In an effort to combat the severe healthcare provider shortage in the Commonwealth, Eastern Kentucky University (EKU) is seeking approval from the Kentucky General Assembly to pursue the establishment of an osteopathic medical program, bringing an affordable, public option for Kentuckians who aspire to become physicians and serve their communities.  House Bill 407 passed the […]

Eastern Kentucky University (EKU) was named as one of the best employers in Kentucky in the Forbes fifth annual list of America’s Best Employers by State. The university was among 49 employers across the Commonwealth recognized for worker satisfaction. EKU employs nearly 2,500 full- and part-time faculty and staff, making it one of the largest […]

Eastern Kentucky University’s (EKU) Mock Trial program is going back to nationals. EKU punched its ticket to the American Mock Trial Association’s (AMTA) Opening Round Championships in Chicago, Illinois, with a 5-3 record at the AMTA Regional Tournament hosted by the University of Dayton, Feb. 3-4, 2024. EKU narrowly missed out on a nationals bid last year, […]

Kentucky may be best known for bourbon and horses. However, according to the Kentucky Cabinet for Economic Development, the state is the No. 1 producer of cars, light trucks and SUVs per capita, and in 2019, Kentucky exported more than $14.6 billion in aerospace parts and products. In a tournament presented by the Kentucky Association […]

Members of the Eastern Kentucky University (EKU) community gained insight into Kentucky’s legislative session during the annual Colonels at the Capitol event held on Jan. 24, 2024. EKU’s board of regents, faculty, staff and students were present at the event, engaging in discussions with state legislators. The event began in the Capitol Rotunda as Gov. […]

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 […]

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 […]

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 […]

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 […]

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 […]

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 […]

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 […]

Not many people can honestly say that. But Nate Powell, ’08, is one of the fortunate few. Powell parlayed a lifelong love of the outdoors with a richly varied educational experience as a parks and recreation major at Eastern Kentucky University to create the career of his dreams. As a child growing up near Cincinnati, […]

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 […]

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 […]

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 […]

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 […]

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 […]

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 […]

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 […]

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 […]

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 […]

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,” […]

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 […]