University of Kentucky President Eli Capilouto was in Princeton Tuesday and welcomed everyone to the UK Research and Education Center open house, commemorating the rebuilding progress since the devastating tornado that struck the campus in December 2021.
Recalling his visit to the UK Research and Education Center after the destructive tornado, Capilouto said he was moved by the resilience and unity of the community.
click to download audioHe added everyone should be proud of this 100-year legacy of the campus and be responsible for upholding its history and legacy into the future.
Capilouto highlighted that, a century ago, the UK Extension Committee forged a partnership with rural school districts and fundraised to purchase land for the Experiment Station, which was dedicated in 1925 with the soul of all the people involved.
click to download audioCapilouto expressed his gratitude to the UK Research Center staff for their resilience in the rebuilding efforts which he stated was a testament to the soul of the University of Kentucky.
In spite of budget cuts and reduced funding, Capilouto highlighted that the UK Research Center still managed to make progress during the 1929 depression and its aftermath. Throughout the early years, he said the UK Research Center played a vital role in American research, and in the 1960s and 1970s the local campus made the widest-reaching impact on agriculture globally in the 20th century.
click to download audioHe noted that over the years, programs have been developed to provide agricultural and health-related support to farmers to help them overcome the many challenges they face, emphasizing that this is a tradition that continues to this day.
He said the soul of our people and the “soul of Kentucky is elemental to this farm and embedded in this soil.” He added it’s our responsibility to continue its progress.
Capilouto concluded his remarks by pointing out that the work done at the UK Research campus has advanced west Kentucky, the entire Commonwealth and the entire world.
click to download audioAfter comments from Capilouto, those in attendance were able to talk with staff and faculty and tour the temporary offices at the UK Research and Education Center.
