College of Communication and Information, published a report based on data collected by the White House Office of Science and Technology Policy on entrepreneurship and the commercialization of university research.
Following the report’s publication, Dean O’Hair created the Innovation Network for Entrepreneurial Thinking (iNET) at the University of Kentucky for students interested in entrepreneurial work. Students with majors in any college at UK can earn a certificate in iNET and can live in the iNET Living Learning Program (LLP), housed in the college.
The CI Connect LLP was introduced for the 2014-2015 academic year. It offers freshmen with a major in the college a chance to interact with faculty and staff in their residence hall, as well as connected courses taught by CI faculty specifically designed for the LLP.
In 2014, the college celebrated several milestone anniversaries. The journalism program celebrated its 100th year, the Scripps Howard First Amendment Center celebrated 25 years and the Institute for Rural Journalism and Community Issues celebrated 10 years at UK.
In 2015, the first graduate of the college’s newest major, Information Communication Technology earned his degree. The 2015-2016 academic year introduced a graduate program in this same major, and Integrated Strategic Communication became its own separate department.
The College of Communication and Information is dedicated to improving lives through excellence in research, service, education and training for undergraduate and graduate students in the global society of the information age.
The college’s primary mission is to teach students how to communicate effectively, to obtain and evaluate information, to create, produce and disseminate effective communication messages, to make strategic use of knowledge, and to undertake research programs that contribute to the advancement of the Commonwealth of Kentucky and beyond.
For more information about the College of Communication and Information visit ci.uky.edu, like the UK College of Communication and Information on Facebook or follow them on Twitter and Instagram @uk_ci.
MEDIA CONTACT: Blair Hoover, (859) 257-6398; blair.hoover@uky.edu