Every year, Eastern Kentucky University (EKU) recognizes faculty who demonstrate the highest standards of teaching through the Society of Foundation Professors. For 2026, the Society inducted Dr. Ray Richardson, professor of engineering and technology, and Dr. Brad Wood, professor of history. Dr. David Hayes, professor of biological sciences, received the Dr. John D. Rowlett Award for Faculty Scholarship, Research or Professional Development.
“As EKU continues to evolve to meet the needs of today’s learners, our faculty remain the driving force behind our progress,” said EKU President David McFaddin. “Each day, they bring creativity, expertise and a deep commitment to shaping the future of education. This year’s Foundation Professors exemplify that spirit of innovation, and I am grateful for the new pathways they are opening for our students.”
The EKU Society of Foundation Professors was established to honor “creative, self-motivated exemplars of the ideal college professor.”
Dr. Ray Richardson has been an EKU professor for 24 years, and feels honored to be inducted into the Society of Foundation Professors as it recognizes his work to educate students, as well as his contributions to research and service.
“My greatest aspiration is for students to achieve more than they ever imagined possible,” said Richardson. “In my classes, I place them in real-world scenarios they’re likely to face on the job, so they’re better prepared to handle the unknown. It is my hope this preparation helps them overcome barriers and build meaningful livelihoods.”
A professor at EKU for 26 years, Dr. Brad Wood has taught over 30 courses, including six Honors courses and study abroad courses in Ireland and London.
As an instructor, Wood aspires to empower students and “make them better thinkers.” He said, “As someone who loves and teaches history specifically, I want my students to know that the world around them was created by people in the past and that they are part of that history, too, whether they are aware of it or not.”
Dr. David Hayes, a professor at EKU for 17 years, supervises many undergraduate and graduate research projects, including some with state agencies, such as the Kentucky Division of Water and Kentucky Division of Fish and Wildlife Resources. He is also the curator of EKU’s Branson Museum of Zoology Invertebrates collections, which serves as the largest repository of aquatic invertebrates in the Commonwealth.
The John D. Rowlett Endowed Fund for Faculty Scholarship, Research, or Professional Development is a $5,000 award that honors the memory and generosity of Dr. John D. Rowlett, whose career nurtured curiosity, creativity and quality instruction.
“Being selected as this year’s recipient is a great honor, as I know the committee receives many high-quality proposals from faculty across the university, so I understand that the competition is tough,” said Hayes. “While I’ve had many successful research grants in my career, the Rowlett Award was different for me because rather than framing my work as a purely scientific research proposal that I’m used to, I was able to reframe it to explore the ‘story’ of my research.”
The Society of Foundation Professors proudly celebrates and acknowledges the exceptional contributions and achievements of EKU faculty. Full-time tenured faculty members are eligible for the professorship and are selected by a committee of members of the Society of Foundation Professors.
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.