President James Ramsey announces the CHAMPS program with Kent School dean Terry Singer

"This is a project that really will make a difference," President James Ramsey said at the announcement. "This is a big day for us, a big day for the community."

The Raymond Kent School of Social Work will work with several community youth-serving organizations to help teenagers avoid unhealthy relationships and risky behavior, thanks to a five-year, $4.8 million grant from the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services. The federal grant from the department's Office of Adolescent Health will be used to test the impact of two teaching programs about teen risky sexual behavior, with the intent to reduce teen pregnancy, violence and transmission of sexually transmitted diseases. Details of the program called CHAMPS, for Creating Healthy Adolescents through Meaningful Prevention Services, were announced Jan. 5 at a news conference at Americana Community Center, one of the partner organizations.

The grant will serve more than 1,260 young people aged 14-19 who are involved in community-based organizations participating with UofL in this effort. Ten partner groups will participate initially - six serving urban youth, three serving immigrant and refugee youth and one serving former foster children. Anita Barbee, the social work professor leading the research team, called those teens among the most vulnerable to pregnancy, youth violence and disease.

The young people will sign up to be in a relationship communication course, and researchers will follow up with them for several years to see which of two courses works better to cut down on harmful behavior. The courses are designed to promote healthy relationships, self-confidence and positive communication skills. Course leaders will be trained this spring, and teenagers should begin participating this summer. Read more.

John Ramsey received his master's degree from UofL

The university community was saddened to learn of the death of John Ramsey, father of UofL President James Ramsey. A lifelong educator and public servant of Louisville, Ramsey died December 22, 2010, of natural causes. He was 93.

Ramsey was born on October 3, 1917, in Fern Creek, Ky. He graduated from Fern Creek High School before receiving a bachelor's from Western Kentucky University and his master's at the University of Louisville. After school, Ramsey moved back to Fern Creek where he became a teacher and coach at Fern Creek High School. After nine years at Fern Creek, he served as director of Instructional Materials, Director of Instruction, assistant superintendent, and associate superintendent for General Administration all in the Jefferson County public school system. He retired in 1975.

In 1998, he, along with his son, James R. Ramsey, were inducted into the first Fern Creek High School Hall of Fame. In 2008, Jefferson County Public Schools named a middle school after Ramsey, the John L. Ramsey Middle School.

Ramsey was a devoted public servant serving on the Kentucky State Board of Education, Board of Regents for Western Kentucky University, Board of Trustees for Bellwood Children's Home, Board of Directors for the Boy Scouts of America, Red Cross Youth Committee, and Louisville Chamber of Commerce.

Donations can be made to the John and Louise Ramsey Scholarship Fund at Western Kentucky University, The Ramsey Scholarship Fund at the University of Louisville, or a charity of your choice. .

Robert Fox Jr.

"On each of my trips to Louisville considering this position, I have been impressed with the energy and activities of UofL, its libraries, and the city." Fox said.

When the search committee for the next University Libraries dean brought candidates to campus recently, one rose to the top of everyone's list: Robert Fox Jr. The UofL Board of Trustees has appointed Fox, associate dean of libraries at Georgia Institute of Technology, as professor and dean of University Libraries. He will assume his UofL responsibilities Feb. 14.

UofL's library system is a member of the prestigious Association of Research Libraries and is ranked among the top 100 libraries in North America. The library boasts more than 2.2 million volumes and 46,000 active serial subscriptions. The University Libraries include five libraries on the Belknap Campus and one on the Health Sciences Campus.

Fox has been associate dean of libraries at Georgia Tech since 2005. He has been credited with a number of innovations, such as numerous renovation and construction projects including two new commons spaces, a new library classroom and planning for a new desk that will combine several existing service points into one place. He also has improved user engagement through creation of a User Experience Department and separate student and faculty advisory boards.

"Bob Fox was the first choice of every committee and every individual he met when he visited campus," said UofL Provost Shirley Willihnganz. "He will bring energy, vision and expertise in areas that will be vital to the future of libraries, such as open access journals and improving the user experience. Under his leadership, we will continue to grow as one of the nation's top research libraries." Read more...

