Behind The Blue

LEXINGTON, Ky. (April 10, 2025) – [THIS IS AN ENCORE EPISODE]  In the summer of 2020, UK Football player JJ Weaver lost both his father and high school football coach in successive months. Weaver, a graduate who plays outside linebacker, says he channeled his emotions into football until an injury later that fall sidelined him and left him with no outlet. Struggling with anger and grief, JJ began falling behind in class and regressing from his teammates, until the UK coaching staff pulled him aside to try and understand what was happening. From there, Weaver’s path eventually led him to a senior capstone class with Nicole Breazeale, an associate professor of community and leadership development in the UK College of Agriculture, Food & Environment, where he shared his journey with fellow students.  As a final project in the class, Breazeale connected Weaver and two other students with Emily Johnson, the clinical programs manager at the Kentucky Center for Grieving Children and Families, where they deve

LEXINGTON, Ky. (April 3, 2025) – The following episode deals with sensitive subject material involving sexual assault, rape, stalking, and intimate partner violence. Listener discretion is advised. If you or someone you know needs assistance, contact the VIP Center at 859-257-3574 or email vipcenter@uky.edu. April is Sexual Assault Awareness and Prevention Month, a time dedicated to education, advocacy, and support for survivors. At the University of Kentucky, the Violence Intervention and Prevention (VIP) Center serves as a confidential resource for students, faculty, and staff impacted by interpersonal violence—including sexual assault, rape, stalking, and intimate partner violence. The VIP Center provides a welcoming space for survivors, advocates, and anyone seeking to learn more about prevention and intervention. On this episode of Behind the Blue, two professionals dedicated to supporting survivors and preventing violence on campus discuss the work of the VIP Center and the vital role of advocacy i

LEXINGTON, Ky. (March 27, 2025) – In December of 2024, long-time agricultural and extension services leader Laura Stephenson was named vice president for land-grant engagement and dean of the Martin-Gatton College of Agriculture, Food and Environment (Martin-Gatton CAFE). With a career spanning decades in Cooperative Extension leadership in both Kentucky and Tennessee, Stephenson has worked at every level of the system—from county agent to state director—helping to connect research with real-world solutions for farmers, businesses, and communities.  Now, as Dean, she’s leading the college through a period of transformation, overseeing major facility upgrades, expanding workforce development programs, and strengthening partnerships that bridge agriculture, education, and public health. On this episode of Behind the Blue, Stephenson discusses her vision for the college, the evolving role of UK Extension in supporting producers of all sizes, and how agriculture touches every aspect of life in the Commonweal

LEXINGTON, Ky. (March 20, 2025) – Each year in the spring, hundreds of UK students gather to stand for an entire day to support the patients in the DanceBlue Kentucky Children’s Hospital Hematology/Oncology Clinic. This year, the organization will celebrate its 20th annual marathon. Students work all year to raise funds and share the mission to spread joy. On March 29-30 they will fill the floor of Historic Memorial Coliseum for 24-hours to participate in the no-sitting, no-sleeping marathon.   In 2006, the very first DanceBlue Marathon raised $123,323.16. The event has grown larger every year, becoming one of the greatest traditions at the University of Kentucky. In 2024, the organization raised $2.1 million, breaking the record for highest fundraising total. For 20 years, DanceBlue has strived to spread joy to those fighting, to persevere in memory of the lives lost, and to celebrate every victory until the battle against pediatric cancer is won. On this episode of Behind the Blue, two UK alumni who w

LEXINGTON, Ky. (March 13, 2025) – Last summer, University of Kentucky archaeologist Paolo Visonà, Ph.D., an adjunct associate professor in the University of Kentucky’s School of Art and Visual Studies, announced a major archaeological discovery in Calabria, Italy.  Visonà and his team discovered Spartacus’ first battlefield in southern Italy and Roman fortification systems built by Crassus to blockade Spartacus’ army.  Through fieldwalking and geophysical and remote sensing techniques, Visonà’s team followed the Roman lines for more than 1.6 miles in a dense forest and collected numerous fragments of broken weapons. Visonà has conclusively identified some of the weapon fragments as originating in the first century B.C. Visonà’s team also found a complete bronze stud inside the wall at a depth consistent with Roman military equipment.  On this episode of Behind the Blue, Visonà discusses the path to his discovery and what it means for the field of archaeology and the University of Kentucky. Behind the Bl

