EKU Manchester Provides a Path to Education Close to Home
Clay County graduate Briley Hooker begins a degree in criminal justice at EKU Manchester this fall, with scholarships and dual credit helping him pursue his goal of becoming a lawyer.
Stories & Testimonials
Eastern Kentucky University
EKU’s Food and Nutrition Program Sets the Foundation for a Healthier Kentucky
EKU prepares future dietitians to help Kentuckians prevent and manage chronic disease through nutrition.
A Chain Reaction
A series of unexpected opportunities led Michael Babich, ’78, from EKU to biotech entrepreneurship, where he now advances cancer research and treatment.
EKU Celebrates Student, Staff and Alumni Inductees Into Distinguished Honor Societies
Eastern Kentucky University honored its newest Omicron Delta Kappa and Phi Kappa Phi inductees this spring, celebrating students whose academic excellence, leadership and service place them among the university’s top achievers.
EKU Graduate Builds Global Career in Fire Safety
Saad Sharba, ’99, envisions the future of fire safety as senior manager of emergency management and corporate safety at NEOM. From Saudi Arabia, Sharba first came to Eastern Kentucky University (EKU) to study abroad. After meeting students and visiting a class, he decided to stay for EKU’s Fire Engineering program, where he discovered vast opportunities […]
Curiosity Fuels EKU Graduate’s Rise in Healthcare Cybersecurity
When attending his first class as a broadcasting and electronic media major at Eastern Kentucky University (EKU), Chris Gabel, ’05 ’09, had no idea his career would one day lead to advancing healthcare cybersecurity and even helping develop AI standards at a national level. From Northern Kentucky, Gabel had applied to schools like Duke and […]
EKU Students Volunteer in New Orleans for Alternative Spring Break Trip
Earlier this year, eight Eastern Kentucky University (EKU) students traveled to New Orleans to participate in an Alternative Spring Break trip, focused on community service and experiential learning. Organized by the Student Life Community and Global Engagement Department, the trip paired hands-on volunteer work with cultural education. The trip exposed students to topics surrounding food […]
EKU Lecturer Adria Thompson Transforms Dementia Care, Influences Hope
“We need to say the word dementia,” says Adria Thompson, ’12 ’14. “I want people with dementia to be accepted and to be seen in public spaces, not tucked away or treated as a burden to society.” Thompson carries this message into every space she enters, from global stages to her classroom at Eastern Kentucky […]
EKU Earns No. 1 National Ranking for Military Friendly® Spouse Schools
Climbing to the top of national rankings, Eastern Kentucky University (EKU) was named the No. 1 large public university in the nation for 2026-27 Military Friendly® Spouse Schools. This comes on the heels of EKU also earning the No. 1 spot for 2026-27 Military Friendly® Schools. “EKU’s recognition as No. 1 for Military Friendly® and […]
College of STEM at EKU Honors Jane Booth
Mrs. Jane Jenkins Booth has been named the 2025 recipient of Eastern Kentucky University’s College of Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics Award — the college’s highest honor, presented to individuals who have made impactful contributions to the college. Together with her husband, Dr. Gary Booth, she has for several years impacted many EKU students through […]
From Freshman Involvement to Senior Leadership: Aaron Barker’s Path in EKU Student Government
When Aaron Barker first walked into a Student Government Association (SGA) interview during his first weeks at Eastern Kentucky University (EKU), he never expected that moment would begin a leadership journey spanning nearly every corner of EKU’s student government. “Working with students who are passionate about EKU and the Campus Beautiful is one of the […]
From Service to Success at EKU
For military student Makenzie Doyle, the transition from deployment to college came with challenges, but also strong support from Eastern Kentucky University (EKU). Her experience reflects the commitment that earned EKU national recognition as the No. 1 large public university in the 2026-27 Military Friendly® Schools rankings. “Military-affiliated students represent about 12% of EKU’s student […]
EKU Students Showcase Research at Posters-at-the-Capitol
Eastern Kentucky University (EKU) undergraduate students presented their research to legislators at the 24th annual Posters-at-the-Capitol on March 5 at the Kentucky State Capitol. Four EKU students joined 32 other undergraduate students from across the state to showcase the results of their research. The research showcase was hosted collaboratively with the University of Kentucky, the […]
EKU Pep Band Goes National With Music Student Recording for Video Game
Most students cheer for their team on gameday, but one Eastern Kentucky University (EKU) pep band member will be heard by millions in the new EA SPORTS College Football ’27 video game. Silas Feeback, a junior music education major from Nicholas County, Kentucky, recently spent three days in Nashville recording over 15 songs for the […]
Alexandra Szarabajko Honored with EKU’s Young Alumni Award
