In September 2018, the University of Kentucky launched Kentucky Can: The 21st Century Campaign, a comprehensive, historic undertaking that will support our core mission of educating the next generation, advancing knowledge through world-class research and bettering the lives of the people of the commonwealth, the nation and the world, today and long into the future. Over the next few years, UK aims to raise $2.1 billion to support programs that make a difference every day. Through a focus on student success, research and increasing our endowment, this campaign will build upon the enormous progress of the university over the last decade and ensure our place as one of the nation’s preeminent public universities for future generations.
For the College of Arts & Sciences, we hope that our alumni, who number over 50,000, will take a leadership role in our monumental effort. We are the oldest and largest college in the university, teaching 85 percent of general education credit hours and almost half of all undergraduate credit hours. We aim to raise $55 million towards the University’s overall goal, and we are well on our way—as of March 1, 2019, $45.5 million has been raised. Much of the credit for this incredible progress is owed to the generosity and tireless efforts of our A&S Campaign Committee, whose 17 members began their work behind the scenes a full year in advance of the Campaign launch in September 2018. The breadth and depth of their service to the College, UK and Kentucky is hard to overstate.
There are many ways that you can join our dedicated committee members in making a difference. Consider attending a UK alumni event regularly held in many regions of the U.S. or an Arts & Sciences event featuring one of the College’s 440 faculty members speaking about their teaching and research. Meet with a volunteer Campaign Committee member in your area—their cities of residence are listed on page 19—to learn more about how you can participate in the campaign. Our philanthropy officers travel widely and are available to meet you where you live or work. Finally, return to Lexington for Homecoming weekend on October 11-12, 2019, or visit us anytime your schedule brings you to Lexington. We would love to see you, and I know you will enjoy reconnecting with your department, seeing for yourself how the campus has been transformed and meeting our students.
Kentucky Can is essential for ensuring the College’s continued growth and success. More important, it will expand our mission of education and service to the state. We are undertaking an ambitious effort but a necessary one. It is time to inspire others, to stand together, to show everyone that there is no limit to what the University of Kentucky can do.
Kentucky Can Funding Priorities for the College of Arts & Sciences
- A major focus of the campaign is support for innovative research, particularly research focused on Kentucky’s health disparities. Disproportionately, Kentuckians suffer from cancer, diabetes, obesity, cardiovascular disease and substance abuse. UK is assembling teams across disciplines, including A&S faculty in Biology, Chemistry and Psychology, to study these concerns and develop solutions that will not only help Kentuckians but also strengthen and cure communities nationally and globally.
- The Arts & Sciences Academic Excellence Fund supports scholarships to deserving students, summer internships that lead students towards a career path and hands-on research that introduces a myriad of opportunities for exploring science or preparing for medical training.
- The Wimberly C. Royster Arts & Sciences Graduate Excellence Fund provides support to attract and retain the most talented graduate students. Graduate education is the linchpin of teaching and research, and the College produces the most doctoral degrees at UK.
- Endowed support is critically important to the long-term success of the College, enabling us to attract and retain top faculty, create innovative programs and expand and support the research enterprise, distinguishing the University among its peers.
- The magnificent Don & Cathy Jacobs Science Building is an example of how modern, thoughtfully designed space can have an impact on our mission and student success. We have a vision to transform the Chemistry-Physics (p. 3) and the Psychology buildings in the same manner. Campaign gifts will provide the space and resources students and faculty need to make groundbreaking discoveries.
- Increasing our scholarship fund also will increase our graduation rates. The College of Arts & Sciences is commited to helping students stay in school and graduate on time. We are graduating more students than ever before, and most of those are graduating in four years or less. We plan to build upon this momentum, graduating more students with less debt who are eminently prepared to join the workforce.