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| Singletary Family, 1974 |
Fifty years ago this month Otis and Gloria Singletary began their work at the University of Kentucky. In his first official appearance as UK's 8th president, Singletary stressed that UK has a "special purpose."
Acknowleding the student unrest already sweeping the country and anticpating issues to arise at UK, Singletary explained that, "There are plenty of ways to make student opinion known, but I know of no reason why students should dictate the terms. Students have a lot of things we ought to hear. Students are vitally concerned...student input should be part of the decision making on campus."
The new president added that students were a "deciding factor" in his decision to come to UK. He explained that as Chancellor at the University of Texas he had little contact with students.
Gloria Singletary was described in those initial days on campus as a woman offering "charm, Southern hospitality and friendship." She proved to be so much more as she became legendary for her service to the university and her volunteer service throughout the community. Gloria, who had served in the United States Navel Reserve during World War Two, brought much more to her role at UK that just social events. She became a tireless volunteer whether delivering chicken salad sandwiches to students camped out in the cold waiting in line for basketball tickets or delivering mail to patients at the Chandler Medical Center.
Her efforts in the community beyond the campus included The American Red Cross, Baby Health Service, Central Kentucky Blood Bank, Hospital Children's Fund, International Book Project, Junior Achievement, Kentucky Arts and Crafts Foundation, Kentucky Citizens For the Arts, Kentucky Commission on Women, Lexington Child Abuse Council, Lexington Fund For the Arts, Central Kentucky Youth Orchestra, YWCA, Lexington Philharmonic Society, and United Way of the Bluegrass. However, her primary passion was the arts her commitment to The Living Arts and Science Center for over 40 years. A gallery in the center is named in her honor.
Joining Otis and Gloria in Maxwell Place that summer in 1969 was 13 year old
Scot and 11 year old Kendall.
