Honoring Distinguished Alumni 2023 Alumni and Friends Reception Kentucky Public Service Hall of Fame
We're hoping you can join us on the second Friday in April for evening refreshments. We will also announce our newest Distinguished Alumnus and will induct two prominent leaders into the Kentucky Public Service Hall of Fame.
Friday April 14th, 5:00-8:00 PM
Rosenberg Law Building, Room 397
620 S Limestone St
Lexington, KY
Agenda
5PM Guest arrival and reception
- Presentation of Distinguished Alumni Award by Logan Hart, MPA Student
- Remarks by Brigitte Blom
- Presentation of Kentucky Public Service Hall of Fame Award by Crit Luallen
- Remarks by Senator Gerald Neal
- Presentation of Kentucky Public Service Hall of Fame Award by Brad Cowgill
- Remarks by Linda Breathitt (Accepting on behalf of her father, the late Gov. Edward T. “Ned” Breathitt.)
- Concluding remarks by Ron Zimmer
7PM Adjournment
RSVP for the 2023 Alumni & Friends Reception
Visit our Facebook gallery to check out pictures from the event
2023 Alumni and Friends Honorees
Senator Gerald Neal
2023 Kentucky Public Service Hall of Fame Inductee
Neal, of Louisville, currently is the longest-serving member of the Kentucky State Senate. Elected in 1989, he is the first Black American to hold leadership positions in the Kentucky General Assembly. He served as Senate Democratic Caucus Chair from 2014-16 and earlier this year was elected as the Senate Democratic Floor Leader. He also is on the Executive Committee of the National Black Caucus of State Legislators (NBCSL). A graduate of Kentucky State University, he pursued graduate studies at the University of Michigan before earning his law degree from the Brandeis School of Law at the University of Louisville.
Brigitte Blom
Blom, a 2007 Martin School graduate with a master’s degree in public policy, has been an education leader for over 20 years. Before being named to lead the Prichard Committee in 2015, she was director of public policy for United Way of Greater Cincinnati. She spent 10 years as an elected member of the Board of Education in rural Pendleton County and is the former vice chair of the Kentucky State Board of Education, where she served from 2008-14. She has an undergraduate degree in economics and international studies.
Edward T. "Ned" Breathitt
2023 Kentucky Public Service Hall of Fame Inductee
A Hopkinsville, Kentucky, native with undergraduate and law degrees from UK, Breathitt served as Kentucky’s governor from 1963-67. His term is remembered for the 1966 enactment of landmark civil rights legislation as well as increased support for education, a renewed focus on economic growth and industrial development, and expansion of the state highway and park systems. During his years as governor, he served as chair of the UK Board of Trustees, chairing the board again from 1992-99. He passed away in 2003 at the age of 78.