News and Updates from U of L

Experimental Spine Therapy Breakthroughs Offer Hope
An experimental therapy that combines stem cells and gene therapy to repair spinal cord injuries in rats may lead to a new way to treat the same injury in humans."Other scientists have suggested this technique, but our study is the first to show that it really works," says U of L spine researcher Scott Whittemore. Since 1998, Whittemore and other faculty at the spinal cord research center have received more than $32.5 million to develop new ways to repair spine injuries.

Cardinal Singers Win International Acclaim
The Cardinal Singers won first prize in Chamber Choir with the first perfect score (25) ever awarded at the May 2005 Harmonie Festival, Lindenholzhausen, Germany. The Cardinal Singers were also designated as "best choir of the festival."

Saturday, October 29, 7:30 p.m., Actors' Theatre, 316 W. Main St., Louisville, Ky.

U of L Night at Actors' Theatre Here's something alumni and friends can really sink their teeth into--a performance of Dracula at Actors's Theatre on October 29. The U of L Alumni Association invites you to join them for an evening of thrills and chills. A costume party and contest will immediately follow at the Victor Jory Lobby. Show time is 7:30 p.m. Tickets are $26.50 per person. For reservations, call the U of L Alumni Office at 502-852-6186.

West Virginia Game Slated for ABC
The University of Louisville football team will make its first over-the-air television appearance since 1997 when the Cardinals take on West Virginia on ABC on Saturday, October 15. Game time is set for 3:30 p.m. in Morgantown, W.Va. The Cardinals last appeared on ABC back on Sept. 7, 1996 when Louisville fell, 24-7 to 15th-ranked Penn State in Happy Valley. West Virginia and Louisville will meet for the first time since 1993 when the Cardinals dropped a 36-34 decision in Morgantown.

Upcoming Events for Alumni and Friends
October 10 and 18 - President hosts outreach visits. U of L president James Ramsey continues his visits statewide to discuss recent accomplishments and future challenges for the university. On Oct. 10 he will speak 5:30-7:30 p.m. at the John W. Black Community Center in Buckner, Ky. On Oct. 18 he will meet with alumni and friends at 12 p.m. at the Bellefonte Country Club in Ashland, Ky. For reservations, call the Alumni Office at 502-852-6186 or 800-813-8635.
October 12-16 - U of L takes on West Virginia University. Travel packages are available. Prices range from $310 to $825. For travel details and party reservations, call Champion Sports Tours at 866-995-7444. Tickets for the tailgate only are $35. For tailgate tickets, call the Alumni Office at 502-852-6186.
October 15 - Game watch parties around Kentucky: Covington at Tickets Sports Bar; Simpsonville at the Cardinal Club; and Owensboro at Z Restaurant at the Cigar Factory. For reservations and more information, call the Alumni Association at 502-852-6186.
October 17 - Harlan Lecture featuring Fred Graham. The event begins at 6:30 p.m. in the Medallion Ballroom of the Seelbach Hotel. Mr. Graham is chief anchor and managing editor of Court TV. He will speak about the relationship of the media to the law. Cost per person is $60. For reservations, call Simone Beach at 502-852-6366.
October 22 - U of L vs. University of Cincinnati at Cincinnati. Travel package includes motor coach transportation, game tickets and box lunch. Cost is $85 per person. Tailgate tickets only are $20 per person. For reservations, call Champion Sports Tours at 866-995-7444.

For more information about these and other alumni events, visit the alumni event calendar.

U of L diver taking the plunge at the natatorium's opening ceremonies.

Ralph Wright Natatorium Opens Members of the swimming and diving team took the plunge in a ceremonial ribbon cutting ceremony to mark the grand opening of the Ralph Wright Natatorium on Belknap Campus September 20. More than 500 students, alumni and fans filled the new $11.6 million, state-of-the art water sports and recreational facility, much of which is being paid for by U of L students.

Speed Student Excels on and off Court
Speed School electrical and computer engineering senior Joleen Phillips had a surprise up her sleeve recently when she hit the court as a starter for the first time with the Cardinal women's basketball squad. She was about to shock everyone, including the University of Kentucky's star player, with a stunning hoops performance. Read more about Phillips and other promising young women engineers in the fall 2005 Speed Engineer.

Volleyball Ranked Sixth in Nation
The U of L women's volleyball team held steady at the lofty No. 6 in Poll #5 of the CSTV/AVCA Poll. The No. 6 ranking last week was the high water mark for the Cardinals. U of L has fellow Top 25 members Notre Dame and Ohio, on the schedule. The Cardinals have also faced teams receiving votes: Long Beach and Tennessee. U of L stays No. 7 in the Molten/Volleyball Magazine Poll.

Alumni Directory Updates Due Oct. 31
The Alumni Association is in the final stages of preparing the 2006 edition of the print and CD-Rom version of the U of L Alumni Directory. The deadline for updating your contact information is Oct. 31. If you have not already done so, please contact Harris Connect to ensure your information is accurate or to let them know you if do not wish to be included in the directory. You may also reserve your copy via telephone. The toll-free number for all U of L graduates (except School of Medicine) is 800-546-9368. Medical school alumni may call 800-755-3805.

Join the U of L Online Community!
Register with the U of L Online Alumni Directory and you can update your information and search for former classmates and friends. Joining is free.

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