UK Advising Network Announces Ken Freedman Day of Recognition Award Recipients

The University of Kentucky Advising Network has announced the recipients of the 2020 Ken Freedman Day of Recognition Awards.

The UK Advising Network is open to all UK employees whose interests and work are related to academic advising. The network also supports those in advisor roles by coordinating opportunities for professional development, networking, awards and recognition.

Ken Freedman helped establish the UK Advising Network in 1986 and served as a professional advisor at UK until his death in 2001. The Ken Freedman Outstanding Advisor Award is presented each year in his honor to one full-time professional advisor and one faculty advisor for outstanding service.

Additional awards are given out annually at the Ken Freedman Day of Recognition in early May. This year’s luncheon was postponed due to the COVID-19 pandemic and awards were announced via email to the Advising Network.

Winners of the 2020 Ken Freedman Day of Recognition Awards include:

• Innovative Advising: College of Communication and Information Advising Team
• Advocate in Advising: Shari Veil, College of Communication and Information
• Outstanding New Advisor: Rachel Dixon, College of Communication and Information
• 2019-2020 Outstanding Faculty Advisor: Conrad Davies, College of Communication and Information
• Empowerment Leadership in Administration: Sara Price, UK Office of Undergraduate Admission
• The 2019-2020 Outstanding Professional Advisor: Bethany Fugate, Gatton College of Business and Economics

CI Advising Team: Innovative Advising

“CI Advisors sought a way to work with orientation attendees that helped them not be overwhelmed at the amount of information presented to them, a way to continue to provide information after orientation and through the summer and a way to provide content that was easily accessible to students. After creation of a common Canvas shell for incoming CI students for the 2018 summer orientation period, a survey of students showed that nearly 90% reported a positive response to prompts about understanding registration, UK Core, college credits and Canvas in general.” Nomination by Suanne Early.

Advocate in Advising, Friend to the Community: Shari Veil 

“Shari Veil far exceeded my expectations by being an unshakable force in the college, and an unmatched leader and advocate for the people she works with. I have found that her door is always open, no matter who you are, tenured, untenured, faculty, staff or student." Nomination by Suanne Early.

Outstanding New Advisor: Rachel Dixon

“Rachel goes above and beyond to encourage, uplift and advise me every time I meet with her,” a student said.  Another added, “Because of her help I feel supported and more excited about my major after each visit.” Nomination by Suanne Early

Outstanding Faculty Advisor: Conrad Davies

“He has personally learned the names of each of his students and believes that a personal touch aids in the learning experience. He has spent countless hours outside of his classes counseling and coaching his students.” Nomination by NaTasha Drake.

Empowerment Leadership in Administration: Sara Price

“Sara is invigorated by students’ passions, and she works tirelessly to see those passions burst into glorious life at UK, assisting however she can on both an institutional and a personal level.” Nomination by Cory Hershberger.

The 2019-2020 Outstanding Professional Advisor: Bethany Fugate

“Bethany is more than an adviser. She is a human being who shows empathy for her students, compassion for her job, and delivers excellent academic support. She is one of the reasons I stay on track towards my degree.” Nomination by Brandon Staten.