Recognitions

B.S. in electrical engineering, 1994  M.S. in electrical engineering, 1996 Carey G. Buxton boasts an exceptional career in national service, pioneering advancements in antenna systems and electromagnetic technologies.  

Major General Trey Rawls is culminating a distinguished 32-year career with the United States Air Force as one of the preeminent strategic experts in operational capabilities for 5th generation warfare. As the Commander of the Air Force Operational Test and Evaluation Center at Kirtland Air Force Base, New Mexico, Maj. Gen. Rawls is responsible for the operational test and evaluation of more than 98 major acquisition programs valued at more than $1 trillion.

For over 30 years, Rob Beeler has provided strategic and technical leadership for software development organizations. A technological executive and entrepreneur, Beeler is currently chief technology officer and co-founder of Trava Security, a startup in the cybersecurity and cyber insurance space.

Vincent M. Holloway is a vice president within Tetra Tech’s Federal IT Group. This role culminates over 38 years of leadership and technical experience in the United States Army and defense service industry as a senior business and technology executive.

Gregg Coleman wanted to be the first in his family to have a degree in engineering. He graduated from the University of Kentucky with a bachelor’s degree in electrical engineering in 1985, making his parents and two brothers proud.

With over 25 years of experience in electrical systems, Uday Deshpande has built an impressive career. He has worked on various products including blender and stand mixers, electric power steering actuators, brushless motor technology, electromagnetic aircraft launch systems and arresting gear for aircraft carriers. 

Joan Coleman describes herself as a life-long learner, a trait she learned from her parents. Raised in Erlanger, Kentucky, in a large family that had a strong work ethic and interest in calculus and physics, Coleman, whose family name is Adkisson, followed two of her brothers into the engineering profession. In addition to her bachelor’s degree in electrical engineering from the University of Kentucky, Coleman earned a master’s degree in public and private management from Birmingham-Southern College. 

When David Shippy graduated from the University of Kentucky in 1983 with a bachelor’s degree in electrical engineering, he followed in the footsteps of his father and UK College of Engineering faculty member Dr. David Shippy. While at UK, the younger Shippy held membership in Eta Kappa Nu, the electrical engineering honor society, and frequently made the Dean’s list. Shippy says his engineering education at UK laid a strong foundation in engineering for his master’s program at Syracuse University and, later, a 30- year career as a computer engineer.

As chief operating officer of LG&E and KU, Lonnie Bellar is responsible for ensuring the company provides safe, affordable and reliable natural gas, electricity and customer service to 1.3 million customers in Kentucky and Virginia. Bellar became COO in March 2018 after climbing through the ranks of the electric and natural gas utility industry for more than 30 years.  

B.S. in Electrical Engineering, 1954

B.S. in Electrical Engineering, 1987

B.S. in Electrical Engineering, 1949 Posthumous Induction

B.S. in Electrical Engineering, 1970 Building electronics kits, shortwave and Ham radios in high school convinced Floyd Henson to pursue a profession in the electronics field. After visiting several universities, he chose the University of Kentucky. Mr. Henson cites several reasons for choosing UK, but the one that stood out most was that a new engineering building was about to be constructed, one that would contains several new laboratories.

B.S. in Electrical Engineering, 1990 Since his days as a student at the University of Kentucky, AT&T senior vice president of corporate strategy Michael Bowling has excelled in leadership roles. Convinced that participation in student organizations would prepare him for life, Mr. Bowling served as two-term president of UK’s Student Activities Board and president of Kappa Sigma fraternity. As a result, he received the honor of being named the Otis A. Singletary Outstanding Senior Male. Without question, Mr. Bowling’s college career portended future success.

B.S. in Electrical Engineering, 1986 When Jim Pauley was working as an electrician and electrical contractor prior to enrolling at the University of Kentucky, he often installed hardware produced by electrical component manufacturer Square D.  Little did Mr. Pauley know that almost 30 years later, he would be a senior vice president within the company.