President Jim Ramsey leading a Weekend College session

At Weekend College 2011, you'll be able to experience college once again, with exciting and informative events designed to fit your current lifestyle. The next installment is January 22nd in Delray Beach, Fla. Join fellow alumni and friends for discussions with UofL professors and administrators.

This year, we're featuring three informative and exciting lectures from esteemed speakers, including University of Louisville President Dr. James R. Ramsey. This year's Weekend College promises to be filled with fun and learning! Program includes lunch and there's even a UofL Game Watch party later that evening!
8:30 a.m. - 9:00 a.m. Registration
9:00 a.m. - 10:00 a.m. The Evolution of Goodness
10:15 a.m. - 11:30 a.m. Charting Our Course: UofL's Quest to Become Kentucky's Premier Metropolitan Research University
12:15 a.m. - 1:15 p.m. How to Lower Your Risk of Getting Alzheimer's Disease

For more information, call (502) 852-6962, or register online at www.UofLAlumni.org/weekend-2011-delray.

UofL basketball great Darrell Griffith with friends Quincey and Joshua

The Big East Tournament Raffle is a fundraiser that supports the UofL Autism Center. This year's raffle has more to offer than ever before. How often do you have a chance to win an opportunity for an unforgettable trip to New York City and at the same time help struggling children and families receive autism diagnosis and treatment that they need? All for only $20 a ticket! There will be two Grand Prize winners, and each Grand Prize winner will receive:

- 2 Round Trip Airline Tickets to New York
(on the UofL President's charter flight)
- Transportation Service (to and from the airport)
- Hotel Accommodations in Times Square
- 2 Tickets to the Big East Session
- Breakfast with the UofL Team
- $1,200 Shop`Til You Drop
- Dinner for 2 at a New York restaurant
- 2 House Seat Tickets to a Broadway Show
(subject to availability)

The drawing will be held during half-time on February 5, 2011, UL vs DePaul game, so completed ticket stubs will need to be submitted no later than January 28th. For more information or to purchase tickets visit: Go Cards Raffle. Read more...

Dana Mayton

Mayton said she's looking forward to working with Ramsey and the current government relations team of Nick D'Andrea and Hope McLaughlin.

A familiar face is returning to Grawemeyer Hall. Dana Mayton, who was the University of Louisville's chief lobbyist from 2004-07, has been hired as the senior associate vice president for government relations and special assistant to the president. The Executive Committee of the UofL Board of Trustees approved Mayton's hiring at its Dec. 22 meeting. Mayton will be in charge of UofL's government relations effort with a focus on Frankfort and developing new relationships with executive branch agencies and staff in Washington.

"We're excited to have Dana back on the UofL team," said President James Ramsey. "Her background in Frankfort, coupled with her prior knowledge of issues facing UofL, make her an invaluable asset as we seek creative ways to fund the university's mission and move forward."

Between her stints at UofL, Mayton was the deputy attorney general in the Kentucky Attorney General's office. Her first day back at UofL will be Jan. 18.

Patrick Pranke, humanities professor

All talks begin at noon in the University Club. Reservations are required

Spanning international issues, spirituality, and brain development - or babies, bonding, Burma and Buddhism - a luncheon lecture series this year will focus on those diverse and international topics as well as African theater and Central American drug trafficking. The College of Arts and Sciences' Meet the Professors series highlights the college's research and cultural offerings during the first Thursdays of most months.

The first one of 2011 starts this Wednesday, Jan. 13th, with "Saints, Wizards, Generals and 'The Lady': Popular Buddhism and Political Power in Contemporary Burma," presented by Patrick Pranke, humanities professor. He will discuss how politicians on both sides of Burma's democracy debate have used Buddhism and its models of holiness and power to reinforce their respective views and causes.

The 2011 luncheon talks begin at noon in the University Club. Reservations are required, with $14 payment in cash or check. To reserve a spot, contact Janna Tajibaeva at 502-852-2247 or janna@louisville.edu no later than the Monday before each event. Read more..

