Reflections and observations

Last week’s UKNow story about the history of UK Libraries reminds us of the debt we owe to those who came before us.  UK Presidents James K. Patterson, Frank L. McVey, and Charles T. Wethington found ways to build new library buildings when others thought the challenge too great.

Librarians Margaret I. King and Paul A. Willis gave decades of service to UK Libraries creating the nationally recognized research library we have today. Benefactors like Andrew Carnegie, W. Hugh Peal, Lucille Caudill Little, and William T. Young and the Young family made it possible for UK Libraries to build beyond the constraints of state funding.

Thousands of other donors over the years have helped UK Libraries build our endowments, improve our facilities, and support students.  The UK Libraries National Advisory Board, led this year by President Gail Hart and Vice President LuAnnette Butler, works with a group to assure that private support that is essential to UK Libraries' success continues and expands. 

Likewise, the University Press of Kentucky has built upon the initial dream of Dr. Thomas D. Clark to create a first-rate academic publishing operation that serves the entire commonwealth.  Since 1949 the University Press of Kentucky has been realizing Dr. Clark's dream and is today a model for university presses in the 21^st century.

Standing upon this foundation UK Libraries and the University Press of Kentucky faculty, staff, and student assistants work hard every day to assure student success, support research, and enhance the academic life of the university and the commonwealth. During this week of Thanksgiving,  I offer my thanks to everyone, both past and present, who have been part of the success of UK Libraries and the University Press of Kentucky.