"see promise." UK Awards Record Number of Singletary Scholarships

This fall, the University of Kentucky will welcome to campus a record class of 51 Singletary Scholars. This number represents a 50 percent increase over last year's class of 34.

This year's class includes five National Merit finalists, 15 valedictorians, and 26 Governor’s Scholars or Governor’s School for the Arts alumni.

"I am very pleased with the expansion of the Singletary Scholarship program because this reflects the growth of more outstanding students from across the Commonwealth and the nation looking at UK as their school of choice," said Don Witt, vice provost of enrollment management. "As we matriculate more well-prepared students, they in turn help us to attract even more top scholars. The incoming scholars represent a wide variety of academic and extracurricular activities. The Singletary Scholarship represents the best of UK."

The Otis A. Singletary Scholarship, named for former UK President Otis A. Singletary, has been awarded since 1985 and is the most prestigious academic scholarship awarded by the university. It covers the full cost of tuition, room and board, and a personal stipend for four years of undergraduate study, plus $2,000 toward a summer study abroad program and an iPad2.

Students who are awarded the Singletary Scholarship are also automatically enrolled in the Honors Program at UK. With the generous funding of this scholarship, students complete Honors courses, including a unique service-learning course (HON 100), through the program, and are given dedicated guidance toward opportunities and resources at the university and beyond.

Singletary Scholars enjoy the special community-building experience of developing and executing service work within the group of scholars, using their considerable talents and inclination toward service to give back to the communities they value. In the past 10 years, Singletary Scholars have provided service for Habitat for Humanity, Appalachian Children's Center, The Arboretum at UK, UK Staff Appreciation Day, UK's Professional Education Preparation Program (PEPP), Kentucky Children's Hospital, Lexington Rescue Mission, East 7th Street Center's Urban Impact program, AIDS Volunteers, Inc. (AVOL), and International Book Project.

"The creative minds of our students add a rich vibrancy to the fabric of the University of Kentucky campus," said UK President Eli Capilouto. "Their ideas help move our institution forward, adding to the fulfillment of our Kentucky Promise in unique ways. Among the greatest young minds on campus are students participating in the Singletary Scholars Program.

"Named for former President Otis A. Singletary, who challenged each student to leave their indelible imprint on UK, this prestigious honor is awarded to the best and brightest incoming students who have exhibited exemplary academic talent and a passion for leadership and service in their community.

"We are intent on growing the Singletary Scholars program, so more of our country's best and brightest students can take advantage of the opportunities provided by Kentucky's indispensable institution. Not only will these students gain the experience and education necessary to compete in a global economy, but we, too, will grow as an institution having invested in their success."

The 2012 Singletary Scholars are, in alphabetical order by last name:

Kelly Brightmore, of Lockport, Ill.; David Brown, of Versailles, Ky.; Liza Bustle, of London, Ky.; Sarah Caton, of Lexington, Ky.; Andrew Cech, of Greenville, Ohio; Hannah Davis, of Milton, Ky.; Santiago de Leon, of Lexington, Ky.; Alison Decker, of Louisville, Ky.; Karen Edwards, of Louisville, Ky.; Jeremy Frederick, of Clay, Ky.; William Galusha, of Kuttawa, Ky.; Codell Gibson, of Paris, Ky.; Kami Griffith, of Jackson, Ky.;

Taylor Hamilton, of McKinney, Texas; Cailin Harris, of Hendersonville, Tenn.; Faiza Hassan, of Lexington, Ky.; Christopher Hayden, of Owensboro, Ky.; Clark Hayden, of Philpot, Ky.; Karl Hempel, of Danville, Ky.; Lauren Henrickson, of Lexington, Ky.; Emma Holland, of Harrodsburg, Ky.; Jared Holt, of Benton, Ky.; Logan Hurley, of East Bernstadt, Ky.; Jordan Keeton, of Flatwoods, Ky.; Andrew Kirk, of Lexington, Ky.;

Peter LaPrade, of Marietta, Ga.; Will Lester, of Barboursville, W.Va.; Roberto Lobo-Rivera, of Louisville, Ky.; Taha Mandviwala, of London, Ky.; Joshua Morgan, of Benton, Ky.; Allison Murner, of Versailles, Ky.; Jeremiah Noe, of New Albany, Ind.; Toluwalope Odukoya, of Ashland, Ky.; Claire Oldfather, of Madison, Ala.; Lauren Payne, of Huntsville, Ala.; Stephen Parsons, of Lexington, Ky.; Michael Perry, of Louisville, Ky.;

Samuel Potter, of Pikeville, Ky.; Madelyn Schacht, of Lexington, Ky.; Madison Scott, of Austin, Texas; Rebecca Smith, of Greenville, Ky.; Benjamin Susemichel, of Indianapolis, Ind.; Andrew Vanover, of Madisonville, Ky.; Alexander Vazsonyi, of Wyoming, Mich.; Sarah Wagner, of Louisville, Ky.; Tyler Wells, of Denniston, Ky.; Kyle Werling, of Florence, Ky.; Evan Willett, of Louisville, Ky.; Kalin Wilson, of Carter, Ky.; Leah Wilson, of Owensboro, Ky.; and Michael Wilt, of Columbus, Ohio.

To hear more about what it means to "see blue." and future scholarships at UK, watch the special video message below from President Eli Capilouto.