Carrol Blevins

Despite significant hearing loss in both ears and apparent dyslexia, Blevins will graduate magna cum laude with a grade point average of 3.8.

When Carrol Blevins steps onto the stage to receive her diploma at the University of Louisville's Dec. 16 commencement ceremony, it will mark the end of a long journey. The 75-year-old psychology major never gave up hope that she would - someday - earn a college degree. Her journey wasn't easy. Along the way, she overcame learning disabilities and learned to ignore advice she was given five decades ago that suggested women should pursue marriage instead of college. UofL psychology professor Edna Ross, who met Blevins several years ago, was struck by her fierce commitment to learn "no matter what." Despite significant hearing loss in both ears and apparent dyslexia, Blevins will graduate magna cum laude with a grade point average of 3.8.

"She would sit through a lecture perhaps two or three times just to be sure she heard everything," said Ross. "She perseveres past adversity."

Blevins didn't begin her dream of a college education until the 1990s when she began taking classes through Kentucky Educational Television (KET). She soon become KET's poster child for lifelong learning and was featured on television commercials and other advertising. In 2000 she started taking classes at UofL. Her humor, friendly demeanor and passion for learning soon caught the attention of classmates and faculty. Before long, Blevins became an icon of sorts for the College of Arts & Sciences. Read more.

Former Cardinal star Anne Kordes is the president-elect of the AVCA.

Louisville native and former Cardinal volleyball star, Anne Kordes, has been named the head volleyball coach. She will be just the sixth head coach in the UofL program's storied history and succeeds her collegiate coach, Leonid Yelin, who will retire as UofL's winningest coach after a 15-year tenure.

"First, we are all thankful for the determined work Leonid has performed in the advancement of our volleyball program," said UofL Vice President for Athletics Tom Jurich. "He consistently guided our teams to league championships and was simply a winner during his terrific career at UofL. We sincerely appreciate his efforts and wish him the best in his retirement."

"For Anne, we are so thrilled to welcome one of our own back. She has an excellent coaching pedigree and is well-known as a tireless recruiter. She took us to a conference championship and the Sweet Sixteen as our setter, she began her coaching career as an assistant in the Big Ten, and has taken Saint Louis to record heights as their head coach. I'm always looking for a good fit with any additions to our staff and this one's a natural." Read more.

Michael Eaton was named the University Men's Cross Country Athlete of the Year

Three University of Louisville track and field athletes and two coaches were honored on Jan. 8 in Lexington at the sixth annual Kentucky Association of USA Track & Field/Kentucky Track and Cross Country Coaches Association (KTCCCA) awards banquet. D'Ana McCarty was selected as the University Women's Track & Field Athlete of the Year, and Michael Eaton and Kim Grieshaber were chosen as the University Men's and Women's Cross Country Athletes of the Year, respectively. Head coach Ron Mann was named the University Women's Track and Field Coach of the Year, while head cross country coach Brice Allen was tabbed the University Men's Cross Country Coach of the Year. Read more...

Olympic gold medalist Michele Smith keynotes the Bullpen Club's dinner

The UofL softball team leads off the 2011 season at the Galt House Hotel and Suites on Saturday, January 22, 2011. Be the first to meet the talented lineup and hear the game plan for the season. The Cardinal softball program has earned seven consecutive trips to the NCAA tournament, two Big East Championships, and consistent Top 25 national rankings!

Keynote speaker will be Michele Smith. She was an All-American at OSU and went on to become a two-time Olympic Softball Gold Medalist with the U.S. National Team, having played in the 1996 and 2000 Summer Olympics.

In 2006, she was inducted into the ASA Softball Hall of Fame. Smith has also played in the Japanese Professional Softball League since 1992 and is a seven-time Japanese Pro League Champion & MVP. Michele serves as a Softball Analyst for ESPN and continues to serve as Ambassador of Softball to bring softball back to the Olympic Games in 2016. Register here...

Louisville Slugger has partnered with the University of Louisville Alumni Association in offering this one of a kind Red and Black UofL Alumni personalized Louisville Slugger. Proceeds help the UofL Alumni Association to benefit student scholarships and other alumni programs. Read more...