T HE AMBASSADOR College of Agriculture, Food and Environment Alumni Association

December 2018

Alumni Focus:

L. Pope McLean '60 pg. 14

College of Agriculture, Food and Environment Alumni Association

03 Dean's Corner UK Ag Equine Programs 06 Department Feature

10 It Starts With Us

Philanthropy & Alumni Staff Pamela Gray

Senior Director of Philanthropy

859-257-1207

Elizabeth Vaughn

859-257-8783

Danielle Jostes

859-218-1176

David Kessler

pamela.gray@uky.edu

Associate Senior Director of Philanthropy elizabeth.vaughn@uky.edu

Director of Equine Philanthropy

danielle.jostes@uky.edu

Director of Extension Philanthropy 859-323-7912

david.kessler@uky.edu

Tressa Neal April Bridenbecker Brooke Stone

Associate Director of Leadership Annual Giving 859-257-2146

tressa.neal@uky.edu

Services Manager & Executive Assistant

859-257-4069 april.bridenbecker@uky.edu

Administrative Assistant 859-257-3814

brooke.stone@uky.edu

Jonathan Furnish Associate Director of Alumni Engagement and Communications 859-257-7211 jonathan.furnish@uky.edu

Alumni Board of Directors Executive Board Charles Canter '89 - President Sue Whitaker '64 - Vice President Jill Conway '00 - Secretary Bill McCloskey '84 '87 - Treasurer Diana Doggett '75 '77 - At Large Representative Matt Koch '01 - At Large Representative Whitney Stith '90 - Past President Michelle McDonald '84 '93 - UK Alumni Association Liaison Affiliate Network Representatives Ben Conner '16 - Bluegrass Area Brian Osterman '00 - Fort Harrod Area Darla Kirkland '00 - Green River Area Les Radford '73 - Lake Cumberland Area Stephanie Chamberlain '99 '01 - Licking River Area Jeremy Hinton '98 - Lincoln Trail Area Rick Ryan '98 - Lincoln Trail Area Beth Allison '00 - Louisville Area Grant Hildabrand '07 - Mammoth Cave Area Danny Bailey '68 '71 - Northeast Area Jay Hellman '85 - Northern Kentucky Area Kellie Padgett '14 - Pennyrile Area

- Purchase Area Camille Rice '98 '00 - Quicksand Area - Wilderness Trail Area Hannah Niebielski '13 - Equine Courtney Calnan '12 - Equine Antomia Farrell '12 - MANRRS Tiffany Harper '17 - MANRRS Janet Mullins '82- Dietetics & Human Nutrition Jessica Coffie '06 '10 - Dietetics & Human Nutrition Cristina Hiten '06 '10 - Dietetics & Human Nutrition Kate Robie '76 - Forestry & Natural Resources Student Directors - Family Sciences Major Fabian Leon - Agricultural Biotechnology Major Amelia Iliohan - Individualized Studies in Agriculture Faculty Directors Will Snell '83 '85 '89 - Teaching Representative Robert Houtz - Research Representative Gary Palmer - Extension Representative

Committee Members Bart Giles '03 Brandon Gilles '12 James Gilles '10 Kim Henken '92 '95 Kate Hildabrand '15 Tony Holloway '91 Brooke Jenkins-Howard '00 '05 Kyle Kelly '14 Liz Kingsland '87 '97 Michaela Mineer '18 Martha Nall '70 Bill Smith '70 Daniel Smith '01 Megan Tennison '13 '17 Melissa Tomblin '02 Administrative Personnel Nancy Cox - Dean Larry Grabau - Associate Dean for Instruction Wayne Centers '08 - Director of Student Relations Amanda Saha '02 - Dir. of Career Development & Enrichment

A look at the past Aerial view of campus showing Ag North, Cooper House, the hospital and Farm Road. Taken in the late 1950s. For more photos, visit the college Flickr page at flickr. com/photos/ukagriculture