B.S. Electrical Engineering 1988 When Rebecca Cowen-Hirsch was considering which engineering discipline to choose for a major, she determined that electrical engineering would be the most difficult of all the options. Naturally, she chose it for a major. “I never shy away from a challenge,” she says. “I love solving problems and believed the breadth of electrical engineering—power, electronics, etc.—would give me the most opportunities.”

Austin, Texas, is known for its high-tech innovators. The city developed its reputation in part because of original technology innovators like Fred May and his co-workers.

B.S. Electrical Engineering 1966 It was all about encouragement. That simple statement defines the life and career of Joseph D. Hicks, Jr.

B.S. Electrical Engineering 1961 Engineers are known as innovators and problem-solvers. John Bailey is both of those, and much more. He was a highly successful and respected leader, manager and strategist who helped Honeywell reach new heights in the United States and abroad.Honeywell is known worldwide as a leader in diversified manufacturing and technology, and Mr. Bailey’s wide range of talents proved to be a great fit. He held a variety of leadership positions during a career that spanned more than 30 years.

Joseph B. (Joe) Lyons, Jr. was an innovator whose ideas and expertise have had lasting impact on radar technology used by the United States Navy. In a 32-year civilian career in the Department of the Navy, Mr. Lyons established an outstanding reputation as an expert in radar systems, and as a leader, manager and trainer. His influence will be felt for many years to come.

Dr. Robert Hayes was a distinguished educator – and much more. A respected engineer, researcher, teacher, community servant and veteran, Dr. Hayes was, as his nominator, Gus Collis, described him, “an outstanding example to all who knew him.”

B.S. Electrical Engineering 1953 Ralph Young once described his volunteer role with Habitat for Humanity as “just plain laborer.” Even if that were true, it would be the only time Ralph Young has been “just plain” anything. His engineering career is a success story on an international scale. His name is known and respected in Thailand, Oman, Saudi Arabia and many other nations, as well as in his hometown of Stanford, Kentucky, for his engineering skills, his integrity, and his service to others.

B.S. Electrical Engineering 1968 Having a vision of success is usually essential to achieving that success. Deane Blazie not only had a vision – he has brought vision in the form of opportunity to many during his distinguished career. He founded and led two companies that became world leaders in producing low-cost computing devices for the blind.

If space is indeed the “final frontier,” Edward Lassiter is a frontiersman of the first order. He has been a leader in developing and using new technologies for defense systems during a distinguished engineering career.

B.S. Electrical Engineering 1976  Cornelius James Starkey IV is known to one and all as Neil — and his accomplishments in engineering are equally well known and highly regarded.

B.S. Electrical Engineering 1974 M.S. Electrical Engineering 1975

A native of Columbia, Kentucky, Russell Miller Barnes graduated from Russell Springs High School. In 1950, he received a Bachelor of Science degree in electrical engineering from the University of Kentucky. While at UK he was a member of Tau Beta Pi engineering honor society; Eta Kappa Nu electrical engineering honor society; Sigma Pi Sigma physics honor society; and Triangle Fraternity.

Leitchfield, Kentucky native Carl Neal Kelly, enrolled at the University of Kentucky after graduating from Leitchfield High School. During college, he was a member of Tau Beta Pi; engineering honor society, Eta Kappa Nu, electrical engineering honor society; and the Institute of Radio Engineers. He received a Bachelor of Science degree in Electrical Engineering from the University of Kentucky in 1961. He would later earn a Master of Science degree in Electrical Engineering from the University of New Mexico and a Ph.D.

Lexington, Kentucky native Betty Peters Preece graduated from Lafayette High School. She enrolled at the University of Kentucky and received a Bachelor of Science degree in Electrical Engineering in 1947, the first woman to receive an electrical engineering degree from UK.

Born in Nashville, Tennessee and raised in Lexington, Kentucky, James R. Boyd graduated from St. Andrew’s School, Middleton, Delaware. He enrolled at the University of Kentucky where in 1969, he received the Bachelor of Science degree in Electrical Engineering. While attending UK he was a member of Phi Delta Theta social fraternity and the freshman swim team. Mr. Boyd began his professional career as a sales engineer with Westinghouse Electric Company, first in New York City and later, St. Louis, Missouri. During this period, Mr.

