| Type | Daily online, Special Sections Print Editionsstudent newspaper |
|---|---|
| Format | Tabloid |
| Owner | Kernel Press Inc. |
| Editor-in-chief | Giana M. Gallo |
| Founded | 1892 |
| Language | English |
| Headquarters | 400 S. Limestone Lexington, Kentucky 40508-0042 |
| Circulation | 8,000 |
| Price | Free |
| OCLC number | 13363397 |
| Website | kykernel |
The Kentucky Kernel is thestudent newspaper of theUniversity of Kentucky.
TheKernel is distributed free on and around the University of Kentucky campus. It claims a circulation of 8,000 and readership of more than 30,000. Its sole source of revenue isadvertising. It is issued in print during the spring and fall semesters and updated daily at kykernel.com.
TheKentucky Kernel was preceded by several student newspapers, with the earliest dating to 1892. From 1908 to 1915, the University of Kentucky's student newspaper was calledThe Idea, but it became theKentucky Kernel following a naming contest in 1915. The first issue produced under theKernel name was published September 16, 1915. The paper had become an eight-page weekly by 1923, and it became a Monday-Friday daily newspaper in 1966. In 2023, theKernel shifted focus to multimedia journalism by switching to print special sections and daily online publishing.
In 1972, theKernel formally established its editorial and financial independence from the University of Kentucky administration.[1]
In 2005, students started a competingsatirical newspaperThe Colonel, which was revived again in 2014.[2]
TheKernel operates out of Blazer Dining, which is located on North Campus and is also the home of the School of Journalism and Media. Prior to Blazer Dining, theKernel has operated out of several buildings on the University of Kentucky's campus such as McVey Hall and the Grehan Building.
Several prominent journalists worked at theKernel while they were students, including currentNew York Times National correspondent Michael Wines, formerAssociated PressChief White House Correspondent Terence Hunt, formerNational Geographic photographer Sam Abell and formerChicago Tribune Washington correspondentWilliam Neikirk.
WriterBobbie Ann Mason also worked at theKernel. The famousDisney writer andillustratorDon Rosa worked for theKernel from 1969 to 1973.The Pertwillaby Papers were first printed in theKernel, which inspired many of Rosa's later creations, including theScrooge McDuck talesThe Son of the Sun,Cash Flow, andThe Last Lord of Eldorado.
On October 5, 2007, the newspaper published an editorial cartoon that was considered racially insensitive to some students. The cartoon depicted anAfrican American being auctioned off tofraternities and sororities in an attempt by the cartoonist to depict racial divide in the fraternity system. The paper officially apologized the next day and the incident spawned a panel discussion on diversity.[3]
In 2025, theKernel won its seventh straight General Excellence Award from the Kentucky Press Association. In 2006, 2008, 2015 and 2019 theKernel won theNational Pacemaker Award from theAssociated Collegiate Press after having been nominated for several years.[4][5]
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