AJ Hopkins, a rising senior natural resources and environmental science major, was awarded the Udall Undergraduate Scholarship.

Hopkins is the first University of Kentucky student to receive a Udall Scholarship since 2013, and is one of 65 recipients from 49 colleges and universities to receive one. The scholarship program identifies future leaders in environmental, tribal public policy and healthcare fields. It is highly competitive, with students participating in their schools’ internal competitions before receiving consideration from the Udall Foundation.

The $7,500 Udall Undergraduate Scholarship is one of the awards endorsed by UK’s Office of Nationally Competitive Awards.

Hopkins, who is also a Lewis Honors College student and minoring in public policy, said she is looking forward to the networking opportunities that come with the Udall Scholarship.

“This program has a long history of connecting environmental scholars and policy advocates from across the nation,” she said. “Those connections through the Udall alumni network provide me immense opportunities to engage with and learn from the leaders who came before me.”

Hopkins has spent many years working and volunteering in environmental stewardship and education, but a specific childhood memory sparked her interest in the subject.

“Behind the house I grew up in — maybe a 10-minute walk down a wooded hill — is a little creek I used to go read at. It has changed a lot since I was younger — the tall banks are eroded, ivy is starting to cover the trees — but the same log I leaned my back against when I was in high school is still there. I think everyone should be able to find little refuges like this, and that belief drove me to want to learn how to protect those places.”

Hopkins said her most influential professors have been Krista Jacobsen, Ph.D., and Kenton Sena, Ph.D.

“AJ is a natural choice for this recognition as a student who has demonstrated a deep commitment to environmental stewardship and is focused on a career of impact and meaning in our shared global future of environmental sustainability,” said Jacobsen, an associate professor of sustainable agriculture in the Martin-Gatton College of Agriculture, Food and Environment, and faculty of The Food Connection at the University of Kentucky.

“She is an exemplary student,” said Sena, a Lewis Honors College senior lecturer. “Her powerful curiosity and compelling passion have long been focused on wicked problems at the nexus of food systems and the environment. Her recognition as a Udall Scholar is an acknowledgment of this passion and drive, and an investment in her bright future that will yield a hundredfold.”

Hopkins is looking toward graduate school or law school after finishing at UK, but she said those are open-ended plans.

“I hope that this award and the experience attached to it will help shape my perspective on how I can best apply my skills toward environmental stewardship,” she said.

For more information on the Udall Scholarship or other major awards, visit the Office of Nationally Competitive Awards webpage.

Four graduating students have been selected by University of Kentucky President Eli Capilouto to represent the Class of 2026 as speakers at UK’s May Commencement Ceremonies Friday, May 8, and Saturday, May 9.

Together, they reflect the breadth of the UK experience — leaders, scholars and innovators whose paths have been shaped by discovery, service and a strong sense of community.

The students are Mostafa Mubarak, Carolina Burn, Siena Pilati and Fatimah Alomar.

Mostafa Mubarak

Mubarak, from Alexandria, Egypt, is graduating with three bachelor’s degrees in electrical engineering, computer engineering and computer science from the UK Stanley and Karen Pigman College of Engineering. He will deliver the student address at the 9 a.m. Friday, May 8, ceremony.

An entrepreneur, student leader and international student, Mubarak has combined rigorous academics with campus leadership and creative ventures during his time at UK.

“Honestly, surreal,” Mubarak said of graduating. “Three degrees at once wasn’t easy, but I’m more relieved than proud right now. Ask me again in a week — I’ll say proud. Ask me a week after that, and I’ll say I miss my second home.”

Mubarak arrived in Lexington from Egypt at age 17 and quickly found a community on campus.

“It’s home. Genuinely,” he said. “I came from Egypt, and this place — the people, the campus, the random strangers who showed up for me for no reason — made me feel like I belonged here before I even earned it.”

During his undergraduate career, Mubarak founded a startup, Jomo Figures, which transforms customer photos into custom-designed figurines, blending engineering, creativity and user-focused design. He also co-founded the Student’s Association of the Middle East and North Africa, helping build a campus community that supports Middle Eastern and North African students.