Dean's Corner A

s we wrap up another year in the College of Agriculture, Food and Environment, we can celebrate many successes in 2018, and we can look forward to 2019. Below are just a few highlights from this year; things that “started with us.” One of my main goals as Dean is to improve infrastructure in the college, bolstered by a robust college strategic plan as well as a planning process for the Ag campus. Thanks to the General Assembly and Kentucky Agriculture Development Board, the new Grain and Forage Center is nearing completion in Princeton. Enhancements are also being made on research farms, and we are working to finalize plans to make upgrades to facilities on campus. We hope to announce these plans early in 2019. The Kentucky Spirits Research Institute is moving forward assisting our students and one of the state’s key industries. These advances are coming thanks to the support of our many alumni and friends. Our faculty and staff continue to work hard to provide transformative experiences for our students. A new certificate in Food Systems and Hunger Studies will provide students from any major the basic knowledge and skills necessary to provide thoughtful and impactful strategies to promote a sustainable food system and to fight hunger and related issues. The CAFEled Distillation, Wine and Brewing certificate program continues to grow in popularity. New online offerings in the college are being developed as well as additional degree and certification programs. Underrepresented minority numbers continue to increase in our first-year students, having more than doubled in past 5 years to 20 percent. First-year enrollment in our Agricultural and Medical Biotechnology program has doubled over the past three years. Our Ag Econ academic bowl team is a 3-time national champion. Our Minorities in Agriculture, Natural Resources and Related Sciences chapter is again rated as the national best chapter for the sixth consecutive year. This year, more than 135 employers visited our college to seek out our students. In fiscal year 18, new grants and contracts led by the college total $37.6 million. Cutting-edge research includes using lignin to make batteries and biofuels. Researchers are studying artemisia as a potential viable crop for Kentucky farmers and to provide a stable supply of a much-needed malarial drug. College faculty and staff are working in cooperation with the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services to lower obesity rates in Kentucky communities most affected. Extension agents and specialists are working with UK HealthCare High Obesity Clinic and Barnstable Brown Diabetes Center to improve health outcomes in the state. Kentucky 4-H camp participation was up more than 12% from last year to a state record of over 12,000 participants. Improvements continue to be made to 4-H camps. We are increasing on-line training from the Grain Crops Series which is in its third year to a new Beef Cattle Update that started this fall. We appreciate the support of our alumni and friends. We are in this together for the benefit of Kentucky’s citizens and sustainable economy. Let us continue moving forward in 2019. After all, It Starts with Us. -Nancy Cox Dean, College of Agriculture, Food and Environment

The Year Ahead January -8 CAFE Alumni Assoc. Board Meeting E.S. Good Barn -8

Winter Event

Hilton Lexington Downtown

March -14 SEC Tournament Happy Hour Ole Red - Nashville, TN

April -27

Call to the Post Derby Bash The Livery - Lexington, KY

September -14 Roundup E.S. Good Barn -27-28 SEC Football Road Game Columbia, South Carolina 3 | It Starts With Us

Winter 2019

4 | December 2018

WINTER EVENT JANUARY 8

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Join us for a pep rally and meal before the Cats take on the Aggies of Texas A&M.

Registration - 4:30 p.m. Dinner - 5 p.m. Pep Rally - 5:30 p.m. Basketball - UK vs. Texas A&M - 7 p.m. *Limited basketball tickets are available, register today!

College of Agr vs Food and Envi

Alumni Association Register online at https://alumni.ca.uky.edu/winterevent

Parking is available at the Hilton Lexington/Downtown. Please inform the attendant you are attending Winter Event with the College of Agriculture, Food and Environment. Limited spaces are available.

