By Lindsey Piercy 

People often experience stress, anxiety or even depression during the winter months. Each year, about 10% of adults in the United States experience seasonal affective disorder. The condition can reflect a change in serotonin levels and be linked to depression.

Matt Southward, an assistant professor in the Department of Psychology in the College of Arts and Sciences at the University of Kentucky, is researching treatment outcomes for those coping with anxiety, depression and personality disorders. He also works in the Treatment Innovation

By Nizhoni McDarment 

LEXINGTON, KY. -- When the Statistics Graduate Student Association (SGSA) needs a study break from complicated data problems, the students bowl. Tori Stanton, current president and UK graduate student from Asheville, North Carolina, said the SGSA’s focus of the last year was to create opportunities for students to interact with each other outside of their classes.  

The SGSA represents graduate students in the Dr. Bing Zhang Department of Statistics at the College of Arts & Sciences at the University of Kentucky. The SGSA facilitates bonds and promotes professional development for graduate students.

The organization was revived in 2020 when Lee Park, former president, and UK graduate student from Incheon, South Korea, was seeking to organize social events

By Alan Fryar and Jenny Wells-Hosley

LEXINGTON, Ky. (Dec. 15, 2022) — As a child, Elizabeth Avery was inspired by that verse, and this week she will receive a Ph.D. in geological sciences from the University of Kentucky, based on her Fulbright research in Ukraine.

Avery’s path to a doctoral degree was nontraditional. After earning bachelor's and master's degrees in English at California State University, East Bay, she explored different career options. An undergraduate course in oceanography awakened her interest in geology and hydrology, which led her to a second master’s degree at the same institution. She worked more than three years as an environmental consultant before deciding to pursue a

By Meg Mills 

LEXINGTON, Ky. (Dec. 15, 2022) — The University of Kentucky strives to ensure every member of our community — regardless of who they are, where they are from, what they believe or who they love — feels a sense of belonging.

This sense of belonging is something journalism and political science double major Nizhoni McDarment had spent her whole life searching for, but says she didn’t find until she attended UK.

A child of a military family, McDarment spent 18 years moving from state to state, reintroducing herself to every new person she met. Each introduction came with questions about her name and her Native American culture. She and her family are proud Native Americans.

“For a long time, my Nana was not allowed to

By Nizhoni McDarment  

LEXINGTON, Ky. -- Christian Branham, a University of Kentucky senior from Lexington, and Nicolas Volosky, a University of Kentucky Alum from Walton, Kentucky, won Best Documentary and Best Feature at the Spring 2022 UKY Film Festival for their film “Rumble.”  

“Rumble” follows professional wrestler Noah Gabriel on his journey in Cincinnati. Braham and Volosky collaborated on the film with both filming and editing in February 2022.  

“The film process was really fast paced with only three days to film with two of those days being practice runs,” Branham said.  

The film was shown to judges and spectators at the 2022 festival in the Gatton Student Center’s Worsham Cinema on April 29. The UKY Film Festival showcases and celebrates the films created by UK students. The films were scored by a variety of

By Elizabeth Chapin

LEXINGTON, Ky. (June 24, 2022) — The first cohort of interns in a new Kentucky Geological Survey program are spending their summers contributing to statewide research projects focused on geologic resources, environmental issues and natural hazards affecting Kentucky.

The new Paul Edwin Potter Internship Program is giving University of Kentucky students interested in geoscience research the opportunity to engage in a hands-on research project for 10 weeks throughout the summer. Although the program was limited to UK students during its first year, it will be expanded in future years to include students from other universities.

Supported by a gift from the

By Jesi Jones-Bowman

LEXINGTON, Ky. (June 23, 2022) — The Office of Undergraduate Research has selected 16 undergraduates for the 2022 Commonwealth Undergraduate Research Experience Fellowship program.

The new CURE Fellowships, sponsored by UK Office of Undergraduate Research and the Office of the Vice President for Research, empowers undergraduates to become leaders for their communities by providing opportunities to develop new knowledge and skills through research within UK’s seven research priority areas: cancer, cardiovascular diseases, diabetes & obesity, diversity and inclusion, energy, neuroscience and substance use disorder.

