By Mary Venuto

The American Geophysical Union (AGU) is a nonprofit organization of geophysicists with over 62,000 members from 144 countries. At their most recent meeting last December, 24,000 people presented and discussed the newest interdisciplinary and international research in geophysics, which makes Liz Pillar’s accomplishments all the more impressive.

Pillar, a graduate student in the Department of Chemistry at UK, received the “Outstanding Student Paper Award” (OSPA) at AGU’s fall 2013 meeting. Only the top 3% of presenters are awarded an OSPA. This award recognizes the quality research that Pillar has conducted in atmospheric chemistry.

“I was shocked to win,” said Pillar “I had no

by Kieth Hautala, Mike Lynch

(Jan. 31, 2014) — The New Madrid Seismic Zone is in the news again, following the Jan. 23 publication of a paper by the journal Science, titled "The New Madrid Seismic Zone: Not Dead Yet."

The study has been widely reported, drawing attention to the New Madrid Seismic Zone (NMSZ), a fault system which extends into five states, including the western part of Kentucky. The Kentucky Geological Survey (KGS) and the University of Kentucky Department of Earth and Environmental Sciences have studied the NMSZ for decades.

KGS operates a network of seismographs in this zone, including the Central U.S. Seismic Observatory, just a few miles from the town of New Madrid, Mo. UK has been monitoring seismic activity on the NMSZ for more than 30 years. Dozens of small earthquakes are recorded by the Kentucky Seismic and

Poet Tracy K. Smith reads from "Life of Mars" on PBS' "NewsHour." 

by Whitney Hale

(Jan. 30, 2014) — The Kentucky Women Writers Conference will feature Pulitzer Prize-winning poet Tracy K. Smith as its keynote speaker at the 2014 conference, scheduled for Sept. 12 and 13. Smith’s appearance is being supported in part by University of Kentucky Libraries.

Tracy K. Smith is the author of three award-winning books of poetry, including her most recent collection, "Life on Mars" (Graywolf, 2011), the 2012 Pulitzer Prize winner and New York Times Notable Book. The collection draws on science fiction film, literature and

by Whitney Hale

(Jan. 30, 2014) — As the Chinese Lunar New Year approaches, University of Kentucky Libraries presents an exhibition featuring two slide shows and a display of "Celestial Horses" in honor of the Year of the Horse. All three displays can be seen in William T. Young Library.

A reproduction of "Celestial Horses," a silk painting presented by the artist, General Yeh Tsui Pai, to the university, is on display in the atrium of Young Library. The inscription on the banner commemorates the 100th anniversary of the institution. The original silk banner, housed in the UK Special Collections, is in fragile condition and not suitable for display. The banner was

by Whitney Hale

(Jan. 28, 2014) — Renowned chemist, novelist and playwright Carl Djerassi, known for his work in organic chemistry and as a father of insect and human birth control, will take part in several events being held Feb. 13-15, at the University of Kentucky.

During his visit to the Bluegrass, Djerassi will participate in three events. He will first serve as the featured speaker at a luncheon for business and academic leaders. The talk, "Academic Entrepreneurship: Facts through Fiction," will feature his perspective on academic-business relationships in science and technology and will be followed by a question and answer session. The luncheon will begin at noon Thursday, Feb. 13, at the Hilary J. Boone Center. Cost for the

by Derrick Meads

(Jan. 29, 2014) — The University of Kentucky ranked in the top 10 for Fulbright Scholar Awards received by its faculty in 2013-14.  Many of the applicants were advised by David Adams, the former director of the East Asia/Pacific region for the Fulbright Program, whom the UK International Center (UKIC) brought to campus in 2012. 

To continue this success, UKIC will bring two Fulbright consultants to UK this spring.

On Monday, Feb. 10, Dom Caristi, professor of telecommunications at Ball State University, will lead two workshops and meet privately with interested faculty to select an award and prepare an effective application.  The workshop will take place in Study Room 1 of the Fine Arts

LEXINGTON, Ky. (Jan. 29, 2014) — College & Research Libraries News, published by the Association of College and Research Libraries (ACRL), currently is featuring a familiar image as its January 2014 issue cover photo — an Aztec tribute poster from "A Glimpse into Ancient Mexico: Writings of the Aztecs, Mixtec and Maya" exhibit at the University of Kentucky's William T. Young Library.

