LEXINGTON, Ky. (July 5, 2024) — The University of Kentucky Alumni Association announced the recipients of the Distinguished Service Awards and the Joseph T. Burch Award on June 21. The awards are presented annually to honor and recognize those who have provided extraordinary service to the university, the association and the community.
Distinguished Service Award Winners
The UK Alumni Association’s Distinguished Service Award recognizes up to five recipients as selected by the Board of Directors awards committee. Nominees for this prestigious award should have:
- Demonstrated a history of diligent work for the UK Alumni Association and/or a local alumni club.
- Contributed to the accomplishments of the UK Alumni Association and/or a local alumni club.
- Provided leadership and dedication to university and association programs.
- Provided meaningful service to alumni and friends of the university, community and profession.
The 2024 Distinguished Service Award recipients are Katy Bennett, Michael L. Hawks, D.M.D., Antoine Huffman and Todd Lanham.
Michael L. Hawks, D.M.D., a Fulton, Kentucky, native, earned a bachelor’s degree in biology in 1981 and a dental degree from the UK College of Dentistry in 1985. While at UK Hawks was a member of Sigma Nu Fraternity. He opened Hawks Family Dentistry in 1988. Hawks is a member of the American Dental Association, the Academy of General Dentistry, the American Orthodontic Society, Tennessee Dental Association and the Kentucky Dental Association. Hawks invests time with community organizations such as the Fulton Bank Advisory Board and he organizes and coaches youth sports leagues. He served as three-time past president of the Fulton County UK Alumni Club. During his time as past president, the Fulton County Alumni Club successfully provided local students UK scholarships. Hawks is a Life Member of the UK Alumni Association. He and his wife Melanie have two sons Corbin (’13 AFE, ’17 DE) and Harrison, who is a 2018 graduate from Ole Miss.