“Conducting summer research will provide me with

By Richard LeComte 

LEXINGTON, Ky. – Essays by two recent University of Kentucky graduates have won the 2022 Ireland Prize in History. One essay, by Pedro Fernandes Esteves Fonseca, deals with the fraught efforts of the Inquisition in colonial Brazil, while the other, by Elena Liu, examines the Spanish Flu pandemic in Mexico. 

The award, from the Department of History in the College of Arts & Sciences, carries a $10,000 prize, which was split between this year’s winners. The prize honors Robert M. Ireland, a retired history faculty member who taught at UK for 41 years. The award encourages and rewards outstanding historical research and writing by history students. 

Liu, a recent graduate from Charleston, West Virginia, saw many parallels between the Spanish Flu pandemic of 1918 and measures to contain the spread of COVID today — hence

By Richard LeComte

LEXINGTON, Ky. -- Twists and turns in business have led Dan DeHart from bourbon country -- and a degree from the University of Kentucky – to starting Gander Panama Rum. He earned a B.S. in mathematics from UK in 1988 and served as a director of Capital One and vice president of First Data Corp. But in 2013, he started DeHart Spirits, which produces the premium Gander Panama Rum, which is aged in bourbon barrels and is distributed through fine alcohol stores. The Panama operation includes its own sugar-cane fields and processing facilities, which makes it less vulnerable to trade disruptions brought on by the COVID pandemic. Now he’s ready to discuss how what he learned in UK’s College of Arts & Sciences has led him to making premium rum.

Q: How did your math major help you in your business career?

A: It was a combination of

By Elizabeth Chapin

LEXINGTON, Ky. (June 6, 2022) — Each year, the University of Kentucky’s Office of Undergraduate Research selects a cohort of Undergraduate Research Ambassadors, a diverse group of outstanding students who serve as advocates for undergraduate research and creative scholarship at UK.

This year, the office launched the Excellent Undergraduate Research Ambassador award to honor outtanding ambassadors for their dedication to and promotion of undergraduate research and creative opportunities.

The six winners were announced at the 16th annual Showcase of Undergraduate Scholars. They are: 

By Sarah Geegan

LEXINGTON, Ky. (May 19, 2022) — Ana M. Franco-Watkins has been named dean of the College of Arts and Sciences, the oldest and largest college at the University of Kentucky.

Upon approval from the Board of Trustees, Franco-Watkins will join UK on July 1, 2022. Franco-Watkins currently serves as interim dean of the College of Liberal Arts at Auburn University.

“Ana Franco-Watkins has an impressive background as an educator, researcher and leader,” said Provost Robert S. DiPaola. “Her vision for the College of Arts and Sciences aligns with the aspirational goals of our strategic plan and our mission to advance Kentucky. We are pleased to welcome her to the UK family.”

Franco-Watkins has served as interim dean of the College of

By C. Lynn Hiler

LEXINGTON, Ky. (May 6, 2022) — The University of Kentucky chapter of Phi Beta Kappa (PBK) recently inducted 49 new members. This year’s induction ceremony was held Wednesday, April 13, at the Singletary Center for the Arts.

“We are extremely proud of the students admitted to Phi Beta Kappa from the University of Kentucky,” said Anna Bosch, chapter president and professor of linguistics. “This honor recognized their hard work and their commitment to a broad liberal arts education in the humanities, social sciences and natural sciences.”

Celebrating excellence in the liberal arts and sciences, Phi Beta Kappa is the oldest and the most prestigious honor society. It contributes to opportunities for life-long learning and rounded lives outside of career, which follows the

By Meghan Arrell

LEXINGTON, Ky. (April 29, 2022) — This month, the University of Kentucky Lewis Honors College Rising Leaders program completed its first semester of programming. The first cohort of Rising Leaders was announced in January 2022; the program is partially funded by a generous donor.

This group of 14 served as the pilot for the program and has helped to shape the trajectory of the program and chart the themes most important to them.

By Ryan Girves

LEXINGTON, Ky. (April 29, 2022) — Eleven University of Kentucky students have been awarded the Still We Rise scholarship, recognizing undergraduate and graduate students who have persisted through obstacles and overcome adversity. Among them are College of Arts & Sciences majors Dorian Record and Kasey Dickerson.

