This year, the College of Arts & Sciences celebrated the 20th anniversary of its Hall of Fame induction ceremony. Over the last 20 years, we have recognized 79 alumni and faculty whose contributions to the College, University, Commonwealth and beyond are far-reaching. Over the past few weeks, I have been highlighting each of this year’s inductees. Today, I am honored to recognize our second faculty inductee Dr. Penny Miller.

A native of Binghamton, New York, Dr. Miller earned her B.A. (1965) and M.A. (1967) in Political Science from the University of Kentucky. As a young woman, she founded the Metro Group Homes and co-chaired Lexington Jewish Women’s Federation. When her children, Jonathan and Jennifer, were nearly grown, she returned to the Department of Political Science to earn her Ph.D. in 1986. After three years teaching at Temple

This year, the College of Arts & Sciences celebrated the 20th anniversary of its Hall of Fame induction ceremony. Over the last 20 years, we have recognized 79 alumni and faculty whose contributions to the College, University, Commonwealth and beyond are far-reaching. Over the next few weeks, I will be highlighting each of this year’s inductees. Today, I am honored to recognize one of our faculty inductees Dr. Bradley Canon.

Dr. Canon was born in Chicago in 1937. After the war, his family moved to Florida and he grew up in West Palm Beach and Hollywood. He graduated from Florida State University where he was editor of the student newspaper. After serving in the Army, he went to graduate school at the University of Wisconsin, earning a Ph.D. in political science.

Dr. Canon joined the faculty of the Department of Political Science in 1966.

This year, the College of Arts & Sciences celebrated the 20th anniversary of its Hall of Fame induction ceremony. Over the last 20 years, we have recognized 79 alumni and faculty whose contributions to the College, University, Commonwealth and beyond are far-reaching. Over the next few weeks, I will be highlighting each of this year’s inductees. Today, I am honored to recognize Bob Trunzo.

A native of Louisville, Kentucky, Robert (Bob) N. Trunzo earned a bachelor’s degree in political science from the University of Kentucky in 1978 and a law degree from Marquette University in 1981. He completed the Kellogg School of Management Executive Program at the Kellogg Management Institute at Northwestern University in 2011.

Bob became the eighth president and chief executive officer of CUNA Mutual Group on Jan. 1, 2014. Prior to joining CUNA

By Whitney Hale, Amy Jones-Timoney, and Kody Kiser

The accolades for the Commonwealth’s food scene have been rolling in the last several years, and few leaders are as responsible for growing the state’s culinary landscape as University of Kentucky alumna Ouita Michel.

At UK's home football game Saturday, the celebrated chef and restaurateur was recognized for her work as one of the original champions of Kentucky’s local food movement.

A James Beard Foundation Award nominee as Outstanding Restaurateur and Best Chef Southeast, Michel has built a regional restaurant empire that now includes such popular establishments as Zim’s Cafe, Honeywood, Holly Hill

Justin Wedeking's recent U.S. Supreme Court research receives NSF grant to continue study of online Supereme Court news stories

By Madison Dyment

Usually when accepting a professor position, you’re faced with the challenge of balancing research and teaching requirements. For some professors, like political science professor Justin Wedeking, you not only rise to the challenge, but also excel in it. 

Wedeking is a full professor in the Department of Political Science while also serving as the Department’s Associate Chair and its Director of Graduate Studies. Coming to UK in 2007, he has been part of the University for 13 years. 

“I’d been studying law and courts and judicial behavior and UK had such a strong reputation in that area of focus, so this job was a great chance to carry on that torch and legacy by working here,” Wedeking

“Allia S. Kabbani is a recipient of the 2019 Criminal Division’s Assistant Attorney General’s Awards For Distinguished Service to the Criminal Division of the U.S. Department of Justice. She is recognized for her service in the Criminal Division’s Office of International Affairs and the significant support provided in the case entitled United States v. Rivera Weir, et al., that arose from an investigation into a conspiracy to smuggle illegal aliens into the United States and which resulted in the rape and murder of victims during and in relation to the criminal scheme.”

DOJ Press release:

Alumni Spotlight: Betty Moore Sandler

By Julie Wrinn

Choosing a college major is harder for some students than for others, but for Betty Moore Sandler (B.A. Political Science ’69, J.D. ’81) it was a piece of cake. “I was always interested in politics,” she explained. “My father was a local politician. He was County Court Clerk in Floyd County for 12 years. My mother was his chief deputy. I literally walked home from elementary school to the courthouse, where I stayed until they went home from work.”