In addition to his academic and entrepreneurial work, Mubarak has remained active in student life through the UK Boxing Club, where he serves as a main fighter and promotions lead, and through volunteer work with UK’s International Village, supporting incoming international students as they adjust to campus life.

As a UK Commencement speaker, Mubarak hopes his message resonates with students stepping into their next chapter.

“Stop waiting to feel ready and just go,” he said. “And I love you for all the time we spent together. I will remember it forever.”

After graduation, Mubarak plans to scale his software ventures while pursuing work authorization to formally launch his entrepreneurial career in the United States.

Maria Carolina Burn

Burn, from Downers Grove, Illinois, is graduating with a bachelor’s degree in integrated strategic communication from the UK College of Communication and Information, with minors in business and Spanish. She is also a student in Lewis Honors College. She will deliver the student address at the 2 p.m. Friday, May 8, ceremony.

A student leader with a passion for storytelling, content creation and service, Burn has taken a hands-on approach to building her experience both on and off campus during her time at UK.

“It feels so surreal,” Burn said of graduating. “I remember hearing everyone say, ‘College is going to fly by,’ and I always thought it was just something people say, but they were so right.”

Burn strengthened her skills in content creation and digital media through multiple internships, including work with UK Athletics Sports Video. She later became the social media coordinator for the Association for Women in Sports Media, where she helped elevate the organization’s presence and engagement.

Her college experience also took her abroad to Barcelona, Spain, where she studied at Pompeu Fabra University, adding an international perspective to her academic and professional interests.

In addition to her communications work, Burn has been deeply involved in service through UK 4 Paws for Ability. As a service dog trainer and primary handler, she worked closely with dogs in training and eventually served as the organization’s fundraising assistant, supporting its mission to provide service animals to those in need.

“My time at UK has meant so much to me,” she said. “College shows you your true colors, and how they change and adapt in a new chapter of life. UK taught me the beauty of being a chameleon, showing me the ins and outs of friendships, relationships and everything that comes with the college experience.”

As a UK Commencement speaker, Burn hopes her message encourages her classmates to embrace uncertainty as they begin their next chapter.

“I hope my fellow grads take away that there will always be time,” she said. “There’s time for an extra celebration, time for friends and family, time to find your dream job and time to figure everything out.”

After graduation, Burn plans to explore opportunities in social media and marketing, with long-term goals of working for a sports team, athletic brand or entertainment company.

Siena Pilati

Pilati, from North Canton, Ohio, is graduating with a bachelor’s degree in public policy from the UK Martin School of Public Policy and Administration, and a certificate in artificial intelligence. She will deliver the student address at the 6 p.m. Friday, May 8, ceremony.

During her time at UK, Pilati, who is also a student in the Lewis Honors College, has combined policy, data and civic engagement into a wide range of campus and community leadership roles.

“It hasn’t actually set in that I’ll be graduating from UK this week,” Pilati said. “I feel so proud of myself to have made a home here in Kentucky and am taking all the knowledge and skills that I learned at UK with me into my next chapter.”

As an out-of-state student, Pilati said her experience at UK reflects the impact of the university and the Commonwealth on her personal and professional growth.

“Every faculty, staff member and peer I’ve met at UK has gone out of their way to help me in my academic, personal and professional life,” she said. “Kentucky pulls you in and makes you a better person.”

Pilati held several leadership roles across campus, including Executive Director of University Affairs for the Student Government Association and Overall Student Leadership Director for the UK Visitor Center, where she also worked as a tour guide. She founded and led the Cats Vote Coalition, a nonpartisan student organization focused on civic engagement, and served as Director of Data Management for Every Vote Counts.

Her professional experience includes internships with the U.S. Government Accountability Office and the John F. Kennedy Center for the Performing Arts, as well as policy work with Lexington-Fayette Urban County Government’s Office of the Mayor. She also conducted research through the UK College of Public Health, contributing to a National Institutes of Health-funded study examining the impact of substance use-related policies in Kentucky communities.

As a UK Commencement speaker, Pilati hopes to encourage graduates to embrace uncertainty and chart their own path.

