LEXINGTON, Ky. (Oct. 12, 2024) — Elizabeth King and Ethan Morgan were crowned 2024 University of Kentucky Homecoming queen and king during the halftime ceremonies at the UK vs. Vanderbilt Homecoming football game at Kroger Field Saturday night.
King, from Georgetown, Kentucky, is a junior pursuing dual degrees in finance and flute performance. She is a Gatton College of Business and Economics ambassador, a mentor for the college’s Women in Finance Initiative, principal flutist for the UK Wind Symphony, member of the Wildcat Marching Band and leader in the Christian Student Fellowship. As the reigning Miss Danville, King partners with Junior Achievement of the Bluegrass to promote her service initiative, Mind Your Money – Investing in Financial Literacy, bringing financial education to Kentucky’s classrooms. King is the daughter of Brent and Lindsay King.
Ethan Morgan, from Benton, Kentucky, is a senior in the Lewis Honors College majoring in biology in the College of Arts and Sciences. Morgan served as the president of HealthCare Cats, winning the 2024 Lead Blue New Student Organization of the Year Award. He also served as the inaugural president of the Kentucky Rural Health Association Chapter. Morgan has spent time participating as an active member of Phi Delta Epsilon Fraternity and serving as a university tour guide. His future plans include pursuing a career in medicine and serving rural areas of Western Kentucky. Morgan is the son of Brad and Tiffinee Morgan.
Joining King and Morgan on the field were Joseph “Jojo” Edmonds Jr. and Tiffany Madden, who were crowned Mr. and Ms. Black UK 2024 earlier this week. The Mr. and Ms. Black UK Scholarship Pageant is an annual ceremony and celebrated tradition presented by the Black Student Union in partnership with the Mu Epsilon Chapter of Delta Sigma Theta Sorority Inc.
Edmonds, from Lexington, is a junior majoring in dance in the UK College of Fine Arts. Madden, from Lexington, is a sophomore majoring in theater in the UK College of Fine Arts.
Other finalists for Homecoming queen and king are:
- Maddie Duff, a senior from Prestonburg, Kentucky, in the Lewis Honors College majoring in neuroscience and minoring in Appalachian studies. Duff serves as UK’s student body president. She is an active member of Alpha Phi Sorority, the Appalachian Health Initiative, ACTION student organization and research program, the Apollo Society, Neurocats, and Phi Delta Epsilon Medical Fraternity. Her future plans include attending medical school and returning home to Eastern Kentucky. Duff is the daughter of Jon and Meredith Duff.
- Marshae Dorsey, a senior from Lilburn, Georgia, majoring in integrated strategic communication and minoring in Spanish. As the president of Underground Perspective and the founder of the Caribbean Student Association, she is committed to creating inclusive environments and celebrating cultural diversity on campus. Her passion extends beyond the university, as she is dedicated to serving underfunded communities to improve access to better health care. Through her leadership and community involvement, she strives to make a positive impact both on and off campus. Lilburn is the daughter of Ramona Bryson and Fred Marvin Dorsey, Jr.
- Sarisha Lohano, a senior from Louisville, Kentucky, in the Lewis Honors College majoring in biology. Lohano serves as president of the Apollo Society and was the former vice president of the Lewis Honors College student council. She is also a research ambassador, Lewis Honors College student ambassador, co-captain of the Lewis Healthcare DanceBlue Team and is working on a start-up. Lohano is a researcher in the Department of Physiology and a high fall risk prevention volunteer. She spends time serving to fight childhood hunger, participating as a companionship volunteer and coaching youth sports. Her future plans include attending UK’s College of Medicine after graduation. Lohano is the daughter of Suresh and Kavita Lohano.
- Olivia Thornsbury, a senior from Pikeville, Kentucky, in the Lewis Honors College majoring in biology and minoring in Appalachian studies. Thornsbury is the president of the Appalachian Career Training in Oncology Program, vice president of recruitment for the Kentucky Rural Health Association, a member of the DanceBlue Corporate Relations committee, and a triager at the UK Salvation Army Clinic. Her future plans include attending UK’s College of Medicine after graduation. Thornsbury is the daughter of Donald and Teranda Thornsbury.
- Jacob Grider, a senior from Columbia, Kentucky, majoring in biology with a focus in pre-pharmacy and French and Francophone studies. Grider serves the campus community participating in the Student Government Association’s executive branch as the student safety coordinator and serves as the president of the Student Alumni Association and Alumni Ambassadors. His future plans include attending the UK College of Pharmacy. Grider is the son of Anthony and Gena Grider
- Luke Karem, a senior from Louisville, Kentucky, majoring in international studies. Karem serves as the president of Chi Psi fraternity and is the community development chair for DanceBlue. He always wanted to follow his sisters, Nicole and Kristen Karem’s, footsteps and attend UK. As he looks toward his future plans, he hopes to one day become a fourth-generation lawyer in his family. Karem is the son of Annette and Scott Karem.
- John Michael Morrison, a senior from Louisville, Kentucky, majoring in architecture and minoring in historic preservation. Morrison has spent time serving several different areas across campus. He was the president of the American Institute of Architecture Students, mini-marathons chair for DanceBlue and held multiple executive titles in Chi Psi fraternity. Throughout his time at UK he has developed a passion for community-driven projects, such as affordable housing, inspired by his hometown. His plans for the future include attending graduate school. Morrison is the son of Mike and Dawn Morrison.
- Sammy Tate, a senior from Lebanon, Kentucky, majoring in management and marketing with a minor in political science and an undergraduate certificate in sales. Tate enjoys spending time cheering on the Wildcats and playing pickleball. He also spends a lot of time studying and connecting with classmates at the William T. Young Library Starbucks. His future plans include attending graduate school to study higher education. Tate is the son of Gretchen Tate and Buddy and Tamara Tate.
Students are nominated to the Homecoming court by their peers. The finalists participated in the Royalty Showcase earlier this week, and the winners were then determined by student voting that took place following the showcase.
The university has been celebrating UK Homecoming 2024 this past week, with more than 50 events happening on campus and beyond. Visit https://homecoming.uky.edu/ to learn more.