For Eastern Kentucky University (EKU) Spanish and pre-med graduate Evan Singleton, ’17, the path to becoming a physician may have led him away from home, yet his goal has always been to return. He went on to earn his medical degree from the University of Cincinnati and after completing his residency in family medicine in […]

Eastern Kentucky University (EKU) received funding from the Kentucky Council on Postsecondary Education (CPE) to host a summer program for rising high school seniors interested in the health sciences. The program, called Healthcare Exploration and Academic Transition (HEAT), aims to provide students with opportunities to explore healthcare careers through hands-on experiences, simulations and essential skill […]

For many EKU Colonels, the desire to serve others through their careers comes from personal experience. That was the case for Christa Carlin, whose calling to nursing began with the care and compassion of a nurse who made a lasting impact on her life. “I had my first baby at the local hospital, and the […]

Eastern Kentucky University (EKU) received a Major Research Instrumentation (MRI) award of $381,870 from the National Science Foundation (NSF) in Fall 2024 to purchase a state-of-the-art scientific research instrument. The award has led to the successful acquisition and maintenance of a microbial identification system, which can rapidly and accurately identify certain bacteria and pathogens.  “Our […]

Eastern Kentucky University (EKU) is home to several nationally ranked healthcare degree programs, playing a crucial role in shaping the healthcare workforce. As of Fall 2024, approximately 4,000 students are enrolled in EKU healthcare degree programs. Expanding on a commitment to excellence in healthcare education, EKU proposed a College of Osteopathic Medicine (COM) to provide […]

EKU’s top-ranked School of Nursing and Humana have partnered to develop a program aimed at helping build a more sustainable nursing workforce. With a $75,000 contribution from Humana and a dollar-for-dollar match from Kentucky’s Council on Postsecondary Education (CPE) Healthcare Workforce Investment Fund, EKU’s School of Nursing received $150,000 to support innovation and excellence in […]

Eastern Kentucky University (EKU) graduate Oscar Garcia, ’24, helps to address an unprecedented healthcare shortage across the state as a registered nurse (RN) at UK Healthcare. The Kentucky Hospital Association’s 2024 Workforce Survey Report notes a 12% statewide hospital workforce vacancy rate and 3,899 registered nurse vacancies. “I wanted to be a source of help […]

By: David McFaddin, President of Eastern Kentucky University For many Kentuckians including myself, the mission to improve access to quality healthcare across our state—especially in rural areas—is deeply personal. As an Eastern Kentuckian and the president of a university serving the state’s most underserved communities, I feel a profound responsibility to help our friends and […]

 What do former Kentucky Lieutenant Governor Steve Pence, Council for Postsecondary Education President Aaron Thompson, Kentucky Democratic Party Chairman Coleman Eldridge, and top-ranked Washington, D.C., lobbyist Hunter Bates all have in common? Not only are they alumni of Eastern Kentucky University (EKU), but they were also once members of the oldest student organization on campus: […]

Today, Eastern Kentucky University (EKU) and Anthem Blue Cross and Blue Shield in Kentucky announced a continuation of their work together to grow the number of frontline healthcare workers in the eastern region of the state, increase access to care and improve health outcomes for more Kentuckians. The Anthem Rural Medicine Scholarship is a fellowship […]

A two-time Eastern Kentucky University (EKU) graduate, Mr. Mark Sweet, was named the 2024 College of Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics Award recipient. The college’s highest honor is presented to individuals who have made impactful contributions to the college. On receiving the College of STEM award, Mr. Sweet had this to say, “Considering the substantial number […]

Mr. Esteban Castro Platonoff was born and raised in Latacunga, Ecuador, in an adventurous family with his dad Diego, mom Carla, and younger brother Felipe.  When asked why he choose to attend Eastern Kentucky University (EKU) he said: “My family and I visited EKU in 2017, and I was amazed with how beautiful the campus is.  […]

