Inaugural Hilltopper Excellence Awards recognize 9 WKU alumni and benefactors
By Stephanie Smith, Building Kentucky For more than 30 years, the Hall of Distinguished Alumni induction ceremony has been a highlight of WKU’s Homecoming weekend. The inaugural Hilltopper Excellence Awards celebration, which was held on Nov. 9, built upon this legacy and offered the opportunity to recognize nine esteemed alumni and dedicated benefactors of WKU. […]
James B. Beam Institute for Kentucky Spirits opens distillery and maturation facility on University of Kentucky campus
By Lilli Dubler, Building Kentucky The University of Kentucky’s James B. Beam Institute for Kentucky Spirits officially opened the doors of its new facilities earlier this month. The institute, established in 2019, pursues its mission of ensuring the welfare and prosperity of Kentucky’s spirits industry through education, research, outreach and workforce development. “Today reinforces our commitment […]
KCTCS announces Commonwealth’s Most Outstanding High School Teacher/Counselor
By Cory McCauley, Building Kentucky The Kentucky Community and Technical College System (KCTCS) announced the winners of the first-ever Pathfinder Award today. The award recognizes individuals for their outstanding efforts in assisting students with their college-going and career plans. Each of the system’s 16 colleges selected a local winner from their service areas and an […]
Simmons College of Kentucky, Stock Yards Bank & Trust partner to expand Simmons College Career Center
By Quin Welch, Building Kentucky Simmons College of Kentucky — Louisville’s only Historically Black College and University (HBCU) — and Stock Yards Bank & Trust announced a new $50,000 partnership to expand Simmons’ new career center to serve more of the College’s students and implement software and facility upgrades. “Thanks to this generous contribution from […]
New Coldstream Research Campus supports technological growth in Kentucky
By Hayley Robb, Building Kentucky A new research facility is coming to the University of Kentucky’s Coldstream Research Campus. Representatives from UK, the Woodbury Corporation and state and local officials recently announced the new research lab, known as “The Core – Collaboration. Research. Entrepreneurship.” The Core will offer services and office space to accelerate the […]
UK President reflects on 2020 and looks ahead to future of university
By Rachel Nix, Building Kentucky President Eli Capilouto highlighted the ‘grace and grit’ of University of Kentucky students and staff in 2020 in recent remarks. Capilouto reflected with pride on the year to the university’s Board of Trustees in mid-December. The speech looked back on a historic semester for UK navigating a global pandemic and looked ahead at what’s […]
Wastewater testing: A tool to help slow down COVID-19
By Beverly Bartlett, Building Kentucky Even as the first doses of vaccine reach Kentucky, public health officials are continuing to fine-tune approaches to monitoring the spread of the disease. Wastewater testing allows public health officials to monitor for COVID-19 without orchestrating repeated, regular testing of large populations. This is an especially effective technique for prisons, […]
MedQuest student saves friend’s life while doing homework
A student practicing heart scans for MedQuest College schoolwork made a life-changing discovery. Jessica Begley, a MedQuest College student studying sonography, asked Chris Ward, a Lexington man working in the college’s admissions office, to help her with a practice heart scan. Students in the program often ask staff, friends and family to help practice using equipment and […]
Bowling Green makes 2020 Top 100 Best Places to Live America list
Bowling Green, home of the Corvette and the infamous “Hill,” was ranked amongst the top 100 best places to live in America, according to the annual list by Livability.com. Livability.com, a website that evaluates and ranks America’s small to mid-size cities, restructured their algorithm to reflect how the COVID-19 pandemic has transformed the definition of […]
Kentucky creates tech innovation P3
A new public-private partnership in Kentucky will work to develop academic innovations into job-creating tech companies. Gov. Andy Beshear recently announced the creation of Kentucky Commercialization Ventures (KCV) in partnership with the University of Kentucky and University of Louisville with the Kentucky Science and Technology Corp. (KSTC) and KY Innovation. KCV will leverage UK and […]
Report: Health care jobs expected to grow in Kentucky
The Kentucky Council on Postsecondary Education (CPE) predicts significant growth in health care jobs in Kentucky over the next 10 years. A recent report by CPE and Esmi showed an expected 12% jump for jobs in the health care industry here in the Commonwealth. The firm reported earlier this year that the need for engineers was […]
WKU Commons at Helm Library marks construction milestone
A historic building at the top of the hill at Western Kentucky University is transforming again. Originally built in 1934 as a campus basketball arena and then retrofitted in the 1960s to become a library, the structure will soon become WKU Commons at Helm Library. The new hybrid space will be a lively hub for studying, socializing and […]
MedQuest College says two-year degrees turn economic challenge into opportunity
So, what’s next? That’s the question facing many workers affected by the COVID-19 related downturn. It’s a question recent high school graduates are getting as well. If past downturns are any indication, one smart answer will be: “get a two-year degree.” That was the message from Bruce Kepley, CEO of MedQuest College, in a recent op-ed in Louisville’s […]
Study shows demand for Kentucky engineers
The Kentucky Council on Postsecondary Education (CPE) says Kentucky needs more engineers. A recent study projected that engineering jobs will increase more than 11.2% in Kentucky by 2029, outpacing the national average and driving the need for more college degrees. Engineering occupations are on the rise. CPE expects demand for approximately 3,000 more professionals in […]
MedQuest College trains ventilator repair technicians
Ventilators and other medical equipment save lives every day – even before COVID 19. But who keeps the medical equipment going? Medical Equipment Repair Technicians are truly essential personnel in hospitals and doctor’s offices – maintaining and repairing lifesaving equipment. MedQuest College in Louisville recently became only the second school in the state to offer a […]