February 6, 2025 - Everett McCorvey (Grand Night for Singing) [ENCORE]
Release Date: 02/06/2025
January 23, 2026 - Erik Judson (The Business of UK - Episode 004)
Behind the Blue
LEXINGTON, Ky. (January 23, 2026) – The business of college athletics is at an inflection point, and leaders across higher education are grappling with a new reality: rising costs, shifting rules and a model many say can’t hold. On this week’s episode of ‘Behind the Blue,’ UK’s Executive Vice President for Finance and Administration and Co-Executive Vice President for Health Affairs Dr. Eric Monday continues our Business of UK series with guest Erik Judson, founder and CEO of JMI Sports, for a wide-ranging conversation about the changing economics of college sports. ...
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January 14, 2026 - Ja'Mahl McDaniel and Jay Alexander (Lexington's MLK Day Celebration)
Behind the Blue
LEXINGTON, Ky. (January 14, 2026) – Monday, January 19th, 2026 will mark Lexington’s 53rd anniversary of the observance of Martin Luther King, Jr. Day, a US Federal holiday that honors the birth, life and dream of Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr., and is also the only national holiday designated as a national day of service to encourage Americans to volunteer for opportunities to improve their communities in a variety of ways. As part of the planning committee for Lexington’s annual MLK Holiday Observance, Ja’Mahl McDaniel has helped shape one of the longest-running celebrations of Dr....
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January 8, 2026 - UK President Eli Capilouto
Behind the Blue
LEXINGTON, Ky. (January 8, 2026) – As we welcome students, faculty, and staff back to campus for the spring 2026 semester, this episode of Behind the Blue offers a moment to pause, reflect, and look ahead. In December, UK President Eli Capilouto sat down for a wide-ranging conversation about the year behind us and the momentum carrying the university forward. On this episode of Behind the Blue Capilouto reflects on the close of 2025 and what it means to begin a new year with students back on campus—celebrating milestones like commencement, growing enrollment, and the continued...
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December 22, 2025 - Mitch Barnhart & Paul Archey (The Business of UK - Episode 003)
Behind the Blue
LEXINGTON, Ky. (December 22, 2025) – College athletics is undergoing one of the most significant transformations in its history, as Name, Image and Likeness (NIL) opportunities and revenue-sharing models reshape how universities support student-athletes. This week on “Behind the Blue, our recurring feature The Business of UK continues with an in-depth look at BBNIL, the University of Kentucky’s approach to NIL and its collaboration with JMI Sports. On this episode, UK Executive Vice President for Finance and...
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December 18, 2025 - Paul Archey (The Business of UK - Episode 002)
Behind the Blue
LEXINGTON, Ky. (December 18, 2025) – Strategic partnerships play a critical role in supporting the University of Kentucky’s mission, particularly in athletics, where revenue generation, fan engagement and long-term planning are increasingly complex. These complexities are well understood by Paul Archey, president of JMI Sports, the multimedia rights partner for UK Athletics and the university. On this week’s episode of “Behind the Blue,” Archey joins UK Executive Vice President for Finance and Administration and Co-Executive Vice President for Health...
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December 18, 2025 - Eric Monday (The Business of UK - Episode 001)
Behind the Blue
LEXINGTON, Ky. (December 18, 2025) – Across the Commonwealth, the University of Kentucky fulfills its land-grant mission through teaching, research, service and health care — from students discovering their passions, to researchers making breakthroughs, to clinicians providing critical care in communities of every size. But behind the work that most Kentuckians see is a complex network of decisions, partnerships and operational systems that keep the university and UK HealthCare running every day. This week, we’re launching a new...
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December 11, 2025 - Ellen London & Family (UK Family Connections)
Behind the Blue
LEXINGTON, Ky. (December 11, 2025) – There’s a first time for everything — and on Friday, 71-year-old University of Kentucky College of Education graduate Ellen London will experience a significant first: attending a graduation ceremony to accept a diploma. Ellen, who just earned her second master’s degree, didn’t attend the commencement ceremonies for her bachelor’s or first master’s degrees at other universities. She didn’t even attend her own high school graduation, saying she was “too shy” to be in the spotlight. As she dons a cap and gown for the first time and...
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December 5, 2025 - Dr. Edward Cantu (UK HealthCare's lung transplant program)
Behind the Blue
LEXINGTON, Ky. (December 5, 2025) – Kentucky has one of the nation’s highest burdens of chronic lung disease, a challenge intensified by smoking prevalence, occupational exposures and limited access to specialized care in rural communities. As UK HealthCare looks to expand its services for those with advanced lung conditions, a new leader is helping to guide that effort. Dr. Edward Cantu recently joined the University of Kentucky as director of the UK HealthCare Lung Transplantation Program and the thoracic surgery division. A surgeon whose path has taken him from Columbia University to...
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November 21, 2025 - Paul McKinney (UK Invests)
Behind the Blue
LEXINGTON, Ky. (November 21, 2025) – As the cost of higher education continues to challenge students and families nationwide, the University of Kentucky is taking a different approach — one that goes beyond tuition and scholarships to equip students with long-term financial confidence. Since 2022, has helped students earn up to $500 each year by participating in activities tied to wellness, engagement, employability skills and financial literacy, with funds deposited directly into individual Fidelity investment accounts. For , UK’s Associate Vice President for Student Financial...
info_outline![November 14, 2025 - Dr. Scottie Day & Dr. Bethany Hodge (Kentucky Children's Hospital becomes Golisano Children's at UK) [ENCORE] show art](https://assets.libsyn.com/content/195456615?height=50&width=50)
November 14, 2025 - Dr. Scottie Day & Dr. Bethany Hodge (Kentucky Children's Hospital becomes Golisano Children's at UK) [ENCORE]
Behind the Blue
LEXINGTON, Ky. (November 14, 2025) – THIS IS AN ENCORE EPISODE. When we think about children’s health, we often picture checkups, 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, what was known as Kentucky Children’s Hospital — now newly renamed , following a historic $50 million...
info_outlineLEXINGTON, Ky. (February 6, 2025) – [THIS IS AN ENCORE EPISODE] For over three decades, Everett McCorvey has been the driving force as director of UK Opera Theatre, which is part of the School of Music at the UK College of Fine Arts. The school has earned a national reputation for excellence in opera, choral and instrumental music performance, as well as in music education, music therapy, composition, theory, and music history.
As the first African American to earn a doctoral degree in music from the University of Alabama, McCorvey is personally committed to creating opportunities for UK students from diverse backgrounds to thrive.
One of McCorvey’s most renowned projects is ‘It’s A Grand Night for Singing!’, a vibrant, high-energy musical showcase featuring hits from Broadway and beyond. Since its inception in 1992, ‘Grand Night’ has captivated audiences with its Emmy Award-winning performances, highlighting the best of Broadway both past and present.
On this episode of ‘Behind the Blue’, McCorvey shares insights into his upbringing in Montgomery, Alabama, the experiences that motivated him to pursue both performance and teaching and offers a preview of this year’s ‘Grand Night’ lineup.
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.
Behind the Blue is a joint production of the University of Kentucky and UK HealthCare. Transcripts for this or other episodes of Behind the Blue can be downloaded from the show’s blog page.
To discover how the University of Kentucky is advancing our Commonwealth, click here.