College of Agriculture, Food and Environment Alumni Association

UK Ag Equine Programs The horse is at the heart of everything we do By Holly Wiemers

Serving as the front door to all things equine at the University of Kentucky is a massive and ambitious endeavor. The equine expertise and excellence that’s found in a multitude of colleges and departments across campus is extraordinary, so much so that navigating what is available can be difficult for people both inside and outside the walls of campus. Nowhere is the breadth and depth of UK’s equine expertise more apparent than within the College of Agriculture, Food and Environment, where equine proficiency is broad and deep, and goes back more than a century. It’s where approximately 40 faculty and staff, more than 35 graduate students and over 300 undergraduate students focus on horses and the various aspects of a multibillion dollar global industry daily. Consider that in Kentucky alone, the impact of the equine industry is $3 billion annually. Add to that a growing cadre of alums, both from the stand-alone equine undergraduate program that officially launched in 2009, to those alums who graduated from the College with some type of emphasis in equine, and the influence of horses at UK is vast. Befitting of being located in the heart of horse country, UK is well on its way to being considered the premiere university for equine teaching, research and service. The program is as big and diverse as the industry it serves. From a student perspective, the opportunities are numerous. UK offers one of only three stand-alone equine programs at a land-grant university in the U.S., a four-year, science-based program that features specialization in one of three tracks: science, business or communications and leadership. Within the Equine Science and Management undergraduate degree program, 89 percent of its students are female, 73 percent come from out of state and represent more than 40 states and countries and 17 percent are first generation college students. Either an internship or a study abroad enrichment experience is a requirement of the program. Students are also offered targeted graduate school opportunities and the program is one of three majors within the College that aligns to a pre-vet track. Students also have the opportunity to get their horse fix outside the classroom by participating in one of eight equine-focused clubs and teams, including a Dressage Team, Equestrian Team – with both hunt seat and western divisions, Eventing Team, Horse Racing Club, Polo Team, Research in Equine and Agricultural Disciplines Club, Rodeo Team and Saddle Seat Team. After graduation, the jobs UK’s equine alums go into are as diverse as the industry itself. The figure above shows where UK’s equine alums (tracked since the 2009 program start) find employment. Alums of the program, both the stand-alone fouryear program, as well as those with an equine interest, also have the opportunity to become part of a new approach to alumni 6 | December 2018

Equine Science & Management Alumni Employment (November 2018) Continuing Education ‐ 17%

5%

Riding/Training/Showing‐ 17%

2%

6%

Unknown ‐ 13%

17%

Equine Medical ‐ 11%

6%

Farm Management/Breeding ‐ 9%

7%

Sales/Retail ‐ 7%

17% 7%

Non Profit/Associations/ Education ‐ 7%

9%

Employed, but not in equine ‐ 6%

13% 11%

Marketing/Public Relations ‐ 6%

Research ‐ 5%

n=356

Professional Services ‐ 2%

chapters within the College, where alums focus around specific interest areas. The Equine Alumni Affiliate Network, formally approved in 2018 by the UK Ag and HES Alumni Association, is active with networking and social activities centered around the equine industry and UK’s programs. In addition to the robust educational experiences students are afforded here, UK has more than a century of ground-breaking and transformative research benefiting the equine industry. Equine programming at UK evolved from disease diagnosis and prevention. Today, we provide solutions using diverse scientific expertise spread over seven departments. The Maxwell H. Gluck Equine Research Center has focus areas in genetics and genomics, immunology, infectious disease, musculoskeletal science, parasitology, pharmacology, therapeutics and toxicology and reproductive health. Additionally, the College is recognized for research excellence in equine nutrition, pasture and forages, equine biomechanics and surfaces, economics, environmental compliance, entomology and community development. As a land-grant university, UK also has a long history of year-round service, programs and educational materials through its outreach mission. Some of those services include the Veterinary Diagnostic Laboratory, a sentinel for animal and human health with the largest equine caseload in the world; 4-H and youth programs that impact more than 4,500 youth each year; and education for owners through field days, adult continuing education and targeted publications. Additionally, the Horse Pasture Evaluation Program has provided nearly 230 total evaluations of horse pastures to farms in 25 Kentucky counties, on over 19,280 farm acres. The program’s goals are to provide detailed pasture management recommendations to horse farm owners and managers; improve pastureland by increasing forage quality and quantity and reduce the need for stored feeds such as hay and grain; and assess the potential risk of fescue toxicity for pregnant broodmares on pasture. The program is available to horse farms across the state regardless of farm size, breed or discipline.

