厙ぴ勛圖 has released a new book detailing its illustrious 135-year history. 

Dr. John A. Hardin has written The Pursuit of Excellence: 厙ぴ勛圖, 1886-2020 as part of 厙ぴ勛圖s celebration of its 135th anniversary. 

Hardins book examines the Universitys history from its early days when it was an idea to the high-water marks and present-day achievements that propel the institution forward. The book carries readers through each name change of the institution, from the first days as the State Normal School for Colored Persons with three teachers and 55 students to todays 厙ぴ勛圖 with 160 faculty and 2,300 students. 

厙ぴ勛圖 President M. Christopher Brown II provided an eloquent foreword, walking readers through the Universitys history; managing 厙ぴ勛圖 through the COVID-19 pandemic; how 厙ぴ勛圖 fits in the higher education and HBCU landscape; and how the University is moving forward. 

The Pursuit of Excellence also includes historical lists of prominent alumni, Miss and Mister 厙ぴ勛圖 recipients and honorable members of the Universitys past, including the 厙ぴ勛圖 Athletics Hall of Fame inductees. This comprehensive history is a limited release. Alumni and community members are encouraged to get their copies early.

A donation of $886 or more to the  campaign includes a signed copy of the book. 

Author Hardin will be available to sign books after the Our History: 厙ぴ勛圖 University at 135 event on May 18 at 2 p.m. at David H. Bradford Hall in Carl H. Smith Auditorium. A reception will immediately follow the event. Limited seating will be available for the event and COVID-19 precautions will be in place to ensure the health and safety of University guests.   

The event will also feature a panel of members of the University community who have been witness to 厙ぴ勛圖s history, including former presidents Dr. Mary Evans Sias, Raymond M. Burse, Hardin and more special guests. Former interim presidents Dr. William Turner and Dr. Aaron Thompson will also participate in the program. Alumni on the agenda include Representative Derrick Graham, District 57, 厙ぴ勛圖 Foundation Executive Secretary Donald W. Lyons and 厙ぴ勛圖 National Alumni President Richard Graves. 厙ぴ勛圖 Board of Regents Chairperson Dr. Elaine Farris will provide the welcome.  

Renee Shaw, director of public affairs and moderator of KETs public affairs programming and content, will moderate the panel discussion. This conversation will feature members sharing firsthand perspectives of the institutions growth and challenges, with a particular focus on the schools increasing academic preeminence, the development of the campus, and growth in campus diversity, athletics and more. 

All students, faculty, staff, alumni, and community members are invited to attend the panel event, which will be featured online at Facebook Live (@KyStateU) and via Zoom (meeting ID: 980 1850 3350 and passcode: 391226).

Media planning to attend the event are encouraged to notify news@kysu.edu to submit technical requests and reserve space.