Dr. Alexandra Szarabajko,’15 ’16 ’18, was awarded with the Young Alumni Award from Eastern Kentucky University (EKU). The Best of Eastern Alumni Awards, presented annually during Homecoming weekend, celebrate excellence among EKU alumni. The Young Alumni Award recognizes individuals who graduated from EKU in the last 10 years and have demonstrated exceptional talent in their […]
EKU Graduates Celebrate Their Paths to Success
Eastern Kentucky University (EKU) celebrated the Class of 2026 at spring commencement ceremonies held on May 7 and 8, 2026, at the Baptist Health Arena at Alumni Coliseum. “At EKU, every path is made possible,” said EKU President David McFaddin at the commencement ceremonies. “Each of you took a unique path to get to this […]
EKU Student Finds a Path Forward Through Nursing
When Eastern Kentucky University (EKU) student Whitney Brown was growing up in Lexington, Kentucky, her future seemed set. She attended an agricultural school and planned to pursue veterinary medicine, a goal she had held since childhood. During her freshman year of high school, however, her path changed. Whitney’s mother was diagnosed with a malignant brain […]
A FAMILY’S BOUNDLESS LOVE: The Mike Karpathakis Endowed MBA Scholarship
Mike Karpathakis began his EKU journey pursuing a Master of Business Administration (MBA) with encouragement from his then employer’s (Ajax Magnethermic Corporation) generous tuition reimbursement program. In 1998, while working full-time as an electrical engineer, Mike earned an MBA degree from Eastern’s outstanding College of Business with a 3.98 GPA. Mike fondly remembered collaborating alongside […]
EKU Students Experience Learning Across the Globe
From classrooms in Richmond, Kentucky, to the historic streets of Paris and Prague, Eastern Kentucky University (EKU) students engage in immersive learning experiences designed to prepare them for their careers at home and beyond. During the 2025 academic year, 17 EKU English majors participated in faculty-led study abroad programs across Europe in England, Ireland, the […]
EKU Student to Graduate at 18 Years Old
While most 18-year-olds are just starting college, Om Patel is getting ready to walk across the graduation stage at Eastern Kentucky University’s (EKU) Spring 2026 Commencement ceremony and receive his bachelor’s degree in finance. Patel will be among the youngest graduating Colonels at this year’s ceremony, with graduates ranging from 18 to 72 years old. […]
A LIFE OF TENACITY AND GIVING: Jeri Isbell Named EKU’s 2025 Philanthropist of the Year
Somewhere in the halls of Lexington Catholic High School, a teenage girl once sat in a math class that changed the trajectory of her life. Her teacher, Mrs. Sally Stevens, nudged her forward, insisting she could be both a girl and good at math—an all too uncommon idea for the time. For Jeri Isbell, that […]
Jessica Gutzwiller Honored with EKU’s Young Alumni Award
Jessica Gutzwiller, ’19, was awarded with the Young Alumni Award from Eastern Kentucky University (EKU). The Best of Eastern Alumni Awards, presented annually during Homecoming weekend, celebrate excellence among EKU alumni. The Young Alumni Award recognizes individuals who graduated from EKU in the last 10 years and have demonstrated exceptional talent in their professions. Growing […]
Whitnee Coy Honored with EKU’s Young Alumni Award
Dr. Whitnee Coy, ’15, was awarded with the Young Alumni Award from Eastern Kentucky University (EKU). The Best of Eastern Alumni Awards, presented annually during Homecoming weekend, celebrate excellence among EKU alumni. The Young Alumni Award recognizes individuals who graduated from EKU in the last 10 years and have demonstrated exceptional talent in their professions. […]
PHILANTHROPY FOR EVERY SEASON OF LIFE: Jeffery Humble’s Story
When Jeffery Humble looks back on his journey, it always comes back to Kentucky. Raised in rural Central Kentucky, his roots run deep in the communities that shaped him, and those roots continue to guide every choice he makes. “My family, giving back and working to make Kentucky a place where everyone has the chance to […]
Andy Stofleth: Empowering Future Colonels to Grow, Lead, and Serve Others
Service has defined Andy Stofleth’s journey — from serving as a Marine infantryman overseas to rebuilding communities after disasters and mentoring veterans across the country. Now, he’s continuing that legacy of service through the Andy Stofleth Endowed Scholarship at Eastern Kentucky University. After transitioning from military life, Stofleth found both purpose and healing at EKU, […]
EKU Mock Trial Team Wins Consecutive Tournaments, Qualifies for Nationals
After winning three tournaments in a row, Eastern Kentucky University’s (EKU) Mock Trial team is proving it can compete on the national stage. During its run, the team earned first-place finishes at the EKU Colonel Classic Invitational, the Mid-Missouri Mock Trial Invitational and the American Mock Trial Association (AMTA) Regional Tournament. Those results secured a […]
EKU and Kentucky Rural Education Association Announces First Rural Teacher of the Year
