Senior Jessie Lemp and juniors Karla Adelt and Mindy Smith represented the University of Kentucky gymnastics team when they were inducted into the UK Center for Academic and Tutorial Service’s Society of Character at halftime of the UK-Tennessee men’s basketball game on Feb. 19.

Junior Karla Adelt

The Society of Character is part of the University of Kentucky’s CHAMPS/Life Skills Program. It is designed to help student-athletes realize the value of higher academic achievement, a higher level of maturity, self-responsibility and greater overall success. The Society was founded in 1998 to recognize those individuals who epitomize the term “student-athlete.” Each candidate is nominated by a counselor, coach, trainer or manager and then evaluated on five criteria:commitment to academic excellence,commitment to athletic participation,commitment to personal development,commitment to being a role-model, andcommitment to preparing for the world of work.

Senior Jessie Lemp

The mission of the Society of Character is:to recognize student-athletes who have achieved and continue to achieve a high level in all areas of their life,to bring together these high achieving student-athletes for interactive programs:to further enhance the high achieving student-athletes’ best interests and well being,to promote continued interaction with other organizations.

Junior Mindy Smith

Each candidate nominated for election into the Society of Character must meet the following requirements:must have completed a minimum of 30 hours prior to nomination,must have a competitive grade point average,must demonstrate a commitment to their academic success as well as to personal development, career development and service activities.