The University of Kentucky, located in lovely Lexington, has one of the oldest and most beautiful college campuses in the United States. That, of course, may be a matter of opinion but here are ten very interesting facts about the UK.

Fact 1: Established in 1865 as the Agricultural and Mechanical College of Kentucky University, it wasn’t until 1916 that it was officially renamed the University of Kentucky.

Fact 2: Athletic teams of the university are known as the Wildcats. The nickname was officially adopted after a football win against Illinois in 1909 when the head of the military department of the old State University told a group the team have ‘œfought like wildcats.’

Fact 3: UK’s book endowment is the largest among public universities and ranks second in the United States only to Harvard University. In the 2011-2013 academic year, the UK Libraries housed over four million volumes.

Fact 4: In 2012, 89% of UK’s students were on a full-time basis.

Fact 5: The Main Building is one of the original State College buildings and it is still in use housing the President’s Office, conference rooms, Visitor Center, and classrooms.

Fact 6: The University adopted its official colors of blue and white in 1892.

Fact 7: UK is comprised of 16 colleges, for example the College of Agriculture, the College of Law, The College of Fine Arts, etc.

Fact 8: The city of Lexington donated its City Park to use as the campus in 1878.

Fact 9: The University of Kentucky’s school song since the 1920s has been On! On! U of K, which was written by Carl A. Lambert, Music Department’s first chairman.

Fact 10: Tuition costs for the University of Kentucky currently is $9,676 for undergraduates and $10,458 for graduate students.