LEXINGTON, Ky. (March 5, 2025) — It’s hard to believe it’s been five years since the COVID-19 pandemic officially arrived in the Commonwealth – but on Friday, March 6, 2020, Gov. Andy Beshear confirmed the state’s first COVID-19-positive patient and declared a state of emergency in Kentucky. And that first case was tested and diagnosed right here at the University of Kentucky Albert B. Chandler Hospital. That day began a grueling, years-long grind for medical professionals across the state, the country, and the world. Hospital systems struggled to keep up with surges of severely ill patients coming through their doors. Shortages of personal protective equipment, ventilators, ECMO machines, inpatient beds, and even health care providers themselves led to a type of global health crisis not seen in more than a century.   In today’s episode of Behind the Blue, you’ll hear from eight longtime employees from the medical side of UK’s campus, ranging from administrators to frontline health care providers to researche

LEXINGTON, Ky. (February 26, 2025) – As Lexington commemorates its 250th anniversary and the University of Kentucky marks its 160th, UK Libraries’ Deirdre Scaggs helps listeners explore the intertwined history and evolving relationship between the city and its university.  Scaggs is associate dean for research and discovery and director of the Wendell H. Ford Public Policy Research Center in UK Libraries’ Special Collections Research Center. She helps navigate UK’s origins in Lexington, the challenges of growing UK and Lexington’s symbiotic relationship, and the importance of the community built between the two.  A key part of that is UK’s mission and charge as the Commonwealth’s land-grant institution.  “Having a land-grant institution in your city is a big draw for development, for businesses to want to come here and invest in the area,” Scaggs said. “The public service mission of a land-grant institution is something that I think the university has always followed through with and has made such a d

LEXINGTON, Ky. (February 20, 2025) – THIS IS AN ENCORE EPISODE. Fans, dressed from head to toe in their team’s colors, swarm the stadium chanting fight songs and waving banners. It’s game day, and the stakes feel monumental.  Sports rivalries are a cornerstone of athletic culture — sparking packed bleachers, passionate debates and unforgettable moments.  But what drives the fervor that fans feel for their team and the disdain for their rivals? Experts suggest the answer lies not just in the scoreboard, but in the human psyche.  According to Matt Moore, associate professor in the College of Social Work(CoSW) and Tarkington Newman, director of CoSW Sport Social Work Research Lab, rivalries are more than competition; they’re a powerful blend of identity, emotion and instinct. The CoSW recently announced the launch of The Sport Social Work Collaborative — a partnership between the Alliance of Social Workers in Sports (ASWIS), the Sport Social Work Journal and the college’s Sport Social Work Research Lab. 

LEXINGTON, Ky. (Feb. 14, 2025) – It seems like foreshadowing that they met while playing the board game Life. Marietta Barton was 19 years old; Jeff Baxter was 21. Despite both growing up in London, Ky., they never crossed paths until they moved to Lexington for college. But within a few weeks of their chance meeting, they were in love—and engaged.   Now, 35 years into their marriage, Jeff has published a book chronicling their whirlwind romance, the life-altering health struggles they faced soon after, and their enduring commitment to one another.   He originally wrote the book, “Ten Dates Later: The Story of an MS Caregiver,” as a surprise gift for Marietta (now Barton-Baxter) in 2023. But after sharing the text with a few friends, they were encouraged to publish it to help others facing the challenges of chronic illness and caregiving. They also decided to donate the proceeds from the book to multiple sclerosis research at the University of Kentucky, where they both earned their degrees, and where Marietta

LEXINGTON, Ky. (February 6, 2025) – [THIS IS AN ENCORE EPISODE] For over three decades, Everett McCorvey has been the driving force as director of UK Opera Theatre, which is part of the School of Music at the UK College of Fine Arts. The school has earned a national reputation for excellence in opera, choral and instrumental music performance, as well as in music education, music therapy, composition, theory, and music history. As the first African American to earn a doctoral degree in music from the University of Alabama, McCorvey is personally committed to creating opportunities for UK students from diverse backgrounds to thrive. One of McCorvey’s most renowned projects is ‘It’s A Grand Night for Singing!’, a vibrant, high-energy musical showcase featuring hits from Broadway and beyond. Since its inception in 1992, ‘Grand Night’ has captivated audiences with its Emmy Award-winning performances, highlighting the best of Broadway both past and present. On this episode of ‘Behind the Blue’, McCorv

