Ron House, ’69 ’70, was honored with the Hall of Distinguished Alumni Award from Eastern Kentucky University (EKU) in 2025. The Best of Eastern Alumni Awards, presented annually during Homecoming weekend, celebrate excellence among EKU alumni. As EKU’s most prestigious alumni award, the Hall of Distinguished Alumni recognizes those who have achieved considerable success in their chosen fields, in their service to society and in their lifetime loyalty to EKU.
When House arrived at EKU in 1964, he came to play football for Coach Roy Kidd’s first team. He not only helped the Colonels capture the 1967 Grantland Rice Bowl, but also competed on the wrestling team, winning one tri-state and two Kentucky AAU wrestling championships, and served as vice president of Student Government. Shortly after, House became the then-youngest Division 1 wrestling coach for Eastern at only 22 years old as part of a graduate assistantship. Those early years were just the beginning of a lifelong devotion to EKU.
After graduating, House built a successful career in insurance and financial advising, culminating in the receipt of the 2016 National Association of Insurance and Financial Advisors Kentucky Medal of Honor. Though House has guided families toward security and peace of mind for 51 years, his true legacy has been his service—to his church, his community and especially his alma mater.
A past president of the EKU National Alumni Association, House has been a tireless advocate and supporter of the university for more than five decades. He sponsored the Homecoming race for 32 years, provided Colonel Scholar Athlete t-shirts for over 25, and attended every Alumni Awards or Hall of Distinguished Alumni ceremony for 51 consecutive years until the pandemic. He still faithfully attends Alumni Board meetings and cheers on Colonel athletics with unmatched loyalty.
When asked what advice he’d offer to the future generation of students who hope to leave a legacy of service, he said, “Find a career that you really love to go to work everyday and that you get personal satisfaction, fulfillment and gratification from being involved in your work and in serving others.”
For House, success is about encouraging others to be their best, whether through his ministry, his business or his service to EKU. His life of faith, family and service reflects values that began at home, solidified at Eastern, and continue to shape him daily.
EKU’s Office of Development and Alumni Engagement is accepting nominations for the 2026 Best of Eastern Awards. Learn more and nominate a well-deserving EKU alum at go.eku.edu/alumniawards.
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