One of Sandler’s earliest memories is of a County Clerks Association meeting in Louisville, where her father at age 23 had become its youngest ever president. “I remember being in the ballroom and Daddy being at the microphone,” she said. Primary elections were always more contested that general elections, and because there were paper ballots, the outcome could take

UK Ph.D. Andrea Malji was an invited speaker at Honolulu's 150th birthday celebration for Mahatma Gandhi. Prof. Malji addressed the continuing legacy of non-violent resistance. A delegation from Goa, India, attended the event, as did local Hawaiian officials such as U.S. Rep. Ed Case (D-1st).

Keynote speakers were: Lt Gov Josh Green, Congressman Ed Case, and Judith Jenya, Esq.

Sponsors: The City and County of Honolulu, Indian-American Friendship Council, Spark Matsunaga Peace Institute, Ceeds of Peace, Iolani School, Still & Moving Center, Down to Earth, MOA Wellness Center, Vegetarian Society of Hawaii Health Foundation, Center for Attitudinal Healing, Master Sha’s Tao Healing Center, UNA Hawaii, ISKCON Temple, Global Media Productions, Olelo Community Television, Hawaii Health Guide.

Bushra Bani-Salman is a senior political science major at the University of Kentucky. As a transfer student who has only been at UK for two years, she has already made an impact on campus, especially within the political science department. Originally from Louisville, she always had a desire to go to UK. Bushra described coming to UK as both exciting and nerve-wracking, but 100% worth it.  She says there’s a tremendous difference between who she was before enrolling and who she is now. Now, not only is she excited to go to class and stay on campus throughout the day (and sometimes night), but she has many more goals set in place and sees herself and her life more clearly than she previously imagined. She credits a lot of this change to the professors she has interacted with in the department. She said the professors here seem like they care, like they want her to succeed and

By Jenny Wells-Hosley

The University of Kentucky College of Arts and Sciences will induct six new members into its Hall of Fame this week. 

This year marks the Hall of Fame’s 20th anniversary and the induction ceremony will take place at 6 p.m. Friday, Oct. 4, in the Gatton Student Center's Worsham Cinema.

This year's honorees include:

Alumni Inductees:

Anne C. Deaton, English, bachelor's degree (1967)

Deaton grew up in Brooklyn, New York, but her father’s employment with IBM brought her to Lexington at age 13. After attending Lexington Catholic High School, Deaton entered the College of Arts and Sciences and devoured her courses, especially those in her major (English) and minor (history). She enthusiastically joined extracurricular

By Ryan Girves

Rachel White is a senior international studies and political science major in the College of Arts and Sciences.

Two University of Kentucky students, Amani Shalash, early childhood education major, and Rachel Wright, international studies and political science major, were awarded the Phi Kappa Phi (PKP) Study Abroad Grant. Shalash and Wright were two of 75 students nationwide to receive the $1,000 award. 

The study abroad grants are designed to help support undergraduates as they seek knowledge and experience in their academic fields by studying abroad. This award is open to any enrolled undergraduate student at UK because the university is home to an active chapter in good standing with the national office. To apply, students must have a cumulative grade-point average of 3.75 or higher on a

By Jenny Wells

The University of Kentucky Lewis Honors College presented two new college awards — the Diachun Scholar Award and the Evans Scholar Award — to two graduating seniors at the end of the 2019-2020 academic year.

Meghana Kudrimoti, who graduated with degrees in biology and political science in the UK College of Arts and Sciences, was the recipient of the Diachun Scholar Award. This award is given to a graduating senior in a science or related field who has the highest academic achievement among their peers.

While at UK, Kudrimoti was a Gaines Fellow, Chellgren

By Lindsey Piercy

Although students are excited to start their journey in higher education, there is often a feeling of apprehension. One of the most anxiety-producing tasks? Registering for classes.

Choosing from a variety of professors, scheduling your courses and getting enough credit hours can be extremely stressful. That's why the College of Arts and Sciences at the University of Kentucky has spent the last three years rethinking and restructuring the process.

Dean Mark Kornbluh takes great pride in offering innovative core classes — courses that were originally designed with freshmen in mind. “We want to make sure our incoming students start their college career on the right foot, with all

By Lori Adams

The University of Kentucky has released its Dean's List for the spring 2019 semester. A total of 6,562 students were recognized for their outstanding academic performance. 

