LEXINGTON, Ky. (Jan. 23, 2025) — Not every University of Kentucky student takes the same path to success. Some start as recent high school graduates, but many others decide to attend college at different times of their lives.
Deidra White decided to attend community college at the age of 37. After earning her associate’s degree at Bluegrass Community and Technical College, she jumped at the chance to enroll in in the undergraduate English program at UK.
Last spring, White crossed the stage at Rupp Arena, earning a Master of Fine Arts degree in UK’s creative writing program.
This year’s institutional TV commercial focuses on the people across campus — and the Commonwealth — who put in the work to advance Kentucky day and night. White wrote the 30-second commercial script to reflect UK’s mission to teach, care, serve and discover.
Deidra and other members of the UK community shared their voices for the both the 30-second and 60-second spots. Although we hear only a few seconds from each of them, they have powerful stories to tell.
UKNow asked White what it means to be a UK graduate and part of a legacy of people who are working to advance Kentucky.
Read the Q&A below.
UKNow: What makes the University of Kentucky special?
White: The campus community that is abundant there. (The) University of Kentucky brings people together in the most beautiful way (sometimes people you’d assume you have nothing in common with). The athletics program, the strong school spirit that permeates the campus and the culture that pushes everyone you come in contact with to help each other be great.
UKNow: What does “advancing Kentucky” mean to you?
White: Staying the course. I grew up in Lexington. As a Black woman, I know/remember a time before now. My father was one of the first classes of Black students allowed on campus and he was a Freedom Rider for the Civil Rights Movement. A lot has changed in this state since then and on UK’s campus. My experience at UK was not the same as my father’s and at a time when the world feels very precarious, we must stay the course. I love my state and have so many hopes for it to be better than yesterday. I hope for more economic growth, more listening ears and more compassion for one another.
UKNow: How has your time at UK helped you be part of UK’s mission to advance Kentucky?
White: The faculty and staff at the University of Kentucky saw something in me before I could see it in myself. They nurtured it, they held up a mirror and offered opportunities for me to grow into the writer, leader and self-loving person I am today. And because of that, I have been able to share my work and my love for this state at Rupp Arena for thousands of people and in the university’s annual television spot. I am grateful to have contributed to the message of brilliance and resilience of the University of Kentucky.
UKNow: What is your hope for UK’s next 160 years?
White: The University of Kentucky has always worked hard at uplifting this state and its people. I hope they continue to bridge gaps (economic, cultural and political). I hope they continue to be at the forefront of learning technology and research. I am a member of the Patient Advocacy Group (PAG) for Markey Cancer Center, and I hope in the next 160 years they’ve found a cure to the suffering and loss that weighs on our doctors, nurses and medical staff. I hope so much for all those things.
****
In the coming weeks, as UK celebrates its 160th birthday on Feb. 22, UKNow is sharing more about these members of the UK community and what inspires them to do more and be more for the people of Kentucky.