By Clark Bellar

(April 29, 2015) — The 2015 University of Kentucky Libraries Spring Gala will recognize this year's recipient of the UK Libraries Medallion for Intellectual Achievement, George C. Wright, Lexington native and president of Prairie View A&M University. The gala will begin 6 p.m. Tuesday, May 12, in the William T. Young Library on UK's campus.

The author of three books and many scholarly publications on race relations, Wright received his bachelor's and master's degree in history from UK and his doctoral degree from Duke University. His teaching career began in 1977 at UK. He moved to teach at the University of Texas at Austin in 1980, where he would hold many administrative positions. Wright also spent a year conducting research at Harvard University and held several positions at Duke during his career. Now, Wright is president of Prairie View A&M, in Prairie View, Texas, renowned for producing thousands of African-American engineers, nurses and educators.

The UK Libraries Medallion for Intellectual Achievement is one of UK's most prestigious awards. It was created in 1990 to recognize high intellectual achievement by a Kentuckian who has made a contribution of lasting value to the Commonwealth. The award also promotes education and creative thought. The recipient is determined by majority vote of the UK Libraries National Advisory Board.

The UK Libraries Spring Gala award presentations will begin at 6 p.m. A reception will follow with cocktails and heavy hors d'oeuvres. Tickets for the gala are $25; Individuals should RSVP to Amanda Jewell by May 4 if they plan to attend. Payment should be sent in advance via check or brought in person to the dean's office of UK Libraries. Tickets will not be sold at the door. Contact Jewell at awjewe2@email.uky.edu with questions about the event.