The University of Kentucky's degree offerings are getting a little greener next fall.

A new major, Environmental and Sustainability Studies offered by the College of Arts and Sciences, will provide a Bachelor of Arts option for students interested in pursuing a major in environmental studies. The curriculum will provide a deep understanding of the humanities and social science aspects of environmental and sustainability issues.

>>Visit the Environmental & Sustainability Studies website

The degree is designed to provide students with a foundation in the natural and physical sciences without the math and science courses typically required by environmental B.S. degrees;

By Carl Nathe

The immediate crisis may have been alleviated somewhat by the 'fiscal cliff' legislation passed by Congress on Jan. 1, however, the issue of revenue vs. spending by the federal government continues to be a major topic of debate across the country.

Against this backdrop, the University of Kentucky's Martin School of Public Policy and Administration is bringing a major national figure to campus to discuss the financial challenges facing America and the rest of the world.  David M. Walker, who served as comptroller general of the United States and head of the Government Accountability Office (GAO) from 1998 to 2008, will address students, faculty, and the general public at 7:00 tonight. Wednesday, Jan. 23, in the Recital Hall of the

By Erin Berger

An intervention created by a group of University of Kentucky faculty has proven successful in encouraging young women in an area of eastern Kentucky to complete the series of HPV vaccines to guard against cervical cancer.

In 2012, cervical cancer affected approximately 12,000 women in the United States and was responsible for another 4,200 deaths. In rural eastern Kentucky, women are more likely to die from cervical cancer than women residing elsewhere in the United States.

“The worst part about these statistics is that no woman should ever experience cervical cancer,” said Robin Vanderpool, assistant professor of health behavior in the University of Kentucky College of Public Health.

Cervical cancer, a disease that is both preventable and treatable, remains a national public health concern particularly for women in medically

By Whitney Hale

In celebration of the University of Kentucky's upcoming sesquicentennial in 2015, the 41st of 150 weekly installments remembers a popular leisure and educational travel option for the institution's students and faculty.

The April 1896 Cadet announced: "Fall in for Natural Bridge! A Gala Day! Let everybody go. Students and friends in the city. The Lexington and Eastern Railroad can’t be excelled for scenery. All who went last year, know that the trip was far superior to expectation; since then, the Railroad Co. have spent thousands of dollars, and now have the best place in the country for picnic parties and pleasure seeker. Go! 

Tickets for the road trip and admission to the grounds $1, for sale by A.S. Reese and R.F.

By Sarah Geegan

The year 2013 is underway. The Jan. 1 fiscal cliff deadline came and went, President Barack Obama was inaugurated yesterday and the 113th Congress has had its first session. With these historical, political moments now passed, what does the year 2013 have in store for the nation? UK expert Stephen Voss weighs in on his predictions for the coming year.

Voss is an expert on public opinion and voting behavior, as it relates to the economy. His work has appeared in various professional journals, including the American Journal of Political Science, Journal of Politics, Public Opinion Quarterly,

Video by UK Public Relations and Marketing

By Gail Hairston, Jenny Wells, Amy Jones, and Kody Kaiser

Gerald Smith has spent a lifetime studying the nation’s African-American leaders, including the formative years of the Rev. Martin Luther King Jr.

The Lexington area will celebrate the Martin Luther King Jr. holiday Monday, Jan. 21, with a march and program featuring Jeff Johnson.  Register here to take part in the Martin Luther King Jr. Day of Service Challenge, or visit

By Sarah Geegan

University of Kentucky physics Professor Tim Gorringe's research collaboration has recently gained attention for an important experimental result.

Playing a leadership role in an international collaboration of physicists, Gorringe has measured precisely how rapidly muons, which are particles that behave like electrons but are 200 times heavier, are captured on protons, yielding a neutron and a neutrino.

The experiment, which gives an unprecedented probe of the weak force at low energies, was performed at the renowned Paul Scherrer Institute (PSI) in Switzerland.

"The result is significant in confirming our understanding of how fundamental symmetries govern the nature

The University of Kentucky Appalachian Center announces the following internship opportunities for the spring semester, for undergraduate or graduate students. Each internship is for 10 hours per week, with $10/hr. compensation. Students from all colleges at UK are encouraged to apply, and there is special emphasis on providing this opportunity to UK students who are from the Appalachian region.

The Appalachian Center (http://appalachiancenter.as.uky.edu)  emphasizes community-university partnerships in shaping research and engagement that is useful in and beyond the region, in keeping with the land grant mission of the University. Our role is to facilitate stronger connections between student and faculty researchers from across all colleges at the University of Kentucky whose teaching, research, learning and outreach

Everyone knows that the sole means to attain profound knowledge of a language is through immersion. Speaking the language with other individuals such as classroom peers and instructors is a wonderful practice.