“I hope my story helps people feel less afraid of making big life decisions and understand that all of our individual paths look different,” she said. “I want people to feel excited and ready to pursue their life of meaning and purpose — not afraid.”

After graduation, Pilati will continue her work in Lexington this summer as a policy fellow in the mayor’s office before beginning a Master of Public Policy program at Georgetown University in the fall.

Fatimah Alomar

Alomar, from Lexington, is graduating with bachelor’s degrees in biology and neuroscience from the UK College of Arts and Sciences. She will deliver the student address at the 9 a.m. Saturday, May 9, ceremony.

A Singletary Scholar and Lewis Honors College student, Alomar has built a strong record of research, leadership and service at UK while pursuing a career in medicine.

“It feels unreal, like I just got here, but also bittersweet,” Alomar said. “I’ve made so many memories here at UK and changed a lot as a person. I’m much more sure of myself and proud of how I spent these past few years.”

Born in Iraq and raised in Lexington, Alomar said her time at UK reflects both academic and personal growth.

“It wasn’t just biochemistry or physiology that I learned,” she said. “I have become a more competent leader, mentor, mentee, student and friend. More importantly, my time at UK has ingrained me into this community. I better understand its needs, what Kentuckians struggle with, and where I fit in helping alleviate these issues.”

Alomar conducted research in multiple labs, studying topics including maternal response to COVID-19 vaccination and the neurological impacts of alcohol use. She also served as president of Medicats, where she expanded programming, increased membership and created additional support for premed students. She has also worked for Doctors Without Borders to address international humanitarian health crises and remained active in several outreach-focused organizations on campus.

Through volunteer roles in hospitals, free clinics and hospice care, Alomar gained hands-on experience working with patients and underserved populations — experiences that helped shape her career goals.

As a UK Commencement speaker, she hopes to encourage her peers to stay grounded in what matters most.

“I hope to inspire my peers to take a look around and appreciate what’s important to them — family, friends, community and the connections they’ve built over these last few years,” she said.

Trenton Schroering, a junior majoring in political science with minors in law and justice and writing, rhetoric, & digital studies, was one of 20 students selected from a highly competitive nationwide pool of nearly 800 applicants as a 2026 Key into Public Service Scholar by the Phi Beta Kappa Society.

Schroering is the first UK student to earn the award.

“I view the honor as proof that public service is still valued,” Schroering said. “I've never wanted anything more than to make the world a better place for my peers. I judge myself based on how many days I'm able to improve and how many smiles I'm able to bring to others, and hope that this award increases my capacity to do that. In the meantime, I'm glad I can represent my University of Kentucky community as the first Wildcat to ever achieve this honor.”

Pearl James, Ph.D., Phi Beta Kappa’s Alpha chapter president, had seen Schroering’s contributions to the Lewis Honors College community as Honors College Student Council President, his work organizing food drives and service on the search committee for the next dean.

“But when I learned about all the other service he does and has done in the community, I knew he was a strong candidate for the Key into Public Service Award,” James said. “I hope he's the first of many recipients from UK.”

Schroering has advocated for responsible dialogue and social justice causes as the inaugural event coordinator for BridgeUSA Kentucky and the panel coordinator for Transformative Colors. Schroering's organizing efforts in Lexington include serving as Candidate Forum Coordinator for the Lexington League of Women Voters and formerly serving on the Fayette County Democratic Party Executive Committee. Passionate about civil service and hoping to uplift communities, Schroering has been staffing political campaigns since he was 16 and has since interned at the Kentucky House of Representatives. 

As Phi Beta Kappa, the nation’s premier honor society, celebrates its milestone 250th anniversary, the Key into Public Service program reflects the society’s longstanding commitment to a love of learning as a guide for life by supporting students who are inspired to turn arts and sciences knowledge into action through careers in public service. Drawing inspiration from notable Phi Beta Kappa members who have shaped the course of the country, the program recognizes exceptional arts and sciences students with a demonstrated interest in pursuing careers in local, state and federal government.

