News & Updates

Eastern Kentucky University (EKU) is bustling with activites as faculty and staff welcomed the largest freshman class in several years and returning students to the Campus Beautiful for the 2023-24 academic year. Along with the excitement of the school year come challenges with managing a full course load, developing a social network and for many, […]

Eastern Kentucky University (EKU) and Anthem Blue Cross and Blue Shield Medicaid in Kentucky came together for an event to celebrate the expansion of the Anthem Rural Medicine Scholarship. The endowment helps grow the number of frontline health care workers in the eastern region of the state, increase access to care and improve health outcomes […]

Eastern Kentucky University (EKU) is experiencing growth in more ways than one for the 2023-24 academic year. In addition to the largest freshman class in many years, EKU Honors welcomed the largest class of first-year honors students in the program’s history. The 130 incoming first-year honors students surpassed the program’s previous peak of 125 in […]

The Gentrys reached the top of the pop music charts in 1965 with the memorable chorus, “Keep on dancin’ and a-prancin’.” But they have nothing on Hannah Gentry (no relation), the centenarian who for years has danced her way, figuratively and literally, into the hearts of her fellow McCready Manor residents and staff members at […]

In Bourbon County, student Hannah Tipton is back to school, preparing for her future teaching career. Tipton works in the classroom as a paraeducator in her home district while pursuing a teacher certification through the Option 9 program at Eastern Kentucky University (EKU).  New at EKU this fall, Option 9 provides a route to teacher […]

On Wednesday, Aug. 23, Eastern Kentucky University (EKU) College of Health Sciences in partnership with Baptist Health Richmond and Ignite Academy of Madison County hosted an inauguration for new students in the Medical Explorers Academy. The Medical Explorers Academy is a new program designed to provide high school students in-depth learning opportunities about healthcare careers […]

Eastern Kentucky University (EKU) faculty and staff have once again claimed a Catalyst Award from Anthology, a provider of education solutions. The 2023 Catalyst Award for Community Engagement was awarded to EKU Social Work Associate Professor Pam Black and Professor Caroline Reid, Ph.D., and Instructional Designer Mary Henson in recognition of their work on the […]

Eastern Kentucky University’s student life and organizations have been an integral part of senior Ainye Rogers’ Eastern Experience. Being a full-time student is just a fraction of what Rogers has done with her time at EKU. At the core of Rogers’ academic and professional development is leadership, both in the classroom and out on campus. […]

Last week and throughout the weekend, EKU welcomed its largest freshman class in several years before the start of classes on Monday, Aug. 14. According to Dan Hendrickson, EKU’s associate vice president for student success, engagement and opportunity, EKU has experienced a nearly 30% increase since 2020 during a period of national enrollment decline. Along […]

Gov. Andy Beshear reappointed Ramakrishna (Vasu) Vasudevan, of Frankfort, Kentucky, to the Eastern Kentucky University (EKU) Board of Regents. Vasudevan was officially sworn in at a regularly scheduled board meeting on Aug. 16, 2023. He previously completed a six-year term on the board from 2016-22. With the reappointment, Vasudevan will serve on the board through […]

This week, Eastern Kentucky University (EKU) is welcoming its largest freshman class in many years. More than 50% of incoming freshmen at EKU are the first in their families to pursue a college degree; more than 30% are from EKU’s service region; and more than 95% were offered some form of financial aid. In addition […]

“There was an aligning of the stars,” said Dr. James Kirby Easterling, director and assistant professor of global supply chain management, about the start of EKU’s Supply Chain Management program. “Doug [former EKU President Whitlock] had the vision, I had the capability and love of the university, and when we added timing, it just turned […]

“When I decided to attend college, I was so excited but part of me felt guilty. I was leaving my family behind and knowing that they already struggled financially, I was worried that me going to college would be just another expense they would have to help pay,” said Charity Asher, who came to Eastern […]

One year ago, communities across Eastern Kentucky were devastated with widespread flooding. Homes were lost, families were displaced and entire communities were damaged.  With an emphasis on service, last fall’s Spanish service-learning class at Eastern Kentucky University (EKU) wanted to help. The class of 15 students set out on a mission to purchase new books […]

The campus of Eastern Kentucky University (EKU) is to be featured in a made-for-tv movie, giving the EKU and Richmond community a chance to experience filmmaking. When the independent film crew needed extras, a record 2,400 students, faculty, staff and community members signed up. Some students even had the opportunity to fill key positions and […]

Eastern Kentucky University (EKU) has been named to the 2023 Transfer Honor Roll list by Phi Theta Kappa Honor Society (PTK). The Transfer Honor Roll recognizes 208 colleges and universities for the dynamic pathways created to support community college transfer students.   “EKU has a holistic approach to recruiting transfer students,” said Heather Davis, EKU’s director of transfer […]

At 2 a.m. on July 28, 2022, Kandis Jenkins awoke to the sound of bubbling water. When she got out of bed to investigate the noise, water was up to her ankles and she soon realized her family’s home in Letcher County, Kentucky, was flooding. Within the short amount of time of waking up her […]

Eastern Kentucky University (EKU) has appointed Lieutenant Colonel (retired) Vincent A. Thomas as the new executive director of the Office of Military and Veterans Affairs (OMVA). Thomas will oversee efforts in recruitment, enrollment and retention of veteran and military students while ensuring program success and federal and state regulatory compliance. Additionally, Thomas will coordinate campus-wide […]

The Student Assistance Fund for Eastern (SAFE) launched in 2020 with a vision to help Colonels in need during crises. Whether a global pandemic, natural disaster or unexpected emergency, the EKU community stands ready to help students during tumultuous times in their lives. When the devastating flood hit Eastern Kentucky last summer, senior Emily Stacy […]

Eastern Kentucky University (EKU) is opening applications to a certificate program that is the first of its kind in the United States. The Financial Technology and Cybercrime certification program is geared toward working professionals and upcoming students interested in the banking and financial industry, filling a critical need in the sector.  “Cyber security is one […]

The Eastern Kentucky University (EKU) Society of Foundation Professors inducted professors Dr. Lisa W. Kay and Dr. Matthew P. Winslow on May 2, 2023, during a dinner at the EKU Center of the Arts. Former EKU President, Dr. Michael Benson, was inducted as an honorary Foundation Professor. EKU’s Society of Foundation Professors is the highest […]

When Miguel Bautista, ’14, witnessed firefighters responding to a structure fire and watched  how they operated, it jolted his 18 year long career in public safety. Now, Bautista serves as the first Latinx division chief for the Scappoose Fire District in Oregon.  According to a 2020 report by the National Fire Protection Association, only 2% of […]

Eastern Kentucky University (EKU) has selected Mary Beth Neiser as vice president for University Development and Alumni Engagement and executive director of the EKU Foundation. Neiser will join EKU on July 19, 2023. In this position, Neiser will lead the university’s philanthropic efforts, donor and alumni engagement strategies, and administrative operations within the department. “I […]

Eastern Kentucky University’s (EKU) Lilley Cornett Woods Appalachian Ecological Research Station in Letcher County, Kentucky was inducted into the Old-Growth Forest Network (OGFN) on June 13, 2023. Sarah Adloo, executive director of the Old-Growth Forest Network, conveyed the distinction to Curtis Cox, manager of Lilley Cornett Woods and Dr. Stephen Richter, director, Division of Natural […]