The University Senate yesterday recommended nominees to receive an honorary degree this spring: former UK basketball coach Tubby Smith, former Gov. Paul Patton, retired UK faculty member Gifford Blyton and former Indian President Avul Pakir Jainulabdeen Abdul Kalam.

The recommendations go to the Board of Trustees for approval during its March 4 meeting.

Before leaving for the University of Minnesota, Smith won three national coach of the year awards at UK and led the Cats to four Elite Eights, five Southeastern Conference championships and one national title. In his 10 years at UK, Smith’s record was 263-83.

Patton, a UK alumnus, served as Kentucky governor from 1995 to 2003. During his time in office, Patton worked to overhaul how higher education was funded and managed. In 2002, Western Kentucky nurse Tina Conner sued Patton and the state in Franklin County Circuit Court, alleging that he directed state officials to shut down her business after she ended their affair.

Blyton, a former UK communications professor, has been the parliamentarian for the University Senate for 35 years.

If approved, Patton, Smith and Blyton would receive their honorary degrees at UK’s commencement May 4.

Kalam, a space scientist and Indian President from 2002 to 2007, would receive his degree between March 23 and March 25, when he plans to visit the Miniature Worlds: Art from India exhibit currently on display in UK’s Art Museum.

Prof to speak on violence against black women

A research center on campus is hosting a talk on violence against black women today at 11:45 a.m. in the College of Law building.

Beth E. Richie, head of the African-American Studies Department at the University of Illinois at Chicago, has studied prison inmates and has tied that research to violence against women in her most recent book “Black Women, Male Violence and the Build-up of a Prison Nation: Race, Gender, Violence and Public Policy.”

Carol Jordan, director of the Center for Research on Violence Against Women, said she is bringing Richie to campus because of her expertise in abuse and violence toward women of minority races.

Teach for America documentary to air at library

Students have a chance to see what it’s like to participate in Teach for America by viewing a CNN documentary on the experience tonight at 6 in the Gallery Room of W.T. Young Library.

The documentary follows three college students through their time teaching in low-income communities. After the show, Teach for America alumni will answer questions about the experience and application process.

Friday is the final deadline for seniors to apply for the program. Of the 60 UK students who have applied this year, 14 have been accepted.

Student photography on display in annual show

The UK Department of Art’s 4th annual Advanced Photography Show began yesterday. Photographs from 14 UK students will be on display through Feb. 22 in the Barnhart Gallery, room 206, of the Reynolds Building No. 1.

Defensive back coach resigns

Thom Kaumeyer, the defensive backs coach on the UK football team, resigned to take a coaching position with another team, head coach Rich Brooks announced yesterday.

Kaumeyer joined the staff in January after former defensive backs coach David Lockwood resigned to take a similar position at West Virginia, his alma mater.