But is there a way to even improve this experience? Researchers and teachers are currently seeking ways to expand the immersion technique.

Francisco Salgado-Robles, lecturer in Hispanic Studies, believes the answer to this question is to get the students outside of the classroom.

Salgado-Robles is an advocate of service learning, which is producing positive educational experiences in many departments at campuses across the globe.

“Service learning,” he defines, “is experiential education that engages students in activities that address

UK Alum Works with American Presidents to Archive History from UK College of Arts & Sciences on Vimeo.

By Amy Jones, Jay Blanton, Kody Kiser

Every Inauguration begins a new chapter in the history books as a president is sworn into office.   A UK graduate has spent most of his professional life helping archive history for various presidents.  In fact, Alan Lowe is currently archiving the history of former President George W. Bush.

From early childhood on, Lowe thought he would be a doctor.

A few days on the University of Kentucky campus – and a little time in Chemistry 101 -- in the 1980s quickly taught him otherwise.

“But that’s where I step back and think about ‘What do you really like?’ Step back and

by Sarah Geegan

UK Associate Professor of Earth and Environmental Sciences Alan Fryar was recently featured in The Chronicle of Higher Education; his essay describes his experience with 11 students from the arid Middle East and North Africa who convened in drought-stricken San Angelo, Texas, to learn about water.

Through a grant from the State Department's Bureau of Oceans and International Environmental and Scientific Affairs, Fryar and colleagues focused on capacity building in the Middle East and North Africa, with a particular emphasis on hydrology.

In collaboration with

The following column appeared in the Lexington Herald-Leader on Sunday, Jan. 13, 2013.

by Dr. Leslie Crofford

Everyday aches and pains are a part of life, but sometimes they can get so severe that it is almost unbearable and interferes with the ability to function normally. In that case, fibromyalgia may be to blame.

Fibromyalgia causes pain that can be felt in muscles, joint and even skin. Although it is the most common musculoskeletal condition after osteoarthritis, it is often misunderstood and misdiagnosed. It is characterized by all-over body ache that persists for at least three months, specific tender points on the body and severe fatigue. 

The muscles may feel like they are tired and overworked and may twitch, burn or have a deep stabbing pain. The condition can be accompanied by unrefreshing sleep, problems with clear

by Jay Blanton

video by UK Public Relations and Marketing.

University of Kentucky President Eli Capilouto Thursday praised the partnership of Gov. Steve Beshear and legislative leaders who are strongly supporting UK's self-financing of a dramatic $275 million transformation of the campus.

"We are here this morning because of your leadership and your willingness to partner with us, as educational institutions, united to provide Kentucky with the best education, research and service," Capilouto said at a Frankfort news conference with the governor and legislative leaders who are supporting UK's proposal. "In offering your support for us to self-finance facilities that will help dramatically improve and transform our campuses, you are voicing your faith in Kentucky's

by Keith Hautala

Older adults who have spoken two languages since childhood are faster than single-language speakers at switching from one task to another, according to a study conducted at the University of Kentucky College of Medicine.

The study also found that lifelong bilinguals show different patterns of brain activity than their monolingual counterparts when making the switch.  

The research was led by Brian Gold, associate professor of anatomy and neurobiology, who specializes in cognitive neuroscience. The article, "Lifelong Bilingualism Maintains Neural Efficiency for Cognitive Control in Aging," was published in the Jan. 9 issue of The Journal of Neuroscience.

As people age, cognitive flexibility — the ability to adapt to unfamiliar or unexpected circumstances — and

by Whitney Hale

In celebration of University of Kentucky College of Arts and Sciences' year-long exploration into the culture and history of  Russia, UK Libraries continues "Reimagining Russia's Realms" throughout the spring semester with new exhibits and programming.

First, UK Libraries is teaming up with UK HealthCare and the UK Arts and Sciences Advisory Board to present "Audiology and Hearing Rehabilitation Services in Russia: Pros and Cons of Personalized Medicine," at 2 p.m. Monday, Jan. 14, in the William T. Young Library

by Sarah Geegan

The University of Kentucky Confucius Institute (UKCI), established for only two years, was named the 2012 Confucius Institute of the Year in December.

Awarded by the Office of Chinese Language Council International (colloquially known as the Hanban), the honor distinguishes the UKCI among the more than 430 Confucius Institutes in 115 countries; there are approximately 90 Confucius Institutes in the U.S. UKCI director Huajing Maskeand interim Provost Tim Tracy accepted the award at the seventh

Victoria Dekle has received the Dissertation Enhancement Award. Her dissertation research centers on Late Archaic Interaction and Hunter-Gatherer History along the Lower Savannah River Valley.

By Sarah Geegan