Kentucky State University took home top awards at 2019 HBCU Digest Awards

Kentucky State University took home top awards at 2019 HBCU Digest Awards

Posted on August 6, 2019

Kentucky State University was a multi-award winner during the HBCU Digest 2019 HBCU Awards, including Board of Trustees of the year.

Kentucky State was a finalist in numerous categories.

“It is humbling and a tremendous honor to be recognized in nine categories and place in three,” Kentucky State University President M. Christopher Brown II said. “This demonstrates our strategic, systematic and deliberate investment in positioning Kentucky State as a great institution, not just a great HBCU.”

The Kentucky State University Board of Regents was named the board of trustees of the year. The Board of Regents has shown deft knowledge of positively utilizing its influence at the state and University level.

“I commend President M. Christopher Brown II and the entire Kentucky State University Board of Regents for its focus on our students and conducting the business of Kentucky State,” Kentucky State University Board of Regents Chair Dr. Elaine Farris said. “This designation as the HBCU Digest Board of Trustees of the year is a mark of distinction for the Board, and reflects our hard work and commitment to monitor and evaluate the performance of the institution in achieving its goals and fulfilling its mission.”

On the state level, the Board of Regents, led by its chairperson, Dr. Elaine Farris, recognized and celebrated a historic moment in the history of the Commonwealth of Kentucky. Through an event entitled “Together We Can | The Convening,” the Board assembled a historic panel discussion with four of the most prominent figures in education and workforce in Kentucky – four African American men.

On the University level, the Board, in collaboration with Kentucky State University First Lady Adrienne Allen-Brown, seized an opportunity during Women’s History Month to provide personal and professional development to young women through Changing HerStory: Breaking Barriers to Empower Women to Lead and Serve. The inaugural four-day leadership trip through Kentucky, Tennessee, Alabama and Georgia provided numerous educational opportunities.

“It is just an honor to be recognized for the work we are doing at Kentucky State,” Regent Mindy Barfield (2021) said.

“This is my second tenure on the Kentucky State University Board of Regents and it is a privilege to serve my alma mater,” Regent Roger Reynolds (2024) said.

The Mighty Marching Thorobreds were voted as the nation’s best HBCU marching band.

“We’re greatly honored for this prestigious award from HBCU Digest,” Alvin Level, director of bands at Kentucky State University, said. “The students worked extremely hard, but the best is yet to come. We’re not satisfied with where we are.”

Level thanked the Board of Regents, President Brown and the University administration for their support.

The Mighty Marching Thorobreds have entertained thousands, competing in the Honda Campus All-Star Challenge, Lucas Oil Stadium for the Indianapolis Colts and in Mardi Gras festivities in New Orleans.

Onward + Upward, the University’s magazine, took home the top prize for best alumni publication.

Onward + Upward tells the Kentucky State University story. Highlighting the outstanding achievements of Kentucky State University faculty, staff, student and alumni, the magazine underwent a major redesign in 2017, boasting a completely reimagined look and fresh content.

“Kentucky State University’s magazine is all about connecting its audiences with the great work of Kentucky State students, alumni, faculty, staff and friends,” Senior Vice President of Brand Identity and University Relations Clara Ross Stamps said. “It is our goal to share powerful stories of individuals who are doing the most good to champion the Kentucky State legacy for future generations.”

Stamps said stories such as “Rising to the Top,” “Alumni in the Legislature” and “A Seat @ the Table” are excellent examples of Thorobreds living the legacy.

The HBCU Awards are the first and only national awards ceremony honoring individual and institutional achievement at historically black colleges and universities throughout the country. Winners are selected by a panel of previous winners, journalists, HBCU executives, students and alumni for the merit of accomplishment and for generating positive coverage for HBCU campus communities.