The Reids, Reunited as Wildcats

LEXINGTON, Ky. (Oct. 4, 2016) — The University of Kentucky is much more than a university. It is more than the great state it is located in or the number of national championships it has claimed. It is steadfast, dependable and a constant builder of the minds and lives that come to learn from it. Simply, the University of Kentucky is home — it is family.

Student Body President Rowan Reid has a unique perspective of what being a part of this family really means. Coming to UK, she loved the diversity of the students campus has to offer. In her position, she serves a university she loves while learning how to lead and represent her peers. She wants to represent the students from all over the state and nation as they are, where they are, and allow this family to grow and flourish in their lives as it has in hers.

Her other role on campus? Being a big sister to sophomore, Halle Reid, and freshman, Nathaniel Reid. Everything she has known growing up has now joined her new world. She is able to watch her two families become one.

Nathaniel has jumped right into his new life here, getting involved with intramurals and Greek life as he settles into college. He majors in mechanical engineering.

“I love meeting all new people here,” Nathaniel said. “These people from across the U.S. want to come here and be a part of the Wildcat life — they want to be UK Wildcats! It’s pretty cool!”

Halle is in her first year of UK’s nursing program. She is a member of Chi Omega Sorority and currently plays on two intramural teams, while also coaching the intramural team on which Nathaniel plays.

“It’s awesome how we’re all here — back together again,” Nathaniel said.

It is exciting to see each of these siblings, with very different interests, majors and paths ahead each find another home here at UK. This university is an amazing place to not only be yourself, but be better together. The Reid siblings have exemplified that in an inspiring way.

Rowan enjoys sharing this experience with her siblings just as much as her parents love watching them grow together.

“I think our parents really like the fact that we’re all together and can all support each other if anything is going on,” Rowan said. “And they can find us all in one place.”

The student experience is not defined by who makes up the student body, but how each student makes it their own. Through different colleges, organizations and experiences, UK is a place where students find their individual niche and walk away knowing they are a part of something much bigger than themselves. This experience is not about “me,” it is about empowering “we.” That is when family truly does grow.

This home is not something that stays in Lexington, but follows students forever more because the Wildcat family is not one that fades. Rowan, Halle and Nathaniel have each found their niche, but more than that, they have expanded their family. They will always have each other, and now, they will always have the University of Kentucky.  

Learn more about the Reid family’s experience in the video below.  

Video produced by UK Public Relations and Marketing. To view captions for this video, push play and click on the CC icon in the bottom right hand corner of the screen. If using a mobile device, click on the "thought bubble" in the same area.

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MEDIA CONTACT: Rebecca Stratton, rebecca.stratton@uky.edu, 859-323-2395