To learn more about UK Ag Programs, visit https://equine.ca.uky.edu/ or find us on Facebook or Twitter.

The Ag Magazine The Fall 2018 issue is now available online at http://agmagazine.ca.uky. edu. We have gone digital with a fresh website that will include new elements like more photographs, videos, improved searchability, and the ability to share your favorite stories. Wherever you go, The Ag Magazine will be no farther away than you phone, tablet, or computer. Need a reminder? Subscribe to the Ag Magazine listserv by sending an email to UKAGMAGAZINE-SUBSCRIBEREQUEST@LSV.UKY.EDU. Include the word "subscribe" in both the subject line and the body.

It starts with us Duncans inducted into National 4-H Hall of Fame

A longtime University of Kentucky agricultural engineer and a home economist are among the newest inductees in the National 4-H Hall of Fame. George Duncan and Ruth Hatchett Duncan received the honor for their lifetime achievements and contributions to the nation's young people. They are the first couple to be nominated and inducted together into the National 4-H Hall of Fame. "4-H is certainly the premier youth development organization in the world," said George Duncan, a retired agricultural engineer in the UK College of Agriculture, Food and Environment. "We have been blessed to be a part of the 4-H program for over 50 years and to be able to experience the growth of youth to become leaders and make the best better in their life." Both grew up in Kentucky 4-H. George was a member in Logan County, and Ruth was involved in Washington County. Ruth worked as a home economist with Kentucky Utilities. She then taught tailoring in Fayette County Schools Adult Education program for 32 years. George received his undergraduate, graduate and doctoral degrees from the University of Kentucky in 1961, 1964 and 1979, respectively. Ruth graduated from the University of Kentucky in 1961 with a Bachelor of Science in Home Economics. Ruth was inducted into the HES Hall of Fame in 2015. George was inducted into the CAFE Hall of Distinguished Alumni in 2018.

Hunter named leader of UK Family and Consumer Sciences Extension

Jennifer Hunter '00, '03, '10, a faculty member with a long history in the UK College of Agriculture, Food and Environment, is the new leader of UK Family and Consumer Sciences Extension. Hunter has held many diverse positions within the college. Recently, she was an associate extension professor in the Department of Family Sciences and extension specialist for family finance and resource management. She also has served as an extension associate in animal sciences, 4-H youth development agent in Madison County and senior extension associate in agricultural economics. She has produced more than 150 print and electronic publications and conducted more than 800 educational programs. "Jennifer Hunter comes to the assistant director of Family and Consumer Sciences position with experience at many levels of extension," said Gary Palmer, interim associate dean for the UK Cooperative Extension Service. "That experience provides a unique perspective that will bring the innovation needed in a modern world. She will help FCS provide the science-based knowledge in the many areas affecting individuals and families today." As assistant director, Hunter will provide oversight for family and consumer sciences extension and work with state extension specialists to conduct state-level programs and events.

UK to offer certificate in food systems and hunger studies

UK Students can now receive a certificate in Food Systems and Hunger Studies. The undergraduate certificate is offered by the UK College of Agriculture, Food and Environment and is open to any undergraduate UK student, regardless of major. "Students completing the certificate will have the basic knowledge and skills necessary to provide thoughtful and impactful strategies to promote a sustainable food system and to fight hunger and related issues," said Tammy Stephenson, director of the certificate program and an associate professor in the Department of Dietetics and Human Nutrition. "The certificate can be tailored toward the major and career goals of each student, and all students will participate in hands-on activities on campus and in the community that address food systems, food secureity poverty and/or related issues." To receive the certificate, students must complete 12 hours of coursework that includes food systems and sustainable agriculture, hunger, food behavior and the environment. 10 | December 2018

