Grace Gorrell has retired. This is the woman who has made Roundup a major event on the College's annual calendar, turned leadership of the alumni association into a coveted job, and drawn alumni to Lexington in the dead of winter to learn how to be better leaders.

Gorrell's retirement marks 25 years of service to the College, 16 of them as associate director of Alumni and Development. She has taken a post-retirement appointment in the College's Center for Leadership Development as liaison with other leadership programs in the state.

Gorrell, '79, started her College career as a 4-H agent in Shelby County, armed with a degree from what is now the College's School of Human Environmental Sciences. She then took a sabbatical to earn a master's degree at North Carolina State University, returning to serve as a 4-H agent in Fayette County for several years before joining Alumni and Development.

Jim Mahan '67, who was 1987-88 alumni association president, tells a story about how Gorrell persuaded him to become a 4-H camp counselor when his son was a 4-H'er, not just for one year, but several. “I knew then that she had a way of getting things done,” he said.

The statistics show it. They include 16 Roundups involving an average of 4,000 participants a year, nearly 240 area chapter events, and 64 meetings of the state alumni board.

“She developed an outstanding network of alumni throughout the state and nation,” said Scott Smith, dean of the College, in announcing Gorrell's retirement. “The College Alumni Association has come to be recognized as one of the elite ag alumni programs in the nation, with many observers placing it among the top three,” he said.

Those who have worked with Gorrell over the years had high praise for the legacy she left.

“She knows how to organize and manage people's time,” said Bobby Gaffney '75, who just completed his 20th year on the association's board of directors.
“If she didn't use our time wisely, we wouldn't be back as often.”

Dennis Parrett '81, president of the alumni association from 2003 to 2004, talked about Gorrell's “contagious enthusiasm and energy and passion.”

“We've had phenomenal membership growth, but more than that, we're involved in so many activities now. Grace has been a big part of our expansion,” Parrett said.
Kirby Player, coordinator of alumni and student services for the College of Agriculture, Forestry, and Life Sciences at Clemson, has worked with Gorrell through the National Agriculture Alumni and Development Association (NAADA).

“Grace has helped at the national level to communicate that students, alumni, and development together make a positive advancement program for a college of agriculture,” Player said.

He said she also has “been an example of passion and energy for agriculture nationally.” Plus, Kirby said, “she's captain of the fun bus-she's fun, energetic, and has the ability to make people feel important.

The Grace Gray Gorrell Alumni Scholarship has been established in Gorrell's name. If you would like to contribute, contact the College's Office for Advancement.

Lifetime Achievement Award

Bluegrass-Cameron Williams Jr. '49, Winchester
Fort Harrod-W. Oliver Payne '38, Danville
Green River-George Kurtz '37, Morganfield
Lake Cumberland-William O. Newell '42, Somerset
Licking River-Clarence W. Crabtree '47, '56, Mt. Sterling
Lincoln Trail-Kenneth Hayden, '53, Cecilia
Northern Kentucky-John B. Walton Jr. '53, Burlington
Pennyrile-J. Reeves Davie '42, Hopkinsville (State Lifetime Achievement Award )
Purchase-Arlie Scott '48, '49, Murray
Quicksand-George Wooten '57, Hyden
Wilderness Trail-Clay A. Colson '41, Broadhead

Dean Scott Smith (left) and J. Reeves Davie '42

2004 Outstanding Young Ag Alumni


Bluegrass-Cassinda Bechanan '91, Carlisle (2004 State Outstanding Young Alumnus)
Fort Harrod-Neal Christian Floyd '97, '98, Nicholasville
Green River-Bryan Ebelhar '99, Owensboro
Lake Cumberland-Kara Kate Keeton '96, '99, Lexington
Licking River-Celia Oldfield Barker '95, Sharpsburg
Lincoln Trail-Jeremy Wade Hinton, '98, Hodgenville
Mammoth Cave-Aline Glasscock Kemp '95, Olmstead
Northern Kentucky-John Whitney Stith '88, Union
Pennyrile-Brent White '94, Marion
Purchase-Michael Wilson '91, Clinton
Wilderness Trail-Mary Carlinda “Carrie” Kirby, '87, London

2004 Distinguished Ag Alumni

Bluegrass- Mary Susan Hayes '75, '78, Cynthiana
Fort Harrod-Emma C. Tucker '55, Danville,
Green River-Garry Eblen '79, Henderson
Lake Cumberland-Michael A. Meyer '81, Greensburg
Licking River-Harvey Crouch '61, Mt. Sterling
Lincoln Trail-Robert L. Enlow Jr. '76, Hodgenville
Louisville-Patrick A. Dwyer '76, Louisville
Mammoth Cave-Roger Toon '79, Olmstead (State Distinguished Alumnus)
Northern Kentucky-Joe Claxon '75, Florence
Pennyrile-Lethal Conrad Martin '67, Cadiz
Purchase-Michael M. Major '71, Hickman

Agriculture & Human Environmental Sciences Alumni Association
2005 Board of Directors