The exhibit at Young Library is one of many events presented by UK Libraries as part of UK College of Arts & Sciences "Passport to the World: ¡Viva México!,"

by Whitney Hale



(Jan. 28, 2014) — Evan Sweet, a University of Kentucky geography senior from Brooklyn, N.Y., has been selected to present the 20th annual Edward T. Breathitt Undergraduate Lectureship in the Humanities at 7 p.m. Thursday, Jan. 30, in the UK Athletics Auditorium at William T. Young Library. Sweet's free public lecture focuses on how "slums" are depicted in society and in particular in Oaxaca, Mexico.

The Breathitt Lectureship was named for an outstanding UK alumnus who

by Jenny Wells, Derrick Meads

(Jan. 27, 2013) — Former governor of Utah, 2012 presidential candidate and former U.S. Ambassador to China and Singapore Gov. Jon Huntsman will visit the University of Kentucky next month.  His talk, “China: Opportunities and Challenges,” will take place at 7 p.m. Thursday, Feb. 20, in UK’s Memorial Hall. While tickets are required for entry, the event is free and open to the public.

Huntsman will discuss his years of experience working closely with American business owners to facilitate commerce in the growing Asian market, and outline ways to bring jobs and capital back to America, engage China from a position of strength and level the economic playing field in order to protect the U.S. economy.

View a flyer about the event.

article courtesy of the University of Kentucky College of Pharmacy

(Jan. 21, 2014) - A University of Kentucky research study published in the Journal of the American Medical Association (JAMA) is the first to be recognized as a UK College of Pharmacy Research Publication Highlight of the Year. Every month the College honors the best research publication submitted by faculty, postdocs and graduate students as a way to recognize outstanding research and scholarship generated within the College. Out of the 12 monthly publication recipients in 2013, the JAMA article received the top award for 2013.

The title of the publication is “Association Between Pseudoephedrine Sales and Reported Clandestine Methamphetamine Laboratory Seizures in Kentucky.” The authors are Jeffery Talbert, Karen Blumenschein and Trish Freeman, each of whom is a faculty member in the College’s

By Guy Spriggs

(January 23, 2014)  – The visiting South Korean teachers currently studying at UK are part of a long line of successful educational partnerships for the University’s Center for English as a Second Language (CESL) program. The experience for these teachers, however, is a bit different: they are the first to receive graduate credit by participating UK’s newly-formed master’s program in Teaching English as a Second Language (TESL).

“This is a brand new program. We got approval over the summer and our first class arrived this fall,” said Francis Bailey, director of the TESL master’s program.

According to Bailey, the program is organized around the principle that

Video by UK Public Relations and Marketing

by Keith Hautala

(Jan. 22, 2014) — More than 5,000 individuals have signed up to take a free college-preparatory chemistry course online through the University of Kentucky.

The "Advanced Chemistry" course, beginning Jan. 27, will be the university’s first to use Coursera, a leading platform for MOOCs (massive open online courses). The non-credit course is designed to prepare incoming and current students for college-level chemistry classes, and to provide supplemental material for students already enrolled in chemistry classes for credit.

The 10-week course is made up of five two-part units, with each part intended to be completed in a week. Each

by Gail Hairston

(Jan. 17, 2014) — Students, faculty and staff affiliated with the University of Kentucky’s Martin Luther King Center wanted to highlight Martin Luther King Jr.’s legacy this January.  Their brainstorming brought them around full circle to an old favorite — the campus vigil.

“The vigil stands as a way to remember Dr. King’s message and convey how important it is to keep his message alive,” said interim center director Kahlil Baker. “Dr. King strived to eradicate social injustice, violence and racism, and we want to celebrate that.”

For this year’s commemoration, on Jan. 19, the Sunday before Martin Luther King Jr. Day, the students, faculty and staff affiliated with the King Center have organized a vigil and march that will take participants on a

by Keith Hautala

(Jan. 17, 2014) — Kentucky Poet Laureate Frank X Walker has been nominated for an NAACP Image Award.

Walker, founder of the Affrilachian Poets and an associate professor of English at the University of Kentucky, is being recognized for his most recent book of poetry, "Turn Me Loose: The Unghosting of Medgar Evers."

