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 Board. In a game show format, each winner got to spin the wheel to land on a study abroad destination.
“Studying abroad is such a transformational opportunity for our students,” said EKU President David McFaddin. “The Spin the Wheel Scholarship opens doors for students who might not otherwise have the chance to travel, learn and grow as global citizens.”
The 2026 Spin the Wheel Scholarship recipients, their hometowns and study abroad locations include:
- Taylor Alley – Berea, Kentucky – Paris, France
- Ramsey Barks – Lexington, Kentucky – Argentina
- Anna Jean Barlow – Bardstown, Kentucky – South Korea
- Juliet Bruce – Louisville, Kentucky – Belize
- Alyson Butcher – Burlington, Kentucky – Salzburg, Austria
- Supriya Dahal – Nepal – Costa Rica
- Berenice Garcia – Simpsonville, Kentucky – England/Scotland
- Rylee Erica Hilderbrand – Olive Hill, Kentucky – Prague, Czech Republic
- Kayden Jones – London, Kentucky – Greece
- Ruby Miranda – Eolia, Kentucky – Prague, Czech Republic
- Alison Peters – McKee, Kentucky – England/Scotland
- Kaydence Reddington – Louisville, Kentucky – Argentina
- Ashlyn Richter – Louisville, Kentucky – Ireland
- Ava Thomas- Alexandria, Kentucky- Japan/Korea
- Kendra Tomes – West Liberty, Kentucky – Belize
- Jackson Ungar – Louisville, Kentucky – Paris, France
“I am thrilled to have this opportunity,” said Reddington. “Before this, I was not able to afford to go out of the country, so this gives me the opportunity to leave the country for the first time ever and experience something new.”
The Spin the Wheel Scholarship is one of many initiatives at EKU providing financial assistance for study abroad. Students interested in studying abroad can visit the Study Abroad Office to see what opportunities and scholarships are available to them.
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