Eastern Kentucky University (EKU) raised $12,038,265 from 9,369 donors for the 2025 fiscal year, beginning July 1, 2024, and ending June 30, 2025, surpassing the goal of $12 million. Additionally, 2,585 donor-funded scholarships were awarded to students, totaling $2,547,082. “We’re excited to announce another historic fundraising year for EKU, with the most raised in a […]

Eastern Kentucky University (EKU) is gearing up to welcome its newest Colonels to campus during Big E Welcome on Aug. 13-17. The multi-day event helps new students settle in, make friends and get a feel for college life before classes kick off on Aug. 18. Students get to explore campus, meet new people and enjoy […]

Barry and Paula Ward’s Lasting Impact on EKU Students They attended an alumni gathering at the home of fellow alumnus Dr. John “Lucky” Meisenheimer in Orlando, Florida, in early 2024, with the hope of meeting old friends, beginning new friendships and catching up on recent developments at their shared alma mater.Barry and Paula (Muthler) Ward […]

When EKU senior Esther Sadiki picked up a hammer to help build homes for Habitat for Humanity, she never imagined it would lead to a career decision for her future. But through the volunteer experience, she discovered a passion for hands-on work and found a path in Eastern Kentucky University’s (EKU) Construction Management program. From […]

The Enduring Gift of Walters Collegiate Institute From 1901 to 1906, Walters Collegiate Institute served the Richmond area as a bridge between Central University and the establishment of Eastern Kentucky State Normal School on the same location. Many might be surprised to know that the Walters name and legacy lives on more than a century […]

Robert Wood & Judy Layne-Wood Both are first-generation students from Kentucky small towns whose combined population barely tops a thousand. They met and fell in love on the EKU campus – he proposed marriage in the Ravine – and their horizons soon expanded to encompass far-flung locales they could once only imagine.But wherever life and […]

Every semester, students in the B.S. in Public Health program complete a 160-hour required internship. The internship provides an instrumental experiential learning opportunity for students to gain experience and fosters mentorship between students and professionals. Students, along with the assistance of public health faculty, apply and interview for competitive internships at local and state health […]

By day, Florida Attorney Omar Medina, ’81, fights for justice in courtrooms. By night, he steps into the world of storytelling as a film producer. His dual roles are as compelling as the thrillers he brings to life on screen. Medina served as producer of the 2024 hit “Amber Alert,” which claimed the top-trending spot […]

It was once a running joke on campus that freshman orientation activities at Eastern Kentucky University could be led by the Baumann family. After all, it’s where six siblings, all first-generation college students – Mary Jo, Amy, Susie, Mark, Julie and Patty – earned their college degrees. As an incoming freshman, Amy Baumann Sapsford was […]

Dr. Greg Sexton’s Lifelong Journey with EKU For 34 years, Dr. Greg Sexton has served Columbia, South Carolina, as a plastic surgeon, and “can’t imagine doing anything else.” At one time, however, he “would have probably considered life as a basketball coach and been very happy.” His own makeover was made possible by supportive family […]

Once again, Eastern Kentucky University (EKU) was named second in the nation for Military Friendly® Spouse Schools. This national recognition highlights EKU’s continued success in providing a welcoming and resourceful environment for military families pursuing higher education. In addition, EKU is the only university in Kentucky to make the top 10 Military Friendly® Schools designation, […]

On a typical day of school and homework, high school students across Kentucky earn college credit while completing their regular coursework—an opportunity made possible through Eastern Kentucky University’s (EKU) Dual Credit program. Through EKU Dual Credit, eligible high school juniors and seniors take college-level courses for both high school and college credit—saving both time and […]

Now in its fourth year, Eastern Kentucky University’s (EKU) Provost’s Faculty Internship Program has caught national attention as a unique model for leadership development. Through mentoring, hands-on experience and project administration, participants in the program explore pathways to leadership in higher education. “We already know that our EKU faculty are incredibly talented and intelligent, and […]

Whether you want to manage major infrastructure projects or residential builds, a degree in construction management from EKU sets the foundation for a rewarding, results-driven career. Here are the top five reasons you should consider earning a construction management degree from EKU. 1. Scholarships That Lay the Foundation EKU offers valuable scholarship opportunities that help […]

Thanks to the determination of Eastern Kentucky University (EKU) faculty and alumni, a major roadblock has finally been removed for fire protection engineers in the Commonwealth. House Bill 306, overwhelmingly passed by the Kentucky legislature, went into effect June 27 and removes a long-standing rule that had kept EKU Fire Protection and Safety Engineering Technology […]

This year, Eastern Kentucky University (EKU) celebrates the 90th season of the Stephen Collins Foster Music Camp, the second oldest music camp in the United States. Since 1936, the camp has welcomed thousands of young musicians to EKU’s campus in Richmond, Kentucky, offering a transformative experience in music education. “For almost a century, Foster Music […]

Eastern Kentucky University (EKU) welcomes Dr. Tim Holt as chair of the School of Aviation. Holt brings extensive academic, aviation and business expertise to EKU, with more than a decade of experience in teaching and administration at Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University and a 22-year career with the United States Navy, retiring as a chief petty officer. […]

Eastern Kentucky University’s (EKU) Institute for Creative and Collaborative Arts (ICCA) serves as a destination for creative students in the Commonwealth. With state-of-the-art facilities, collaboration across academic programs and a deep commitment to fostering artistic expression, the ICCA is where students and professionals alike can showcase the rich artistry of Kentucky. “No matter what area […]

A global health initiative in Ecuador became a life-changing experience for Eastern Kentucky University (EKU) student Haley Hintz and Psychology Professor Dr. Myra Beth Bundy. In March, the two traveled to South America to provide autism assessments and clinical training in a medically underserved community. The CDC estimates 1 in 31 children has autism in […]

Eastern Kentucky University (EKU) has been named an “Opportunity College and University” by the Carnegie Foundation for the Advancement of Teaching, a national distinction that highlights institutions providing higher-than-expected levels of student access and post-graduation earnings.  EKU was the only comprehensive university in Kentucky to receive this designation in its category. The new 2025 Carnegie […]

WNBA Stylist Amadi Brooks, ’16 ’17, has made a significant impact in the world of women’s fashion, particularly in the realm of sports. Brooks, who grew up in Douglasville, Georgia, has always had a passion for both fashion and athletics. From a young age, she knew these two fields would be her calling, and her […]

Eastern Kentucky University’s (EKU) Option 9 program aims to alleviate the statewide teacher shortage by making teacher education more accessible to those already working in a school. According to the Kentucky Department of Education, approximately 13% of all teaching vacancies for the 2023-24 school year remained unfilled.  Nicholas County School District in Kentucky joined forces […]

A life like Dr. Martha Mullins’ is difficult to succinctly define. Most hear her name and immediately associate her with Title IX implementation. Some emphasize her coaching career and accolades, along with her love of a well-organized state or national conference. Others would tell you of her passion for education, a value instilled by her […]

Eastern Kentucky University (EKU) announces the appointment of Dr. Anne M. Cizmar as associate dean of research administration. This newly created role is central to EKU’s strategic research initiative, aimed at building a holistic and scalable infrastructure to support the growth of sponsored research for faculty, staff and students across the university. In this new […]