University of Kentucky - A Place to Dream and Succeed

Introduction

The innovation and creativity of the teaching, research and community service under way at the University of Kentucky enhance the lives of people throughout the state, the nation, and the world, while its museums, libraries and special events enrich the culture of the entire Commonwealth.

Founded in 1865 as a land-grant institution adjacent to downtown Lexington, UK is nestled in the scenic heart of the unique Bluegrass region of Kentucky. From its early beginnings, with only 190 students and 10 professors, UK's campus now covers more than 687 acres and is home to over 25,000 students and nearly 11,000 employees.

Programs

Students can choose from some 200 majors and degree programs in 16 academic and professional colleges: Agriculture, Arts and Sciences, Business and Economics, Communications and Information Studies, Dentistry, Design, Education, Engineering, Fine Arts, Health Sciences, Law, Medicine, Nursing, Pharmacy, Public Health, and Social Work.

Rankings

UK boasts over 80 national rankings for academic excellence, including a ranking of 59th among public universities in U.S.News & World Report magazine's annual listings of the nation's best universities. U.S.News also ranked the Gatton College of Business and Economics' undergraduate program 37th among public universities and the College of Engineering's undergraduate program 56th among the nation's public schools that offer a doctorate in engineering, In addition, graduate programs in the College of Pharmacy, the Martin School of Public Policy and Administration, College of Nursing, College of Medicine, College of Arts and Sciences, College of Education, College of Engineering, College of Health Sciences, College of Law, and College of Social Work are highly ranked in U.S. News & World Report's most recent list of the nation's best. The College of Pharmacy is ranked 3rd, and the Martin School of Public Policy and Administration is ranked 6th in the category of public finance and budgeting. The College of Medicine's rural medicine program is ranked 20th, and the College of Nursing's master's program is ranked 29th. The College of Health Sciences' physical therapy graduate program is ranked 35th, the College of Social Work's master's program is 38th, and the College of Law is ranked among the top 50 public institutions.

Students

UK's diverse student population represents 117 countries, every state in the nation, and every Kentucky county. The average ACT score for first-year students is four points above the national average.UK students compete successfully for the most prestigious scholarships and awards, such as the Fulbright, Truman, Goldwater and Marshall. UK was selected as one of only 13 universities nationwide to participate in the Beckman Foundation Scholarship program in 2002. This prominent program allows UK to award grants of $17,600 to students to support their own research projects.

Mission

Since the mid-1990s, UK has pursued an ambitious goal set by the State Legislature to become a top-20 public research university by the year 2020. UK President Lee T. Todd Jr. has embraced this goal in a way that promises an impact on every Kentucky resident.

"As the state's flagship institution, the university is mindful of its responsibility to help all Kentuckians," Todd says. "UK has an obligation to be inclusive and accessible to all segments of our society by providing scholarships and financial assistance to ease the tuition burden. Through education, Kentucky will move forward."

The university is working aggressively to achieve its top-20 goal. During fiscal year 2004, UK faculty received a record-breaking total of $238.3 million in extramural funding for grants and contracts. The achievement marked an increase of 7 percent from last fiscal year and the third year in a row UK exceeded the $200 million level in sponsored project awards. The majority of grants and contracts - 60.3 percent - were awarded by federal agencies and totaled $143.8 million. These federal awards increased by 9.7 percent. During fiscal year 2003, the university placed 52nd on the National Science Foundation's list of all institutions and 36th among public universities.

Research

Research at UK is a dynamic enterprise encompassing both traditional scholarship and emerging technologies. The Advanced Science and Technology Commercialization Center in the center of campus, for example, is a hub for multidisciplinary research collaboration. It is just one of over 50 research centers and institutes across campus, including the well-known Sanders-Brown Center on Aging, Morris K. Udall Parkinson's Disease Research Center of Excellence, and Markey Cancer Center, where UK researchers are discovering new knowledge, providing a rich training ground for the next generation of researchers, and advancing the state's economic growth.

Library

With its well-manicured landscape and landmark buildings, UK's campus offers great facilities that advance the scholarship of its students and the research endeavors of its faculty. The William T. Young Library, now six years old, is among the world's leading research libraries; its book endowment is the largest among public universities and ranks second only to Harvard University among all universities. Its broad scope of technology offers students, faculty and Kentucky residents access to the most up-to-date information from online journals, government publications, and private studies, as well as more traditional materials.

Medical Center

The UK Chandler Medical Center, which opened in 1960, is considered one of the nation's finest academic medical centers. The faculty, students and staff of our young, dynamic Medical Center take pride in achieving excellence in education, patient care, research, and community service. As one of two Level 1 Trauma Centers in Kentucky, UK Hospital cares for the most critically injured and ill patients in the region. The 473-bed UK Hospital and UK Children's Hospital are supported by more than 500 faculty physicians and dentists, 400 resident physicians, and a staff of 3,200 health professionals committed to high-quality patient care.

Public Service

The university is committed to strong public service, reaching out to communities across the Commonwealth, sharing knowledge and making a difference in the towns, cities and lives of all Kentuckians. An example is Health Education through Extension Leadership, a partnership between the College of Public Health, the College of Agriculture, the College of Dentistry, and the Cooperative Extension Service to enhance extension agents' capacity to deliver valuable health and wellness information throughout the state.

In 2000, officials launched The Campaign for the University of Kentucky, a $600 million fund-raising effort - the largest in state history - to enhance facilities, academic programs, and public service. Recently, that goal was surpassed by $18 million, and university officials announced plans to expand The Campaign by an additional $400 million over the next four years, bringing the new total goal to $1 billion.

Agenda

In October 2002, President Todd initiated development of the university's next strategic plan, The Dream & the Challenge. This plan, which will guide the actions of UK through June 30, 2006, demonstrates that UK's agenda is simple. It is to accelerate the movement toward academic excellence and to become known worldwide for the quality of its academic programs, its commitment to undergraduates, its success in building a diverse community, and its engagement with the larger society. That is what the University of Kentucky is all about.