Dr. Abdelhay received his B.Pharm (Bachelor of Pharmaceutical Sciences) from Alexandria University in Egypt and his Ph.D. in Pharmaceutical Sciences from Auburn University. In fact, Dr. Abdelhay’s entire family, his father, mother and two sisters are all pharmacists. His wife Rasha is a clinical and a retail pharmacist and she is currently employed at Walmart Pharmacy. […]

Completion of undergraduate science, technology, engineering, and mathematics (STEM) degrees continues to lag behind workforce demands, and success rates for populations traditionally underrepresented in STEM disciplines remain substantially lower than the same rates for other students. With the recent launch of a B.S. degree in manufacturing engineering at Eastern Kentucky University (EKU), the university has […]

Congratulations to the Fall 2024 graduates of Eastern Kentucky University! EKU proudly celebrated over 1,300 students during the commencement ceremonies held on December 5 and 6, 2024, at the EKU Center for the Arts. This milestone honors the hard work and accomplishments of the remarkable graduates from all of EKU’s academic colleges. Family, friends, faculty, staff, […]

Chi Zhao, ’10, a research fellow at Harvard Kennedy School, was appointed as an independent board director for Allied Gaming & Entertainment, Inc., a Nasdaq-listed company. She chairs the nominating and corporate governance committee and serves on the compensation committee. Zhao received a bachelor’s in broadcasting and electronic media from Eastern Kentucky University. As a […]

In a moment of uncertainty; one may catch a familiar aroma of a childhood toy, turn the channel to reruns of a beloved TV show, or suddenly want a meal of only comfort foods that evoke warm memories once tucked away in the back of your mind. Spencer Barrett, ’13, built a substantial following on […]

Eastern Kentucky University (EKU) isn’t just preparing students to pilot planes—it’s launching them into high-powered careers managing some of Kentucky’s most critical aviation hubs. From strategic innovation to airport operations, EKU aviation alumni are proving that aerospace management offers dynamic, impactful career paths. Hannah Meredith, ’15, leads innovation initiatives as the senior manager of strategic […]

Eastern Kentucky University’s Baptist Health Arena at Alumni Coliseum will temporarily reopen for the basketball season after undergoing extensive renovations that began last spring. The facility will remain open through the end of the basketball season and for EKU’s Spring 2025 graduation ceremonies before closing again for final renovations. “We’re excited to showcase a preview […]

Setting Sights on the 2026 Paralympic Winter Games Mackinzie Dickman (Kinzie Houston, ’16) says there’s nothing like the thrill of sailing down a ski slope, feeling free as she fearlessly navigates through challenging courses at 30-60 mph. “Going down the mountain, digging into the snow, I feel connected, in control,” Kinzie said. Although the Eastern […]

Silas House, ’93 When his first book, “Clay’s Quilt,” landed on the New York Times Best Sellers list in 2001 and brought him national acclaim, Silas House was a 30-year-old rural mail carrier in his native Laurel County, Kentucky. Six more highly successful novels and dozens of nationally prestigious awards and honors later, the 1993 […]

Controller in hand, the drone lifts off the ground and rises steadily and effortlessly into the sky. Under the operator’s control, it soars through the landscape transmitting valuable data and information for a variety of applications. Learning how to operate an unmanned aircraft system, or drone, as well as mission planning and execution are some […]

Congratulations Fall 2024 grads! We celebrated over 1,300 students from Eastern Kentucky University during five commencement ceremonies held on Dec. 5 and 6, 2024, at the EKU Center for the Arts. Friends, families, classmates, faculty, staff and members of the EKU community came together to celebrate the achievements of graduates from the university’s six academic […]

Fathers and daughters share many milestones throughout their time as a family. From daddy-daughter dates to the father-daughter dance at a wedding, that bond is built through sharing many of life’s big moments. Eastern Kentucky University (EKU) graduates Tim and Isabelle Meyer, father and daughter, were able to share a special milestone that many parents […]