We are excited to announce that the 30th Annual UK Employee Appreciation Day is going to be bigger and better than ever!
This year, employees can participate in virtual wellness, mindfulness, and self-care events from Monday, May 22 through Wednesday, May 24 (schedule below).
For folks who work on the Lexington campus or who want to visit in-person, our annual in-person event will be held on Thursday, May 25, 2023, from 11:00am - 4:00pm, outdoors at The 90 (440 Hilltop Ave) on the south lawn. This year's event promises to be filled with fun and excitement in a street-fair atmosphere, featuring food, inflatables, a DJ, caricature artists, an employee talent showcase, games, and activities for everyone to enjoy!
On-Campus Appreciation Day | May 25, 2023
Join us in person at The 90 for our 30th annual UK Employee Appreciation Day! We will have giveaways, inflatables, caricature artists, games, and free food for employees to enjoy.
Schedule of Events:
- 11:00am - UK Appreciation Day begins!
- 11:00am - 2:30pm - Lunch is served in The 90
- 11:00am - 3:50pm - Karaoke and Talent Showcase Performances
- 2:30pm - 4:00pm - Snacks are served in The 90
- 4:00pm - UK Appreciation Day ends
Weather Notice
The in-person event will carry on rain or shine, just like your favorite summer festival! Vendor tables will be under the shade of trees down sidewalks, covered seating will be provided, and food will be served inside. In the case of severe weather, any change in schedule will be communicated via email and on this page.
Throughout the day, be sure to take place in the activities planned to celebrate employees:
- Delicious food and refreshing drinks
- Inflatables for playful fun
- Karaoke to unleash your inner star
- Caricature artists capture your unique personality
- Engaging vendors showcasing amazing products/services and giveaways
- Energizing music from our talented DJ
- Relaxation through yoga and therapeutic music
- Memorable photo booth moments with a 360-mirror
- A captivating performance by the renowned UK Alumni Band
- and much more!
FAQs
Parking and Transportation
Location: UKAD is being held at the South Lawn behind The 90. Click for a link to google maps.
Bus Routes: Looking to take public transit to the event? Summer bus routes will bring you right to our event space. Look for the blue route going to Huguelet Drive Stop 980 or the white route Lewis Hall Stop 198. You can find a live bus route map online.
Parking: Woodland E, the three E lots on Sports Center Drive, and the Green lot at Kroger field (between gates 1-4) will be off patrol, meaning any employee can park there with/without a permit. If you have a parking permit, we encourage you to park where you normally park or, if you need to drive to the event, please park in Parking Structure 7.
An employee parking map can be found online. If you want to purchase a single-day pass, please visit the Transportation Services webpage.
Walking: Enjoy the day and walk to our event! The google map link above (in location) will take you straight to the center of the fun!
Lunch and Snacks
UKAD provides employees in attendance with a free lunch from 11:00a - 2:30p. This year's menu includes:
- Pulled Pork (and buns)
- Macaroni and Cheese
- Kettle Chips
- Cookies
- Grilled Veggie Wraps (vegan)
- Bottled Water, Canned Coke, Diet Coke, and Sprite
Pulled Pork and Kettle Chips are gluten free!
T-Shirts
Can I order a t-shirt now?
- We are no longer able to accept t-shirt orders. T-shirt orders closed in early March to accommodate the production and delivery scheduled needed by our supplier.
How do I get the t-shirt I ordered?
- Staff Senate is coordinating with department contacts for shirt pick-up. Once your department contact has picked up the shirts ordered, they can distribute as their schedule allows.
Will you have t-shirts at the event?
- No. T-shirts will be picked up as department orders before the event.
What does this year's t-shirt look like?
Unable to Attend Virtual Sessions
UK Health and Wellness, Employee Engagement, and other departments regularly offer zoom sessions covering these topics and more. Check out their websites or contact the presenter for more information on ways to join later!
Virtual Events: May 22, 2023
11:00a – 11:45a: Intuitive Eating with the EatWell Dietitians Karen and Vanessa (Karen McNees and Vanessa Oliver)
- Would you like to have a more relaxed and enjoyable relationship with food? Do you want to liberate yourself from the guilt, shame and anxiety caused by toxic diet culture? If so, we invite you to learn more about this non-diet, evidence-based approach to eating. You’ll be introduced to the 10 Principles of Intuitive Eating.
- Zoom: Register to Attend
1:00p – 1:30p: Virtual Chair Yoga (Carrie Davidson)
- Chair yoga has many benefits including increased flexibility, improved strength, reduced stress, and better sleep. This UK Appreciation event is accessible from your desk or any location as long as you have a chair! All levels will find this relaxing sequence a refreshing part of their day.
- Zoom: Register to Attend
Virtual Events: May 23, 2023
10:30a – 11:00a: Biophilia – The Love of Nature, Why Nature is Important to Us, and a Guided Meditation through a Nature Lens (Connie Jennings)
- Zoom: Register to Attend
11:30a – 12:00p: Self Compassion Bingo (Kim Releford & Eric Wilkinson – Mental Health Therapists)
- Our lives are full and sometimes overflowing with to-do tasks providing our minds with ample opportunities to stress or worry. Let's pause, slow things down, and play the classic game of bingo with a self-compassion twist. Self-compassion increases life satisfaction, happiness, self-confidence, body appreciation and immune function.
- Zoom: Register to Attend
12:00p – 1:00p: Speed-Friending (Azetta Beatty)
- You are invited to take a break and connect with other UK employees. Enjoy this opportunity to share interests and perspectives in a relaxed setting. Join us for this engaging and fun get together during UK Appreciation.
- Zoom: Register to Attend
Virtual Events: May 24, 2023
11:30am - 12:00pm: Gratitude: Simple Practice, Big Results (Jakob Hester and Jackie Carroll)
- Looking for a simple way to boost your health, happiness and relationships? Try one of the most effective practices: gratitude! Join Jakob Hester and Jackie Carroll from HR Health and Wellness as they explore gratitude and some of its many benefits in this 30-minute session. You’ll also learn ways you can start practicing today, including an invitation to try a short, guided gratitude meditation.
- Zoom: Register to Attend