In celebration of their achievements and in honor of Phi Beta Kappa’s 250th anniversary, each 2026 scholar will receive a $7,600 undergraduate scholarship, a tribute to the Society’s founding in 1776. Scholars will also participate in an educational conference in Washington, D.C., offering training, mentorship and opportunities for reflection on pathways to active citizenship.

Alumni of the program have earned prestigious honors, including Barry-Goldwater Fellowships, Fulbright Scholarships, Hertog Foundation Fellowships, Marshall Scholarships, NAACP Marshall-Motley Scholars, Obama-Chesky Voyager Scholarships, Rhodes Scholarships and Truman Scholarships.

“An arts and sciences education prepares students not only to understand the world, but also to shape a future where democracy thrives,” said Phi Beta Kappa Secretary and CEO Frederick M. Lawrence. “The 2026 Service Scholars embody that spirit of engagement. They apply their learning to strengthen communities and advance the public good. At a time when thoughtful leadership and civic participation matter deeply, they show what it means to lead with knowledge, curiosity and purpose.”

For more information about the scholarship and to access individual biographies of the recipients, visit www.pbk.org/programs/keyintopublicservice. 

To learn more about or getting involved with the UK Phi Beta Kappa chapter, email James, pearl.james@uky.edu.

Hunter Coady, a junior from Crestwood, Kentucky, was recently awarded a 2026 English-Speaking Union Scholarship. The award covers full tuition and expenses for the student’s three-week experience at the University of Oxford.

The English-Speaking Union of the United States is a nonprofit, nonpolitical, education service organization whose mission is to promote scholarship and the advancement of knowledge using English in an expanding global community.

Coady is an English major in the University of Kentucky College of Arts and Sciences, a Gaines and Chellgren Fellow, and Lewis Honors student. While at Oxford, he will attend educational seminars, gain insights through professionals, work alongside fellow students and participate in social events.

“Being able to study at Oxford in any regard is the opportunity of a lifetime,” Coady said. “I am most looking forward to seeing more of England and learning more about its culture and history.”

During the program, Coady will take two seminars: creative non-fiction and fiction. These courses will provide opportunities to fine tune his writing skills, challenge his creative thinking and explore who he is as a writer. 

“Creative writing is my passion, and I hope to make a career out of it,” he said. “This award will allow me to work on my senior year thesis while I’m there and hone my creative skills, so I can be prepared for graduate school. As part of my travel, I will be looking at sites in Dublin and London that will relate to my thesis, which is writing a horror novel.”

After graduation, Coady plans to obtain a master’s and doctoral degree in creative writing in hopes of teaching at a university.

Coady is not without support for his journey abroad. Chelsea Brislin, Ph.D., associate director of UK’s Gaines Center for the Humanities and Lewis Honors College faculty member, is his faculty mentor for the program.

The Kentucky Branch of the English-Speaking Union awards scholarships for juniors to take summer courses offered at two institutions in the United Kingdom: Oxford and Edinburgh universities.

To learn more about the English-Speaking Union Scholarship, visit the UK Office of Nationally Competitive Awards website.

University of Kentucky junior Jose Villanos was awarded a Barry M. Goldwater Scholarship. He is one of 454 Goldwater Scholarship recipients nationwide.

Approximately 5,000 college sophomores and juniors applied for the prestigious scholarship, which awards up to $7,500 per year to students planning to pursue research careers in mathematics, engineering or natural science, according to information from the Goldwater Scholarship website.

“This scholarship broadens my prospects for graduate school. It allows me to connect and collaborate with some of the nation’s best researchers,” said Villanos, an agricultural and medical biotechnology major from Sonora, Kentucky. “It will help me get into a doctoral program to continue my work in the life sciences.”

 UK’s Goldwater Scholarship application process is administered by the Office of Nationally Competitive Awards.

Although he grew up surrounded by fields of corn and soybeans in LaRue County, Villanos said he did not, at first, feel a strong connection to agriculture.

“(In high school) I reluctantly joined the agricultural pathway because it involved some STEM (science, technology, engineering and math),” he said. “Over those four years, I fell in love with agriculture and life sciences.”

As a first-year student at UK, he was drawn to research.