LEXINGTON, Ky. (January 29, 2025) – The University of Kentucky Alzheimer’s Disease Research Center at the Sanders-Brown Center on Aging is celebrating 40 years of research and community impact. The center is world-renowned for its significant contributions to the field through the decades. As the UK-ADRC celebrates this milestone, we reflect on how the Center has evolved over the years and highlight some of its notable achievements. This episode of Behind the Blue features a conversation with Dr. Linda Van Eldik, Director of the Sanders-Brown Center on Aging and Alzheimer’s Disease Center. Van Eldik highlights the 40-year journey of the Center, focusing on its origins, community engagement, and the evolution of Alzheimer's research.  The discussion covers the importance of understanding dementia through biomarkers, the significance of translational research, and the center's commitment to preventative strategies and lifestyle interventions. She emphasizes the need for community outreach, education, and th

LEXINGTON, Ky. (January 23, 2025) – This week’s episode of Behind the Blue features an episode of the Talking FACS podcast. Hosted by Mindy McCulley of the UK Family and Consumer Sciences Extension Program, Talking FACS is a production of the UK College of Agriculture, Food & Environment. On this special guest episode, Dr. Alex Elswick, Extension Specialist for Substance Use Prevention and Recovery, discusses a critical and timely issue—the alarming rise of stimulant use alongside the ongoing opioid crisis, a phenomenon some experts refer to as a "twin epidemic." In this interview, Dr. Elswick unpacks startling data: stimulant use, particularly methamphetamine and cocaine, has spiked dramatically across the nation and here in Kentucky, becoming a major contributor to overdose fatalities alongside opioids. This conversation sheds light on evolving drug use patterns, including the shift from injection to smoking, and explores the social perceptions and challenges surrounding treatment for stimulant addi

LEXINGTON, Ky. (January 16, 2025) – For over 50 years, the city of Lexington, Kentucky, has honored the life and legacy of Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. with one of the longest-running celebrations in the country. This year, thousands of community members will come together once again to reflect on Dr. King's vision for racial equality, social justice and service to others —values that remain as relevant today as they were during his lifetime. The legacy of Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. encompasses influential decisions, monumental actions and steadfast progressions of humanitarian rights that reach far beyond the civil rights movement. A leader of all people, Dr. King never chose fear but always chose courage and determination when fighting for civil rights in the face of oppression, ignorance and violence - providing a model for how we still must work to combat inequality today.  This year’s theme, “Where do we go from here?” emphasizes where we are today and where we need to go. A message the Lexington MLK D

LEXINGTON, Ky. (January 9, 2025) – As the new year begins, the University of Kentucky is welcoming back students for the spring 2025 semester—a time to reflect on the strides made in the past year and to look forward to the opportunities ahead. On this episode of Behind the Blue, UK President Eli Capilouto reflects on 2024, highlighting the achievements of a campus community deeply committed to care—care for students, for discovery, and for the Commonwealth. “The most important question we should ask ourselves every day,” he notes, “is, did we care? And then, how we care. That makes me most proud of our faculty, because resoundingly, you can say they care. They care about our students—not just their educational experience,” but also how they’re prepared to serve the future. President Capilouto also discusses the Board of Trustees’ directive for UK to strengthen partnerships across Kentucky to advance health and prosperity. With a mission to make the state “healthier, wealthier, and wiser,” the university

 LEXINGTON, Ky. (December 23, 2024) – The University of Kentucky Alumni Association started the Great Teacher Award program in 1961 to honor excellent teaching at the university. There have been more than 300 teachers honored since that first year. Nominations may only be submitted by current students. To receive the award, a candidate must:  Hold the rank of full-time lecturer or above and have been a member of the faculty for the past three years at UK. Have superior knowledge of the subject matter. Have original and innovative classroom presentations. Demonstrate concern for students, both inside and outside the classroom setting. Not have been a recipient of the award for the past 10 years. A committee of the UK Alumni Association Board of Directors and a representative from the student organization Omicron Delta Kappa select the recipients based on objective rating and ranking of the eligible nominations submitted. This episode of Behind the Blue spotlights one of the six Great Teacher Award

