Lyman T. Johnson Torch of Excellence Awards presented

A portrait unveiling of civil rights pioneer Lyman T. Johnson highlighted the 29th annual Lyman T. Johnson Torch of Excellence Awards Banquet on Friday, Oct. 11, at the Bill Gatton Student Center.

The UK Alumni Association Lyman T. Johnson African American Alumni Group honored students and alumni during the awards ceremony as part of the 2019 Lyman T. Johnson Homecoming Celebration.

UK’s academic colleges and units select one African-American alum whose faith, hard work and determination has positively affected the lives of people on the UK campus, the city, state or nation. These individuals received the Lyman T. Johnson Torch of Excellence Award. These units also choose an African-American student within their respective colleges/departments whose academic achievement and ability to impact the lives of others would warrant them to receive the Lyman T. Johnson Torch Bearer Award.

Taunya Phillips, UK Alumni Association president, emceed the event. Imar Lyman Hutchins, grandson of Lyman T. Johnson, was the event’s keynote speaker. A portrait of Johnson painted by Hutchins was also unveiled. The piece will be on display at the UK Art Museum through Dec. 8, and will then go to the Muhammad Ali Center in Louisville as part of its “Inheritance” exhibition. The painting will then come back to UK later next year where it will be installed permanently in Lyman T. Johnson residence hall at UK. Read more on Hutchins’ painting here.

In addition, UK President Eli Capilouto, UK Vice President for Institutional Diversity Sonja Feist-Price and Lyman T. Johnson African American Alumni Group President Lee Jackson all spoke.

Award winners were:

College of Agriculture, Food and Environment

Torch Bearer: Caitlyn McFadden

Torch of Excellence: Yolanda Jackson

College of Arts and Sciences

Torch Bearer: Cagney Coomer, Tsage Douglas, Myles Gibson, Myles D. Moody, Wanida Sommersell, Royal S. Todd, Kenneth Trotter Jr.

Torch of Excellence: Jessica L. Burris, Ricky L. Jones

Gatton College of Business and Economics

Torch Bearer: Jada Green

Torch of Excellence: Victoria Russell

College of Communication and Information

Torch Bearer: Chandler Frierson

Torch of Excellence: Sabirah Rayford

College of Dentistry

Torch Bearer: Sandra Onekhena

Torch of Excellence: Frank Kendrick

College of Design

Torch Bearer: Montre’ale Jones

Torch of Excellence: Eugene Poole

College of Education

Torch Bearer: Rasheed Flowers

Torch of Excellence: LaDonda Porter

College of Engineering

Torch Bearer: Mfon-Abasi Itama

Torch of Excellence: Dominique R. Wright

College of Fine Arts

Torch Bearer: Michael Preacely

Torch of Excellence: Tony Hardin

College of Health Sciences

Torch Bearer: LaToya Walker

Torch of Excellence: Shelby Baez

College of Law

Torch Bearer: Chynna Hibbitts

Torch of Excellence: Pamela R. Goodwine

UK Libraries

Torch Bearer: Kyle Desnoyer

Torch of Excellence: Kingsley Uzodinma

College of Medicine

Torch Bearer: Ochuko Diamreyan

Torch of Excellence: Dr. Ima Ebong

College of Nursing

Torch Bearer: Candace R. Adams, Anansa Thompson, Karlene Woods

Torch of Excellence: Marsha Hughes-Reese

College of Pharmacy

Torch Bearer: Jasmine Browning

Torch of Excellence: Dominique Medaglio

College of Public Health

Torch Bearer: Talia Woody

Torch of Excellence: Angelica Geter Fugerson

College of Social Work

Torch Bearer: Alexis Bell

Torch of Excellence: Diatra Allen

The Graduate School

Torch of Excellence: Brittany Rice, Cheavar Blair

Lewis Honors College

Torch Bearer: Caylyn Railey

Torch of Excellence: Dominique Medaglio

For information, contact Hannah Simms at 859-257-7174 or email Hannah.Simms@uky.edu.

Please enjoy the following photos from Pete Comparoni from UK Public Relations and Marketing.

