By Jill Smith ’05 ’11
Earlier this month marked 20 years since I walked into the UK Alumni Association for my first day on the job. If you had told me in 2006 that I would one day help dedicate Alumni Commons, navigate a global pandemic and host alumni in Omaha for a College World Series appearance, I would not have believed you. Twenty years later, I find myself reflecting on just how meaningful that first day — and the years since — have been.
It’s difficult to put into words what two decades of service represent, but the greatest blessing has been the people: building relationships with remarkable alumni and staff, and creating lasting memories along the way.
At a recent conference, I was reminded that alumni are the largest — and only permanent — constituent group of any institution. Roles as students, faculty, staff or fans may evolve, but once you graduate from the University of Kentucky, you never lose your alumni status. I’m proud that our association honors the university’s traditions while continually adapting to meet the needs of each new generation.
So many meaningful moments come to mind.
Dedication of Bowman
Thanks to prior leadership, a striking bronze sculpture has welcomed visitors along the circle drive across from Memorial Coliseum since April 2012. Before Bowman stood there, flags marked the space. With generous support from the Board of Directors and university administration, funds were secured for the sculpture and the surrounding plaza, pavers and stonework.
The dedication came just weeks after UK captured its eighth men’s basketball national championship, adding to the excitement. Bowman’s name was chosen through a student contest, honoring the university’s founder, John Bryan Bowman.
I missed the NCAA Championship trip since I was close to my due date with my oldest child. A fun consolation prize was watching Bowman be dramatically lowered by crane into place at Wildcat Alumni Plaza. Being part of that unforgettable moment made missing the championship a little easier.
Athletics and Alumni Engagement
Athletics has created countless opportunities to gather alumni nationwide. Between 2006 and 2023, UK football competed in 13 bowl games, each paired with alumni events — including two Citrus Bowl appearances and a memorable 10-win season. The 2024 Texas Road Trip drew more than 800 alumni to our tailgate.
From 2011 to 2015, the Wildcats advanced to the Final Four four times. I remember setting my alarm for 3:30 a.m. on the Friday of Final Four weekend so I could make it to the airport in time to send off our two planes of alumni to New Orleans for the 2012 Final Four. It wasn’t easy staying behind for that trip, but welcoming my “national championship” baby a few weeks later — and celebrating at home — gave me wonderful perspective.
In 2015, we were 38–0 entering the Final Four, and BBN was ready to be in Indianapolis. More than 1,000 alumni joined our pregame event at Victory Field. While the ending wasn’t what we hoped for, those 38 victories — and our two platoons of players — were unforgettable.
In 2024, UK baseball reached the College World Series for the first time, giving us the chance to celebrate with alumni and friends in Omaha. This was a full-circle moment for me. As a student worker, I handled the music for UK Baseball at the old Cliff Hagan Stadium. One year, during renovations, my “booth” was under a tarp in the stands with a CD player and microphone. To watch the Wildcats win the Regional at Kentucky Proud Park and compete on college baseball’s biggest stage was truly a moment of pride.
UK Volleyball added to the excitement with a national championship in 2020 and a runner-up finish in 2025. The King Alumni House has also hosted several pregame “block” parties, bringing fans together before cheering on the Cats at Historic Memorial Coliseum.
Campus Transformation
Under the leadership of President Eli Capilouto, campus has experienced extraordinary transformation — from athletic facility upgrades to new residence halls and academic buildings, to health care advancements and the renovation of the student center.
The dedication of the Gatton Student Center ended with a special Coca-Cola toast honoring Mr. Bill Gatton and one of my favorite renditions of “My Old Kentucky Home” that I have ever heard.
Alumni often say campus feels almost unrecognizable — in the best way. Like many alumni who came before me, I have plenty of “I remember when” moments when I think about the campus transformation. Being part of groundbreakings and dedications, and seeing students thrive in these spaces, has been incredibly rewarding.
The COVID-19 Era
As I stepped into the executive director’s role in February 2020, we entered the COVID-19 pandemic. Our team quickly transitioned to remote work and programs moved online. There was no playbook and no historical precedent to guide us, but our team learned to pivot and find new ways to engage alumni.
One notable moment was an unemployment webinar that quickly reached capacity, requiring us to expand our Zoom license.
I was faced with a difficult decision at the start of the pandemic: whether to cancel our Hall of Distinguished Alumni event scheduled for April 2020. Ultimately, it was postponed.