LEXINGTON, Ky. (December 12, 2024) – On Friday, December 20th, the University of Kentucky will honor its newest alumni during the December Commencement ceremonies. On this episode of Behind the Blue, we’re spotlighting a few of those graduates, hearing their stories about their time at UK, the memories they’ll carry forward, and how they’re ready to apply what they’ve learned to the next exciting chapters of their lives. Jayla McCoy, a graduating senior from Cleveland, Ohio, is earning her Bachelor of Science in Mechanical Engineering with a minor in Computer Science. A standout leader at the University of Kentucky, Jayla conducted undergraduate research, served as a Lead College of Engineering Ambassador, and was Chapter President of the National Society of Black Engineers.  With internships at Toyota and GE, as well as significant recognitions like the Lyman T. Johnson Torch Bearer Award, Jayla is poised to make a remarkable impact in her field. Nathan Reynolds found his calling through personal exper

LEXINGTON, Ky. (December 12, 2024) – Fans, dressed from head to toe in their team’s colors, swarm the stadium chanting fight songs and waving banners. It’s game day, and the stakes feel monumental.  Sports rivalries are a cornerstone of athletic culture — sparking packed bleachers, passionate debates and unforgettable moments.  But what drives the fervor that fans feel for their team and the disdain for their rivals? Experts suggest the answer lies not just in the scoreboard, but in the human psyche.  According to Matt Moore, Associate Dean of Academic and Student Affairs in the College of Social Work(CoSW) and Tarkington Newman, director of CoSW Sport Social Work Research Lab, rivalries are more than competition; they’re a powerful blend of identity, emotion and instinct. The CoSW recently announced the launch of The Sport Social Work Collaborative — a partnership between the Alliance of Social Workers in Sports (ASWIS), the Sport Social Work Journal and the college’s Sport Social Work Research Lab. T

LEXINGTON, Ky. (Dec. 5, 2024) – The University of Kentucky Alumni Association started the Great Teacher Award program in 1961 to honor excellent teaching at the university. There have been more than 300 teachers honored since that first year. Nominations may only be submitted by current students. To receive the award, a candidate must: Hold the rank of full-time lecturer or above and have been a member of the faculty for the past three years at UK. Have superior knowledge of the subject matter. Have original and innovative classroom presentations. Demonstrate concern for students, both inside and outside the classroom setting. Not have been a recipient of the award for the past 10 years. A committee of the UK Alumni Association Board of Directors and a representative from the student organization Omicron Delta Kappa select the recipients based on objective rating and ranking of the eligible nominations submitted. This episode of Behind the Blue spotlights one of the six Great Teacher Award winners

LEXINGTON, Ky. (November 28, 2024) – [THIS IS AN ENCORE EPISODE.] On July 30, UK HealthCare opened a new emergency unit dedicated to the treatment of patients experiencing a mental health crisis. The unit, known as EmPATH (Emergency Psychiatric Assessment, Treatment and Healing), is the first EmPATH unit in Kentucky.  Pioneered by internationally known emergency psychiatry expert Scott Zeller, M.D., only about 30 EmPATH units currently exist in the U.S. Rather than going to a traditional emergency room, where patients seeking care for a behavioral health issue may be waiting for hours in a stressful environment before being evaluated, EmPATH units were created to provide immediate support for patients in a carefully designed, calming environment. UK HealthCare and New Vista have collaborated with leadership from the Cabinet for Health and Family Services to bring this new, evidence-based model of emergency behavioral health care to Kentucky. In this episode of “Behind the Blue,” Eastern State Hospital Ch

LEXINGTON, Ky. (November 21, 2024) – The University of Kentucky Alumni Association started the Great Teacher Award program in 1961 to honor excellent teaching at the university. There have been more than 300 teachers honored since that first year. Nominations may only be submitted by current students. To receive the award, a candidate must: Hold the rank of full-time lecturer or above and have been a member of the faculty for the past three years at UK. Have superior knowledge of the subject matter. Have original and innovative classroom presentations. Demonstrate concern for students, both inside and outside the classroom setting. Not have been a recipient of the award for the past 10 years. A committee of the UK Alumni Association Board of Directors and a representative from the student organization Omicron Delta Kappa select the recipients based on objective rating and ranking of the eligible nominations submitted. This episode of Behind the Blue spotlights one of the six Great Teacher Award w