College of Education Marks Centennial with Exclusive Screening of Acclaimed Documentary ‘Darius Goes West’

Celebrate College of Education’s 100th Anniversary at ‘Darius Goes West’ Screening

ℹ️Invitation to the Documentary Screening and Panel Discussion

LEXINGTON, Ky. (March 1, 2024)— Mark your calendars for a cinematic treat at the University of Kentucky College of Education. The college welcomes the public to an exclusive screening of a documentary: ‘Darius Goes West: The Roll of His Life‘ this Sunday, in celebration of the college’s 100th anniversary. The event is scheduled to begin at 5 p.m. on March 3.

Played a role in the documentary is the college’s assistant professor Collin Shepley, Ph.D. Previously a teenager himself, Shepley’s young team embarked on a country-wide road trip with the goal of customizing a friend’s wheelchair on the famed MTV show “Pimp My Ride”. The documentary made its first appearance at the Santa Barbara Film Festival, where it won the Audience Choice Award, and later became an official selection at the Tribeca Film Festival.

🕹️Details About the Event

Register and join the learning journey, which will take place at the UK College of Education’s 158 Taylor Education Building, located at 597 S. Upper St. The event is hosted by the Department of Early Childhood, Special Education, and Counselor Education. The college has personally ensured that suitable parking, including accessible spots, is available behind the premises. The Taylor Education Building is also equipped with accessible entrances at both the front and back.

The audience can look forward to the heart-warming screening of ‘Darius Goes West: The Roll of His Life’ followed by a panel discussion from 6:30 to 7:30 p.m. The discussion panel includes:

• Logan Smalley, the film’s director
• Stephanie Kent, an accomplished content creator and a past producer at TED
• Darrell Mattingly, a web developer at the UK Humans Development Institute and wheelchair user
• Andrea Hampton-Hall, Ph.D., co-director of the Interdisciplinary Disability Studies Program and clinical assistant professor
• Collin Shepley, Ph.D., assistant professor and moderator of the panel.

Sharing his excitement, Dr. Shepley says, “This is a hilarious and heart-warming documentary that is appropriate for all ages. I was a part of the making of this film when I was 18 years old, and it occupies a special place in my heart. I truly believe that it will enrich the lives of everyone who sees it.”

💡About the University of Kentucky College of Education

As the state’s premier, land-grant institution, the University of Kentucky is propelling the Commonwealth forward. Fulfilling its mission by training the upcoming generation of leaders, the institution reinvigorates the lives of locals through education, research, and clinical work. The university thrives due to its dedicated team of visionaries, disruptors, and pioneers who create 200 academic programs, a $476.5 million R&D enterprise, and a world-recognized medical center, all within one campus.

In 2022, the University of Kentucky was recognized by Forbes as being one of the best employers for fresh graduates. It was also dubbed a “Diversity Champion” by INSIGHT into Diversity. This is a testimony to the institution’s commitment to cultivating a diverse, inclusive community that enriches Kentucky and the world beyond. Unfazed by the evolution of time, the University of Kentucky’s fervor for service to its Commonwealth remains unshaken since its establishment in 1865.