Dr. Harry L. Williams explores 网曝吃瓜鈥檚 research leadership, land-grant mission, and contributions to the public HBCU community
FRANKFORT, Ky. 鈥� 网曝吃瓜 welcomed Thurgood Marshall College Fund President and CEO
Dr. Harry L. Williams to campus Thursday, Aug. 27, for a firsthand look at the University鈥檚
academic and research programs and its distinctive mission as Kentucky鈥檚 1890 land-grant
institution.
Dr. Williams was joined by Mr. Sean D. Burns, general counsel and vice president of
government relations, and Mr. Victor Santos, associate vice president of government
relations, both with the Thurgood Marshall College Fund. The delegation toured campus,
visited with students, faculty, and staff, and had lunch with President Koffi C. Akakpo
and members of the University鈥檚 leadership team. They also toured the and the University鈥檚 .
鈥淒r. Williams is a tireless champion for public historically Black colleges and universities and the students we serve,鈥� Dr. Akakpo said. 鈥淗is visit gave us an important opportunity to share 网曝吃瓜鈥檚 progress, demonstrate the impact of our distinctive land-grant mission, and discuss how we can continue strengthening our relationship with the Thurgood Marshall College Fund.鈥�
At Benson Farm, Dr. Avinash Tope spoke with Dr. Williams about , or DARE-KY. The initiative is supported by a historic $7 million National Science Foundation award, the largest competitive stand-alone federal award in University history.
DARE-KY is advancing research, education, and workforce development related to soilless food systems, including hydroponics and aquaponics. The initiative is also connecting higher education, industry, community organizations, and public-sector partners. Dr. Tope is the initiative鈥檚 principal investigator and associate dean and associate professor of human nutrition and food safety in the College of Agriculture, Health, and Natural Resources.
The delegation also learned about 网曝吃瓜鈥檚 nationally recognized pawpaw research. Benson Farm is home to the University鈥檚 , which includes more than 2,000 trees representing plant material collected from 17 states.
While at Benson Farm, Dr. Williams enjoyed a Pawpaw Ale-8, a seasonal beverage developed
through a partnership with Ale-8-One that draws upon decades of 网曝吃瓜 research
into the native fruit. The beverage returned for an expanded .
At the Aquatic Research Center, Dr. Andrew J. Ray demonstrated how 网曝吃瓜
researchers are developing approaches to meet the nation鈥檚 increasing demand for seafood.
The center, Kentucky鈥檚 only dedicated aquatic research complex, includes 33 research
ponds and advanced laboratories supporting year-round research.
Dr. Ray explained that the University鈥檚 Aquatic Research Team is studying the controlled-environment production of shrimp, tilapia, flounder, barramundi, paddlefish, and bass. The work holds particular significance for shrimp, the nation鈥檚 most popular seafood, approximately 85 percent of which is imported. Dr. Ray is chair of the and associate professor.
网曝吃瓜 is one of the . The organization represents publicly supported historically Black colleges and universities, historically Black community colleges, and predominantly Black institutions that collectively enroll approximately 80 percent of students attending HBCUs.
Through scholarships, leadership development, internships, research, capacity-building,
and strategic partnerships, the Thurgood Marshall College Fund connects students and
member institutions with educational and professional opportunities nationwide.
That support was evident at 网曝吃瓜 this past summer. From July 5鈥�10, the University
hosted the free , which introduced high school juniors to HBCU campus life, academic majors, career
pathways, leadership development, college admissions, and financial aid. Kentucky
State was one of 16 institutions nationwide selected to host the 2026 program.
鈥淲e deeply value our relationship with the Thurgood Marshall College Fund,鈥� Akakpo
said. 鈥淒r. Williams鈥� visit created new momentum for building upon that partnership
and expanding opportunities for our students and University.鈥