Eastern Kentucky University (EKU) in partnership with the Kentucky Rural Education Association (KREA) and Partners for Rural Impact, has named Starla Benge of Rockcastle County Schools as Kentucky’s first Rural Teacher of the Year. Benge is a two-time graduate of EKU, earning a Bachelor of Science in Elementary Education in 2011 and a Master of […]
BRING PEOPLE WITH YOU: The Life, Legacy and Love Behind the Collins Pigman Endowed Scholarship
“Success isn’t measured by who you leave behind—it’s about how many people you bring with you.” It’s a sentiment Coy and Gladys (Collins) Pigman lived out every day and one their daughter, Heather, still hears echoing in her heart. That phrase, repeated often in their home, now endures through the Collins Pigman Endowed Scholarship at […]
David Silver Honored with EKU’s Distinguished Service Award
David Silver, ’90, was honored with the Distinguished Service Award from Eastern Kentucky University (EKU). The Best of Eastern Alumni Awards, presented annually during Homecoming weekend, celebrate excellence among EKU alumni. The Distinguished Service Award recognizes those who have demonstrated a heart of service with EKU or within their communities. Recipients of this award are […]
EKU Choirs Take the Stage at Carnegie Hall
On March 22, more than 40 students from the Eastern Kentucky University (EKU) Choirs stepped into the spotlight at Carnegie Hall, one of the most iconic concert venues in the world, for a performance they will never forget. This marked EKU’s first major choir tour since 2017. The students, representing all three EKU choral ensembles, […]
Michael Nygren Honored with EKU’s Distinguished Service Award
Michael Nygren, ’70, was honored with the Distinguished Service Award from Eastern Kentucky University (EKU). The Best of Eastern Alumni Awards, presented annually during Homecoming weekend, celebrate excellence among EKU alumni. The Distinguished Service Award recognizes those who have demonstrated a heart of service with EKU or within their communities. Recipients of this award are […]
EKU’s Seventh Annual Giving Day Set for April 22
Eastern Kentucky University (EKU) will celebrate the impact of giving on its seventh annual Giving Day, Wednesday, April 22. With the theme “Your Gift, Their Future,” alumni, students, employees and friends are invited to join this one-day fundraising effort to support EKU students. “Giving Day is about the future of our students,” said EKU President […]
A GLOBAL CITIZEN ROOTED IN EASTERN: Dr. Deborah Alexander’s Lifelong Mission to Bridge Divides
To describe Dr. Deborah Alexander by a single title—diplomat, scholar, humanitarian—would never capture the full depth of her story. Her career has spanned continents and crises, peacekeeping missions and pivotal elections, always driven by a deep and unwavering belief: that we are all part of one human family. Dr. Alexander’s passion for travel and cross-cultural […]
EKU Emergency Medical Care Receives Equipment Donation from Alum, Physician and CEO Dr. Andrew Napier
Eastern Kentucky University (EKU) and EKU alumnus Dr. Andrew Napier, an emergency room physician, former Army combat medic, Purple Heart recipient, Pat Tillman Scholar and CEO of the medical equipment manufacturer, IntuBlade, announced an equipment donation for students in the Emergency Medical Care (EMC) program on April 7. Napier donated a fleet of IntuBlade video […]
JOHN AND CARRIE LEWIS: A Gift Rooted in Connection, Lifted by Opportunity
John and Carrie Lewis know that connection has the power to transform lives. It’s what brought them together, guided their careers and ultimately inspired their recent gift to EKU in support of the nationally ranked aviation program. Their story began in the trombone section of the University of Kentucky marching band. “We spent hours practicing, […]
“Not College Material”
Scott Northcutt, ’84, Defies the Odds, Rising From First-Gen Student to Corporate Leadership In high school, no one believed that Scott Northcutt, ’84, was college material—not his family or his guidance counselor—so he had to believe in himself. He was satisfied with making B’s and C’s until something clicked during his junior year. He realized […]
Kenton Buckner Honored with EKU’s Distinguished Service Award
Kenton Buckner, ’99 ’08, was honored with the Distinguished Service Award from Eastern Kentucky University (EKU). The Best of Eastern Alumni Awards, presented annually during Homecoming weekend, celebrate excellence among EKU alumni. The Distinguished Service Award recognizes those who have demonstrated a heart of service with EKU or within their communities. Recipients of this award […]
Paige Williams Honored with EKU’s Professional Achievement Award
Paige Williams, ’87, was honored with the Professional Achievement Award from Eastern Kentucky University (EKU). The Best of Eastern Alumni Awards, presented annually during Homecoming weekend, celebrate excellence among EKU alumni. The Professional Achievement Award recognizes individuals who have made significant and lasting service to their field, earning the respect and admiration of their peers […]
Mom of Three Finds a Path in Social Work Through EKU
