University of Kentucky facts for kids
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Former names
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Agricultural and Mechanical College of Kentucky (1865–1908) State University, Lexington, Kentucky (1908–1915) State University of Kentucky (1915–1922) |
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| Motto | "United We Stand, Divided We Fall" |
| Type | Public land-grant research university |
| Established | February 22, 1865 |
| Accreditation | SACS |
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Academic affiliations
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| Endowment | $2.18 billion (2025) |
| Budget | $8.6 billion (2025–26) |
| President | Eli Capilouto |
| Provost | Robert S. DiPaola |
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Administrative staff
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14,167 (2018–19) |
| Students | 35,952 (fall 2024) |
| Undergraduates | 25,586 (fall 2024) |
| Postgraduates | 9,184 (fall 2024) |
| Location |
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United States
38°01′57″N 84°30′09″W / 38.03250°N 84.50250°W |
| Campus | Large City, 784 acres (3.17 km2) |
| Other campuses | |
| Newspaper | The Kentucky Kernel |
| Colors | Blue and white |
| Nickname | Wildcats |
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Sporting affiliations
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| Mascot |
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The University of Kentucky (often called UK) is a big public university in Lexington, Kentucky, USA. It was started in 1865 by John Bryan Bowman. Back then, it was known as the Agricultural and Mechanical College of Kentucky. UK is one of Kentucky's special "land-grant" universities. These schools were given land by the government to teach practical subjects like farming and engineering.
Today, UK is the largest university in Kentucky. In the fall of 2024, it had 35,952 students! The university has 16 different colleges. They offer many programs for students who are just starting college, those getting advanced degrees, and people studying for special jobs. UK is also known for its important research. It spends a lot of money on new discoveries and ideas.
The university has several libraries. The biggest one is the William T. Young Library. It holds many books and resources about social sciences, history, and life sciences. UK has also worked hard to become a top research university. Many years ago, the state asked it to be one of the best public research schools by 2020. Two people who studied at UK have even won Nobel Prizes for their amazing work!
Contents
The Story of UK
How UK Started
A long time ago in Kentucky, only a few people could go to college. Most of them came from wealthy families. In 1865, the "Agricultural and Mechanical College of Kentucky" (or A&M for short) was founded. It was part of another school called Kentucky University. This new college received help from the government through the Morrill Land-Grant Act. This act helped create colleges that taught practical skills like farming and engineering.
In 1866, A&M opened its doors with 190 students and 10 teachers. John Bryan Bowman was its first leader. A few years later, in 1878, A&M became its own separate school. The city of Lexington gave the college 52 acres of land. This land became the main part of UK's campus today. At first, only boys could attend, but in 1880, girls were also welcomed!
The university's official colors, royal blue and white, were chosen in 1892. People say the exact shade of blue was picked from a necktie!
One of the first buildings on the current campus was the Administration Building, finished in 1882. The college also started an Agricultural Experiment Station. This station helps research farming, food, and the environment. Later, in 1910, they created the Agricultural Extension Service. This service helped share new farming knowledge with people all over the state.
Becoming a Modern University
Patterson Hall, the first dormitory for women, was built in 1904. In 1908, the school's name changed to "State University, Lexington, Kentucky." Then, in 1916, it officially became the University of Kentucky. Over the years, new colleges were added, like the College of Home Economics in 1916 and the College of Commerce in 1925. Today, the College of Commerce is known as the Gatton College of Business and Economics.
Memorial Hall was finished in 1929. It honors the Kentuckians who lost their lives in World War I. The new King Library opened in 1931. It was named after a long-time library director.
In 1949, a very important change happened. The university's advanced degree programs became open to all students, no matter their race. This was because Lyman T. Johnson, an African American student, won a lawsuit to be admitted. Later, in 1954, all students, including undergraduates, were allowed to attend, following a big decision by the US Supreme Court. This helped make UK a more welcoming place for everyone.
In 1955, work began on the Albert B. Chandler Hospital. This was a big step to improve health care and train more doctors and nurses in Kentucky. The College of Medicine and College of Nursing opened in 1960. The College of Dentistry followed in 1962.
The Kentucky General Assembly asked UK to create a system of community colleges in 1962. This helped more people get a college education closer to home. The Patterson Office Tower, the tallest building on campus, was completed in 1969.
In May 1970, students at the university held protests. They were reacting to events happening at other universities. The Louie B. Nunn Center for Oral History at UK Libraries has interviews with people who were part of these protests. The Singletary Center for the Arts opened nine years later. It was named after a former university president.
UK Today
In 1997, the community college system changed. Most of the community colleges became part of a separate system. However, Lexington Community College stayed connected to UK for a while before becoming Bluegrass Community and Technical College in 2004.
A huge project started in 1998: the William T. Young Library. It was the biggest university project at that time. This library is one of the largest public university libraries in the country. It was named after William T. Young, who made his fortune selling his peanut butter company.