Lyman T. Johnson luncheon on October 11, 2019. Photo by Pete Comparoni | UKphoto

Lyman T. Johnson luncheon on October 11, 2019. Photo by Pete Comparoni | UKphoto

Lyman T. Johnson luncheon on October 11, 2019. Photo by Pete Comparoni | UKphoto

Lyman T. Johnson luncheon on October 11, 2019. Photo by Pete Comparoni | UKphoto

Lyman T. Johnson luncheon on October 11, 2019. Photo by Pete Comparoni | UKphoto

Lyman T. Johnson luncheon on October 11, 2019. Photo by Pete Comparoni | UKphoto

Lyman T. Johnson luncheon on October 11, 2019. Photo by Pete Comparoni | UKphoto

Mr. and Ms. Black UK pageant on October 11, 2019. Photo by Pete Comparoni | UKphoto

Lyman T. Johnson luncheon on October 11, 2019. Photo by Pete Comparoni | UKphoto

Lyman T. Johnson luncheon on October 11, 2019. Photo by Pete Comparoni | UKphoto

Lyman T. Johnson luncheon on October 11, 2019. Photo by Pete Comparoni | UKphoto

Lyman T. Johnson luncheon on October 11, 2019. Photo by Pete Comparoni | UKphoto

Lyman T. Johnson luncheon on October 11, 2019. Photo by Pete Comparoni | UKphoto

Mr. and Ms. Black UK pageant on October 11, 2019. Photo by Pete Comparoni | UKphoto

Lyman T. Johnson luncheon on October 11, 2019. Photo by Pete Comparoni | UKphoto

Lyman T. Johnson luncheon on October 11, 2019. Photo by Pete Comparoni | UKphoto

Lyman T. Johnson luncheon on October 11, 2019. Photo by Pete Comparoni | UKphoto

Lyman T. Johnson luncheon on October 11, 2019. Photo by Pete Comparoni | UKphoto

Lyman T. Johnson luncheon on October 11, 2019. Photo by Pete Comparoni | UKphoto

Lyman T. Johnson luncheon on October 11, 2019. Photo by Pete Comparoni | UKphoto

Lyman T. Johnson luncheon on October 11, 2019. Photo by Pete Comparoni | UKphoto

Lyman T. Johnson luncheon on October 11, 2019. Photo by Pete Comparoni | UKphoto

Lyman T. Johnson luncheon on October 11, 2019. Photo by Pete Comparoni | UKphoto

Lyman T. Johnson luncheon on October 11, 2019. Photo by Pete Comparoni | UKphoto

Lyman T. Johnson luncheon on October 11, 2019. Photo by Pete Comparoni | UKphoto

Lyman T. Johnson luncheon on October 11, 2019. Photo by Pete Comparoni | UKphoto

Mr. and Ms. Black UK pageant on October 11, 2019. Photo by Pete Comparoni | UKphoto

Lyman T. Johnson luncheon on October 11, 2019. Photo by Pete Comparoni | UKphoto

Lyman T. Johnson luncheon on October 11, 2019. Photo by Pete Comparoni | UKphoto

Mr. and Ms. Black UK pageant on October 11, 2019. Photo by Pete Comparoni | UKphoto

Lyman T. Johnson luncheon on October 11, 2019. Photo by Pete Comparoni | UKphoto

Lyman T. Johnson luncheon on October 11, 2019. Photo by Pete Comparoni | UKphoto

Lyman T. Johnson luncheon on October 11, 2019. Photo by Pete Comparoni | UKphoto

Lyman T. Johnson luncheon on October 11, 2019. Photo by Pete Comparoni | UKphoto

Lyman T. Johnson luncheon on October 11, 2019. Photo by Pete Comparoni | UKphoto

Lyman T. Johnson luncheon on October 11, 2019. Photo by Pete Comparoni | UKphoto

Lyman T. Johnson luncheon on October 11, 2019. Photo by Pete Comparoni | UKphoto

Lyman T. Johnson luncheon on October 11, 2019. Photo by Pete Comparoni | UKphoto

Lyman T. Johnson luncheon on October 11, 2019. Photo by Pete Comparoni | UKphoto

Mr. and Ms. Black UK pageant on October 11, 2019. Photo by Pete Comparoni | UKphoto

Lyman T. Johnson luncheon on October 11, 2019. Photo by Pete Comparoni | UKphoto

Mr. and Ms. Black UK pageant on October 11, 2019. Photo by Pete Comparoni | UKphoto

Lyman T. Johnson luncheon on October 11, 2019. Photo by Pete Comparoni | UKphoto

Lyman T. Johnson luncheon on October 11, 2019. Photo by Pete Comparoni | UKphoto

Mr. and Ms. Black UK pageant on October 11, 2019. Photo by Pete Comparoni | UKphoto

