“As we continue to build a pipeline of more diverse teachers and more diverse teaching it’s important to support them at the beginning of that process so we can recruit and retain more students of diversity," Smith said.
Smith aims to support future students both financially as well as through his mentorship in the studio.
“In addition to financial support, I find it important to provide some sort of mentorship or at least just someone they can call if they have some questions.”
Smith’s teacher and mentor Everett McCorvey is proud of Smith’s accomplishments as an artist and thankful for his generosity to support future students.
“I am so delighted that Reggie has made the decision to give back to his university in such a significant way," McCorvey said. "Reggie was a stellar student at UK and took advantage of every opportunity to learn and develop his skills. He was a leader among the students during his undergraduate years and he was well respected by his peers and in the community. Reggie is a community leader in so many ways. I am hoping that this gift will inspire other alums of UK to lift up the students who are coming after them. I’m so happy and so proud of him and of the students for whom this scholarship will benefit.”
Dean Mark Shanda expresses his gratitude for Smith’s gift as well as pride for Smith’s professional success.
“We celebrate the success of every student who graduates from the College of Fine Arts, but when one of our alumni decides to give back, to make opportunities possible for future generations, it is indeed a special occasion," Shanda said. "Reggie Smith has achieved much professionally, recognizes the part that his University of Kentucky education has played in that success, and is now generously supporting future Wildcats to help launch their own artistic careers. We all thank Reggie for his generosity and acknowledge the impact his gift will have.”
UK School of Music Director and Associate Dean Stan Pelkey agrees.
“The strength and competitiveness of the UK School of Music’s opera and choral programs means that we always have many more students wanting to attend than we can fund with current scholarships and assistantships,” Pelkey said. “Students apply from all over Kentucky, from across the country, and increasingly from around the world. Gifts such as this from Reggie Smith help to facilitate musical opportunities that can be out of reach for many of those students. We deeply appreciate the commitment of alumni who provide resources to help bring along other students; this immediately helps more students, but it also widens our reach and enhances our ability to change lives through choral music and operatic performances."
The first two recipients of the Reginald Smith, Jr. Diversity Scholarship in Opera will be named at the Alltech & UK Opera Theatre Vocal Scholarship Competition on Sunday, March 5, 2023, at the Singletary Center for the Arts. The competition is in its 18th year. Prizes include scholarships from UK and stipends from Alltech and Bryant’s Rent-All and the Rouse family.
The first recipient of the Reginald Smith, Jr. Diversity Scholarship in Choral Music Education will be named later this spring.
The College of Fine Arts has reached and surpassed the college’s $20 million mark as part of UK’s historic $2.1 billion Kentucky Can campaign goal.