A two-day public gathering to honor the life and legacy of Gurney Musick Norman, UK Student Center, 160 Avenue of Champions, Lexington. Day one: Saturday, Dec. 6, 6 -11 pm, Worsham Cinema. Day two: Sunday, Dec. 7, 2 - 6 pm (doors open at 1:30 pm), Gatton Grand Ballroom. Free parking in Cornerstone Garage, 409 South Limestone.
Full details below.
Overview
Please join the family of Gurney Musick Norman for a weekend of words, music, and film in honor and celebration of Gurney, beloved husband, brother, uncle, writer, teacher, mentor, storyteller, film presenter, and friend.
Location and Schedule
The memorial will take place over two days at the University of Kentucky Gatton Student Center, 160 Avenue of Champions, Lexington, KY 40506.
* Day one: Saturday, December 6, from 6:00–11:00 PM in the Worsham Cinema (Second Floor, Gatton Student Center)
* Day two: Sunday, December 7, from 1:30–6:00 PM in the Gatton Grand Ballroom (Second Floor, Gatton Student Center)
The memorial is open to the public and everyone is welcome. Both days will be live-streamed; the link will be added here when it’s available.
Saturday Evening Program
Saturday, December 6, 2025 — 6:00 PM
Worsham Cinema, Gatton Student Center, Second Floor, University of Kentucky
The evening will include films and film clips by Appalshop (Headwaters Television), Jean Donohue and Fred Johnson of Media Working Group, Andrew Garrison, KET, Anne Lewis, Mimi Pickering, and John Teton, along with readings, remembrances, and tributes celebrating Gurney.
Speakers and readers include (listed alphabetically here — a detailed schedule for the evening will be posted later):
Sandy Ballard, Candace Chaney, Willie Davis, Angelyn DeBord, Jean Donohue, Andrew Garrison, Robert Gipe, Sharon Hatfield, Rebecca Gayle Howell, Fred Johnson, Leatha Kendrick, Johnny Lackey, Jude McPherson, Pam Oldfield Meade, Mimi Pickering, Mandi Fugate Sheffel, Kopana Terry, and Crystal Wilkinson
Sunday Memorial Ceremony and Reception
Sunday, December 7, 2025
Gatton Grand Ballroom, Gatton Student Center, Second Floor, University of Kentucky
Doors open: 1:30 PM
Memorial Ceremony: 2:00–4:15 PM
Break: 4:15–4:30 PM
Reception with Live Music: 4:30–6:00 PM
Sunday speakers include (listed alphabetically here — order of ceremony will be posted later):
Mary Berry, Nikky Finney, Robert Gipe, Rev. Kent Gilbert, Lindsay Hawkins, George Ella Lyon, Bobbie Ann Mason, Alessandro Portelli, Sharon Griffith Sapienza, and Frank X Walker. Music by Beth Bingman and Rich Kirby, Karly Dawn Milner, and Brett Ratliff.
Reception musicians include (alphabetical):
Mitch Barrett and Carla Gover, Beth Bingman and Rich Kirby, CJ Cain, Jessie Lynne Keltner and Anne Shelby, Karly Dawn Milner, Brett Ratliff, Jesse Wells, and Jack Wright
Parking and Accessibility
Parking is free for both days in Parking Structure 5 (Cornerstone Garage), at 409 South Limestone, located across from the Gatton Student Center. Guests are encouraged to use the third-floor pedestrian skybridge to cross Limestone over to the Student Center.
Pay parking is available in the Bill Gatton Student Center lot off Avenue of Champions at $2 per hour.
The building is fully accessible. There is a circular drive in front of the Student Center for easy passenger drop-off (enter from Avenue of Champions).
Donations in Honor of Gurney Norman
Several people have asked about donations in Gurney’s memory. The family requests that donations be made to the Gurney Norman Appalachian Student Award Gift Fund at the University of Kentucky. The fund supports Creative Writing or English majors from the Appalachian region of Kentucky who want to participate in an internship or do service work with a nonprofit or similar organization in the region.
Donate online:
https://www.givecampus.com/campaigns/47157/donations/new?designation_id=1215531760
Or by mail. Make checks payable to 'University of Kentucky' and note the donation is for the Gurney Norman Appalachian Student Award Gift Fund:
UK Philanthropy
PO Box 910628
Lexington, KY 40591
Questions about giving may be directed to: Laura Sutton, Senior Director of Philanthropy, (859) 257-3551
Contact
For questions or further information, please message Nyoka Hawkins on Facebook, or send an email to
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Co-hosted by the University of Kentucky Department of English.
Also check out other Entertainment events in Lexington, Nonprofit events in Lexington.