Lyman T. Johnson luncheon on October 11, 2019. Photo by Pete Comparoni | UKphoto

Lyman T. Johnson luncheon on October 11, 2019. Photo by Pete Comparoni | UKphoto

Lyman T. Johnson luncheon on October 11, 2019. Photo by Pete Comparoni | UKphoto

Lyman T. Johnson luncheon on October 11, 2019. Photo by Pete Comparoni | UKphoto

Mr. and Ms. Black UK pageant on October 11, 2019. Photo by Pete Comparoni | UKphoto

Mr. and Ms. Black UK pageant on October 11, 2019. Photo by Pete Comparoni | UKphoto

Lyman T. Johnson luncheon on October 11, 2019. Photo by Pete Comparoni | UKphoto

Lyman T. Johnson luncheon on October 11, 2019. Photo by Pete Comparoni | UKphoto

Lyman T. Johnson luncheon on October 11, 2019. Photo by Pete Comparoni | UKphoto

Lyman T. Johnson luncheon on October 11, 2019. Photo by Pete Comparoni | UKphoto

Lyman T. Johnson luncheon on October 11, 2019. Photo by Pete Comparoni | UKphoto

Lyman T. Johnson luncheon on October 11, 2019. Photo by Pete Comparoni | UKphoto

Lyman T. Johnson luncheon on October 11, 2019. Photo by Pete Comparoni | UKphoto

Lyman T. Johnson luncheon on October 11, 2019. Photo by Pete Comparoni | UKphoto

Lyman T. Johnson luncheon on October 11, 2019. Photo by Pete Comparoni | UKphoto

Lyman T. Johnson luncheon on October 11, 2019. Photo by Pete Comparoni | UKphoto

Mr. and Ms. Black UK pageant on October 11, 2019. Photo by Pete Comparoni | UKphoto

Lyman T. Johnson luncheon on October 11, 2019. Photo by Pete Comparoni | UKphoto

Lyman T. Johnson luncheon on October 11, 2019. Photo by Pete Comparoni | UKphoto

Lyman T. Johnson luncheon on October 11, 2019. Photo by Pete Comparoni | UKphoto

Lyman T. Johnson luncheon on October 11, 2019. Photo by Pete Comparoni | UKphoto

Mr. and Ms. Black UK pageant on October 11, 2019. Photo by Pete Comparoni | UKphoto

Lyman T. Johnson luncheon on October 11, 2019. Photo by Pete Comparoni | UKphoto

Lyman T. Johnson luncheon on October 11, 2019. Photo by Pete Comparoni | UKphoto

Lyman T. Johnson luncheon on October 11, 2019. Photo by Pete Comparoni | UKphoto

Mr. and Ms. Black UK pageant on October 11, 2019. Photo by Pete Comparoni | UKphoto

Lyman T. Johnson luncheon on October 11, 2019. Photo by Pete Comparoni | UKphoto

Lyman T. Johnson luncheon on October 11, 2019. Photo by Pete Comparoni | UKphoto

Lyman T. Johnson luncheon on October 11, 2019. Photo by Pete Comparoni | UKphoto

Lyman T. Johnson luncheon on October 11, 2019. Photo by Pete Comparoni | UKphoto

Lyman T. Johnson luncheon on October 11, 2019. Photo by Pete Comparoni | UKphoto

Mr. and Ms. Black UK pageant on October 11, 2019. Photo by Pete Comparoni | UKphoto

Lyman T. Johnson luncheon on October 11, 2019. Photo by Pete Comparoni | UKphoto

Lyman T. Johnson luncheon on October 11, 2019. Photo by Pete Comparoni | UKphoto

Lyman T. Johnson luncheon on October 11, 2019. Photo by Pete Comparoni | UKphoto

Lyman T. Johnson luncheon on October 11, 2019. Photo by Pete Comparoni | UKphoto

Lyman T. Johnson luncheon on October 11, 2019. Photo by Pete Comparoni | UKphoto

Mr. and Ms. Black UK pageant on October 11, 2019. Photo by Pete Comparoni | UKphoto

Lyman T. Johnson luncheon on October 11, 2019. Photo by Pete Comparoni | UKphoto

Lyman T. Johnson luncheon on October 11, 2019. Photo by Pete Comparoni | UKphoto