Everyone knows that the sole means to attain profound knowledge of a language is through immersion. Speaking the language with other individuals such as classroom peers and instructors is a wonderful practice.

But is there a way to even improve this experience? Researchers and teachers are currently seeking ways to expand the immersion technique.

Francisco Salgado-Robles, lecturer in Hispanic Studies, believes the answer to this question is to get the students outside of the classroom.

Salgado-Robles is an advocate of service learning, which is producing positive educational experiences in many departments at campuses across the globe.

“Service learning,” he defines, “is experiential education that engages students in activities that address

UK Alum Works with American Presidents to Archive History from UK College of Arts & Sciences on Vimeo.

By Amy Jones, Jay Blanton, Kody Kiser

Every Inauguration begins a new chapter in the history books as a president is sworn into office.   A UK graduate has spent most of his professional life helping archive history for various presidents.  In fact, Alan Lowe is currently archiving the history of former President George W. Bush.

From early childhood on, Lowe thought he would be a doctor.

A few days on the University of Kentucky campus – and a little time in Chemistry 101 -- in the 1980s quickly taught him otherwise.

“But that’s where I step back and think about ‘What do you really like?’ Step back and

by Sarah Geegan

UK Associate Professor of Earth and Environmental Sciences Alan Fryar was recently featured in The Chronicle of Higher Education; his essay describes his experience with 11 students from the arid Middle East and North Africa who convened in drought-stricken San Angelo, Texas, to learn about water.

Through a grant from the State Department's Bureau of Oceans and International Environmental and Scientific Affairs, Fryar and colleagues focused on capacity building in the Middle East and North Africa, with a particular emphasis on hydrology.

In collaboration with

The following column appeared in the Lexington Herald-Leader on Sunday, Jan. 13, 2013.

by Dr. Leslie Crofford

Everyday aches and pains are a part of life, but sometimes they can get so severe that it is almost unbearable and interferes with the ability to function normally. In that case, fibromyalgia may be to blame.

Fibromyalgia causes pain that can be felt in muscles, joint and even skin. Although it is the most common musculoskeletal condition after osteoarthritis, it is often misunderstood and misdiagnosed. It is characterized by all-over body ache that persists for at least three months, specific tender points on the body and severe fatigue. 

The muscles may feel like they are tired and overworked and may twitch, burn or have a deep stabbing pain. The condition can be accompanied by unrefreshing sleep, problems with clear

by Jay Blanton

video by UK Public Relations and Marketing.

University of Kentucky President Eli Capilouto Thursday praised the partnership of Gov. Steve Beshear and legislative leaders who are strongly supporting UK's self-financing of a dramatic $275 million transformation of the campus.

"We are here this morning because of your leadership and your willingness to partner with us, as educational institutions, united to provide Kentucky with the best education, research and service," Capilouto said at a Frankfort news conference with the governor and legislative leaders who are supporting UK's proposal. "In offering your support for us to self-finance facilities that will help dramatically improve and transform our campuses, you are voicing your faith in Kentucky's

by Keith Hautala

Older adults who have spoken two languages since childhood are faster than single-language speakers at switching from one task to another, according to a study conducted at the University of Kentucky College of Medicine.

The study also found that lifelong bilinguals show different patterns of brain activity than their monolingual counterparts when making the switch.  

The research was led by Brian Gold, associate professor of anatomy and neurobiology, who specializes in cognitive neuroscience. The article, "Lifelong Bilingualism Maintains Neural Efficiency for Cognitive Control in Aging," was published in the Jan. 9 issue of The Journal of Neuroscience.

As people age, cognitive flexibility — the ability to adapt to unfamiliar or unexpected circumstances — and

by Whitney Hale

In celebration of University of Kentucky College of Arts and Sciences' year-long exploration into the culture and history of  Russia, UK Libraries continues "Reimagining Russia's Realms" throughout the spring semester with new exhibits and programming.

First, UK Libraries is teaming up with UK HealthCare and the UK Arts and Sciences Advisory Board to present "Audiology and Hearing Rehabilitation Services in Russia: Pros and Cons of Personalized Medicine," at 2 p.m. Monday, Jan. 14, in the William T. Young Library

by Sarah Geegan

The University of Kentucky Confucius Institute (UKCI), established for only two years, was named the 2012 Confucius Institute of the Year in December.

Awarded by the Office of Chinese Language Council International (colloquially known as the Hanban), the honor distinguishes the UKCI among the more than 430 Confucius Institutes in 115 countries; there are approximately 90 Confucius Institutes in the U.S. UKCI director Huajing Maskeand interim Provost Tim Tracy accepted the award at the seventh

By Sarah Geegan

by Abby Shields and Casey Jackson

By Viki Dekle

Geography and compasses go hand in hand. Sometimes a compass can help you with your physical direction, but in Raven Newberry’s case her degree in geography from the University of Kentucky served as a compass to locate her passion for social justice.

It’s a path that has led Raven, a 2011 honor graduate, to currently pursue a masters degree in Educational Policy at Vanderbilt University. The graduate program is prestigious and competitive and Raven attributes her success to a fantastic undergraduate education at UK.

While at UK, Raven was a Gaines Fellow, a member of the Honors Program, and an Ambassador for the College of Arts and Sciences.

She pursued an interdisciplinary tract

by Guy Spriggs

On November 17, 2012, UK’s Allan Butterfield was announced as the newest Fellow of the Society for Free Radical Biology and Medicine (SFRBM). Butterfield’s election was announced at the 19th Annual Meeting of SFRBM in San Diego.

Butterfield is the UK Alumni Association Endowed Professor of Biological Chemistry, Director of the Center of Membrane Sciences, Director of the Free Radical Biology in Cancer Shared Resource Facility of the Markey Cancer Center and Faculty of the Sanders-Brown Center on Aging. His election as SFRBM Fellow

By Guy Spriggs

On Friday, December 7, UK’s Quantitative Initiative for Policy and Social Research (QISPR) will host a conference entitled “The Polarize Electorate” in the Young Library Auditorium.

The goal of the conference is to investigate the political and public division in contemporary America and to determine why this divisiveness is becoming a way of life for Americans.

“Everyone knows the political parties are more divided than ever,” said Mark Peffley, UK political science professor and director of QIPSR. “But why has the electorate become so polarized, and what, if anything, can we do about it?”

The conference is focused on understanding the psychology and policy implications of polarized communications. “One