UK to Host Annual Lyman T. Johnson Homecoming Celebration

LEXINGTON, Ky (Oct. 2, 2019) — The University of Kentucky will host a diverse group of events for Homecoming where all students can participate and different cultures are recognized. For the 104th UK Homecoming, the Lyman T. Johnson Homecoming Celebration will continue traditions and revamp events to give students and alumni a chance to create new memories. 

To kick off the week of events, the UK Alumni Association will host its 29th annual Lyman T. Johnson Torch of Excellence Awards banquet at noon Friday, Oct. 11, in the Student Center Grand Ballroom. The association honors students and alumni during the awards ceremony as part of the celebration. Registration for the event can be found on the UK Alumni Association page.

UK’s academic colleges and units select African American alumni whose faith, hard work and determination has positively affected the lives of people on the UK campus, the city, state or nation. These individuals will receive the Lyman T. Johnson Torch of Excellence Award. These units also choose an African American student within their respective colleges/departments whose academic achievement and ability to impact the lives of others would warrant them to receive the Lyman T. Johnson Torch Bearer Award. The event will also showcase a piece of artwork done by Johnson’s grandson, Imar Hutchins, to commemorate his grandfather's historical impact on UK. 

The 29th annual Mo Betta basketball game will begin 7 p.m. Tuesday, Oct. 8, in the Seaton Center. Each year students play against faculty and staff, as well as former members of the UK’s men’s basketball teams of years past. Sponsored by the Black Student Union, the game is a chance to bring athletics, alumni and students together for a night of basketball and fun. 

Buzz Burnam, the event's director sees the basketball game as a great way to bridge the gap between students and alumni. 

"The game is extremely important to both undergraduates and alumni, as it is one of the oldest enduring Homecoming traditions for black students and staff," Burnam said. "It also brings out one of the most diverse audiences of members from the UK extended family, as well." 

The Mo Betta basketball game is free, and students, faculty and staff are encouraged to attend. 

The Mr. and Ms. Black UK scholarship pageant will start 7 p.m. Wednesday, Oct. 9, in Memorial Hall. Admission to the pageant is $5. For those who bring a gently used book for K-12, admission will be $3. The pageant, sponsored by Delta Sigma Theta Sorority Inc. and the Black Student Union, has been a long-standing tradition at UK dating back to 1987.  

Since its inception, the pageant has been an event that challenges contestants —​ but also allows for them to uncover strength in themselves they may not have known they had. The event is also centered around the community — giving students, faculty and staff from past generations at UK a chance to come together for a night of celebration of the contestants. 

Delta Sigma Theta Sorority members and co-chairs Jenai Teamer and Caitlyn McFadden see the pageant as an event that provides unity on UK's campus. 

"The pageant builds a sense of community among minority students because it allows for everyone to come together and support one another," said Teamer. "It helps students get out of their comfort zone as well, which allows even more unity amongst us all."

BSU President Tyler Trabue takes pride in the event, highlighting this as a celebration of excellence. 

“Not only is this event a celebration of unity and black excellence, it’s also an opportunity to highlight black men and women who go above and beyond every day to help their community.”  

Beginning 7:30 p.m. Friday, Oct. 11, the National Pan-Hellenic Council (NPHC) will host UK’s Homecoming Step Show in the Gatton Student Center Ballrooms. Tickets for the step show can be purchased here. Student tickets are $10 while the general public tickets are $15. Each ticket price will increase by $10 on the day of the event. NPHC fraternities and sororities will compete with routines unique to their respective organizations, showcasing their creativity as they battle for the crown. The step show has an extensive history on UK’s campus, and has been a premier event that people from across the state of Kentucky attend.  

NPHC President Aniya Hall is excited to have the event back this year after its absence from the Homecoming calendar the last couple of years. 

“We are more than thrilled about the return of the Homecoming Step Show this year, especially during the celebration of the 70th year of integration at UK,” Hall said. “Each of our organizations may not have been here without the establishment of integration on this campus, so this celebration is near and dear to our hearts.”

The University of Kentucky Black Voices Gospel Choir celebrates their 50th year on UK’s campus this school year with a Gospel Brunch scheduled for Sunday, Oct. 13, in the Student Center Ballroom. Doors will open for this event at 10:30 a.m. For 50 years the choir has been a staple at UK, taking their voices all across the country singing at various churches and events, making an impact nationwide. 

President Joi Craig is elated to have a plethora of members all together to celebrate such a special occasion.

"With this school year being our 50th year on campus, we want to kick off our year long celebration with the past, present and future of the choir altogether to create memories for years to come." 

A link to purchase tickets can be found through the Black Voices Instagram page. 

For more information on the Lyman T. Johnson Homecoming Celebration visit here, and for more information on all events for Homecoming week visit the UK Alumni Association page.