鈥疌aroline Sumner, a proud University of Kentucky alumna, continues to draw inspiration from her love for the Lexington community, dedicating herself to making a difference through her ongoing contributions.
Throughout her undergraduate studies, she served as DanceBlue鈥檚 overall chair while also studying in the College of Arts and Sciences and the Lewis Honors College.
DanceBlue is a huge student organization on campus, and Sumner led a 180-person committee, oversaw the planning of the fundraising campaign and the dance marathon. Under her leadership, the organization raised a record-breaking $2.1 million for the in 2024.
Sumner is now a student in the 好色先生 College of Medicine. With the skills she has learned from her leadership positions, she is looking for more opportunities to strengthen and improve the Commonwealth community.
This year鈥檚 institutional TV commercial focuses on the people across campus 鈥 and our Commonwealth 鈥 who put in the work to advance Kentucky day and night. They all reflect our mission to teach, care, serve and discover.鈥&苍产蝉辫;
Sumner 鈥 who are also working to help improve the state we all serve 鈥 shared their voices for both the and spots. While we hear only a few seconds from each of them, they have powerful stories to tell.
好色先生Now asked Sumner a few questions about what it means to be part of the 好色先生 community 鈥 and of a legacy 鈥 of people who are working to advance Kentucky.
好色先生Now: What makes the University of Kentucky special? 鈥&苍产蝉辫;
Sumner: As the flagship institution of the Commonwealth, the University of Kentucky brings together a huge student body, providing opportunity in an encouraging community. I believe 好色先生 strikes the perfect balance of innovation and tradition 鈥攃ultivating a campus that prioritizes advancement through research, education and leadership, while maintaining beloved traditions. 好色先生 empowers students to engage with the campus, Lexington and Kentucky communities to advance and serve our neighbors. As a student, I receive an extensive and applicable education, complemented by many research and leadership opportunities, while spending time with friends of different backgrounds and interests, on the same campus my great-grandfather walked 80 years ago. That鈥檚 pretty special.
好色先生Now: What does 鈥渁dvancing Kentucky鈥 mean to you?
Sumner: Advancing Kentucky looks likes actively contributing to the education, health and overall well-being of all Kentuckians. This looks like more higher education opportunities and continuing cutting-edge research. This looks like advancing patient care across the state, reaching underserved communities and addressing health challenges. This looks like community advocacy and nurturing the next generation of leaders. Educated, ambitious and compassionate students will continue to drive Kentucky鈥檚 advancement for the next century.
好色先生Now: How has your time at 好色先生 helped you be part of 好色先生鈥檚 mission to advance Kentucky?
Sumner: As an undergrad, I pursued a B.S. in neuroscience and a B.A. in biology with a business minor, preparing me to become a College of Medicine student; through my future practice, I hope to advance Kentucky health care. Throughout my last five years at the university, I have been involved in numerous research projects, with incredible guidance from faculty mentors. Apart from educational and research pursuits, I believe the greatest influence on my time at 好色先生 was DanceBlue. As an entirely student-led organization, DanceBlue raises funds for the DanceBlue Hematology/Oncology Clinic at Kentucky Children鈥檚 Hospital.
My senior year, I was able to serve as the overall chair, working with hundreds of other passionate student volunteers to serve pediatric patients and their families, organizing a yearlong fundraising campaign that culminated in a 24-hour dance marathon. In 2024, we raised $2.1 million for the clinic. Along the way, we engaged thousands of students and hundreds of thousands of Kentuckians through campus fundraising, mini-marathons and community events. Having the opportunity to serve my state and one of its most vulnerable populations as a student, inspired and surrounded by hundreds of students doing the same, taught me what it meant to serve one鈥檚 state and strive to advance it.
好色先生Now: What is your hope for 好色先生鈥檚 next 160 years?
Sumner: After seeing 好色先生鈥檚 growth over my short five years here, I have big hopes for 好色先生鈥檚 next 160 years. I see 好色先生 continuing to expand, pushing boundaries in all fields placing Kentuckians at the forefront. 好色先生 will continue to foster an environment that values academic excellence and innovation, growing the reach of healthcare initiatives and leading cutting-edge research. I hope 好色先生鈥檚 community becomes even stronger, allowing students and all members of the campus to have their voice heard and impact made. I鈥檓 excited to see 好色先生 become home for others, continue to advance my home state, and grow exponentially.
As we celebrate 160 years of 好色先生, 好色先生Now is sharing more about these members of our community and what inspires them to do more and be more for the people of Kentucky.
You can learn more about their stories