Later that year, I remember helping with move-in, wearing a mask on one of the hottest days of the year, joining other faculty and staff members who were trying to make our new Wildcats feel welcome under the most unusual circumstances.
On a positive note, programs like Job Club shifted to a virtual format and has now engaged alumni in more than 30 states. We also launched Wildcat Network, a digital mentoring and engagement platform that continues to connect alumni today.
Commencement brought another meaningful moment. The Class of 1970 also missed their ceremony due to unrest surrounding the Vietnam War. We had our Golden Wildcat Reunion Committee members pen a letter to the Class of 2020, noting that both classes shared a similar disappointment — 50 years apart. My father-in-law, a member of the Class of 1970, served on that reunion committee, making the moment especially meaningful for our family.
Signature Programs
The Great Teacher Awards program — now in its sixth decade — remains the longest continuously running teaching award at UK and one of our most cherished traditions. Walking into my sorority advisor’s classroom to surprise her as a Great Teacher Award winner was one of the greatest memories I have of this program. As a student nominator, it was one of my earliest connections to the UK Alumni Association.
The annual scholarship dinner connects donors with the students whose lives they impact. Held every five years, the Hall of Distinguished Alumni honors graduates who have achieved extraordinary success and demonstrates the power of a UK degree.
Family-oriented traditions such as Big Blue Santa at the King Alumni House and the Pumpkin Festival at Spindletop Hall bring generations together. Becoming a mother of two during my tenure has made these moments even more meaningful.
Homecoming remains a favorite annual tradition, with a Keeneland component adding to the celebration. Each year, we honor our 50-year class — the Golden Wildcats — with a blue-carpet weekend in Lexington. It was an honor to preside over my father-in-law’s and mother-in-law’s induction into the Golden Wildcat Society.
The Royalty Reunion, celebrating the 100th anniversary of Homecoming, was held at Kroger Field in October 2015. Homecoming queens, kings and royalty candidates from the Class of 1951 to the Class of 2015 joined us for the celebration.
The Lyman T. Johnson Awards, presented at Homecoming, celebrate the contributions of volunteers and alumni. I have particularly appreciated witnessing volunteers and former classmates receive this recognition.
DanceBlue began in 2006, and each year we celebrate marathon weekend with alumni while recognizing students who drive positive change. The program has grown into a beloved tradition.
Volunteer and Student Engagement
My very first recollection of the UK Alumni Association dates back to 2005, when I attended the McCracken County Student Sendoff with my dad, now a longtime club volunteer. I did not know then that I would soon be working alongside alumni club leaders and planning events like student sendoffs myself.
Working with volunteers has been one of the greatest privileges of my career — more than 40 past presidents, hundreds of Board and Leadership Advisory Council members and countless club leaders nationwide.
Together, we implemented a new dues model in 2019 and completed a board restructure in 2020 to position the organization for the future.
In 2018, we launched the UK Alumni Ambassadors program, supported by dedicated staff, strong university partnerships, and an endowment from generous donors. More than 100 students have participated, and watching them graduate and step into alumni leadership roles has been especially fulfilling.
Strengthened partnerships with Student Success and UK Athletics have also led to new and enhanced signature events for students.
Alumni Commons
On September 29, 2023, Alumni Commons was officially dedicated as a five-acre pedestrian corridor — the largest walkway on campus. With nearly 19,000 pedestrians traveling along Rose Street each day, it has quickly become a central hub of activity and connection.
I often think of multigenerational Wildcats when I think of Alumni Commons. My dad and grandfather both attended UK and lived on opposite sides of Rose Street — Haggin Hall and Bradley Hall. Like many others, the corridor holds generations of memories for my family.
Through a $3 million commitment from the Board of Directors, the UK Alumni Association secured naming rights to this transformative space. Today, Alumni Commons serves as both a physical and symbolic pathway, hosting milestone moments that mark the beginning and culmination of a student’s journey at UK — and all the meaningful steps in between.
These 20 years have been filled with meaningful work, cherished friendships and countless memories shared with Wildcats across the nation. Thank you for showing up — whether in Lexington or in your own community — to help strengthen the Big Blue Nation. Here’s to the next decade of memories. Go Cats, always!
Jill, I remember very well your first days!!!! You have done an awesome job!!!!!