Awards and Recognition

The College of Communication and Information joins the University’s efforts to recognize and award the outstanding contributions of CI students and alumni.

Hall of Distinguished Alumni

Established in 1963, the Hall of Distinguished Alumni pays tribute to those UK alumni who have distinguished themselves and their alma mater through their contribution to the welfare of the commonwealth and the nation in arts, sciences, business, industry, engineering, journalism, politics, military science, religion, agriculture, labor or other fields of endeavor. Inductions occur every five years.

The CI alumni named to the UK Hall of Distinguished Alumni are:

*Deceased

College of Communication and Information Outstanding Alumnus Award

This award is presented annually to an outstanding alumnus of the College of Communication and Information. The nominee must have achieved success in their career and support the mission of the College.

The CI alumni who have received this award are:

2024 Michael Eaves
2023 Nancy Wiser
2022 Tommy L. Preston
2018 David Thompson
2017 Dan Hassert
2016 Jennifer Smith
2015 J.D.Shelburne
2014 Lonzell Watson
2013 Judge Jennifer B. Coffman
2013 Steven W. Newberry
2012 Michael Carozza
2011 W. James Host
2010 Jay Blanton
2009 Dan Liebman
2008 Dr. Phillip Palmgreen, Andrew Oppmann
2007 Dr. Lee B. Becker
2006 Everett J. "EJ" Mitchell II
2005 Dr. Bruce Berger
2004 Judy and Gene Clabes
2003 Jody Carbiener Dreyer
2001 Dr. Rona J. Roberts
2000 Kathryn R. Costello
1999 John R. "Jack" Guthrie

College of Communication and Information Friend of the College Award

The Friend of the College Award recognizes the contributions to the College of Communication and Information by volunteering, providing internships or involvement in programs or opportunities to support the College in other ways. The recipient is recognized at the annual College Excellence Awards.

The recipients of this award are:

2024 Kathel Dunn
2023 Matt Johnson
2022 Krishna Hobbs
2018 Jeff Ashley
2018 Larry and Susan Patrick
2017 Jayne Hancock
2016 Craig Kurz
2016 Jeremy Rogers
2015 Jamie Leddin
2014 Janice Birdwhistell
2014 Kip Cornett
2013 Alan Stein
2012 Don Jacobs
2011 Patrick A. Dalbey
2010 Bernard L. "Bernie" Vonderheide
2009 Charles Brymer
2009 Patrick Mutchler
2008 Phil Osborne
2007 Carl West
2006 Albert P. "Al" Smith, Jr.
2005 Patricia Hunter Shannon
2004 Dr. Gifford Blyton
2003 Nell Blair Vaughn
2002 David L. Weller
2001 Richard G. "Dick" Wilson
2000 Rosemary Westley

Lyman T. Johnson Awards

The University of Kentucky Alumni Association’s Lyman T. Johnson African American Alumni Group, in partnership with the University of Kentucky Office of Institutional Diversity honors amazing African American students and alumni from each college at an annual event.

The CI students and alumni who have earned this award are:

2024 Carlos Phillips, Nadia Sesay
2023 Nigel Taylor, Celeste Warren
2022 Kayla Gales, Erin Ashley Simon, Christina S. Walker
2021 Camille Wright, Sabriel Metcalf, Yalonda Green
2020 Akhira Umar, DeBraun Thomas
2019 Chandler Frierson, Sabirah Rayford
2018 Maria Jones, Shawn Long
2016 Taylor Gadberry, Portia Burgess
2015 Kaelin Massey, Michael Eaves
2014 Andrea Richard, Kortez Wilson
2013 Melvin Coffee
2011 Ashley Y. Newby
2009 Ashley Jackson, Lakendra Leandra, Joseph "Joker" Phillips
2008 Samantha Brown, Eric L. Brown
2007 Naitore Kiogora, Troy Body
2006 Sherrel Latoria Watson, Cathy A. Black
2005 Leslie Hollerman, Angela Tuck, Reinette Jones
2004 BaRhonda Dickerson, Everett J. Mitchell
2003 Dr. Rana Johnson, Quintissa Peake
2002 Lisa Brown, Cliff Jackson
1999 Angelo Henderson

UK Alumni Association Service Award

These awards are presented annually to honor and recognize alumni and friends of the University of Kentucky, who have provided extraordinary service to the University of Kentucky and the UK Alumni Association.

The CI alumni who have earned this honor are:

Katy Bennett (2024)
Antoine Huffman (2024
Jeffrey L. Ashley (2015)
Price Atkinson (2016)
Joe C. Creason (1971)
John R. “Jack” Guthrie (1991)
Diane M. Massie (2005)
Hank B. Thompson Jr. (1997)

UK Joseph T. Burch Young Alumni Service Award

This award is named for a long-time UK administrator who spent the better part of his life in service to UK students. It is presented annually to honor and recognize an alumna or alumnus who is an active member of the University of Kentucky Alumni Association, who is 10 years or less out of college at the time of nomination and who has worked on behalf of young people through the university, the UK Alumni Association, their alumni club or in the local community.