News and Events

Fall Conference 2025 - China

Oct 9, 2025, 5:00 PM – Oct 10, 2025, 5:00 PM

— Keynote Address — Brad Farnsworth, Principle at Fox Hollow Advisory Brad Farnsworth has more than three decades of experience as a campus leader, instructor, and association executive.  A recognized authority on China, he has travelled there since the early 1980s, and he maintains strong connections with Chinese universities and the Chinese government. 

2025 Negotiation Simulation - Korean Peninsula

Sep 26, 2025, 12:00 PM – Sep 27, 2025, 3:00 PM

This fall, students, faculty, and alums participated in the U.S. Army War College's ISCNE simulation on the Korean Peninsula. Teams were set a few days before the event, with students suddenly taking on the role of major superpowers as they navigate the political unrest that is ever bubbling along the DMZ.

Stempel Road Naming Ceremony

Jul 28, 2026, 4:00 – 7:00 PM

You are cordially invited to join us for a ceremony honoring the late John Stempel on Tuesday, July 28, 2026, from 4:00–6:00 p.m. at the Cornerstone Exchange, just off the University of Kentucky campus. In recognition of Dr. John Stempel's extraordinary service and leadership at the Patterson School and throughout his distinguished career, his family, in partnership with state and local government and Patterson alumni, has arranged for a state roadway to be named in his honor.

Patterson School Summer Reading List 2026 and Book Club Dates

May 6, 2026

The Patterson School has chosen the following texts for our summer reading this year:

Steve Pile - Affect and City Life: Notes from London

Apr 17, 2026, 2:00 – 3:00 PM

Professor Steve Pile from Open University (UK) will be giving an exciting talk on Zoom entitled ‘Affect and City Life: notes from London’ (please see the abstract below). The talk will take place on April 17 at 2:00 pm at https://uky.zoom.us/j/4073288434 He has been invited as a speaker for a Gaines Center Cooperative composed of Michael Samers (Geography), Charlie Zhang (Gender & Women Studies), and Yujia He (Patterson School). All are welcome.

Patterson School Lexington Alumni Event

Apr 24, 2026, 5:30 – 8:30 PM

The Patterson School is excited to host a local event for our alumni. We invite you to join us here in Lexington, at the Old North Bar this April. PleaseRSVP if you plan on attending: https://forms.gle/j5ee4imRn9u3nkzB8.

Talking China in the Bluegrass - Panel Discussion

Apr 27, 2026, 5:00 – 6:00 PM

The panel discussion, Talking China in the Bluegrass, will be held April 27 from 5-6 PM at the Carnegie Center for Literacy and Learning in Gratz Park, and will feature four great speakers, including Vice-Mayor Dan Wu and our own Yujia He from the Patterson School. The poster is below. This is open to a public audience, including students. Summary: Where do we find China in Kentucky? Join local experts and community members for a discussion of how global transitions in economy, migration, politics, and culture are changing life in Kentucky.

Patterson School Atlanta Alumni Event

Mar 17, 2026, 5:30 – 8:30 PM

Every year, the Patterson School takes a spring break trip and invites our alums to connect with our current students. This year, we are coming to Atlanta! We would like to invite you to a reception for Patterson Alums in the Atlanta area, our students and faculty, and diplomats in the region. You can RSVP here: https://forms.gle/R9UKpUzZBpHhJMr99

Friday Talk [Zoom] - Dr. Cara Wallis - Social Media and Ordinary Life: Affect, Ethics, and Aspiration in Contemporary China

Feb 13, 2026, 10:00 – 11:30 AM

As part of a Gaines Center Cooperative Grant, Dr Yujia He is co-hosting a series of webinars on 'affect' along with Dr Charlie Yi Zhang (A&S Gender Studies) and Dr Michael Samers (A&S Geography). The second of these will be presented by Professor Cara Wallis of the University of Michigan and entitled "Social Media and Ordinary Life: Affect, Ethics, and Aspiration in Contemporary China".

Patterson Open Houses - January 8th (online) and January 22nd (in-person)

Jan 8, 2026, 6:00 – 7:00 PM

The Patterson School will be hosting two open houses in January. Our first open house will be held on January 8th, from 6-7PM (EST). This Open House will be online via zoom. This the zoom link for that event.