Programs and Events
The Office of Diversity is responsible for the development, administration, and support of diversity programs and initiatives for students, faculty, and staff throughout the College of Agriculture, Food and Environment. We foster a commitment to assisting students through academic, professional, and personal growth. It is through these efforts that we strive to provide enrichment on the importance of diversity within our work, educational and social environments.
The late Percy R. Luney Sr., a native of Breckinridge County, was a war hero, a public servant who conducted pioneering work analyzing highly classified information and a champion for civil rights. He served for four years as part of the famed 92nd “Buffalo” Infantry Division in World War II and was awarded three Bronze Stars. In 1953, he completed a master’s degree in agricultural economics at UK, becoming the first African American to receive a degree from the UK College of Agriculture, Food and Environment. He went on the do post-graduate studies at the University of Chicago before taking a post as an intelligence officer with the Central Intelligence Agency.
Luney used high-altitude photography and satellite-based remote sensing to project agricultural production in the Soviet Union. He left the CIA after 11 years and moved to the U.S. Department of Agriculture Economic Research Service, Natural Resource Economics Division. In 1969, he became deputy chief for the evaluation unit in the USDA Office of the Secretary of Agriculture for Civil Rights. He developed and evaluated various tools to measure the impact of USDA programs on minority participants. He established base data to measure USDA programs’ progress toward equal access and opportunity.
His work in support of civil rights at USDA continued as chief of the Program Planning and Evaluation Division in the Office of Equal Opportunity (1971-1978) and as chief of the Civil Rights Division in the Office of Equal Opportunity (1978-1982). He retired from USDA in January 1982 and moved from Washington, D.C. to Durham, North Carolina. Mr. Luney died in 2004.
Watch the video as we honor the achievements of Mr. Percy R. Luney, Sr.
Upcoming College & Campus Events
Please see below events happening across the University of Kentucky campus engaging in diversity, equity, and inclusion topics.
Event fliers will be provided as more information becomes available.



