Singletary Scholars honor veterans through acts of servant leadership
LEXINGTON, Ky. (Nov. 11, 2025) — To encourage servant leadership, Tony Colella, Singletary Scholars instructor and director of admissions and recruitment for the University of Kentucky Lewis Honors College, dedicated class time for first- and second-year students to write thank-you notes and assemble 75 goody bags for residents of Thomson-Hood Veterans Center in Wilmore, Kentucky.
Colella is a veteran himself. He served 24 years in the United States Air Force and retired in 2013 at the rank of major. He coordinated this service project to help scholars reflect on the meaning of sacrifice and gratitude. After watching a clip from the film “Taking Chance,” which offered a powerful snapshot of the experiences of veterans, students wrote heartfelt notes expressing appreciation for the veterans’ courage and service to the U.S.
First-year Singletary Scholar Grant Harper, from Glasgow, Kentucky, said acts of service to military veterans is deeply gratifying and personal to him.
“As someone who has multiple family members who have served or are serving, I understand the importance of thanking our veterans and troops,” Harper said. “While my actions seem so simple, I believe small things go a long way, especially in honoring those who fight for our freedoms we enjoy every day.”
Second-year Singletary Scholar Kathryn Sturgeon from Paris, Kentucky, said that, for her, making the gift bags and writing the cards to veterans was a show of respect, and a reminder that being a leader does not always mean being out in front.
“Projects like this one teach me that leadership means honoring those who make it possible for us to lead,” Sturgeon said. “Giving back in this way was humbling and a great reminder of the amazing people who sacrificed for our freedom.”
Lewis Honor College faculty and staff also wrote thank-you cards to the veterans to show support for their service.
Colella initiated this activity “to highlight the importance of ‘servant leadership’ to our students.”
“What excited me the most with this engagement was how impactful our Singletary Scholars responded to the event — how they embraced recognizing the service and sacrifices these veterans have made, and knowing the students made a positive impact on a hero’s day,” he said. “My hope is that others around our campus will also find ways to demonstrate kindness, caring and generosity on this Veterans Day.”
Up to 25 Otis A. Singletary Scholars are identified during the college application process for their future potential to lead lives of intellect, integrity and service in Kentucky and the world. Scholars experience all the benefits that the Lewis Honors College offers, plus the opportunity to take three one-credit courses designed to deepen their understanding of leadership and access to a dedicated honors faculty member for advice and mentorship.
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.