To make a Dean’s List in one of the UK colleges, a student must earn a grade-point average of 3.6 or higher and must have earned 12 credits or more in that semester, excluding credits earned in pass-fail classes. Some UK colleges require a 3.5 GPA to make the Dean’s List.

The full Dean's List can be accessed by visiting: www.uky.edu/PR/News/DeansList/.

The University of Kentucky is increasingly the first choice for students, faculty and staff to pursue their passions and their professional goals. In the last two years, Forbes has named UK among the best employers for diversity and

By Jenny Wells-Hosley

The 2019-20 University Research Professors. Photo by Ben Corwin, Research Communications.

This week, the University of Kentucky Board of Trustees approved 16 University Research Professorships for the 2019-20 academic year.

The purpose of the University Research Professorship program is to recognize and publicize research accomplishments of scholars across the full range of disciplines at UK. The award amount is $10,000 for one year, to be used to further the research, scholarship and creative endeavors of the awardee.  

“It is truly gratifying to recognize these distinguished experts who have made significant contributions in so many different fields of research at the University of Kentucky,” said Lisa Cassis, UK’s vice president for research. “The University Research Professorship Awards honor 16

By Julie Wrinn

Trust in political institutions is waning in many parts of the world, including in the United States, and Political Science doctoral student Gregory Saxton wants to figure out why. He received an extremely competitive $15,000 National Science Foundation (NSF) dissertation research grant to study perceptions of fairness, political support, and representation in conditions of economic inequality in Argentina. His research portrays how high levels of inequality challenge a fundamental principle of democracy and also erode citizens’ support for democracy.

For any graduate student, receiving an NSF dissertation grant is a very big deal: in terms of prestige and resume-boosting, it’s on par with publication in a leading research journal. It is likely to position that student in the top tier of consideration for a tenure track position. So how did Saxton win

By Rebecca Longo

Top, l to r: Eli O’Neal, Chase Carleton, Melynda Price (director). Middle: Claire Hilbrecht, Josh Ehl, Carson Hardee. Front: Aileen Tierney, Hannah Thomas, Bria Northington, Daniela Gamez. Not pictured: Will Kueshner, Nicole Blackstone, Megan Yadav.

The University of Kentucky Gaines Center for the Humanities has selected 12 undergraduate students as new scholars for the Gaines Fellowship Program.

The Gaines Fellowship is presented in recognition of outstanding academic performance, demonstrated ability to conduct independent research, an interest in public issues and a desire to enhance understanding of the human condition through the humanities. Founded in 1984 by a generous gift from John and

By Chris Crumrine, Amy Jones-Timoney, Kody Kiser, and Brad Nally

“To actually be in Washington, D.C. is unlike anything that you can experience in a classroom or here in Kentucky,” says Hayley Leach. “The hands-on experience is unlike anything you can get.”

That is the primary goal of the University of Kentucky’s WilDCats at the Capitol program — to provide students with unique opportunities in the nation’s capital; support them through organized housing, academic credit and financial aid; and provide a rewarding and professional experience that will serve them beyond graduation.

Over the last year, more than 40 UK students from multiple disciplines have walked the halls of Congress alongside elected officials and policymakers, gaining a dynamic academic and professional

By Lindsey Piercy

UK alumnus Nick Wilson is competing on the season finale of the 37th season of "Survivor."

Will Nick Wilson outwit, outplay and outlast the remaining five competitors on the 37th season of "Survivor"? The UK alumnus is still vying for the title of "Sole Survivor" and the $1 million prize. The long-awaited, three-hour season finale is set to air 8 p.m. tonight (Wednesday), Dec. 19, on CBS.

With Fiji as the backdrop, this edition of "Survivor" started with 20

By Jenny Wells

When Kendall Hitch came to the University of Kentucky from Troy, Michigan, as a freshman in 2014, she was nervous about making it "on her own." After all, she was in a different state, a different community and in many ways, a different culture from her home up north. But she says she quickly learned there is no such thing as self-made person.

"We’re all where we are today because of the support of family, friends, mentors and fellow human beings," Hitch said.

Hitch used this knowledge to immediately begin giving back to others — in the UK and Lexington communities and beyond. She spent the next four years advocating for human rights and education, teaching English, and empowering people all around the world.

"Everywhere I have gone I have seen such a huge gap in the desire to learn and the resources present to serve that