“Agricultural and medical biotechnology is the perfect home for me, as research is the core focus of the major,” said Villanos, who is also a Lewis Honors College student. “It provides the exact training I need to develop into the best researcher I can be.”

Villanos has latched on to research in the laboratories of two of his professors in the Martin-Gatton College of Agriculture, Food and Environment, Samuel Revolinksi, Ph.D., and Luke Moe, Ph.D.

“Working with them allowed me to conduct research at Kansas State University over the summer,” Villanos said. He started working in their respective labs as a first-year student.

“I could not have gotten this award without the opportunities they have provided me with,” he said.

Villanos intends to graduate in May 2027, and said he plans to earn a Ph.D. in microbial ecology, researching plant-microbe interactions under environmental stress. He wants to take the baton from his two mentors and lead a lab as a professor at a major research university with a strong national profile.

“I want to continue bringing knowledge into the world and mentor some students along the way,” Villanos said.

Beaux Hardin, a University of Kentucky senior in the College of Arts and Sciences, Lewis Honors College student and Gaines Fellow, has been selected to give the 31st annual Edward T. Breathitt Undergraduate Lectureship in the Humanities. Hardin’s lecture will explore poetry as a creative medium that invents new language, connecting people across cultures and creating an immaterial space that redefines identity.

Hardin will deliver his lecture, “Black Que(e)ries: Bridging Communities through Poetic Origins from Black Archives,” 6 p.m. Thursday, April 9, in the Davis Marksbury Building.

“To me, being able to share my critical theoretical research alongside inspired creative work means other students can see that research can be whatever they want or need it to be,” Hardin said. “Research doesn’t exist in just one medium or one topic — it belongs to every field, in whatever form best communicates what you’ve discovered. I’m proud to share creative humanities research and interdisciplinary work that is so integral to understanding the human experience.”

The Breathitt Lectureship is presented by the Gaines Center for the Humanities. The student speaker is chosen through an application process that includes a lecture proposal submitted to an independent committee of readers.

“The Breathitt Lecture is a proud tradition in Gaines for recognizing exceptional undergraduate humanities scholarship,” said Michelle Sizemore, Ph.D., director of the Gaines Center for the Humanities. “We’re eager to hear Beaux’s exploration of poetry as a transcultural conversation used to exchange expression, identity and tradition.”

Established to honor Edward T. Breathitt, an eminent Kentuckian, former governor of Kentucky and UK alumnus, the lectureship recognizes undergraduate students whose work reflects the core concerns of the humanities, including form, value and memory. Presented by the Gaines Center for the Humanities, the award includes a $500 honorarium.

Admission to the event is free and open to the public, but registration is requested, and is available online.

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. The center is devoted to cultivating an appreciation of the humanities in its students and faculty. The Gaines Center embraces varied paths of knowledge and particularly strives to integrate creative work with traditional academic learning.

A University of Kentucky student has earned international recognition for a video created for the UK Lewis Honors College.

Alex Masterson, a UK sophomore and honors student, received a Platinum Award in the 2025 Viddy Awards for a long-form recruitment video titled “Experience Honors Education.” The Platinum Award is the competition’s highest honor and is awarded to projects that demonstrate exceptional quality. Approximately 19% of entries earn Platinum recognition. StoryVid, Masterson’s production company, also earned a Gold Award for a separate commercial project.

After nearly a year spent planning, filming and editing the project, the recognition was a major milestone for Masterson. 

“Winning the Platinum Award was honestly surreal,” Masterson said. “It felt like everything we put into it really paid off.”

Masterson, 19, is a Lexington native who will graduate in May 2026 with a degree in business management from the Gatton College of Business and Economics. He began working with the Lewis Honors College in September 2024 after connecting with Adrienne Clarke, the honors college communications director, and receiving guidance from Carey Higgins-Dobney, an instructor in the UK School of Journalism and Media. What started as an effort to update an outdated promotional video turned into an 11-month project that included filming interviews, capturing campus events and shaping a narrative that reflected the student experience.

“When you’re interviewing faculty and filming behind the scenes, you start to see how intentional everything is,” Masterson said. “It gave me a completely different perspective as a student.”