Founded in 2018 by UK student Kennedy Guess, the Still We Rise program, whose names sake pays homage to Maya Angelou’s anthem, "And Still I Rise," provides students with a forum to share their stories and awards students with a scholarship/stipend. 

“During my time in undergrad, I struggled with mental health issues, as well as being sexually assaulted,” Guess said. “Many remain silent on these struggles. I realized my story

By Jenny Wells-Hosley and Meg Mills

LEXINGTON, Ky. (April 28, 2022) — The University of Kentucky Office of Nationally Competitive Awards has announced that three students and one recent graduate have been offered Fulbright U.S. Student Program scholarships to travel abroad to teach, study or pursue research for the 2022-23 academic year. Among them are two College of Arts & Sciences students. 

Recipients of Fulbright grants are selected based on academic or professional achievement, as well as demonstrated leadership potential in their fields. The program operates in more than 140

By Meghan Arrell

LEXINGTON, Ky. (April 27, 2022) — On this Wildcat Wednesday, the University of Kentucky is celebrating Supriya Challa, who will graduate next week with a degree in psychology from the UK College of Arts and Sciences and Lewis Honors College.

Challa, who is from Okemos, Michigan didn’t follow a typical path to the commencement stage. She had experienced a traumatic childhood and was looking forward to leaving Michigan to make a fresh start at UK. But during her first semester in college, Challa discovered that the source of her childhood trauma had not released its grip on her life. The challenges she was

By C. Lynn Hiler

LEXINGTON, Ky. (March 14, 2022) — The University of Kentucky chapter of Alpha Lambda Delta National Honor Society inducted 232 new members during the Spring 2022 semester. The chapter’s induction ceremony was held in the Gatton Student Center Ballroom on Thursday, March 3. 

Alpha Lambda Delta offers various scholarship opportunities to its members, one of which a UK chapter member won this past summer. Former Chapter President Jessica Lamb was awarded the Jo Anne J. Trow Scholarship in July 2021 for exceptional participation in academics, Alpha Lambda Delta activities and community service. 

“ALD has been one of my defining experiences at UK, and I am so excited and proud to be part of an organization that uplifts other driven, intelligent members of our

LEXINGTON, Ky. (Feb. 8, 2022) — The University of Kentucky Nu Circle of national leadership honor society Omicron Delta Kappa inducted 53 new members at a virtual ceremony on Jan. 30, including nine from the College of Arts & Sciences. ODK recognizes superior leadership and exemplary character and encourages collaboration among members across the five phases celebrated by the society: scholarship, athletics, service, communications and arts.

The 2021-2022 inductees from A&S are Clair Ashley, Rachael Blandau, Gustavo De Aguiar Martins, Meghan Goins, Moses Ogbaje, Anna Puderbaugh, Nicholas Relich, Seth Ricketts and Stephen Turner.

By Grace Colville

LEXINGTON, Ky. (Dec. 17, 2021) — COVID-19 has taught us many things, including the power of nurses. Yuri Maisel is graduating from the University of Kentucky College of Nursing determined to show others the kind of care she knows can make a difference.

Maisel wanted to be a nurse for the challenge. Each day, nurses face something different. Not only do they know the ins and outs of patient care, but they also serve as an advocate and confidant for their patients and families. More than anything, Maisel wanted to help others.

“Between the hands-on patient care approach and the ability to make a positive difference in someone’s life, it was an obvious choice for me,” Maisel said. “I feel like there is no better

By Jenny Wells-Hosley

LEXINGTON, Ky. (Dec. 16, 2021) — The University of Kentucky Appalachian Center, Appalachian Studies program and the UK Appalachian Research Community (formerly the UK Graduate Appalachian Research Community, or GARC) are inviting students to submit proposals for the upcoming UK Appalachian Research Symposium and Arts Showcase.

The symposium is open to all undergraduate and graduate students of all disciplines from all colleges and universities doing work pertaining to Appalachia. Students without previous presentation experience, undergraduate students, students seeking feedback on ongoing research and students creating performance or visual artworks related to Appalachia