by Whitney Harder, Whitney Hale

(March 27, 2014) — The University of Kentucky Gaines Center for the Humanities has chosen 12 outstanding undergraduates as new scholars for the university's Gaines Fellowship Program for the 2014-15 and 2015-16 academic years. Gaines Fellowships are given in recognition of outstanding academic performance, demonstrated ability to conduct independent research, an interest in public issues and a desire to enhance understanding of the human condition through the humanities.

Gaines Fellowships are awarded for the tenure of a student's junior and senior years, or for the last two years of a five-year program; students in all disciplines and with any intended profession are given equal consideration.

UK's 12 new Gaines Fellows are:

· Phillip Barnett, of Louisa, Ky., majoring in communication;

· Kevin Bloomfield, of Lexington, majoring in architecture;

· Jonathan Elliott, of Kentwood, Mich., majoring in economics and mathematics;

· Kyeong Ran Jang, of Lexington, majoring in biology;

· Jordan Keeton, of Flatwoods, Ky., majoring in economics and finance;

· Trevor McNary, of Lexington, majoring in economics and international studies;

· Jacob Mattingly, of Louisville, Ky., majoring in chemistry and philosophy;

· Shannon Newberry, of Paducah, Ky., majoring in architecture;

· Stephen Parsons, of Lexington, majoring in computer science and international studies;

· Jonathan Sarfin, of Louisville, majoring in psychology and English;

· Sarah Wagner, of Louisville, majoring in architecture and English; and

· Kalin Wilson, of Olive Hill, Ky., majoring in biology.

All Gaines Fellows are required to take a specially designed, four-credit hour per semester seminar in the humanities during both semesters of their junior year. In addition, each junior fellow must complete a jury project planning and optionally carrying out an improvement for a local community. In the senior year, each fellow must complete a major independent study project of six to 15 credit hours. At the conclusion of this project, a thesis paper must be submitted and defended in front of a thesis committee of three university faculty members and the director of the Gaines Center.

In addition to the course requirements, Gaines Fellows enjoy a rich program of field trips, lectures, and other activities designed to widen and deepen their educational experience.

For the students, being chosen as a Gaines Fellow is a tremendous honor and recognizes their dedication to academics. "I'm honored to be selected to join this long line of incredibly intelligent and accomplished fellows," said Trevor McNary. "I'm so excited that I am a small part of this amazing tradition."

Founded in 1984 by a generous gift from John and Joan Gaines, the Gaines Center for the Humanities functions as a laboratory for imaginative and innovative education on UK's campus. Part of the Academy of Undergraduate Excellence within the Division of Undergraduate Education, the center is devoted to cultivating an appreciation of the humanities in its students and faculty. The center embraces varied paths of knowledge and particularly strives to integrate creative work with traditional academic learning.