Named after civil rights pioneer and the first African American student to attend the University of Kentucky in 1949, the Lyman T. Johnson Awards are given to members of the UK community who have positively impacted the lives of people on campus, the city, state, or nation.
Each year, UK’s academic colleges and units select one alumnus/alumna whose values, faith, hard work and determination uphold the legacy of Lyman T. Johnson to receive the Lyman T. Johnson Torch of Excellence Award. These individuals positively impact the lives of people on UK campus, the city of Lexington, the Commonwealth and/or nation.
These units also choose a student within their respective colleges/departments whose academic achievement and ability exemplifies the life and legacy of Lyman T. Johnson to receive the Lyman T. Johnson Torch Bearer Award. These individuals accomplishments positively impact the lives of others.
