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 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 […]

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 […]

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 […]

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 […]

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 […]

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 […]

Eastern Kentucky University (EKU) awarded 17 students the Bud Fugate Endowed Scholarship for Letcher County.  An anonymous donor gave EKU $1.6 million to establish the scholarship in memory of Bud Fugate. Fugate, a native of Mayking, Letcher County, Kentucky, dreamed of attending college when he graduated high school but was unable to afford it. Instead, […]

Whether it’s keeping the power on, setting up events, or ensuring Eastern Kentucky University (EKU) lives up to its reputation as the Campus Beautiful; EKU’s Facilities Management is the hardworking team behind the smooth operations on campus. They’re on campus early in the mornings before the hustle and bustle of the school day begins, and […]

Eastern Kentucky University (EKU) crowned the 2023 Homecoming king and queen, Carson England and Ainye Rogers, on Saturday, Oct. 14, 2023. England is a senior from Paducah, Kentucky, and represents the Maroon Platoon, EKU’s student organization dedicated to school spirit and cheering on the Colonels. Rogers is a senior from Frankfort, Kentucky, and was chosen […]

Gov. Andy Beshear has appointed Michael Garland, of Crestwood, Kentucky, to the Eastern Kentucky University (EKU) Board of Regents. Garland was officially sworn in during a special-called meeting held through video teleconference on Monday, Oct. 16. Garland will serve on the board through June 30, 2029, and replaces Juan Castro.  Garland graduated from EKU with […]

Throughout the football season, Eastern Kentucky University’s (EKU) Roy Kidd Stadium hosts thousands of Colonel fans. This year, one proud EKU alumna and mom, Kim Hatley, plans to attend every home game.  She will be cheering for more than the football team, though. Kim’s son Caleb, who just started his freshman year at EKU, plays […]