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Four Elements for a More Fulfilling Workplace

I recently read a provocatively-titled article in the New York Times’ Sunday Review called "Why You Hate Work." Though the title is rather strong, the findings were pretty interesting. Not one to pass up commentary on work culture (and how to make it better), I read the piece, written by Tony Schwartz of the Energy Project, whose blog is full of great work-related research, and Christine Porath from Georgetown University, based on a study they conducted. They found that there are four major factors that influence how we feel about our jobs.

Five Things About Me

Mary BoultonOriginally from the Cincinnati area, I moved to Lexington where I completed a BA in Hispanic  Studies. After undergrad I returned to Cincinnati where I worked in global marketing for Procter & Gamble, but decided to complete my MA in Diplomacy and International Commerce. During my graduate program I worked in the research unit for sub-Saharan African Studies at the Foreign Service Institute in D.C. and after at the Center for Poverty Research at UK prior to my time at A&S. 
 
1. What do you do in your spare time? In my spare time I enjoy playing with my daughter and working on projects around the house with my husband. I also enjoy traveling.
2. What is your favorite movie or book? Besides traveling and spending time with my family, I enjoy reading, watching movies and trying out new restaurants. One of my favorite movies is “The Best Exotic Marigold Hotel.” I love the combination of humor and story-telling the movie combines. 
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Five Things About Me

jay youngI was born in Danville, KY and lived there until 2003. I moved to Lexington in 2003 after graduating Centre College where I earned my BS in Biology. I then attended the College of Public Health (’06) here at UK to earn my Master’s of Public Health (MPH).  I began working at UK in 2005 for the College of Pharmacy and last year (2013) started working for the College of Arts & Sciences.  I have been married for almost 9 years to my wife Marianne and we live here in Lexington. We have a son, Thomas, who is 4 years old.  We also have a dog named Sophie, and two cats, Bell and Alley.
 

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Five Things About Me

libby weir UK has been a large part of my life, working here since 1978.  I can truly say that it is a great place to work.  I was most excited to join Arts and Sciences in the fall of 2013 and I absolutely love being part of this learning environment. 

1. What do you do in your spare time?
My spare time is mainly spent with my family doing fun things together with my mom, sister and two grandchildren.   On the internet, I like to play words with friends and love pinterest.  I like to shop for antiques or collectibles to decorate my home.

 

2. What is your favorite movie?
Toss up between Holiday House and Must Love Dogs.

5 Things You Didn't Know about Jessica Pennington

Jessica PenningtonJessica Pennington is the Behavioral Case Specialist for A&S and also works with the residential colleges.  Before starting with A&S in June, she worked as a Research Assistant for the Collaborative Center for Literacy Development.   Jessica’s is a UK grad with both a BA in Psychology and MS in Educational Psychology.  Jessica was born in New Jersey, and grew up half in California and the other half in London, KY. She lives in Lexington with her husband of 2 ½ years, Adam.

 

 

 

 

 

 

Questions: 

1. What do you do in your spare time? 

I am a pretty serious crafter, I crafted my entire wedding everything from my garter to making over 250 paper flowers. I still love wedding crafting, woodworking and making homemade gifts for people is my favorite. Other than that I like to read and spend time with family and friends.

2. Are you a cat person or a dog person (or do you like another species entirely)?

Live and learn with students from many majors

Tackling environmental and sustainability issues requires input from many points of view, and therefore, majors, because these issues are inherently complex. No single discipline has a lock on the environment or sustainability. The diversity of the directors’ specialty area is a reflection of this truth. While I am a biosystems and agricultural engineer, Dr. Arthur is a forest ecologist, Dr. Bell an environmental sociologist, and Dr. Fryar a hydrogeologist. Each of us approaches the environment and sustainability with a different set of skills and experiences, all of which are equally important.  
 
Consider the University of Kentucky’s new bioretention facility, or rain garden, at Farm Road. When Dr.