Area Presidents
Bluegrass-Cassinda Bechanan '91, Carlisle
Fort Harrod-Vanessa Ruda '98, Lancaster
Green River-Mike Mullican Jr. '94, Owensboro
Lake Cumberland-James “Kirby” Hancock '96, Glensfork
Licking River-Donald E. Johnson '75, Mt. Sterling
Lincoln Trail-Joey Spalding '93, Springfield
Louisville-Aaron Edelson '97, Shelbyville
Mammoth Cave-Matthew Graves '00, Tompkinsville
Northeast-Danny Bailey '68, Ashland;
David Pelphrey '85, Prestonsburg
Northern Kentucky-Carl “Jay” Hellman Jr. '85, Independence
Pennyrile-Lewis Bradley '79, Hopkinsville
Purchase-Brian Stedelin '98, Murray
Quicksand-Rufus Fugate '55, Hyden
Wilderness Trail-Dr. Mark S. Smith '86, Barbourville

Faculty Directors
Teaching-William (Benjy) Mikel
Extension-Kim Henken '92
Research-Scott Shearer

Human Environmental Sciences Representatives
Jane Dyche '78, London
Diana Doggett '75, Lexington

Student Directors
Ag Student Council-Spencer Guinn '06
HES Student-at-Large-Kayla Godbey '06
Ag Student-at-Large-Kelly Stoeppel '06

Executive Board
President-Doug Thomas '81
Vice President-Tony Holloway '91
Secretary-Bill McCloskey '84
Treasurer-Michelle McDonald '84
Immediate Past President (Ag)-Dennis Parrett '81
Immediate Past President (HES)- Myrna Wesley '69
National Agriclture Alumni and Development
Association (NAADA) Representative-Whitney Stith '90
Alumni Program Coordinator- Jaime Sparrow '00
Executive Secretary-Celeste Duncan Moore '89

New Alumni President

Doug Thomas '81, president of the College of Agriculture and Human Environmental Sciences Alumni Association for 2005-2006, has some advice for young alums:

“I felt that when I left UK, I had made tremendous contacts through professors and the dean, and I encourage them to keep their own College relationships intact,” Thomas said.

It has paid off for him, Thomas said. “Anytime I made a career change, I consulted somebody back at UK. Professors can give you a lot of advice.”

Thomas was an ag communications major at UK, and after he earned his degree he worked as a farm broadcaster, producing daily radio and television farm programs that were syndicated across the country.

He said College of Ag professors helped guide him to graduate school. Thomas earned a master's degree in mass communications from Oklahoma State in 1984.
After about a decade in broadcasting, Thomas went home to Hardin County to farm for several years, mostly hogs.

In the late '90s, when the hog market took a beating, Thomas sold his farm and went to work as director of public relations and communications in the office of Billy Ray Smith, state commissioner of agriculture at that time.

He and his wife Nancy and their three daughters bought a Bourbon County farm in 1999, where they continue to live and raise cattle and hay. The children show sheep at county and state fairs and district shows.

Thomas also works for the University in development as regional gift officer, traveling much of the South and Southwest to talk with alumni about making financial gifts to the University.

Thomas has been an active alumnus for many years-while living in Hardin County, he held several offices in the Lincoln Trail Area Alumni Association. He served as president of the Bluegrass Area Alumni Association after moving to Bourbon County.

Thomas is excited about the future of the Agriculture and HES Alumni Association.
“I hope we continue to grow, but maybe more important than that is that we now have a brand new alumni association that includes both ag and human environmental sciences,” Thomas said.

“It's important that we on the ag side of things work extra hard to include HES alums and involve them. This is their association as much as it is ours,” he said.
“A substantial number of the HES alumni are women, and I've seen what women brought to FFA when they began to be a part of the membership, making it more dynamic and alive,” Thomas said. “Those are the kind of people we need to be involved in the alumni association.”

HES Recognizes Distinguished Alumni & Friends

The College's School of Human Environmental Sciences has recognized several distinguished alumni and friends for 2004.

Hall of Fame Inductees-
Rose Mary Codell Brooks (picture to the right),'38 of Lexington and Anna Sue Chandler Couch,'58,'76, and '78 of Lubbock, Texas, have been inducted into the Hall of Fame of the College's School of Human Environmental Sciences.

Brooks, who has been a college teacher and assistant state superintendent of home economics in North Carolina, also has served on more than 40 boards, organizations, and committees.

Couch is professor and program director of family and consumer sciences education in the College of Human Sciences at Texas Tech University in Lubbock.

Outstanding Alumni Named-
Martha Wright Lee,'93 of Owensboro and Diana Wells Doggett,'75, '77 of Lexington were named HES outstanding alumni for 2004. Julia O. Bauscher '81 of Louisville received the 2004 Mid-Career Award. The awards were presented at the HES annual meeting last fall.

Lee, recently retired, was a Cooperative Extension Service agent for 34 years. She began her career as a 4-H agent in Tennessee and began working in Kentucky as a family and consumer sciences agent in Daviess County in 1979.

Doggett, formerly a family and consumer sciences agent in Woodford County, now holds that position in Fayette County.

