Behind the Blue

LEXINGTON, Ky. (December 18, 2025) – Strategic partnerships play a critical role in supporting the University of Kentucky's mission, particularly in athletics, where revenue generation, fan engagement and long-term planning are increasingly complex. These complexities are well understood by Paul Archey, president of JMI Sports, the multimedia rights partner for UK Athletics and the university. On this week's episode of "Behind the Blue," Archey joins UK Executive Vice President for Finance and Administration and Co-Executive Vice President for Health Affairs, Dr. Eric Monday, on another installment of The Business of UK, a recurring feature designed to give listeners a look inside the principles and processes that guide UK's financial and operational decisions. Originally from Greenup, Ky, Archey speaks on how the partnership was formed, why it has continued to evolve, and how its structure supports both UK Athletics and the university as a whole. The conversation also highlights the deep Kentucky roots that underpin the relationship, including the legacy of Jim Host, founder of Host Communications and longtime UK partners who helped shape the modern multimedia rights landscape for college athletics. Listeners are encouraged to submit questions and suggestions for future installments of The Business of UK by emailing [email protected]. Upcoming episodes will further explore the changing landscape of college athletics, including a conversation with Archey and UK Athletics Director Mitch Barnhart about the development of BBNIL (UK Athletics' Name, Image & Likeness strategy), and other topics including budget structure, tuition setting, capital projects and more. "Behind the Blue" is available via a variety of podcast providers, including Apple Podcasts, YouTube and Spotify. Subscribe to receive new episodes each week, featuring UK's latest medical breakthroughs, research, artists, writers and the most important news impacting the university. "Behind the Blue" is a joint production of the University of Kentucky and UK HealthCare. Transcripts for this or other episodes of "Behind the Blue" can be downloaded from the show's blog page. To discover how the University of Kentucky is advancing our Commonwealth, click here.

LEXINGTON, Ky. (December 18, 2025) – Across the Commonwealth, the University of Kentucky fulfills its land-grant mission through teaching, research, service and health care — from students discovering their passions, to researchers making breakthroughs, to clinicians providing critical care in communities of every size. But behind the work that most Kentuckians see is a complex network of decisions, partnerships and operational systems that keep the university and UK HealthCare running every day. This week, we're launching a new recurring feature on "Behind the Blue" called The Business of UK, designed to take listeners inside that part of the institution. The Business of UK will break down major business questions and explore the principles and processes that guide UK's financial and operational decisions. Leading this new feature is UK Executive Vice President for Finance and Administration and Co-Executive Vice President for Health Affairs, Dr. Eric Monday. From large-scale partnerships to everyday budget decisions, Monday will spotlight topics and welcome guests to help listeners better understand the frameworks behind the university's most significant business relationships and strategic choices. Future installments of The Business of UK will explore the university's relationship with JMI Sports, the development of BBNIL (UK Athletics' Name, Image & Likeness strategy), and other topics including budget structure, tuition setting, capital projects and more. Listeners are invited to participate in shaping the series by submitting questions and topic suggestions via email to [email protected]. "Behind the Blue" is available via a variety of podcast providers, including Apple Podcasts, YouTube and Spotify. Subscribe to receive new episodes each week, featuring UK's latest medical breakthroughs, research, artists, writers and the most important news impacting the university. "Behind the Blue" is a joint production of the University of Kentucky and UK HealthCare. Transcripts for this or other episodes of "Behind the Blue" can be downloaded from the show's blog page. To discover how the University of Kentucky is advancing our Commonwealth, click here.

LEXINGTON, Ky. (December 11, 2025) – There's a first time for everything — and on Friday, 71-year-old University of Kentucky College of Education graduate Ellen London will experience a significant first: attending a graduation ceremony to accept a diploma. Ellen, who just earned her second master's degree, didn't attend the commencement ceremonies for her bachelor's or first master's degrees at other universities. She didn't even attend her own high school graduation, saying she was "too shy" to be in the spotlight. As she dons a cap and gown for the first time and readies herself to cross the stage at Rupp Arena, she'll be cheered on by friends and family, including two family members who are also part of the UK community: her daughter, Tessa London-Bounds, M.D., a cardiothoracic surgeon with the UK Gill Heart Institute, and her 10-year-old grandson, Harry, a cello player in the College of Fine Arts' UK String Project. In this episode of "Behind the Blue," this trio joins us to talk about their nomadic upbringing, love of learning, and how the University of Kentucky has been able to provide each one of them with a vastly different educational experience. "Behind the Blue" is available via a variety of podcast providers, including Apple Podcasts and Spotify. Subscribe to receive new episodes each week, featuring UK's latest medical breakthroughs, research, artists, writers and the most important news impacting the university. "Behind the Blue" is a joint production of the University of Kentucky and UK HealthCare. Transcripts for this or other episodes of "Behind the Blue" can be downloaded from the show's blog page. To discover how the University of Kentucky is advancing our Commonwealth, click here.