Masterson said his experience in the Lewis Honors College also helped shape how he approaches storytelling and leadership.

“LHC also pushes you to think critically and interdisciplinarily,” he said. “Running a video production company isn’t about the cameras you use. It’s about understanding people, messaging, structure and problem-solving. Honors gave me the space to develop those skills while actually applying them in meaningful ways.”

Clarke said Masterson’s work ethic and creativity stood out throughout the process. 

“Alex has distinguished himself at the Lewis Honors College with his exceptional work ethic and creative vision,” she said. “His initiative and commitment to continuous improvement have made him an invaluable asset in elevating the college’s voice and impact.”

The Viddy Awards receive thousands of entries each year from agencies and production companies around the world and are judged by industry professionals, said Masterson.

“You’re not being judged against other students. You’re being judged against established production companies. That’s what makes it meaningful.”

For Masterson, the award reflects the level of work UK students are capable of producing and shows that student-led projects can compete at a national and international level.

“For me personally, it’s meaningful because one of the winning projects was created during my freshman year for the same college I attend,” Masterson said. “It shows that student-led work can compete at a professional level.”

The recognition in the recruitment category highlights how the video communicates the distinct benefits of the Lewis Honors College and encourages prospective students to learn more, whether by watching the video, scheduling a visit or applying. The award-winning video, “Experience Honors Education,” can be viewed at storyvid.com.

Long before he arrived on campus, Georgetown native Luke Griesser was drawn to magic and the mystery behind it. That same curiosity led him to the Rubik’s Cube. Today, the 19-year-old freshman in the Gatton College of Business and Economics at the University of Kentucky is among the world’s fastest speedcubers. He is already translating that passion into coaching and business experience.

Speedcubing is a competitive sport in which participants race to solve twisty puzzles as quickly as possible. Griesser, who is also a student in Lewis Honors College, specializes in the standard 3-by-3 Rubik’s Cube and can solve it in under five seconds. He is among the top American competitors, averaging times in the mid-6-second range on the 3-by-3. His official personal best is under five seconds, and he has earned multiple podium finishes at major international competitions.

Griesser traces the beginning back more than a decade, to a cube that landed in his family’s home almost by accident. At the time, his interests leaned toward performance and illusion.

“I think my obsession was magic at the time,” Griesser said. “Learning how to impress people with my own party trick is what really intrigued me at the beginning.”

That early fascination with tricks and patterns evolved into something more technical. Over the years, Griesser moved from casual practice to competitive speedcubing, refining the precise, layered method that allows elite solvers to complete the puzzle in seconds.

“The way you solve a Rubik’s Cube is in layers, like a cake,” Griesser said. “It’s a 3-by-3-by-3 cube, so you make a cross pattern on the bottom using the centerpieces to match the colors. Then you solve the eight corners to finish the first layer. The second layer is more edges, and the last layer is algorithmic.”

As a coach, Griesser uses the layered approach in teaching others.

“I break it down when I'm coaching in three different steps,” Griesser said. “It’s what you inspect because you are allowed to look at the cube for 15 seconds before you must start. It’s everything that you see in that time, and then it’s what you don't see in that time and then the last layer.”

Right after graduating high school last year, Griesser spent the summer in New York City working at The Cubicle. He has also been offered a long-term role with part ownership at Cubing.GG, the educational arm of the world’s top cubing brand.

Now at UK, Griesser is balancing coursework with real-world experience, using college as a time to refine both his academic and entrepreneurial goals.

“I’m hoping that my real-world experience with running the business coincides with my education of learning how a business should run, and as both my knowledge and experience increase, hopefully I can create something huge out of the educational community.”

For Brysen Honeycutt, graduating from the University of Kentucky Stanley and Karen Pigman College of Engineering and Lewis Honors College is more than a milestone — it’s the launch point of a dream shaped by resilience, creativity and a lifelong fascination with how joy is built.

Honeycutt, who grew up in Pine Top, Kentucky in Knott County, will graduate this Friday and take the commencement stage as his ceremony’s student speaker. Shortly after, he’ll begin his next chapter as a ride development engineering intern with Walt Disney Imagineering at Walt Disney World in Orlando — a role that places him squarely in the themed entertainment industry he has aspired to join since childhood.

