News & Updates

Eastern Kentucky University


A Day in the Life: Student Social Media Assistant Sarah Davenport

Eastern Kentucky University is highlighting the unique opportunities available for student employment positions through a series of Day in the Life articles. In this feature, senior public relations major and recreation and parks administration minor Sarah Davenport shares a first-person account of her experience working in social media with EKU’s Division of Communications and Brand […]
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EKU Launches Feasibility Study for a College of Osteopathic Medicine

Eastern Kentucky University (EKU) is seeking vendors to complete a feasibility study to analyze if a public College of Osteopathic Medicine is needed in the Commonwealth. As the School of Opportunity, EKU is committed to meeting the rising health care needs in the state by seeking to introduce a new and cost-effective medical education program […]
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EKU College of Osteopathic Medicine Feasibility Study Conducted

Earlier this year, Eastern Kentucky University (EKU) announced plans to establish a College of Osteopathic Medicine (COM). If approved, it would be the only public osteopathic medical school in the Commonwealth, creating more opportunities to prepare and keep healthcare professionals in Kentucky.  In the spring, EKU sought legislation that would allow the university to offer […]
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EKU Honors Student Earns National Award for Appalachia Research

Eastern Kentucky University’s (EKU) Honors Program has had more than 1,100 student presenters at the National Collegiate Honors Council (NCHC) annual meeting since 1990—a total exceeding that of any other university in the nation. Over the past decade, EKU students have earned two NCHC poster awards. Notably, at this year’s NCHC awards alone, EKU Honors […]
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A Day in the Life: Student Wellness Assistant McCartney Derington Puts Passion Into Practice

Senior food and nutrition major, McCartney Derington, puts her passion for health and wellness into practice daily at EKU. Derington has been involved with the Student Food and Nutrition Association since her freshman year and was hired onto the Campus Recreation wellness team as a wellness peer educator last year. Over the summer, Derington was […]
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Celebrating 150 Years of Teaching on The Campus Beautiful

2024 is the sesquicentennial anniversary of Eastern Kentucky University (EKU)—marking an impressive 150 years since the inception of higher education on the Richmond, Kentucky campus. Since 1874, the Campus Beautiful has served the Commonwealth, preparing students to make a difference in their communities as teachers, healthcare professionals, social workers, business leaders, first responders, pilots and […]
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Eastern Kentucky University Ranked Among “Best Bang for the Buck Colleges” by Washington Monthly

Eastern Kentucky University (EKU) once again made the list of “Best Bang for the Buck Rankings: South” by Washington Monthly. According to Washington Monthly, schools in this category were “ranked according to how well they help non-wealthy students attain marketable degrees at affordable prices.”  EKU ranked 109 out of the 228 schools in the South […]
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EKU Earns KEMI Destiny Award for Workplace Safety for Fifth Consecutive Year

Eastern Kentucky University (EKU) earned the Kentucky Employers’ Mutual Insurance (KEMI) Destiny Award for workplace safety for the fifth consecutive year. EKU is one of 25 recipients across the commonwealth to be recognized for its commitment to workplace safety with the Destiny Award.  “Consistently receiving the KEMI Destiny Award over the years is another testament […]
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Leading a Life of Service

By the time he served as president of his senior class at EKU, it was obvious that a bright future awaited the 1971 graduate. But, just four years earlier, he had arrived on the Richmond campus “somewhat shy,” as he continued to live at his parents’ nearby home. That reticence quickly faded as the mathematics […]
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EKU and Mt. Folly Enterprises Partner for $5-Million USDA Climate Smart Agriculture Project

Eastern Kentucky University (EKU) is collaborating with Mt. Folly Enterprises in its Partnerships for Climate-Smart Commodities project—a $5-million grant from the United States Department of Agriculture (USDA) to move the region toward climate-friendly agriculture. Mt. Folly Enterprises is led by CEO Ben Pasley, an EKU graduate from the class of 2013. The USDA estimates the Partnerships […]
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EKU Graduation Speaker Inspires Classmates with Call to Embrace Opportunities

Bradley Lackey, an honors graduate of Eastern Kentucky University (EKU), took center stage during the 2023 fall commencement ceremony, delivering an address that resonates with the essence of EKU’s renowned reputation as the School of Opportunity. Lackey began by recounting the moment that marked the start of his EKU journey. From his first steps on […]
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EKU Offers Certificates in Wildland Firefighting and Conservation Law Enforcement