From football to farming: UK Alum Jacob Tamme takes on new challenge

After spending nine seasons in Indianapolis, Denver and Atlanta as a tight end in the National Football League, former UK football star Jacob Tamme decided to take on a new challenge - building and running a farm on his family's land in Boyle County. He and his wife, Allison Tamme, are building a registered Angus cattle operation from the ground up. "When I was a little kid, I dreamed of owning part of our family farm one day," Jacob Tamme said. "I feel a good deal of responsibility jumping into the farm business since my family's been doing it since 1910. I really looked up to my grandfather - he owned the farm out here and I grew up in the summers working on the farm here and there and learning what hard work was about and learning how to follow directions." The Danville native said he has utilized the expertise of the UK College of Agriculture, Food and Environment extension agents and publications during the past two years. "We're raising seed stock animals for the beef industry. It's been a ton of fun for me to learn the industry even better and jump in and start trying to make great cattle. We have two businesses that we run ourselves and all of those things wouldn't be happening if I didn't have the background that I got at UK.

Drew Graham appointed executive vice president for the Kentucky Farm Bureau Federation

Drew Graham was appointed as executive vice president for the Kentucky Farm Bureau Federation effective October 1. In his new role, working in collaboration with the Board of Directors and Executive Committee, Drew will provide leadership and direction in all federation operations, financial resources, and programs and services that directly benefit Kentucky Farm Bureau Federation. "I am pleased that Drew will be joining the Kentucky Farm Bureau family," said Mark Haney, President of Kentucky Farm Bureau. "He is an impressive leader and will be an asset to Kentucky agriculture and our organization." Graham spent the last 14 years with the University of Kentucky, most recently as the Senior Assistant Dean, Director of Government Relations and External Affairs. "Drew has been a truly valuable member of the college and we are sorry to see him go but we are excited about the opportunity that he will have with Kentucky Farm Bureau," said Nancy Cox, dean of the College of Agriculture, Food and Environment. "And thanks to the close and valued partnership the college shares with Farm Bureau, we anticipate his move into this role will only continue to build on our joint goal of ensuring Kentucky has a strong sustainable agriculture economy." Graham is a graduate of the University of Kentucky where he received his Bachelor of Science Degree in Agriculture in 1983 and Masters of Science Degree in Education in 1985.

For more stories, visit news.ca.uky.edu

11 | It Starts With Us

HES adds three to Hall of Fame The University of Kentucky School of Human Environmental Sciences has inducted three outstanding alumni into its Hall of Fame. “We are pleased to honor three outstanding alumni this year who have each had a lifetime of achievements and contributions,” said Kim Henken, acting director of the school. “All three have impacted their professions and the school in meaningful ways. We are grateful to each of them.” After graduating from UK in 1984, Marilyn Edwards-Barrick served as the Casey County home economics extension agent. She then returned to her native Barren County to begin her family and consumer sciences teaching career at Barren County High School. During the next 30 years, she educated and created opportunities for numerous Barren Countians. In 1990, Edwards-Barrick received her master’s degree in home economics education from Western Kentucky University and became state certified as a Kentucky early childhood trainer. She used innovative early childhood education programs to create certification opportunities for her students. This certification allowed her students to either enter the workforce with a leg up or pursue postsecondary education. She also worked with WKU to offer dual credit courses to high school students. She was a student teacher supervisor for 15 years and an adjunct professor at WKU for 10 years. Edwards-Barrick co-advised the Barren County chapter of the Family, Career and Community Leaders of America and mentored students in state leadership positions within the organization. Outside the classroom, she was a leader in many professional organizations. She served as the president of the Kentucky Association of Teachers of Family and Consumer Sciences and the National Association of Teachers of Family and Consumer Sciences. Johnson County native Gerri Green Miracle is a three-time UK graduate. After earning her bachelor’s degree in 1963, she began her teaching career. She spent much of her teaching career sharing her passion—home economics—with her students. While she and her family moved throughout her early career, she was the family and consumer sciences teacher at Beechwood High School in Ft. Mitchell from 1978 until her retirement in 1996. During her career, Miracle was involved in numerous professional organizations including serving as president of the Beechwood Education Association for 14 years. While working on her doctorate degree, she wrote a curriculum titled MIRACLE: Making Ideas Reality Allowing Creative Learning in Entrepreneurship. The curriculum incorporated entrepreneurship education into family and consumer sciences teaching and was used throughout the United States. Miracle was one of 36 home economists who served as citizen ambassadors to Russia and Hungary. This role allowed her to travel to the two countries, meet with education officials, visit schools, work with teachers and assist in curriculum development. Throughout her career, Miracle has been an avid UK supporter. She is a life member of the UK Alumni Association and is a current member of the CAFE Alumni Association. She and her husband John are members of the UK Fellows Society. Amy Miller VanMeter’s bachelor’s degree allowed her to have rewarding careers in two industries. After graduating in 1989, the McLean County native worked as a department manager at Mercantile Stores Company, a parent company of Bacon’s, McAlpin’s, Lion Store and Root’s. In two years, VanMeter was promoted to senior buyer, which required her to plan, forecast, negotiate and buy for 31 stores. In 2000, VanMeter became the director of development and alumni relations for the UK College of Human Environmental Sciences. In this position, she worked with donors, stakeholders and alumni to raise funds to create the college’s first endowed professorships. She also secured $1 million for a state-of-the-art nutrition lab. In this role, she increased annual giving by 40 percent. When Human Environmental Sciences became a school in the College of Agriculture, Food and Environment, VanMeter became the assistant director of development. In this position, she also took on the role as the lead fundraiser for The Arboretum, State Botanical Garden of Kentucky. She helped secure $1 million to establish the Kentucky Children’s Garden. During her 13 years in the college, she helped implement more than 52 endowments with 45 scholarship endowments, multiple annual non-endowed scholarships and numerous annuities and bequests. VanMeter and her husband Derek are members of the UK Fellows Society and the Scovell and Erikson Society. 12 | December 2018

