University of Kentucky
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The University of Kentucky will be one of the nation's 20 best public research universities, an institution recognized world-wide for excellence in teaching, research, and service and a catalyst for intellectual, social, cultural, and economic development.

MISSION
The University of Kentucky is a public, research-extensive, land grant university dedicated to enriching people's lives through excellence in teaching, research, and service.

The University of Kentucky:

Facilitates learning, informed by scholarship and research.
Expands knowledge through research, scholarship and creative activity.
Serves a global community by disseminating, sharing and applying knowledge.
The University, as the flagship institution, plays a critical leadership role for the Commonwealth by promoting human and economic development that improves lives within Kentucky's borders and beyond. The University models a diverse community characterized by fairness and social justice.

VALUES
The values of the University guide our decisions and behavior. Our core values are:

Integrity
Academic excellence and freedom
Mutual respect and human dignity
Diversity of thought, culture, gender, and ethnicity
Personal and institutional responsibility and accountability
Shared governance
A sense of community
Sensitivity to work-life concerns
Civic responsibility

GOAL I:
Reach for National Prominence

GOAL II:
Attract and Graduate Outstanding Students

GOAL III:
Attract, Develop and Retain a Distinguished Faculty

GOAL IV:
Discover, Share and Apply New Knowledge

GOAL V:
Nurture Diversity of Thought, Culture, Gender and Ethnicity

GOAL VI:
Elevate the Quality of Life for Kentuckians

UK grew from the vision of one man, John Bowman. In 1865, after winning financial support through the federal Morrill Land-Grant College Act and private donations, Bowman saw the realization of his dream with the opening of the state's new Agricultural and Mechanical College. The college was renamed the University of Kentucky in 1916.

The first women were admitted to the university in 1880, but they earned certificates, not degrees. In 1888, the first woman broke the barrier and graduated with a degree.

Racial integration was achieved at UK in 1949, when Lyman T. Johnson successfully sued to win access for African Americans to the graduate program.

UK's Agricultural Extension Service was launched in 1910, one of the nation's first such programs and a model for the federally mandated programs required in 1914.

In 1918, the university's three engineering schools were consolidated into a single college.

The Department of Education was elevated to college status in 1923. The College of Commerce, now the Carol Martin Gatton College of Business and Economics, was established in 1925. UK awarded its first doctoral degree in 1929. The Colleges of Medicine and Nursing opened their doors in 1960, followed two years later by the College of Dentistry.

Over the years, UK has graduated a tremendous number of successful and award-winning individuals. These include distinguished scientists, politicians, business men and women, journalists, educators and more.

Wildcats Nickname

The official nickname for the University of Kentucky's athletics teams is "Wildcats." The nickname became synonymous with UK shortly after a 6-2 football victory over Illinois on Oct. 9, 1909, on the road.

Commandant Carbusier, then head of the military department at old State University, told a group of students in a chapel service following the game that the Kentucky football team had "fought like Wildcats."

Later the name Wildcats became more and more popular among UK followers as well as with members of the media. As a result, the nickname was adopted by the University.

Wildcats Mascot

The Wildcat mascot originated during the 1976-77 academic year at UK. Gary Tanner was the original Wildcat, dancing and entertaining thousands of UK fans at Commonwealth Stadium and Rupp Arena during athletics events.

Today, the Wildcat mascot also attends several academic functions as well and generally serves as a friendly ambassador for the University.

Blue and White

The University of Kentucky adopted blue and white as its official colors in 1892. Originally, however, UK students had decided on blue and light yellow prior to the Kentucky-Centre College football game on December 19, 1891. The shade of blue, which is close to a royal blue, was chosen when a student asked the question, "What color blue?" At the time, Richard C. Stoll (who lettered in football at UK in 1889-94) pulled off his necktie and held it up. The students then adopted that particular shade of blue. A year later, UK students officially dropped the light yellow color for white.

Kentucky Songs

On, On U Of K (Fight Song)

On, on, U of K, we are right for the fight today,
Hold that ball and hit that line;
Ev'ry Wildcat star will shine;
We'll fight, fight, fight, for the blue and white
As we roll to that goal, Varsity,
And we'll kick, pass and run, 'till the battle is won,
And we'll bring home the victory.

My Old Kentucky Home

UK Pep Band version
A.B. "Happy" Chandler version

The sun shines bright on my old Kentucky home,
'Tis summer, the time to be gay;
The corn-top's ripe and the meadow's in the bloom,
While the birds make music all the day.

The young folks roll on the little cabin floor,
All merry, all happy and bright;
By'n by hard times come a-knocking at the door,
Then my old Kentucky home, good night!

(CHORUS)
Weep no more my lady, Oh! Weep no more today!
We will sing one song for my old Kentucky home,
For my old Kentucky home, far away.

UK Alma Mater

Hail Kentucky, Alma Mater!
Loyal sons and daughters sing;
Sound her praise with voice united;
To the breeze her colors fling.
To the blue and white be true;
Badge triumphant age on age;
Blue, the sky that o'er us bends;
White, Kentucky's stainless page.