December 17, 2024 - Jayla McCoy & Nathan Reynolds (2024 Commencement Spotlight)
Release Date: 12/17/2024
July 1, 2025 - Matthew Kim (2025 Great Teacher)
Behind the Blue
LEXINGTON, Ky. (July 1, 2025) – The University of Kentucky Alumni Association started the Great Teacher Award program in 1961 to honor excellent teaching at the university. There have been more than 300 teachers honored since that first year. Nominations may only be submitted by current students. To receive the award, a candidate must: Hold the rank of full-time lecturer or above and have been a member of the faculty for the past three years at UK. Have superior knowledge of the subject matter. Have original and innovative classroom presentations. Demonstrate concern for...
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June 26, 2025 - Dr. Scottie Day & Dr. Bethany Hodge (Kentucky Children's Hospital)
Behind the Blue
LEXINGTON, Ky. (June 26, 2025) – When we think about children's health, we often picture check-ups, vaccinations, and the day-to-day care families receive from their pediatricians. But in Kentucky, the conversation goes much deeper. From rural access to care, to systemic poverty, to the lingering effects of the opioid epidemic, children across the Commonwealth face challenges that begin long before they step into a doctor’s office. At the same time, Kentucky Children's Hospital and the University of Kentucky are stepping up with bold strategies aimed not just at treating illness, but at...
info_outline![June 19, 2025 - Anastasia Curwood (Juneteenth) [ENCORE] show art](https://assets.libsyn.com/content/189782425?height=50&width=50)
June 19, 2025 - Anastasia Curwood (Juneteenth) [ENCORE]
Behind the Blue
LEXINGTON, Ky. (June 19, 2025) – THIS IS AN ENCORE EPISODE. On January 1st, 1863, President Abraham Lincoln issued the ‘Emancipation Proclamation’, but it wasn’t until June 19th, 1865 that the last remaining enslaved African Americans – men and women in Galveston, Texas – learned they were free. Since that time, June 19th, or “Juneteenth”, has been celebrated annually in various parts of the United States to commemorate emancipation as well as celebrate African-American culture. Still, it took until June 17th of 2021 for the day to be recognized as a federal holiday, after...
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June 12, 2025 - Lance Broeking (Transportation & Parking Updates)
Behind the Blue
LEXINGTON, Ky. (June 12, 2025) – As the University of Kentucky continues to evolve – whether through expanding student housing, major medical center construction, or increased sustainability initiatives – so too must the systems that help people navigate it all. With summer offering a brief window for more intensive work, University of Kentucky Transportation Services is executing projects ranging from garage expansions and surface lot renovations to shuttle route adjustments. “The worst thing to do is wait until [something] hits you and then be reactive. [We] always try to...
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June 4, 2025 - Gosia Chwatko (2025 Great Teacher)
Behind the Blue
LEXINGTON, Ky. (June 4, 2025) – The University of Kentucky Alumni Association started the Great Teacher Award program in 1961 to honor excellent teaching at the university. There have been more than 300 teachers honored since that first year. Nominations may only be submitted by current students. To receive the award, a candidate must: Hold the rank of full-time lecturer or above and have been a member of the faculty for the past three years at UK. Have superior knowledge of the subject matter. Have original and innovative classroom presentations. Demonstrate concern for students,...
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May 29, 2025 - Rob Edwards (Advancing Kentucky Together Network)
Behind the Blue
LEXINGTON, Ky. (May 29, 2025) – Health isn’t just about treating illness – it’s about access. It’s about education. It’s about the quality of life in every community across Kentucky. In October 2024, the University of Kentucky’s Board of Trustees made a bold statement: that UK should become the university that does more than any other in the country to improve the health of the state it serves. The creation of a new initiative, the Advancing Kentucky Together Network, is the next step in UK’s long-standing work to tackle health disparities, boost regional economies,...
