University of Kentucky Honors 149 Graduates at Commencement

News Summary

The University of Kentucky celebrates the graduation of 149 students, including 14 master’s degree recipients, during upcoming commencement ceremonies. Among the graduates are 116 current and former student-athletes who exemplify the university’s commitment to academic excellence and athletic achievement. The ceremonies will recognize the resilience and accomplishments of the graduating class amidst recent changes in DEI policies. UK Athletics also continues to excel in maintaining high academic standards with a remarkable GPA among student-athletes.

Lexington, Kentucky – The University of Kentucky is set to honor a total of 149 graduates, including 14 master’s degree recipients, during its commencement ceremonies scheduled for May 2025 in Rupp Arena at Central Bank Center. This celebration marks a significant educational milestone for the university, further emphasizing the dedication and accomplishments of its student-athletes.

This year’s culmination of academic achievements includes 116 current and former UK student-athletes, who are expected to meet their academic requirements either this week or during the summer term. This count reflects the university’s commitment to academic excellence alongside athletic prowess.

In total, UK Athletics anticipates that 149 graduates will complete their degrees during the 2024-25 academic year. This figure combines the current graduates with the 33 student-athletes who successfully graduated in December 2024. Notably, among this group, 14 individuals will receive master’s degrees in various disciplines, showcasing their hard work and commitment to higher education.

The 14 master’s degree recipients hail from multiple sports disciplines, including:

• Nicole Coryell, Marzia Josephson, and Lesley Kiesling from women’s soccer
• Hailey Davis and Isabella Magnelli from gymnastics
• Erin Lamb from volleyball
• McKenzie Bump from softball
• Tesa Roberts from women’s track and field
• Samuel Duncan and Christopher Nagy from men’s swimming and diving
• Elizabeth Stevens from women’s tennis
• Jackson Klutznick from men’s golf
• Jaden Thompson from rifle
• Jack Pendergast from men’s track and field

Additionally, Simi Akinrinsola will be awarded a Doctor of Pharmacy degree, further underscoring the broad range of academic disciplines represented. UK Athletics also notes that seven Wildcats are anticipated to graduate through the Post-Eligibility program, known as the Cawood Ledford Scholarships, which enable scholarship student-athletes to return and complete their degrees after their athletic eligibility has expired. Since the program’s start in 1989, over 160 Wildcats have successfully graduated through this initiative.

The achievement of this graduating class is amplified by their contributions to UK’s athletic legacy, which includes two NCAA Championships, 13 conference regular-season championships, and 10 conference tournament championships. In this graduating cohort, 11 individuals have received All-America honors, while 17 have garnered all-conference recognition, demonstrating their dual commitment to excellence in academics and athletics.

UK’s Director of Athletics expressed pride in the successful academic outcomes of the student-athletes, especially in light of the challenges posed by athlete mobility, which has become increasingly common in college sports. Many graduates may also continue to participate in sports during the 2025-26 season while pursuing their studies.

Furthermore, the UK Athletics department has achieved a cumulative GPA of 3.0 or higher for 25 consecutive terms, boasting an impressive GPA of 3.405 among scholarship student-athletes during the fall semester. Women’s golf led the department with a high GPA of 3.92, while men’s tennis followed closely with a GPA of 3.721, ranking third among all varsity teams.

This year’s graduation class reflects a remarkable academic success rate, tying the university’s record graduation success rate at 92%, surpassing the national average of 90%. The NCAA Academic Progress Rate report emphasized that all UK sports teams exceeded the NCAA objectives, with 16 out of 20 teams achieving scores above the national average for public universities.

The University of Kentucky will award more than 5,700 total degrees during its May 2025 ceremonies, with over 4,200 graduates participating in the events. UK’s President highlighted the resilience and adaptability exhibited by the graduating class, acknowledging the challenges faced amid recent changes in state and federal DEI (Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion) policies.

In a notable development, UK has canceled various identity-based or special interest graduation celebrations for groups such as Black, LGBTQ+, and first-generation students, following the passage of House Bill 4 by the Kentucky legislature, which restricts DEI practices at state universities. Despite these changes, the commencement ceremonies will continue on Friday afternoon and all day Saturday, emphasizing the university’s commitment to honoring the achievements of its graduates.

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HERE Resources

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University of Kentucky Cancels Minority Graduation Ceremonies
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Additional Resources

• Kentucky.com: UK Graduation
• Google Search: University of Kentucky graduation
• WKYT: UK Halts Identity-Based Celebrations
• Encyclopedia Britannica: Graduation
• Fox56 News: UK Ends Identity-Based Graduation Events