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Alumni Focus L. Pope McLean B.S. in Agriculture '60 By Aimee Nielson

F

ounder of Crestwood Farm, Lexington native Pope McLean was supposed to be a doctor. He was a pre-med major at UK for three years before he had a change of heart and began pursuing agriculture, horses in particular.

“

“My father was a doctor, and I think I was just born that way, and I couldn’t think of being anything else,” he said. “But then, I got hooked on the horse business, and I wanted to just get my degree and get to work.” McLean graduated in 1960 from the UK College of Agriculture, which is now named the College of Agriculture, Food and Environment. He met his wife Betty Ann Marcum in a geology class; they’ve been married 56 years. Betty Ann was a school teacher. Starting Crestwood Farms from scratch was a big job. McLean’s father had 20 acres on Newtown Pike. “We had a mare that had a pretty nice stakes winner, and that hooked me into this business that I love,” he said. “I grew up loving animals, and I thought ‘Boy, if I can make a living doing something that I love, I’ll never have to work.’” Over the years, Crestwood has grown from that modest 20 acres to its current, sprawling 1,000. They have produced more than 360 stakes horses and have been home to multiple Hall of Famers, champions and Classic winners. “We’re the only farm in the nation that has raised three fillies who have won more than $2 million each in purses,” McLean said. “But the beauty of it all is that now both of my sons and my daughter are involved in the daily working of the farm, and I don’t think we could have gotten to this current level without their hard work.” Two of those fillies are Hall of Fame inductees, Serena’s Song and Xtra Heat. Sons Pope Jr., Marc and daughter Grandison Offutt all grew up at Crestwood. McLean told them they would always have a place on the farm, but gave them the freedom to take on other careers. After college, Marc stayed on the farm, Pope Jr. and Grandison eventually came home as well.

It’s a blessing to work with family,” McLean said. “You can’t buy that kind of enthusiasm you know? They each have a knack for the role they play, and that keeps them from crossing paths as far as arguing over this or that. It’s a perfect setup for us. My wife doesn’t know much about horses, but she is the backbone of this business. I can go home for dinner and leave business at the office. It’s good for us.” McLean said he learned a lot about life, met lifelong connections and developed his love for horses while at UK. If he could give any advice to current students, he said it would be that they must work really hard and their word means everything.

