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Welcome to EKU, Colonel Family!

As a parent or guardian, your role in your student’s college process can’t be overstated – you’re just as much a Colonel as they are! Whether you’re just starting the search process or your Colonel’s first year is well underway, we’re here to help with valuable information and resources.

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Contact Info

Parent & Family Programs

Powell Student Center
Room 152

859-622-3855
ekufamily@eku.edu

Parent & Family Network

The EKU Parent and Family Network serves to empower EKU parents, family, and friends with resources, information, and programs to support the success of your Colonel. Participation in the network will assist you to appropriately support your student throughout their academic experience by learning about campus resources, activities, and important dates and information. Additionally, the network will assist in helping you personally stay connected and informed on the EKU community. The EKU Parent and Family Network is free of cost to join. The following benefits are available to you as a member:

  • E-Newsletter communications: The e-newsletter will be a helpful communication tool for you to stay informed on monthly basis. It will engage you with resources, reminders, and articles on what families need to meet their students where they are.
  • Sharing Your Voice: Opportunities will exist for you to share your thoughts and opinions on how your needs as an EKU parent and family member can best be met.
  • Information on all Parent and Family Programs events.
Parent & Family Network Registration Form

Emergency Info Tips

  • Make sure your student listed emergency contacts in MyEKU. The link is in My Profile > Update Emergency Contacts.
  • Do you have easy access to your student’s medical release (HIPAA) and/or Healthcare Power of Attorney forms?
  • Have you requested contact information from your student’s roommate and/or their parent/guardian’s information?
  • Does your student have a way to refill prescriptions easily?

If there is an emergency at home and your student cannot be reached, you can call the EKU Police at 859-622-1111. Students should download the EKU S.A.F.E. App to communicate with EKU Police or call EKU Police in case of emergencies.

Richmond & Surrounding Areas

Whether you prefer the relative peace and quiet of a small town or all the buzz of a large city, living in Richmond while you attend Eastern Kentucky University offers the best of both worlds. Richmond is a fast-growing but still quiet community of about 35,000 where the Bluegrass region and all its scenic horse farms meet the foothills of the rugged Appalachian mountains. Just 25 miles north, an easy drive on I-75, is Kentucky’s second-largest city, Lexington, population 322,000. Other large cities within an easy two-hour, all-interstate drive are Louisville, Ky., Cincinnati, Ohio, and Knoxville, Tenn.

Richmond Centre offers a great selection of stores in a beautifully landscaped open-air environment located on exit 87 from I-75 — just one mile from campus. Stores include Belk, JC Penney, Michael’s, Home Goods and T. J. Maxx, to name just a few, along with a variety of restaurants. Richmond Centre also houses Cinemark Theatre featuring 12 screens playing the newest releases. A variety of other shopping venues can be found in downtown and throughout the city.

  • EKU Center for the Arts is Central Kentucky’s premier live entertainment and arts destination.
  • Galaxy Bowling and Entertainment Center offers special rates for college night.
  • Lake Reba Recreational Complex has something for everyone featuring nature trails, batting cages, putt-putt golf, horseshoes, boating, fishing, a playground, Gibson Bay Golf Course and Paradise Cove Water Park.
  • E.C. Million Memorial Park is perfect for a leisurely day out with walking trails, two playgrounds, tennis courts, soccer fields, picnic tables and shelters.

Quick and Easy: Popular fast-food restaurants are plentiful in Richmond. Many are located close to exits 87 and 90 just off I-75.

Leisurely Meals: Well-known restaurants in Richmond include Olive Garden, Logan’s Roadhouse, Golden Corral, Texas Roadhouse, Cracker Barrel and Red Lobster. Most are conveniently located on exits 87 and 90.

Local Flavor: For a variety of food with local flair, Richmond is home to:

  • Madison Garden – wide array of food in a fun environment
  • The Paddy Wagon Irish Pub – great food and live music
  • Babylon Café – traditional Greek and Mediterranean food
  • Purdy’s Coffee Co. – soups, sandwiches, salads, coffee and baked treats
  • Thai Smile – Thai food for every pallet from mild to mega-hot
  • Casa Fiesta and Casa Café – for EKU Colonels with a taste for Mexican food

Exit 87:

  • Best Western Holiday Plaza 859-623-9220
  • TownePlace Suites by Marriott 859-353-4860
  • Comfort Suites 859-624-0770
  • Hampton Inn 859-626-1002
  • Holiday Inn Express 859-624-4055
  • Tru By Hilton 859-544-6312

Exit 90:

  • Days Inn 859-624-5769
  • LaQuinta Inn 859-623-9121
  • Red Roof Inn 859-625-0084

Upcoming Events

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Experience the Campus Beautiful

Experience EKU at your convenience using our Virtual Tour. You’ll find information about campus housing, academic buildings, athletic facilities and so much more. After taking the virtual tour, be sure to schedule a time to visit campus and apply for admission.

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