Lucas honored as a 2026 Great Teacher
For more than six decades, the University of Kentucky has celebrated teachers who leave a lasting mark on their students’ lives. That tradition continued Feb. 17 as six educators were honored as the 2026 Great Teacher Award recipients, each selected through a process that begins with heartfelt nominations from the students they teach and mentor every day.
Established in 1961, the Great Teacher Award is the university’s longest-running recognition of teaching excellence. Student nominations form the foundation of the selection process, highlighting faculty who have made a meaningful impact in and beyond the classroom. Final honorees are chosen by the UK Alumni Association’s awards committee in partnership with the student leadership organization Omicron Delta Kappa.
The 2026 Great Teacher Award recipients are:
- Zach Agioutantis, Ph.D., Stanley and Karen Pigman College of Engineering (Mining Engineering)
- Robin Cooper, Ph.D., College of Arts and Sciences (Biology)
- Patrick Lee Lucas, Ph.D., College of Design (Interiors)
- ToniMarie Marchioni, D.M.A., College of Fine Arts (Music — oboe)
- Mark Prendergast, Ph.D., College of Arts and Sciences (Neuroscience)
- Paul Priyesh, Ph.D., Martin-Gatton College of Agriculture, Food and Environment (Animal and Food Sciences)
Each faculty member was surprised in their classroom, lab or office during the fall semester with news of the honor. They were formally recognized Tuesday evening at the UK Alumni Association Great Teacher Award Recognition Dinner at the Hyatt Regency in Lexington. Each recipient received a commemorative award, a $4,000 stipend and recognition on the floor of Rupp Arena during the Georgia vs. Kentucky men’s basketball game.
Patrick Lee Lucas
Patrick Lee Lucas helps students bridge design history and practice. An award-winning instructor and international presenter, he inspires others to recognize design as a fundamental form of human expression and to understand how material environments shape a rapidly changing world. As both historian and practitioner, he is known for synthesizing ideas and interpreting how concepts take form in designed spaces. He earned his bachelor’s degree in architecture from the University of Cincinnati, a master’s degree in interior design from the University of Kentucky and a Ph.D. in American studies from Michigan State University. His scholarly contributions include numerous publications, notably Athens on the Frontier: Grecian-Style Architecture in the Great Valley of the West, 1820-1860. At UK, Lucas has held significant leadership roles, including director of the School of Interiors, director of International Programs in the College of Design, Provost’s Faculty Fellow and service on major academic committees.
A full list of recipient bios originally ran in UKNow here.