Mr. Dominik Fackler is from Bullitt County, Kentucky. He is now a junior in the Manufacturing Engineering program at Eastern Kentucky University (EKU) and says he is glad to have made the decision to enter the program two years ago.
In high school, Mr. Fackler was unsure what he wanted to do. After taking a forensic science class in his junior year of high school and visiting EKU that summer to learn about the forensics program, he decided to enroll at EKU. “Eventually, after my senior year of high school, I had the opportunity to come and tour the Whalin building after learning about the new (at the time) Manufacturing Engineering program. I was sold and officially changed my major at my orientation later that month,” Mr. Fackler said.
In addition to the educational opportunities, EKU provides an incredible location, with plenty of extracurricular activities in Richmond, Kentucky and the surrounding area, while also being relatively close to his home. He was fortunate to be awarded the tier 1 merit scholarship from EKU, as well as the James R. Hoffa Memorial Scholarship and the James W. Hardaway Memorial Scholarship, all for which he is extremely grateful.
“In my time so far at EKU, the most important thing I have learned is that your plans may change and goals may shift, but with dedication, hope and hard work, you can make it through any obstacles you may encounter.” Outside of class, Mr. Fackler enjoys going to the gym, fishing and spending time with family. He is also extremely grateful for the opportunity to work in EKU’s STEM Center, helping students with math and physics and running workshops for Math 112. In fact, he said “my fondest memory at EKU is having the opportunity to work as a peer mentor during the STEM Start program, meeting new students, helping them to get used to campus, and touring the Toyota Georgetown facility.”
Mr. Fackler was recently accepted into the Navy’s Nuclear Propulsion Officer Candidate (NUPOC) program, where he will use his degree to be commissioned into the U.S. Navy as an officer and serve his country to the best of his ability. “I will work at the Navy Nuclear Power School (NPS) in Charleston, South Carolina as an instructor. This has been a goal of mine and it will be an incredible honor,” said Mr. Fackler.