The Department of Chemistry hosted a Faculty Poster Presentation on Friday, September 4, 2015.  This annual event is an opportunity for new graduate students to meet Chemistry faculty members and learn about their current research projects.Each of the 30 new graduate students needs to choose a research group by December, and the poster Presentation is designed them find a project that aligns with their interests.  This choice is critical, because the research group a student chooses this semester will determine the course of his or her academic career. The faculty member who leads the research group will become the student’s advisor and mentor.

While the event is mainly for the benefit of the new students, the Faculty Poster Presentation also gives faculty members a chance to look at their colleagues’ research and gives current students a venue for spending time with their peers outside the lab.  Events like the poster presentation are vital to the advancement of community within the department, and helps to foster strong relationships between our students and faculty members – now, and beyond their time in the Department.

For many departments on campus, the summer months are a time to take advantage of quieter offices and catch up on things that get lost in the hustle and bustle of the academic year. The Departments of Physics & Astronomy and Chemistry decided to liven up the relaxed pace by hosting weekly potluck lunches. These gatherings gave the faculty, staff, and students a chance to take a break from research labs and offices and participate in something fun to break up their day. Not only was the company good, but the food was also interesting since each week had a different “theme.” In total the departments hosted nine potluck lunches with a variety of fun themes that were suited to various tastes. Both departments are lucky to have a diverse group of graduate students and faculty with an assortment of cultures and backgrounds represented. One of the most popular lunches was Asian-themed. Many graduate students and faculty members were able to share their home cultures through the dishes they brought to the lunch. Some of the other themes included Italian, fiesta, western, farm & garden and carnival/circus. These potluck lunches were the perfect opportunity to build community between the two departments, building upon the community that already exists. All in all, the summer potlucks were a great success, proving that you can never go wrong with delicious food and great people. 

Hey y’all! I’m Lori Johnson and I’m junior from Louisville, KY! I’m studying Integrated Strategic Communications, and Community Leadership and Development; I know it’s a mouthful, but thankfully they’re two different majors! I’m also getting a certificate of Global Studies. Choosing where to go to college was a tough choice, but in the end my Big Blue Nation won out. The incredible sense of spirit and community is what really sealed the deal for me, everywhere you go, you see blue! It also didn’t hurt that my dad was also a Wildcat and I get to continue that tradition. Being a student at UK has given me the most amazing opportunities. I get to be in a great campus ministry, active in meaningful organizations and I have a really awesome job!

One of the coolest things I’ve been able to do while at UK is participate in study abroad. I spent my fall semester in Valencia, Spain and it was such an enriching and life-changing experience. Another really amazing opportunity I’ve had at UK is working with 4 Paws for Ability as a college foster for service dogs in training. You know those sweet, adorable, fluff balls in red vests you see walking around campus? That’s us! I’ve had two fosters so far, Juniper and Zipper and boy have they taught me some tough lessons.

Once I graduate I want to work in the non-profit world, hopefully mixing my PR skills and leadership knowledge. I’m still deciding if I will get my masters before embarking on that journey, there are still so many options for me to pursue. I’ve been so lucky to have an education that is interdisciplinary, and provides me with so many possibilities.

I work in the Department of Chemistry, and even after a year and a half I can honestly say I love my job. I get to work in a professional environment where there is a lot expected of me, but I’m also able to learn and strengthen skills that I just wouldn't get outside of an office setting. Plus, I get to work and interact with people that have so much more life experience than me, including some of our brilliant professors! My supervisors and co-workers are extraordinary and I’m incredibly grateful to work with them. Being a student worker is really the best job I could have right now, and I wouldn’t trade this experience for anything!