Eastern Kentucky University’s (EKU) Center for Wilderness and Outdoor Public Safety and the College of Justice, Safety, and Military Science are offering two new undergraduate certificates in wildland firefighting and conservation law enforcement. The certificate programs help students and professionals address the need for specialized knowledge in the wilderness and outdoor safety field. Because Kentucky […]
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EKU Commencement Speaker Motivates Graduates with Father’s Inspiring “No Fear!” Philosophy

Mackenzie Maawac and their father have shared a lifelong philosophy that instilled the importance of independence and strength. “No fear!”, a motto adopted by the pair, was inspired by Maawac’s favorite childhood movie.  “We created this phrase because the original Mulan has been my favorite movie since I was a toddler,” said Maawac. “She always […]
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CPE President Dr. Aaron Thompson Receives Honorary Doctorate from EKU

Eastern Kentucky University (EKU) recognized Dr. Aaron Thompson for his distinguished service to humanity with an honorary Doctor of Humane Letters (L.H.D.) degree at EKU’s fall commencement ceremony on Saturday, Dec. 2, 2023. Thompson, ’78, president of the Kentucky Council on Postsecondary Education (CPE), is a nationally recognized leader in higher education, working to ensure […]
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Never Too Late: EKU Student Celebrates Graduation Just Before 60th Birthday

On Dec. 2, more than 1,300 Eastern Kentucky University (EKU) students will receive their degrees as they cross the graduation stage and celebrate their academic success. Among the diverse group of graduates is Diane Gentry, from Lexington, who will be finishing her education as she prepares to celebrate her 60th birthday. Gentry started working toward […]
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Never Too Late: EKU Student Celebrates Graduation Just Before 60th Birthday

On Dec. 2, more than 1,300 Eastern Kentucky University (EKU) students will receive their degrees as they cross the graduation stage and celebrate their academic success. Among the diverse group of graduates is Diane Gentry, from Lexington, who will be finishing her education as she prepares to celebrate her 60th birthday. Gentry started working toward […]
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EKU Celebrates National First-Generation College Students Day

On Nov. 8, Eastern Kentucky University (EKU) hosted its third Gen 1 conference, marking National First-Generation College Students Day with an event dedicated to supporting and empowering first-generation college students.  “I am a first-generation college graduate, and more than 50% of this year’s freshman class are also the first in their families to attend college,” […]
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From Studio to Startup

Ashley Norman, ’11, half of the husband-and-wife team that created Dirty South Pottery in Winchester, Kentucky, didn’t choose pottery as her profession. It chose her.  Originally, Ashley came to EKU with plans to pursue nursing. That’s in sharp contrast to today’s career calling, where she sits contentedly at her pottery wheel, elbows deep in wet […]
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A Day in the Life: Student Life Assistant Carson England Commits to Community and Leadership at EKU

Carson England, a senior from Paducah, Kentucky, has become a significant presence on campus, including being crowned as Eastern Kentucky University’s (EKU) 2023 Homecoming King! England actively participates in campus life through his involvement in the Sigma Nu fraternity, the Maroon Platoon student organization dedicated to school spirit, and serving as a Student Life and […]
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EKU Ranks Highest in Kentucky in Military Times Best for Vets: Colleges

Eastern Kentucky University (EKU) ranks first in Kentucky in the 2023 Best for Vets: Colleges. Additionally, EKU came in as the No. 4 best college for military service members and veterans in Appalachia. According to Military Times, the Best for Vets: Colleges is the largest and most comprehensive annual ranking of schools for military service members […]
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EKU Commemorates New Veterans Memorial During Ribbon-Cutting Ceremony

Eastern Kentucky University (EKU) commemorated the newly relocated Veterans Memorial during a formal ribbon-cutting ceremony held on Nov. 4. With key elements from the previous memorial located in Powell Plaza, the new Veterans Memorial in Carloftis Garden displays the American flag and the service flags to represent the branches of the military; a granite slate […]
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Eastern Kentucky University School of Nursing Achieves 100% Pass Rate in Recent AASN Cohort

The Eastern Kentucky University School of Nursing announced a 100% pass rate in the National Council Licensure Examination (NCLEX) by the latest Associate of Applied Science in Nursing (AASN) cohort.  “This accomplishment reinforces EKU’s commitment to meeting the needs of the Commonwealth’s workforce. We’re producing highly skilled nursing professionals who are equipped to meet today’s […]
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Homeland Security Major Lands D.C. Internship

When disaster strikes—whether as a flood, wildfire, hazardous material incident, pandemic or other emergency—EKU’s Homeland security graduates stand ready to respond. Homeland Security senior Hannah Gabbard is already making a vast impact locally and nationally in her field of disaster management. While working as a technical support specialist with Jackson County Emergency Management, Gabbard produced […]
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