The book, revolving around the civil rights leader's 1963 murder in Mississippi, was published last year, the 50th anniversary of the killing. Walker crafted the poems in the voices of individuals central to the event: Evers' widow, Myrlie

by Jenny Wells

(Jan. 16, 2014) — Next week, University of Kentucky students will have an opportunity to learn how to gain global skills and make a difference in the lives of others.

An information session about joining the Peace Corps will take place from 5 to 6 p.m. Thursday, Jan. 23, in Room 408 of the Stuckert Career Center.

Represenatives from the Peace Corps will discuss the personal and professional rewards of international outreach and service work, along with career advantages and higher education benefits that come with Peace Corps service.

Walk-ins are welcome, but attendees may also pre-register at www.peacecorps.gov/volunteer/learn/meet/events/7598/

About Peace Corps

More than 8,000 volunteers of all

by Derrick Meads

(Jan. 15, 2014) — Although it is Viva México in the University of Kentucky’s College of Arts and Sciences’ Passport to the World initiative, very few students choose to study there.

To open opportunities for international study in Mexico, a delegation of faculty from UK, Bluegrass Community and Technical College (BCTC) and Jefferson Community and Technical College (JCTC) visited Oaxaca, Mexico to review Sol Education Abroad (an affiliate education abroad partner of UK). Led by UK Education Abroad, the faculty members also assessed health and safety concerns and engaged with faculty at Oaxaca’s academic

by Alicia Gregory

(Jan. 15, 2014) — A memorial celebration is planned in honor of Marybeth McAlister, longtime communications manager at the University of Kentucky Center for Applied Energy Research (CAER), who died of complications of influenza and pneumonia Jan. 8, 2014.  She was 53.

The memorial will be held from 4 to 6 p.m. Saturday, Jan. 18, at the Spindletop Administration Building on the UK CAER campus, 2624 Research Park Drive, off Ironworks Pike.  A fund has been established for a memorial bench in McAlister's name at The Arboretum. Contributions to the Marybeth McAlister Donation Fund may be made at any Central Bank branch or mailed to Central Bank and Trust Co., P.O. Box 1360, Lexington, KY 40588-1360.

 In December 2012, McAlister had a cord blood stem cell transplant

by Keith Hautala

(Jan. 15, 2014) — A one-day symposium at the University of Kentucky will showcase the role of professional writing in the rise of the craft beer industry.

"Craft Writing: Beer, The Digital, and Craft Culture," presented by the Division of Writing, Rhetoric and Digital Studies in the UK College of Arts and Sciences, will take place from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. Saturday, Feb. 15, in the Center Theater of the UK Student Center. The symposium will include presentations by prominent, well-regarded brewers and professional writers from the craft beer industry.

The keynote speaker will be Garrett Oliver, Brooklyn Brewery brewmaster, editor of "The Oxford Companion to Beer," author of "The Brewmaster’s Table," and a regular contributor to "All About Beer."

Craft beer, comprising smaller breweries with annual production of less than six

By Guy Spriggs

On January 27, 2014, the Department of Gender & Women’s Studies (GWS) will host “What You Can Do With a GWS Major,” a virtual panel of GWS degree-holders demonstrating the wide range of futures made possible by a degree in GWS. The event will be held from 2-4pm at Hardymon Theatre in the Marksbury Building (329 Rose Street).

The goal of the event is to show students the applicability of the interdisciplinary training that is the cornerstone of the GWS Department at UK.

“GWS is deeply interdisciplinary, and we have historically been that way as a field,” explained Karen Tice, chair of GWS at UK. “Students come from a lot of various backgrounds and have a lot of different career aspirations. Across fields – from English to biology – coursework

A team of students and staff from the University of Kentucky Department of Statistics worked at the Kentucky Energy and Environment Cabinet to design the Kentucky Electricity Portfolio Model, which is being used by leadership in Frankfort to evaluate energy and environmental policy. The model responds to highly variable factors such as weather, fuel prices, and federal environmental policy, to identify the optimal electricity portfolio and forecast electricity prices, demand, emissions, fuel consumption, employment, and economic growth. The following report discusses the results of early model output and some of the potential economic implications of changing Kentucky's electricity generating portfolio.

View the EEC Model Report (pdf) here.