Born and raised in Louisville, Kentucky and a graduate of Southern High School, Richard A. Holloway enrolled in the University of Kentucky where he received a Bachelor of Science in Electrical Engineering in 1964. While an undergraduate, he was a member of Phi Kappa Tau fraternity. He later received a Master of Science degree in management from Texas Christian University and was a Senior Executive Sloan Fellow at the Massachusetts Institute of Technology.

As one of twelve children, Gregory Louis Summe was born and raised in Ft. Mitchell, Kentucky. Upon graduating from Covington Catholic High School, he enrolled in Thomas More College majoring in physics. Two years later, he transferred to the University of Kentucky and in 1978 received the Bachelor of Science in Electrical Engineering. He then pursued post-graduate education at the University of Cincinnati where he earned the Master of Science in Electrical Engineering in 1980.

The son of a farmer, O. Gene Gabbard was born in Sand Gap, Kentucky . He received a Bachelor of Science in Electrical Engineering from UK in 1961. Mr. Gabbard also holds a Master of Science in Electrical Engineering from the University of Pennsylvania . He was a member of Eta Kappa Nu, Tau Beta Pi, Scabbard and Blade honor societies. He was also active with the American Institute of Electrical Engineers, Institute of Radio Engineers, Kentucky Engineer, Engineering Student Council and was a resident advisor at Haggin Hall.

A native of Mount Sterling, Kentucky, Reese Terry, Jr. began his undergraduate studies in 1960 at the University of Kentucky in civil engineering as a recipient of a transportation scholarship. Realizing his interests lay elsewhere, he transferred to electrical engineering in his junior year. Mr. Terry earned bachelor’s and master’s degrees in electrical engineering in 1964 and 1966 both from the University of Kentucky.

Holloway Fields, Jr. was born and raised in Lexington, Kentucky on Montmullen Street directly across South Limestone from the University of Kentucky where in 1951 he would receive a Bachelor of Science in electrical engineering.

Born in Earlington, Kentucky, Lee T. Todd Jr. received a Bachelor of Science in electrical engineering in 1968 from the University of Kentucky. He pursued graduate studies at the Massachusetts Institute of Technology on a Hertz Fellowship arranged by Dr. Edward Teller, developer of the hydrogen bomb. After earning his masters degree in 1970 and a doctoral degree in 1973 and receiving six patents, Dr. Todd returned to the University of Kentucky and joined the electrical engineering faculty as an assistant professor.

Lewis Berkley Davis, Sr. was born in Lewisport, Kentucky. He played basketball under Adolph Rupp, was active in the Scabbard and Blade military society and Alpha Sigma Phi social fraternity while at the University of Kentucky. Of Adolph Rupp, Mr. Davis has said, “You couldn’t play three years under Adolph Rupp and come out of it without being competitive as hell. He also taught that whatever you’re doing, learn the fundamentals and go about it right.”

Louisville native, James F. McDonald, received his Bachelor of Science and Master of Science degrees in electrical engineering from the University of Kentucky in 1962 and 1964, respectively. Following graduation, he joined the International Business Machines Corporation as an associate engineer in the Office Products Division.

Joseph A. Boyd, educator, scientist and business executive, was born in Oscar, Ballard County, Kentucky. He earned his Bachelor of Science in 1946 and Master of Science in 1949 in electrical engineering from the University of Kentucky. He held a position on the UK faculty while working on his graduate degree and, in 1950, he joined the electrical engineering faculty at the University of Michigan. Dr. Boyd received his Ph.D. from the University of Michigan in 1954.

Since receiving his Master of Science in Electrical Engineering from the University of Kentucky in 1966, Eliott D. James has distinguished himself in a number of engineering and management positions with several of the nation’s leading technical corporations. As a group executive with Harris Corporation, he was responsible for multiple divisions including distributed data processing, interactive terminals and word processing.