Bauscher is manager of the Nutrition Service Center for Jefferson County Public Schools.

Friends Recognized-
Gerry Van der Meer, CHA general manager of the Hilton Suites, Lexington Green, and vice-president of the Bluegrass Hospitality Association, was recognized as a Friend of the Department of Nutrition and Food Science for his work, commitment, help, and donations to the department's programs in nutrition and hospitality management and tourism.

General Electric Appliances and Cinthy Fanning, '81 received the Corporate Friend award for work, research support, and donations to strengthen the Departments of Merchandising, Apparel and Textiles and Nutrition and Food Science.

ROUNDUP September 10, 2005

Watch your mailbox for more information in July.

2004 Roundup Donors
Bagdad Roller Mills
Bakery Chef
Burley Tobacco Growers Cooperative
Association
Carhartt
Cecilia Farm Service
Central Equipment
Central Kentucky Ag Credit
Council for Burley Tobacco
Embassy Suites
Executive West Hotel
Farm Credit Services of Mid-America
Four Points Sheraton
Greater Lexington Convention and Visitors Bureau
Griffin Industries
Hands On Originals
Heritage Farms
Hillshire Farms
Home Depot Store #2315
Hyatt Regency Lexington
J. M. J. Inc
Kennedy Book Store
Kentucky Association of Electric
Cooperatives
Kentucky Corn Growers Association
Kentucky Egg Council
Kentucky Farm Bureau
Kentucky Ham Producers
Kentucky Pork Producers
Kentucky Poultry Federation
Kentucky Soybean Association
Kentucky's Touchstone Energy
Cooperatives
Lexington Legends
Linde Gas LLC (formerly AGA Gas)
McRay Feed
Marriott's Griffin Gate Resort
Monsanto
Pioneer, a DuPont Company
Purnell Sausage
Rector Hayden Realtors
Red Barn Nursery
Sheraton Suites Lexington
Slone's
Southern Belle Dairy
Southern States Cooperative.
Stith, Conder & Wimsatt, PLLC
UK Alumni Association
UK Federal Credit Union
Valent
Valentine's Gourmet Ice Cream, LLC
Wells Fargo Financial Leasing Inc.
Workman Tobacco Seed Inc.

2004 Joe T. Davis Memorial/UK College Of Agriculture Alumni Association
Scholarship Golf Tournament

Monetary Donors
Ag Administration
Ag Economics Department
Alpha Gamma Rho
Agronomy Department
Alumni & Development
American Express Financial Advisors
Animal and Food Sciences
Anonymous: Saluting Ag Scholarship Recipients
Austin City Saloon
Howard Baker Team
Bluegrass Area Agriculture Alumni Association
Branch Banking & Trust (BB&T)
Cecilia Farm Service
Clark County Farm Bureau
Custom LogoWare
Dean, Dorton & Ford, PSC
Farm Credit Services
FarmHouse Fraternity, Mark Moore, Fall 1983
James Neil Farris
Florence Hardware/Stith, Conder & Wimsatt
Fort Harrod Area Agriculture Alumni Association
Goff Tents Inc.
Green River Area Alumni Association
Human Environmental Sciences
Kentucky Association of Electric Cooperatives
Kentucky Farm Bureau Federation
Kentucky FarmHouse Association Inc.
Kentucky FFA Foundation Inc.
Licking River Area Agriculture Alumni Association
Lincoln Trail Area Agriculture Alumni Association
Loys Mather
Miles Enterprises
Novartis Animal Health
Pennyrile Area Agriculture Alumni Association
Quicksand Area Ag Alumni Association
Quicksand Area Ag Alumni Association Team
Robert Conley Livestock Inc. Environmentally
Correct Concepts
Jerry & Susan Skees
Slone's Signature Markets
UK Agriculture Experiment Station
UK Athletics Association
Veinot Financial Group
Louann Waldner
Wilderness Trail Area Agriculture Alumni
Association

In-Kind Donors
A.K. Framing
Circuit City
Custom LogoWare
Galls Inc.
Griffin Gate Pro Shop
Four Points Sheraton
Hallmark Trophies
Home Depot Store # 2315
Hyatt Regency Lexington
Jack Kain Ford
Kennedy Book Store
Kentucky Eagle Beer
Kentucky Growers Insurance
Marriott's Griffin Gate Hotel
Marriott's Griffin Gate Golf Club
Rafferty's, 2420 Nicholasville Road
Springhill Suites
Triple Crown Golf Course
UK Bookstore
UK Federal Credit Union

Animal Sciences Hall of Fame Winner

Charles Miller of Nicholasville has been named to the College's Animal Sciences Hall of Fame. A Jessamine County beef cattle farmer, Miller has been a longtime champion of Kentucky's beef cattle industry, generously sharing his expertise, promoting best practices, and tirelessly working to unify the industry's efforts so it will prosper. His efforts were instrumental in the formation of the Kentucky Beef Network in 2001.

From left to right: Nancy Cox, associate dean; Bob Harmon, chair, Animal and Food Sciences; and Charles Miller