Eastern Kentucky University (EKU) crowned the 2025 Homecoming king and queen, Jamain York and Nola Lewis, on Saturday, Oct. 25, 2025. York is a senior from Erlanger, Kentucky, representing EKU’s Co-Ed Cheer Team. Lewis, a junior from Lexington, Kentucky, represents Black Student Union.
This year’s candidates who placed in the Homecoming royalty court include:
“Congratulations to our Homecoming king and queen, Jamain and Nola, and all the royal court and finalists,” said EKU President David McFaddin. “This long-standing tradition that started decades ago recognizes EKU’s most impactful Colonels representing various student organizations across campus.”
While EKU’s first Homecoming queen and parade date back to 1949, this year marked the 25th anniversary of the Homecoming king. In 2000, EKU crowned its first-ever Homecoming king, John Leachman, a math major from Campbellsville, Kentucky, nominated by Pi Kappa Alpha. After graduating, Leachman was commissioned as a lieutenant in the United States Air Force and married fellow EKU Colonel, Becca Leachman (Humphress), ’01. He retired as a lieutenant colonel, and now works as an airline pilot.
Registered student organizations and departments at EKU can nominate students for Homecoming. Nominees are then interviewed by a panel of EKU alumni, employees and members of the Richmond community. Each candidates’ interview score and the number of votes they get from the student body are combined to determine the Homecoming royalty court and winners.
By Christina Rannells
Interested in a degree from EKU?
Earn your undergraduate, graduate or doctoral degree from a university that has been an education leader for more than 100 years. Choose from a variety of in-demand and nationally recognized academic programs, offered both online and on-campus.
Whether you want to start, finish or advance your education, EKU has a program that can fit your schedule and your needs. Complete the form to learn more about how EKU can help advance your career.
Eastern Kentucky University is accredited by the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools Commission on Colleges (SACSCOC) to award associate, baccalaureate, masters, educational specialist, and doctorate degrees.