The Kentucky General Assembly made a plan with the university in 1997. This "Top 20 Plan" aimed for UK to become one of the top 20 public research universities by 2020. The idea was that top universities help states have better incomes, more education, and healthier lives. This plan helped UK grow a lot.
Some good things happened because of this plan:
- More students enrolled at UK.
- More students graduated within six years.
- The amount of money spent on research grew a lot.
- The university's endowment (money saved for the future) also increased.
In 2000, UK started a big fundraising effort called "The Campaign for the University of Kentucky." They wanted to raise $600 million for new buildings, programs, and scholarships. They actually raised over $1 billion by 2007!
As of 2019, the University of Kentucky had an endowment of $1.407 billion. This shows how much support the university has.
In 2018, the new Gatton Student Center opened. This huge building has a cinema, many places to eat, ballrooms, a bookstore, and offices. It's a central spot for students to gather and relax.
Learning at UK
Different Colleges and Programs
UK has 16 different colleges where students can study many subjects. These colleges offer programs for students just starting college, those getting advanced degrees, and people studying for special jobs. The university has many libraries, with the William T. Young Library being the largest. It holds books and resources for social sciences, humanities, and life sciences.
UK is known for its research. The university worked to become a "Top 20" public research institution by 2020. This means it's a leader in making new discoveries.
Here are some of the colleges at UK:
- College of Agriculture, Food and Environment
- College of Arts and Sciences
- Gatton College of Business and Economics
- College of Communication & Information
- College of Dentistry
- College of Design
- College of Education
- Pigman College of Engineering
- College of Fine Arts
- College of Health Sciences
- J. David Rosenberg College of Law
- College of Medicine
- College of Nursing
- College of Pharmacy
- College of Public Health
- College of Social Work
- University of Kentucky Graduate School
- Martin School of Public Policy and Administration
- Patterson School of Diplomacy and International Commerce
Lewis Honors College
The Honors Program at UK started in 1958. It offers special classes for students who want to challenge themselves. These classes are usually smaller and cover many different subjects.
In 2015, UK received a very generous gift of $23.5 million from alumnus Thomas W. Lewis and his wife Jan. This gift helped create the Lewis Honors College. It has its own building, Lewis Hall, which is also a dormitory for Honors College students.
Student Life at UK
Students and Community
The University of Kentucky welcomes students from many different backgrounds and countries. It aims to have a diverse student body. In fall 2014, over 30,000 students were enrolled. Many students come from Kentucky, but a good number also come from other states.
Student Government
The University of Kentucky Student Government Association (UKSGA) helps represent all students at the university. It works to give students a voice in school decisions and provides many helpful services. UKSGA has three parts:
- Executive Branch: Manages daily activities and programs.
- Legislative Branch: Includes the Student Senate, which helps decide how money is spent and makes changes.
- Judicial Branch: Makes sure rules are followed and handles complaints.
Some of their programs include:
- Kentucky Wildcab: A late-night ride service to help students travel safely.
- Wildcat Wardrobe: Provides free professional clothes for students for interviews.
- Safe CATS: Offers escorts to help students walk around campus safely.
- Student Legal Services: Provides free legal advice for students.
- Childcare Grants: Helps students with the cost of childcare.
- Scholarships: Offers financial help for students.
Theater and Arts
Students at UK have a long history of performing plays. The Guignol Theater, located in the Fine Arts Building, opened in 1950. Students often perform plays there. In the past, these plays would even go on tour around Kentucky during the summer!
Student Media
UK has a history with radio. The Electrical and Computer Engineering Department had one of the first college amateur radio stations before World War I.
Today, students run two independent FM radio stations.
- 91.3 FM WUKY: This was the first university-owned FM radio station in the United States. It started in 1940 and became one of the first stations to carry NPR's "All Things Considered."
- 88.1 FM WRFL-"Radio Free Lexington": This station has been on air since 1988. Students operate it 24/7, playing many different types of music.
The campus also has The Kentucky Kernel, a student-run newspaper that started in 1915. The official yearbook, Kentuckian, was first published in 1906.
Black Student Union
The University of Kentucky Black Student Union (BSU) was created in 1968. It was the first group on campus specifically made to support students of color. Their goal is to help make positive changes for diverse students and educate the campus community. Jim Embry was a founding member and the first president of the BSU.
Greek Life
UK has many sororities and fraternities. These groups have over 3,000 students. There are also other student organizations like Alpha Kappa Psi (a business fraternity) and Tau Beta Sigma (a band fraternity).
UK Sports: The Wildcats!
Students at the University of Kentucky compete as the Wildcats! Their team colors are Kentucky blue and white.
Football games against other colleges started in the 1890s. The women's basketball program began in 1902, and the men's team started a year later. The "Wildcats" nickname came about after a football game in 1909. The military department chief said the team "fought like wildcats!" This name stuck, and a costumed mascot first appeared in 1976.
Adolph Rupp became the men's basketball coach in 1930 and coached for 42 years. He led the team to four NCAA championships in 1948, 1949, 1951, and 1958. The Wildcats won more championships under other coaches, including in 1978, 1996, 1998, and their eighth national title in 2012 under Coach John Calipari.
