Professional News

Nomination deadline extended for 2023 Medallion for Intellectual Achievement

Photo of William T. Young Library
William T. Young Library. Mark Cornelison | UK Photo

LEXINGTON, Ky. (Oct 3, 2022) — The University of Kentucky Libraries is extending the nomination deadline for the 2023 University of Kentucky Libraries Medallion for Intellectual Achievement until 11:59 p.m. Friday, Oct. 7.

Created in 1990 and considered one of UK’s most prestigious awards, the UK Libraries Medallion for Intellectual Achievement is awarded to a Kentucky resident whose accomplishments represent the pinnacle of education and creative thought in the fields of science, literature, art and philanthropy.

To be eligible, nominees must be a Kentucky native or have more than three years of study, work or residency in Kentucky. Individuals or groups may be considered. Final selection of the medallion recipient is determined by majority vote of the UK Libraries National Advisory Board.

Past recipients include Thomas D. Clark, Wendell Berry, Guy Davenport, bell hooks, Bobbie Ann Mason, Everett McCorvey, Douglas Scutchfield, George C. Wright and — most recently — UK’s own E. Vernon Smith and Eloise C. Smith Professor of American History Tracy Campbell.

The nomination process is easy; simply fill out this 2023 UK Libraries Medallion Nomination Form — which includes additional information on the award criteria and submissions.

Completed nomination forms and supporting documents should be sent to Carl Goodmonson, director of Philanthropy for UK Libraries no later than 11:59 p.m. Friday, Oct. 7.  Please feel free to also contact Goodmonson with questions regarding the award or the nomination process at carl.goodmonson@uky.edu.

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.   

In 2022, UK was ranked by Forbes as one of the “Best Employers for New Grads” and named a “Diversity Champion” by INSIGHT into Diversity, a testament to our commitment to advance Kentucky and create a community of belonging for everyone. While our mission looks different in many ways than it did in 1865, the vision of service to our Commonwealth and the world remains the same. We are the University for Kentucky.