Gaines Fellows also participate in all social and cultural activities sponsored by the Gaines Center. Any student enrolled at the University of Kentucky, including its community colleges, is eligible for consideration. In the Humanities Created to bring eminent scholars and authors to the campus for an extended residency, the Thomas D. Clark Lectureship stipulates that the recipient will offer two or three public lectures to be published by the University Press of Kentucky, and will lead several sessions of a special humanities seminar related to the Lecturer's professional field of interest. Juniors and seniors, selected on the basis of written application, participate in this seminar. An unusual opportunity for undergraduates to assist university faculty in major research projects, this assistantship is awarded to faculty members on a competitive basis.
Selected students enroll for experiential education credit and receive a stipend.