LEXINGTON, Ky. (December 5, 2025) – Kentucky has one of the nation's highest burdens of chronic lung disease, a challenge intensified by smoking prevalence, occupational exposures and limited access to specialized care in rural communities. As UK HealthCare looks to expand its services for those with advanced lung conditions, a new leader is helping to guide that effort. Dr. Edward Cantu recently joined the University of Kentucky as director of the UK HealthCare Lung Transplantation Program and the thoracic surgery division. A surgeon whose path has taken him from Columbia University to Duke University and the University of Pennsylvania, Cantu says his goal is clear: increase access, improve outcomes and build a patient-centered system of care for lung disease across the Commonwealth. On this episode of "Behind the Blue," Dr. Cantu discusses the importance of advanced lung care in Kentucky, the role of early detection in conditions like solitary pulmonary nodules and the lifesaving possibilities provided by lung transplantation. He explains how surgical techniques, donor evaluation and anti-rejection medications have advanced over the past two decades — progress that has improved survival while opening the door to more patients who might benefit from transplant. Cantu also speaks candidly about Kentucky and Appalachia's significant health disparities. Many patients, he notes, face barriers not only in treatment but in screening, diagnosis and follow-up care. Expanding the lung transplant program means developing stronger networks with regional hospitals, improving access to diagnostic resources and ensuring patients can receive as much care as possible close to home. As the program grows, Cantu envisions UK HealthCare becoming a regional leader in lung care — a center known for high-quality transplant outcomes, early cancer detection pathways and coordinated partnerships that reach patients where they are. Ultimately, his vision is simple: better living and better breathing for every person with lung disease in Kentucky. "Behind the Blue" is available via a variety of podcast providers, including Apple Podcasts and Spotify. Subscribe to receive new episodes each week, featuring UK's latest medical breakthroughs, research, artists, writers and the most important news impacting the university. "Behind the Blue" is a joint production of the University of Kentucky and UK HealthCare. Transcripts for this or other episodes of "Behind the Blue" can be downloaded from the show's blog page. To discover how the University of Kentucky is advancing our Commonwealth, click here.

LEXINGTON, Ky. (November 21, 2025) – As the cost of higher education continues to challenge students and families nationwide, the University of Kentucky is taking a different approach — one that goes beyond tuition and scholarships to equip students with long-term financial confidence. Since 2022, UK Invests has helped students earn up to $500 each year by participating in activities tied to wellness, engagement, employability skills and financial literacy, with funds deposited directly into individual Fidelity investment accounts. For Paul McKinney, UK's Associate Vice President for Student Financial Stability, the program represents the next step in the institution's commitment to supporting students both inside and outside the classroom. A veteran of more than 30 years in higher-education finance, McKinney joined UK after seeing the potential of UK Invests to not only educate students about budgeting and long-term investing, but to meaningfully shape their financial futures. Since its launch, the university has disbursed over $2.2 million to participating students, who show higher GPAs and retention rates compared to their peers. On this episode of "Behind the Blue," McKinney discusses the origins of UK Invests, the partnership with Fidelity and iGrad, and the program's unique focus on practical financial education — from understanding risk tolerance and compound growth to navigating AI-powered budgeting and investment tools. He also shares how UK Invests is influencing student behavior across campus, the lessons learned from its early rollout, and the program's potential to position a generation of graduates to make informed financial decisions that strengthen both their personal futures and the economy of the Commonwealth. "Behind the Blue" is available via a variety of podcast providers, including Apple Podcasts and Spotify. Subscribe to receive new episodes each week, featuring UK's latest medical breakthroughs, research, artists, writers and the most important news impacting the university. "Behind the Blue" is a joint production of the University of Kentucky and UK HealthCare. Transcripts for this or other episodes of "Behind the Blue" can be downloaded from the show's blog page. To discover how the University of Kentucky is advancing our Commonwealth, click here.