UK has won many national championships in different sports. Their women's volleyball team won a national championship in spring 2021 for the fall 2020 season. They also have a women's cross country national team championship from 1988, individual championships in gymnastics, and 24 national championships in cheerleading! The football team was also a co-national champion in 1950.
The University of Kentucky Dance team was ranked fifth in the nation for Hip Hop and seventh for Pom in 2015.
Other sports at UK include baseball, golf, soccer, softball, swimming and diving, tennis, and track and field. They also have popular club teams like ice hockey and rugby. Mark Stoops is the current football coach.
A well-known song played at many UK events, like games and graduations, is the university's fight song: On, On, U of K. Another song, Kentucky Fight, is played before games.
Esports
The University of Kentucky has partnered with a South Korean Esports organization, Gen.G Esports, and International Studies Abroad (ISA). Together, they launched an international esports exchange program in Seoul, South Korea. This allows students to experience esports on a global level.
UK Traditions
The University of Kentucky has many traditions that students and alumni enjoy, celebrating the spirit and history of the school.
Exploring the Campus
The University of Kentucky campus has seven main places to eat, 23 dormitories, and many recreation facilities. The campus is divided into north, south, and central areas. There are also over 250 student-run organizations!
The campus has several important buildings. The Main Building is a four-story administration building that dates back to 1882. The Patterson Office Tower is the tallest building on campus.
UK once managed a system of community colleges across Kentucky. However, in 1997, these colleges became part of a separate system called the Kentucky Community and Technical College System (KCTCS).
The College of Engineering also has a satellite campus in Paducah. It is located on the campus of West Kentucky Community and Technical College.
Campus Libraries
The University of Kentucky has seven libraries. The William T. Young Library is the largest. It has a huge collection of books and resources for students. It also serves as a Federal Depository Library and a public library for the state of Kentucky.
Campus Landmarks
Here are some famous places on the University of Kentucky campus:
- Kroger Field (where football games are played)
- Memorial Coliseum
- Memorial Hall
- Singletary Center for the Arts
- University of Kentucky Art Museum
- University of Kentucky/Lexington-Fayette Urban County Government Arboretum
- University of Kentucky Research and Education Center Botanical Garden
- William T. Young Library
Amazing People from UK
Notable Faculty
Many talented teachers and researchers have worked at UK. Some of them include:
- Kimberly W. Anderson, a chemist and professor.
- John Clubbe, an expert on the poet Lord Byron.
- Gary Ferland, an astrophysicist who studies space.
- Milena Minkova, a Latin expert.
- Melynda Price, a law professor and director of African American Studies.
- Juan Trigos, a composer and conductor.
Notable Alumni
The University of Kentucky has over 140,000 alumni (former students) in Kentucky and many more around the world! The University of Kentucky Alumni Association helps keep former students and teachers connected.
Many famous people have studied at UK, including:
- Seven governors, like Steve Beshear and Happy Chandler (who was also a U.S. Senator and Commissioner of Major League Baseball).
- U.S. Senator Mitch McConnell.
- Kelly Craft, who was a U.S. Ambassador to the United Nations.
- Carol Martin "Bill" Gatton, who made the largest gift ever to the university. The Gatton College of Business and Economics is named after him.
- Thomas Hunt Morgan, who won the 1933 Nobel Prize in Physiology or Medicine for his work in genetics.
- William Lipscomb, who won the 1976 Nobel Prize in Chemistry.
- Doris Y. Wilkinson, the first African American woman to graduate from UK as an undergraduate in 1958.
- Joyce Hamilton Berry, the first African American woman to earn a Ph.D. from UK in 1970.
- Journalist and Miss USA 2021 Elle Smith.
- Actresses like Miss Elizabeth and Ashley Judd.
- Many athletes, including Randall Cobb (football), Josh Hines-Allen (football), Anthony Davis (basketball), and Tyrese Maxey (basketball).
Images for kids
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The early campus: Barker Hall in the center, the Main Building to the right, and a lake in the foreground where the Student Center was later built.
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Chemistry-Physics Building
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The Main Building in the foreground and the Patterson Office Tower in the background
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Kelly Craft, US Ambassador to the United Nations, US Ambassador to Canada
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Ashley Judd, actress
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William Lipscomb, 1976 winner of the Nobel Prize in Chemistry
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Mitch McConnell, U.S. Senator, longest-serving Senate Party Leader in U.S. History
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Thomas Hunt Morgan, recipient of the Nobel Prize in Physiology or Medicine, and father of modern genetics
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Ben Chandler, U.S. Congressman from Kentucky, 2004 to 2011
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Louise Slaughter, U.S. Congresswoman from New York, 1987 to 2018. Chair of the House Rules Committee, 2007 to 2011
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Albert "Happy" Chandler, 44th and 49th Governor of Kentucky; Commissioner of Major League Baseball, 1945 to 1951
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See also
In Spanish: Universidad de Kentucky para niños
- Education in Kentucky
- List of forestry universities and colleges
