News & Updates

Eastern Kentucky University


Securing the Skies

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 […]
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EKU’s Spin the Wheel Scholarship Sends 16 Students to Study Abroad

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 […]
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Juan Carlos Castro Honored with EKU’s Hall of Distinguished Alumni Award

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 […]
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What We Don’t Say on the Way Home: A Paramedic’s Story in Poetry

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 […]
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EKU First in Kentucky to Partner With ParkZen on Real-Time Parking App

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 […]
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From Clues to Careers: EKU’s Forensic Science Program Shapes Tomorrow’s Investigators

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 […]
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EKU Invests in Hands-On Healthcare Training

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 […]
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From EKU to Dream Come True

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 […]
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Army ROTC Commissioning Ceremony

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 […]
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EKU Receives KEMI Destiny Award for Workplace Safety for Seventh Consecutive Year

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 […]
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Protecting the Skies Through Drone Detection Research at EKU

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. […]
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Turn Experience Into a Degree With Credit for Prior Learning at EKU

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 […]
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Chief Justice Debra Lambert, ’83, Breaks Barriers as First-Generation College Graduate

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 […]
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EKU Emergency Medical Care Program Welcomes New Faculty

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 […]
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Three-Time Colonel Graduate Found Purpose and a Home at EKU

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 […]
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Hired: 5 of the Top Marketable Degrees for Career Success

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 […]
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EKU Researcher Leads Global Bee Conservation Efforts

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 […]
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EKU Set to Celebrate Graduates at Fall 2025 Commencement

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 […]
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