That dream took root early. As a young child, Honeycutt faced a cancer diagnosis before he ever stepped into a classroom — an experience that instilled a deep sense of purpose and gratitude that continues to guide him. Theme parks, Honeycutt says, became symbols of wonder and escape, places where imagination and happiness existed side by side with careful design and hard work.

Long before he knew the vocabulary of engineering, he knew he wanted to help create experiences that made people feel something.

At UK, Honeycutt set out to learn how to turn those ideas into reality. Through coursework, hands-on projects and immersive learning experiences, he built a strong technical foundation while leaning into the creative side of engineering — especially where physics, design and storytelling intersect. Along the way, he discovered that engineering wasn’t just about solving equations, but about persistence, teamwork and learning from failure when projects didn’t go as planned.

“Engineering has a way of humbling you,” Honeycutt said, noting that the late nights and tough challenges were balanced by moments of breakthrough — when a design worked, a system came together or an idea finally clicked.

His upcoming role with Walt Disney Imagineering represents the culmination of years of focus and preparation. Honeycutt credits mentors and supporters at UK, including faculty and staff who guided him through the competitive application process and encouraged him to pursue ambitious opportunities beyond the classroom.

“Those experiences gave me confidence in turning ideas into practical solutions,” he said. “UK prepared me to take this next step with purpose and excitement.”

As he prepares to cross the commencement stage on Friday, Honeycutt hopes his story resonates with fellow graduates who have faced their own obstacles. He often emphasizes that challenges don’t define a person — they prepare them — and that the lessons learned at UK extend far beyond a degree.

“Resilience is not something you are born with; it’s something you build as you overcome the challenges life puts in your path,” he said. “None of us have gotten here alone, and I hope graduates leave believing that our struggles have prepared us, not limited us.”

Looking ahead, Honeycutt is eager to continue learning and growing in an industry that blends engineering with storytelling and wonder. For him, the goal is simple but powerful: to create experiences that spark joy, inspire imagination and leave lasting memories — making the most of every moment along the way.

As she prepares to cross the Commencement stage Dec. 19, Evelyn Hinz is reflecting on a University of Kentucky journey that brought together engineering, business and honors — and ultimately shaped the start of her career.

A mechanical engineering major from Lexington, Hinz is part of the Scholars in Engineering and Management (SEAM) Pathway, a distinctive program housed in the Lewis Honors College that spans the Stanley and Karen Pigman College of Engineering and the Gatton College of Business and Economics.

Hinz said SEAM gave her both community and confidence.

“I made some of my closest friends through the SEAM Pathway,” she said. “It was really nice to have a group of people outside of mechanical engineering who I stayed with all four years. The classes were interesting, and they made being an honors student while being an engineering major feel more manageable.”

That blend of engineering and management — along with UK’s longstanding partnership with Toyota — helped open doors early in Hinz’ college career. She interned every summer starting after her freshman year, including four rotations with Toyota.

“I took a Toyota-sponsored lean manufacturing course through SEAM, and companies really liked seeing that on my résumé,” she said. “When I talked to Toyota about interning and eventually working with them, it felt like a little check mark. I think it helped me get in the door.”

In January, Hinz will begin her full-time role as a body production engineer at Toyota’s Production Engineering Manufacturing Center in Georgetown. She credits her hands-on experiences, her engineering courses and the tight-knit support she found on campus for preparing her for this moment.

“There were times when I thought, ‘There’s no way I can do this,’” she said. “Some classes I had to retake. But I kept reminding myself that I belonged in engineering — that I had already proved that through my internships. If you’re passionate about something, you keep going. You can do it.”

As Commencement approaches, Hinz is feeling both gratitude and excitement.

“I’m going to miss my friends and the places I’ve spent so much time,” she said. “But overall, I feel fulfilled by my experience. UK has given me leadership opportunities, professional connections and relationships that have really changed me. I feel ready for what comes next.”

Watch the video to learn more about Hinz’s UK journey.