A hometown education launches global security career for Chris Hacker, ’93 ’95 Chris Hacker, ’93 ’95, director of corporate security programs, executive protection and investigations at Delta Air Lines, built a career around protecting people. Before working in positions spanning from local law enforcement to the FBI and now global security, Hacker earned his education […]

Eastern Kentucky University’s (EKU) annual Spin the Wheel Scholarship event took place on Feb. 2, giving students the chance to win a fully funded study abroad opportunity. Students could submit an entry into the drawing prior to the event, then winners were drawn by the president, associate provost, deans and a member of the Foundation […]

Juan Carlos Castro, ’00, was honored with the Hall of Distinguished Alumni Award from Eastern Kentucky University (EKU) in 2025. The Best of Eastern Alumni Awards, presented annually during Homecoming weekend, celebrate excellence among EKU alumni. As EKU’s most prestigious alumni award, the Hall of Distinguished Alumni recognizes those who have achieved considerable success in […]

Some stories don’t start with a book deal or a big plan. Some start with grief, frustration, and the quiet weight first responders carry home after shift. That’s where EKU alumnus Hannah Spanyer’s book, The Silence We Carry, began. Hannah is a critical care paramedic with Georgetown Scott County EMS, where she has served for […]

Before a swim in a lake or a walk through a creek, few people think about bacteria or toxins from algae. But what lives in that water can affect health days later. At Eastern Kentucky University (EKU), research led by Dr. Jason Marion helps explain the unseen contaminants in waterways and why it matters for […]

Circling parking lots in search of an open space presents a familiar challenge for many college students. To reduce this challenge and enhance the campus experience, Eastern Kentucky University (EKU) has partnered with ParkZen to launch the EKU Park app. While many universities offer mobile parking payment tools, EKU is the first institution in Kentucky […]

Blood spatter analysis, fingerprint analysis, forensic serology and DNA analysis. While these processes are often shown and discussed in television crime shows, students in Eastern Kentucky University’s (EKU) Forensic Science program put the concepts into practice for real-life crime investigation. “EKU’s renowned forensic science program is one of the longest-running in the country and the […]

About 3 million people work in insurance and related jobs in the United States, yet few enter the field with a degree focused on insurance. Graduates of Eastern Kentucky University’s (EKU) Risk Management and Insurance (RMI) program gain a specialized education that helps them stand out, with a 100% job placement rate. Prepared for leadership […]

For Diane Cruze, retirement was a starting point. After a career that spanned news, grant writing and education, the Louisville native decided it was time to cross a lifelong dream off her bucket list and earn a master’s degree. Now, at 70 years old, Cruze is an Eastern Kentucky University (EKU) student and award-winning writer […]

Eastern Kentucky University (EKU) was awarded nearly $110,000 from the Kentucky Council on Postsecondary Education to purchase essential equipment for healthcare workforce training.  “EKU is grateful for this investment in our programs to strengthen Kentucky’s healthcare workforce,” said EKU President David McFaddin. “This funding allows us to place the latest tools directly into the learning […]

Global pop superstar Jason Derulo is bringing his chart-topping hits to Eastern Kentucky University (EKU) for a live concert on Friday, April 10, 2026. The event will take place in EKU’s Baptist Health Arena at Alumni Coliseum and promises an unforgettable night of music, dance and entertainment for students and the community. “Enhancing the student […]

Adam MacPhàrlain, ’05, Proves “If You Can Dream it, You Can Do it” Adam MacPhàrlain, ’05, didn’t have to wish upon a star to secure his dream job as an Imagineer at Walt Disney World in Orlando in August 2024. He submitted his impressive résumé, reflecting his diverse background in clothing, textiles and art, which […]

The Fall 25 Eastern Kentucky University Army ROTC Commissioning Ceremony was held Friday, December 5th 2025 at Whitlock in the O’Donnell Auditorium. This semester the department had six cadets commission and become 2nd Lieutenants in the US Army. The official Commissioning party included EKU Professor of Military Science LTC James Plutt and Senior Miliary Instructor […]

With a sales minor at Eastern Kentucky University (EKU), you learn more than how to sell a product; you learn how to sell yourself.  Many careers call for some level of sales skill. The Bureau of Labor Statistics reports more than 1.8 million openings for sales roles each year, and the National Association of Colleges […]

For the seventh consecutive year, Eastern Kentucky University (EKU) has earned the Kentucky Employers’ Mutual Insurance (KEMI) Destiny Award for workplace safety. EKU is one of 27 recipients across the commonwealth to be recognized for its commitment to workplace safety with the Destiny Award.  “Earning the KEMI Destiny Award yet again is a testament to […]

As drone usage among professionals and hobbyists becomes more common, concerns about flights in restricted airspace continue to grow. When a drone unexpectedly appears near a sporting event, parade or any large crowd, it can cause safety risks, delays or even evacuations. The Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) estimates 822,039 drones registered as of July 2025. […]

Eastern Kentucky University (EKU) celebrated fall graduates at commencement ceremonies on Dec. 4 and 5, 2025, at the EKU Center for the Arts.  “It is my hope for each of you that you leave today prepared to create a life not just of success, but of significance—a life that reflects your values, uplifts others and […]

Learning opportunities happen everywhere, whether it’s in the workplace, through military service or in high school. At Eastern Kentucky University (EKU), those experiences are recognized and rewarded with Credit for Prior Learning (CPL), a faculty-led process that helps students turn real-world experience into academic credit.  “EKU is leading the way with Credit for Prior Learning […]

With the values of hard work, education and equity instilled by her parents—and the support of a $500 scholarship from the local homemaker’s club—Chief Justice Debra Hembree Lambert, ’83, built the foundation of her highly successful career upon her degree from Eastern Kentucky University (EKU). She carries these principles forward today as chief justice of […]

Eastern Kentucky University’s (EKU) Emergency Medical Care program welcomes new adjunct faculty members Dr. Raphael Barishansky, Bryan Ericson and Matthew Streger. Each brings a wealth of expertise in the courses that they’ll be teaching  Barishansky, DrPH, is a seasoned EMS and public health leader with over 25 years of experience in emergency medical services, preparedness […]

Eastern Kentucky University (EKU) commencement speaker Dr. Chris Butcher, ’18 ’19 ’25, stood before graduates with a message shaped by years of resilience, community and unexpected beginnings. The same university that welcomed him as a first-generation college student later welcomed him as an employee. He moved from student worker roles into recruitment, earned a master’s […]

Eastern Kentucky University (EKU) ranks first among Kentucky’s public universities for employment in the state one year after graduation. With degree programs aligned to fit workforce needs, EKU graduates step confidently into careers with purpose and passion. Explore degree and career options in EKU’s computer science, engineering, business administration, healthcare administration and finance programs. Computer […]

20,000. That’s the number of described bee species worldwide. In tropical Costa Rica, there are almost 700. And Kentucky is home to approximately 400 bee species, according to the Office of Kentucky Nature Preserves. With these bees working as powerful pollinators to support crop production, Eastern Kentucky University (EKU) Associate Professor Dr. Valerie Peters focuses […]

Eastern Kentucky University (EKU) will celebrate students’ academic success during the fall 2025 commencement ceremonies on Thursday, Dec. 4 and Friday, Dec. 5, at the EKU Center for the Arts. There are five ceremonies scheduled to honor graduates from the university’s six academic colleges, as well as master’s and doctoral graduates from all colleges.  The […]