Two from CHS Recognized at 34th Annual Lyman T. Johnson Awards Luncheon

By Meredith Weber
UKNow

Two College of Health Sciences representatives were honored at the University of Kentucky Alumni Association’s Lyman T. Johnson Alumni Constituency Group's 34th annual Lyman T. Johnson Awards Luncheon Friday, Oct. 17, in the Gatton Student Center Grand Ballroom.

Held during UK Homecoming, the event honored alumni and students from each academic college who embody the spirit and accomplishments of Lyman T. Johnson, recognizing those who have positively impacted the lives of others and their communities.

Each academic college selects alumni to receive Lyman T. Johnson Torch of Excellence Awards for outstanding achievement and students to receive Torch Bearer Awards for academic excellence and service to others.

Ke’La Porter, PhD, was awarded the Torch of Excellence, while Felipe Gonzalez-Seguel received the Torch Bearer Award. Porter is a two-time CHS alumna in Athletic Training and the Rehabilitation and Health Sciences PhD Program, while Gonzalez-Seguel is a current student in RHB.

Congratulations to both!

The keynote speaker was Robert Milligan, a retired lieutenant colonel from the Kentucky State Police (KSP). A trailblazer in law enforcement and a 1987 graduate of UK’s College of Education, Milligan was the first Black officer to rise to the rank of lieutenant colonel in the KSP. His distinguished career includes decades of public service, leadership in state government and continued advocacy for excellence in law enforcement.

All the 2025 awardees by college are as follows:

Martin-Gatton College of Agriculture, Food and Environment

Torch of Excellence — Ja’Mahl McDaniel

Torch Bearer — Zaynah Shahid (also a student in Lewis Honors College)

College of Arts and Sciences

Torch of Excellence — Gregory Scott Parks, Ph.D.

Torch Bearer — Eric Ingram

Torch Bearer — Chris Keeve

Gatton College of Business and Economics

Torch of Excellence — Olivia N. Davis

Torch Bearer — Tayshawn Juantez Gooch

College of Communication and Information

Torch of Excellence — Tia Edwards

Torch Bearer — LaNasia Mason (also a student in Lewis Honors College)

College of Dentistry

Torch of Excellence — David A. Mott, D.M.D.

Torch Bearer — Sydney Johnson

College of Design

Torch of Excellence — Montreale Jones

Torch Bearer — Eniola Olaleye

College of Education

Torch Bearer — Brandon Howlett

Stanley and Karen Pigman College of Engineering

Torch of Excellence — Nathaniel Hudson

Torch Bearer — Joshna Kurra

College of Fine Arts

Torch of Excellence — Reginald Smith Jr.

Torch Bearer — Anna Zheng

College of Health Sciences

Torch of Excellence — Dr. Ke’La Porter

Torch Bearer — Felipe Gonzalez-Seguel

Lewis Honors College

Torch Bearer — Kennedi Fishback

J. David Rosenberg College of Law

Torch of Excellence — LaToi D. Mayo

Torch Bearer — Makayla Harris

College of Medicine

Torch of Excellence — Thadis Cox, M.D.

Torch Bearer — Cortney Jacquez Laye

Torch Bearer — Kidus Shiferawe

College of Nursing

Torch of Excellence — Danielle Duncan

Torch Bearer — Caitlyn Bowman

College of Pharmacy

Torch of Excellence — Antonio Booker, Pharm.D.

Torch Bearer — Monique Tulcey

College of Public Health

Torch of Excellence — Dyron Stephens, Dr.P.H.

Torch Bearer — Ghazal Jawed

Martin School of Public Policy and Administration

Torch of Excellence — Adam Blevins

Torch Bearer — Regina Lewis

College of Social Work

Torch of Excellence — Laneshia Conner, Ph.D.

Torch Bearer — Aniyah Maxey (also a student in Lewis Honors College)

For more information about the event and the Lyman T. Johnson Alumni Constituency Group, visit www.ukalumni.net/LTJ.

The UK Alumni Association is committed to fostering lifelong engagement among alumni, friends, the association and the university. For more information about the UK Alumni Association, visit www.ukalumni.net or call 800-269-2586.