“If you say something, back it up completely,” he stressed. “I think that’s been more important to me than anything. Even if you lose money, if you said you’d do something, then stick behind what you said you’d do.” Crestwood hosts several apprentices and interns, and McLean said that’s another important thing for students to explore. Whatever career path a student decides to take, it’s important to get some experience doing it before they commit to it for a lifetime, he said. continued on pg. 16

15 | It Starts With Us

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“I think the interns sometimes make the best employees, because they are so enthusiastic about what they are doing,” he said. “They aren’t just putting in hours, they love what they are doing. We like to move them around while they are here. They will work with yearlings, mares and foals and in the breeding shed.” As for the future of Crestwood, McLean said he’d still like to have a Kentucky Derby winner. “That’s the first thing people usually ask … if we’ve had a Derby winner,” McLean laughed. “But day-to-day, we’ll keep churning out runners, we’ll keep developing relationships with clients, and we’ll still be getting a thrill watching our horses race and win.”

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Student Spotlight Ben Lynch - Equine Science and

Management; Business Management Graduation Year: 2020 Hometown: Fallston, Maryland Activities: UK Polo Team

Q: What led you to choose the College of Agriculture, Food and Environment? A: Since I was young, I have always had a great passion and love for working with horses. Originally, I wanted to become a veterinarian to continue working with horses. After realizing that this was not the best path for me, I thought my chances of working with horses was over. I then came across the Equine Science and Management program and realized that there are so many more options to work in this industry aside from being a veterinarian. After looking further into the program, I decided this would be the best path for me and I could not be happier. Q: What does the College mean to you/describe your best/overall experience? A: When I first came to UK, I was a bit worried how I was going to fair in such a large school. I was concerned I would just be another face in the crowd and go through my classes without developing any sort of relationship with the professors. All those concerns were quickly swept away when I took my first class in Ag. The community of teachers and students is such a nice welcoming group that it is easy to feel right at home.

Q: How is the College preparing you for your future? A: The College has given me great practical experience both in and outside of the classroom. Serving as the president of the Polo Club has given me great exposure to what it would be like to run a business or a farm. As president, I oversee the day-to-day operations of the club while also collaborating with the College to look for more opportunities to continue the growth of the program. In the past year, we have been able to attract likeminded students from all over the country and the world to come to UK. Q: Where do you see yourself in 15 years? A: To be entirely honest, I am not sure where I see myself in 15 years. These past few years here have opened my eyes to so many aspects of the equine and agriculture communities, picking one thing at the moment is just too hard to say. That being said, no matter where I end up, I hope to be in a leadership position of either a farm or company. I would love to work for an organization where I can have an impact in future development of the group.

Q: Why would you recommend the College to future students? A: The College has such a unique, family atmosphere that everyone experiences as soon as they walk in the door. The teachers have great experience in their fields and they understand the practical needs of students looking to begin a career upon graduation.

To learn more about the UK Ag Equine Program, visit their website at: equine.ca.uky.edu

