Call for submissions: Share your favorite UK keepsake in honor of Founders Day
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LEXINGTON, Ky. (Feb. 20, 2026) — Since its founding on Feb. 22, 1865, the history of the University of Kentucky lives far beyond its campus. It lives in the memories and experiences of its alumni community and in the keepsakes those alumni have held onto. From worn pennants to ticket stubs saved for decades, these small objects can transport alumni back to moments that shaped their time at UK and the people they became along the way.
For UK President Eli Capilouto, that memory lives in a set of photographs from a campus groundbreaking — images he has kept on his office wall for more than a decade. The photos remind him of collaboration, resilience and the shared vision that helped launch the modern transformation of the university. His keepsake is just one example of how a simple object can hold deep meaning and reflect a defining chapter in UK’s history.
In recognition of Founders Day, the UK Alumni Association is inviting alumni to share the stories behind their most meaningful UK keepsakes. Submissions may be featured in an upcoming issue of Kentucky Alumni magazine, highlighted on social media or included in future digital and storytelling projects throughout 2026 and beyond. Whether it’s a letterman jacket, photograph or something entirely unique, every keepsake represents a personal connection to UK.
Alumni are invited to submit a short reflection (150 words or less) and photo of their UK keepsake to ukalumni@uky.edu.
“Every Wildcat’s journey is unique, but the memories we carry create a shared story of community,” said Jill Smith, executive director of the UK Alumni Association and associate vice president for stakeholder engagement. “These keepsakes spark nostalgia not just to our own time at UK, but to each other. They remind us why being part of the alumni family is something truly special.”
For more information, visit www.ukalumni.net/Keepsake.
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.