Advancing Kentucky: UK Alumni Association president reflects on her love for Kentucky, pride in alma mater

LEXINGTON, Ky. (June 3, 2024) — When you meet Janie McKenzie-Wells, J.D., a 1983 and 1986 graduate of the University of Kentucky, one of the first things you notice about her is the way she lights up and smiles when she talks about her love for her Eastern Kentucky home, the University of Kentucky and the UK Alumni Association.

While many women have served as president of the UK Alumni Association, Wells is the only woman from Eastern Kentucky to do so.

At the end of June 2024, her term as president will end, but she makes it clear that she will never stop supporting the university she says gave her so much.

Wells has two words to describe her term as president of the Alumni Association – “busy and exciting.”

“I have enjoyed everything I have been involved in this year,” she said. “I feel most grateful and blessed to have been given the opportunity to use what talents I possess to further our goal of advancing the UK Alumni Association, serving our students and serving the University of Kentucky.”

Wells was born and raised in Paintsville, Kentucky. The only time she left her home was to attend UK where she earned a bachelor’s degree, magna cum laude, in political science from the College of Arts and Sciences, and a Juris Doctor (J.D.) degree from the J. David Rosenberg College of Law. During her time as a UK student, she played clarinet as a member of the Wildcat Marching Band. In fact, she never gave up playing the clarinet and still performs — on the football field or in Rupp Arena — with the UK Alumni Band.

“I’ll never forget the excitement of being on campus for the first time as a freshman in the fall for band camp,” she said. “I immediately became a part of the Big Blue Nation with all the passion and commitment that comes with it.”

After graduation, career opportunities led her back to Eastern Kentucky where she began a long and distinguished career in law and in the judiciary.

In November 2006, she was the first woman elected and then re-elected as 24th Circuit Family Court Judge, serving Johnson, Lawrence and Martin counties in Eastern Kentucky, where she served until January 2023. She now serves in the Retired Judges Program and conducts felony and family court mediations through pilot programs with the Administrative Office of the Courts.

Although Wells was more than happy to return to her Eastern Kentucky home after graduation, her deep love for UK compelled her to stay connected with her alma mater. She joined her local Big Sandy Alumni Club in the early 90s, which began her long relationship with the Alumni Association. The more involved she became locally, the more she wanted to expand her involvement and devote her time and efforts to the national organization.

“UK gave me so much,” Wells said. “I was the first college graduate in my family and I honestly feel like the education that I got at UK, both in undergraduate and law school, gave me a successful career and helped established contacts that I would have never made otherwise. My education let me achieve at a higher level. So, the best way for me to give back to the university that gave me so much was to become involved with the UK National Alumni Association.”

Since that time, Wells has served on the UK Alumni Association Board of Directors as chair of multiple committees, as well as treasurer and president-elect. Wells is also a member of the UK Alumni Band and has served as co-president and member of the UK Alumni Band Board for many years. She received the UK Alumni Association Distinguished Service Award and the UK Law Alumni Association’s Distinguished Jurist Award and Community Service Award. She is also an active member in UK Women and Philanthropy, where she has served on the leadership council and as co-chair of the engagement committee.

When asked what she considers the highlight of her term as president, Wells enthusiastically responds, “Without a doubt, the completion and dedication of Alumni Commons!” Alumni Commons is a result of a $3 million gift from the UK Alumni Association for construction and completion of an outdoor space where students and alums can collaborate, meet, celebrate and relax. The space includes meeting areas, patio and garden areas, an outdoor theater, swings and a fountain. Read more here. 

Wells says the dedication wall best explains the intended purpose of the project.

“Alumni Commons is dedicated to our alumni family reflecting the deep and resounding appreciation that the University of Kentucky holds for its graduates.”

The impressive space is easily visible on Rose Street, anchored by stone pillars with signature iron gates. The gates are opened three times a year. First, for Wildcat Welcome in the fall, a festive gathering with food and giveaways for the first-year class. Then, the gates are opened during senior week for December graduates, and lastly, for a dedication to the May graduates called Wildcat Wrap-Up, which was held this year for the first time in cooperation with the Student Government Association.

“We opened the gates this past May and the UK Alumni Band played the school song as graduating seniors marched down the street and through the gates to be met by alums and members of our Board of Trustees. We shot off blue and white streamers and students went out the gates as graduates and our newest alumni. Many of the participating seniors wore their caps and gowns when they passed through the gates.”

Wells says that the space was also used for several homecoming events and campus celebrations throughout the year and all were well attended by both students and alums.

“We invest in the future of our students by investing in a place like Alumni Commons, a place that will live on in our memories and traditions, and hopefully, a place where our students will establish their own memories and traditions during their years at UK," she said.

Wells also noted that changes made to the UK Alumni Association membership model have been another highlight of her term. In addition, constituent groups, college representatives and elected alumni now form a Leadership Advisory Council, which serve along with the board of directors, officers and past presidents of the association. The association also completed revisions to its articles of incorporation and amendments to their bylaws to reflect their new business model.

Wells’ enthusiasm for the accomplishments of the UK Alumni Association over the past year is matched only by her drive to promote student success.

“Between our Alumni Association, our individual members and our alumni clubs, many of whom have endowed scholarships, we awarded over $300,000 dollars in scholarships last year to our students,” Wells said. “We hold an annual scholarship dinner in the fall, which was attended by well over 300 parents and students this past year. It was fabulous and I’ll never forget it. That’s what we’re here for, to make sure our students have the financial means to succeed.”

As her term of office ends, Wells is filled with gratitude and fond memories, as a student, as a UK Alumni Association member and as a leader. Her advice to new UK graduates is to get involved with their local alumni association club because of the friendships and connections they will make. She had many examples of how the connections students made with alumni potentially directed them in their career and job paths.

“I will always cherish my time as president of the UK Alumni Association and I will always be cheering on and encouraging my Wildcats, in the classroom, in the boardroom, on the field, on the hardwood, or wherever they may roam! This is, and will always be, 'My Old Kentucky Home!'”

One of Wells' last duties as UK Alumni Association president was to speak at May commencement, an opportunity she considers a great honor.

“As I looked around at all those families and students, my heart was just pounding,” Wells said. “It has been so rewarding to be a part of their lives and I was so honored to represent the Alumni Association on that stage in Rupp Arena.”

Her parting message to all UK's newest graduates is the same message she uses at the end of all of her alumni newsletters.

“Always remember you are a part of the Big Blue Nation and that means something. And for my Eastern Kentucky friends — #606 is more than just a number! Go Cats!”

What you may not know about Janie McKenzie-Wells

Janie McKenzie-Wells is an amateur radio operator, licensed by the Federal Communications Commission and her call sign is "KY4UK." After retirement as a judge, she became interested in amateur radio because her husband Frank was already involved, and she thought it was something they could do together. They participate in Parks on the Air and make connections with other amateur radio operators all over the world.

“I really enjoy being an amateur radio operator, and to all my ham radio colleagues — 73!”