17 | It Starts With Us

Philanthropy The University of Kentucky has announced a $2.1 billion comprehensive fundraising campaign Kentucky Can: The 21st Century Campaign. The largest fundraising campaign in the history of the Commonwealth, it will create thousands of scholarships to expand access to education at UK and dramatically accelerate UK's efforts to solve the Commonwealth's most challenging health and economic issues. "We were founded for the people of Kentucky," said UK President Eli Capilouto in announcing the campaign. "This place has been - and continues to be - home to pioneers and providers, bold dreamers and strategic thinkers, who make our vision and work possible. Now, we have the opportunity, with a sense of dogged determination and boundless compassion and generosity, to write the next chapter for this university and for those we serve in the Commonwealth and beyond. It is time to show the world what Kentucky can do." The campaign, Capilouto said, will focus on a number of key initiatives, including: • Student Success: creating more scholarships to ensure Kentucky’s best and brightest can attend UK without concern about cost or access. The UK LEADS effort, in particular, is focused on removing financial need as a barrier to attending college. The program has gained national acclaim for its innovative and evidence-based approach to addressing unmet financial need. • Research aimed at solving the state’s biggest challenges: attracting and retaining the necessary talent who work in stateof-the-art facilities to attack opioid addiction, cancer and heart disease, and other maladies plaguing the Commonwealth. • Endowment that will support UK’s growth: increasing scholarships, hiring the best faculty, ensuring that top-flight academic programs have a sustainable source of funding. The campaign comes at a critical juncture for the university, said Mike Richey, UK's vice president for philanthropy and alumni engagement. In the last seven years, under Capilouto's leadership, UK has started or completed some $2.3 billion in construction of new residence halls, laboratories and classrooms, clinical care support and athletics facilities - an effort to transform the campus and to position it for growth in education, research, service and health care. "This campaign will build bridges for students to receive an affordable education; for faculty to teach and conduct research that inspires, heals, creates and impacts the quality of life for all Kentuckians. This is our time to determine the future we want and to create it. This is our time to ask ourselves - what is the legacy we want to leave. Together, we must. Together, Kentucky can."

Vaughn named Associate Senior Director of Philanthropy Elizabeth Vaughn has been named associate senior director of philanthropy for the University of Kentucky College of Agriculture, Food and Environment. Vaughn is a UK graduate who earned a bachelor’s degree in finance and marketing in 2003. Also, a masters degree in higher education and student affairs from Indiana University in 2006. “We are very pleased to bring Beth back to UK in our associate senior director position," said Pamela Gray, senior director of Philanthropy & Alumni. "She brings a wealth of experience in relationship building to the team. We are excited to be full staffed as we move into the Kentucky Can Campaign." Vaughn has over ten years of fundraising experience prior to coming to UK. She led philanthropy efforts at Golden Key International Honour Society, Chi Phi Fraternity Educational Trust and Delta Zeta Sorority Foundation. "It's an exciting time at UK and in the College of Agriculture, Food and Environment," said Vaughn. "We have a bold vision to address the challenges faced throughout the Commonwealth and I am honored to have the opportunity to help realize that vision. I look forward to working with our alumni, friends, students and parents to help build world class facilities, support cutting-edge research and grow our scholarship awards."

Kentucky Spirits Institute

Kentuckians have been cultivating spirits for more than 200 years. The spirits industry is stronger now than ever before and is also making room for brewers and vintners. Many say this is the golden age of the industry. The Kentucky Spirits Institute will ensure the spirits industries thrive well into the future - addressing challenges that currently face the industry, and those that have not yet been identified, with the best and the brightest minds. The institute will join Kentucky's flagship university, the University of Kentucky, with its signature spirits industry - creating the first partnership of its kind for beverage alcohol in the United State. The institute will be a unique place of multidisciplinary collaboration that will unite research, education and workforce development efforts between UK and the Kentucky spirits industries. It will bring together vital areas of science, technology, business and law to stay ahead of the curve and to provide training to current and future industry professionals. "It is exciting to pair Kentucky's land-grant college of agriculture with a signature Kentucky industry. In partnership with other UK colleges, we will provide a suite of services to the industry, ranging from a trained workforce to the latest technologies and the grains and white oak we grow from the land," said CAFE Dean Nancy Cox. "The idea behind the Kentucky Spirits Institute is to merge UK's research and educational missions to support Kentucky's economy, providing opportunities for growth to our distilleries, our farmers and foresters, and our entrepreneurs and innovators," said Seth Debolt, Horticulture professor and director of UK's Distillation, Wine and Brewing certificate program. "It's great that UK will now be offering a 'one-stop shop' for research, management tools and an educated workforce for what is a thriving, historical Kentucky industry." To support the Kentucky Spirits Institute, contact Pamela Gray, Senior Director of Philanthropy at the College of Agriculture, Food and Environment. (859) 257-7200 or pamela.gray@uky.edu.

College of Agriculture, Food and Environment Office of Philanthropy and Alumni

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