UK grew from the vision of one man, John Bowman. In 1865, after winning financial support through the federal Morrill Land-Grant College Act and private donations, Bowman saw the realization of his dream with the opening of the state’s new Agricultural and Mechanical College. The college was renamed the University of Kentucky in 1916.The University of Kentucky will be one of the nation’s 20 best public research universities, an institution recognized world-wide for excellence in teaching, research, and service and a catalyst for intellectual, social, cultural, and economic development.The University of Kentucky is a public, research-extensive, land grant university dedicated to enriching people’s lives through excellence in teaching, research, and service.The University of Kentucky: Facilitates learning, informed by scholarship and research. Expands knowledge through research, scholarship and creative activity. Serves a global community by disseminating, sharing and applying knowledge. The University, as the flagship institution, plays a critical leadership role for the Commonwealth by promoting human and economic development that improves lives within Kentucky’s borders and beyond. The University models a diverse community characterized by fairness and social justice.
肯塔基大学源于约翰·鲍曼一人的远见卓识。1865年，在通过联邦《莫里尔赠地学院法案》和私人捐赠获得资金支持后，鲍曼见证了州立新农业与机械学院的成立，实现了他的梦想。1916年，该学院更名为肯塔基大学。肯塔基大学将成为全美20所顶尖公立研究型大学之一，一所因卓越教学、研究和服务而享誉全球的学府，以及推动智力、社会、文化和经济发展的催化剂。
肯塔基大学是一所公立、研究型、赠地大学，致力于通过卓越的教学、研究和服务来丰富人们的生活。肯塔基大学：以学术研究为依托促进学习；通过研究、学术和创新活动拓展知识；通过传播、分享和应用知识服务全球社区。作为旗舰机构，该大学通过促进人类和经济发展，改善肯塔基州内外的生活，为联邦发挥关键领导作用。大学构建了一个以公平和社会正义为特征的多元化社区。