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May 22, 2025 - Mark Birdwhistell (UK & Medicaid)
Behind the Blue
LEXINGTON, Ky. (May 22, 2025) – As federal lawmakers continue to examine the future of Medicaid, universities and health systems across the country are monitoring potential policy shifts that could influence how care is delivered—especially in states like Kentucky, where Medicaid plays a foundational role in supporting healthcare access. At the University of Kentucky, Medicaid is more than a funding stream—it helps fuel a wide range of clinical services, community outreach programs, and care for underserved populations. Nearly 35% of patients served by UK HealthCare are Medicaid...
info_outline![May 8, 2025 - Linda Van Eldik (Sanders-Brown Center on Aging) [ENCORE] show art](https://assets.libsyn.com/content/188065060?height=50&width=50)
May 8, 2025 - Linda Van Eldik (Sanders-Brown Center on Aging) [ENCORE]
Behind the Blue
LEXINGTON, Ky. (May 8, 2025) – THIS IS AN ENCORE PRESENTATION. The University of Kentucky Alzheimer’s Disease Research Center at the Sanders-Brown Center on Aging is celebrating 40 years of research and community impact. The center is world-renowned for its significant contributions to the field through the decades. As the UK-ADRC celebrates this milestone, we reflect on how the Center has evolved over the years and highlight some of its notable achievements. This episode of Behind the Blue features a conversation with Dr. Linda Van Eldik, Director of the Sanders-Brown Center on Aging...
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May 1, 2025 - Sophia Goodin & Sophie Ciaverelli (Spring Graduate Spotlight)
Behind the Blue
LEXINGTON, Ky. (May 1, 2025) – As the University of Kentucky prepares to celebrate its newest alumni during Commencement ceremonies on May 9th and 10th, each student walking across the stage carries a unique story of transformation and impact shaped by their time on campus. Earning a degree in any field demands dedication, perseverance and countless hours of study, but the experience of UK often provides much more, equipping students with skills and perspectives gained through community engagement, hands-on research opportunities and impactful experiences with the wider world, allowing...
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April 24, 2025 - Molly Reynolds & Anne Marie Bickel (UK's Weekly Retention Meetings)
Behind the Blue
LEXINGTON, Ky. (April 24, 2025) – University of Kentucky President Eli Capilouto often talks about the university’s overarching mission to advance the state of Kentucky. A key part of that mission is educating more and more students to help expand the workforce across the Commonwealth. Recent enrollment figures reflect this mission with record enrollment, as well as retention and graduation rates. A team from the University of Kentucky recently earned the National Student Affairs Administrators in Higher Education (NASPA) Excellence Award. The presenting team —...
info_outlineLEXINGTON, Ky. (December 12, 2024) – On Friday, December 20th, the University of Kentucky will honor its newest alumni during the December Commencement ceremonies.
On this episode of Behind the Blue, we’re spotlighting a few of those graduates, hearing their stories about their time at UK, the memories they’ll carry forward, and how they’re ready to apply what they’ve learned to the next exciting chapters of their lives.
Jayla McCoy, a graduating senior from Cleveland, Ohio, is earning her Bachelor of Science in Mechanical Engineering with a minor in Computer Science. A standout leader at the University of Kentucky, Jayla conducted undergraduate research, served as a Lead College of Engineering Ambassador, and was Chapter President of the National Society of Black Engineers.
With internships at Toyota and GE, as well as significant recognitions like the Lyman T. Johnson Torch Bearer Award, Jayla is poised to make a remarkable impact in her field.
Nathan Reynolds found his calling through personal experiences with his sister's spina bifida and his mother’s dedication as a nurse. After a pandemic detour led him to UK, he pursued a career in nursing with extraordinary focus, earning scholarships and interning in advanced pain management and AI applications in anesthesia.
From enduring a 30-degree house during the 2022 ice storm to planning a future as a nurse anesthetist, Reynolds’ UK story exemplifies resilience and compassion, offering an inspiring look at a young professional ready to transform health care. He will graduate with a Bachelor of Science in Nursing.
‘Behind the Blue’ is available via a variety of podcast providers, including iTunes and Spotify. Become a subscriber to receive new episodes of “Behind the Blue” each week. UK’s latest medical breakthroughs, research, artists and writers will be featured, along with the most important news impacting the university.
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