Social workers help people navigate some of life’s hardest moments. For Lexington native Brandy Carr, that calling led her to Eastern Kentucky University’s (EKU) online social work program. Today, the mom of three balances family life and full-time work while preparing for a career in social work. “At EKU, we meet our students where they […]
Mollie Harris Honored with EKU’s Young Alumni Award
Mollie Harris, ’06 ’13 ’21, was awarded with the Young Alumni Award from Eastern Kentucky University (EKU). The Best of Eastern Alumni Awards, presented annually during Homecoming weekend, celebrate excellence among EKU alumni. The Young Alumni Award recognizes individuals who graduated from EKU in the last 10 years and have demonstrated exceptional talent in their […]
Amy Baumann Sapsford Honored with EKU’s Professional Achievement Award
Amy Baumann Sapsford, ’81, was honored with the Professional Achievement Award from Eastern Kentucky University (EKU). The Best of Eastern Alumni Awards, presented annually during Homecoming weekend, celebrate excellence among EKU alumni. The Professional Achievement Award recognizes individuals who have made significant and lasting service to their field, earning the respect and admiration of their […]
Dr. Maisha Jack Honored with EKU’s Professional Achievement Award
Dr. Maisha L. Jack, ’95, was honored with the Professional Achievement Award from Eastern Kentucky University (EKU). The Best of Eastern Alumni Awards, presented annually during Homecoming weekend, celebrate excellence among EKU alumni. The Professional Achievement Award recognizes individuals who have made significant and lasting service to their field, earning the respect and admiration of […]
Ron House Honored with EKU’s Hall of Distinguished Alumni Award
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 […]
Matt Evans Honored with EKU’s Hall of Distinguished Alumni Award
Matt Evans, ’91, 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 […]
In the Wake of the Hurricane: EKU Grad Responds in Jamaica
On Oct. 28, 2025, Hurricane Melissa made landfall in Jamaica, causing widespread damage, evacuations and flooding. In the days following a hurricane, rising floodwaters and displaced wildlife can turn entire communities into public health risk zones. Kelli Ann Turner, ’25, a Jamaica-based public health inspector and Eastern Kentucky University (EKU) graduate, immediately went to work […]
Securing the Skies
A hometown education launches global security career for Chris Hacker, ’93 ’95 Chris Hacker, ’93 ’95, director of corporate security programs, executive protection and investigations at Delta Air Lines, built a career around protecting people. Before working in positions spanning from local law enforcement to the FBI and now global security, Hacker earned his education […]
Juan Carlos Castro Honored with EKU’s Hall of Distinguished Alumni Award
Juan Carlos Castro, ’00, 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 […]
What We Don’t Say on the Way Home: A Paramedic’s Story in Poetry
Some stories don’t start with a book deal or a big plan. Some start with grief, frustration, and the quiet weight first responders carry home after shift. That’s where EKU alumnus Hannah Spanyer’s book, The Silence We Carry, began. Hannah is a critical care paramedic with Georgetown Scott County EMS, where she has served for […]
From EKU to Dream Come True
Adam MacPhàrlain, ’05, Proves “If You Can Dream it, You Can Do it” Adam MacPhàrlain, ’05, didn’t have to wish upon a star to secure his dream job as an Imagineer at Walt Disney World in Orlando in August 2024. He submitted his impressive résumé, reflecting his diverse background in clothing, textiles and art, which […]
Army ROTC Commissioning Ceremony
The Fall 25 Eastern Kentucky University Army ROTC Commissioning Ceremony was held Friday, December 5th 2025 at Whitlock in the O’Donnell Auditorium. This semester the department had six cadets commission and become 2nd Lieutenants in the US Army. The official Commissioning party included EKU Professor of Military Science LTC James Plutt and Senior Miliary Instructor […]
Stories of Strength and Triumph Shine at EKU’s Fall 2025 Commencement
Eastern Kentucky University (EKU) celebrated fall graduates at commencement ceremonies on Dec. 4 and 5, 2025, at the EKU Center for the Arts. “It is my hope for each of you that you leave today prepared to create a life not just of success, but of significance—a life that reflects your values, uplifts others and […]
Chief Justice Debra Lambert, ’83, Breaks Barriers as First-Generation College Graduate
With the values of hard work, education and equity instilled by her parents—and the support of a $500 scholarship from the local homemaker’s club—Chief Justice Debra Hembree Lambert, ’83, built the foundation of her highly successful career upon her degree from Eastern Kentucky University (EKU). She carries these principles forward today as chief justice of […]
Three-Time Colonel Graduate Found Purpose and a Home at EKU
Eastern Kentucky University (EKU) commencement speaker Dr. Chris Butcher, ’18 ’19 ’25, stood before graduates with a message shaped by years of resilience, community and unexpected beginnings. The same university that welcomed him as a first-generation college student later welcomed him as an employee. He moved from student worker roles into recruitment, earned a master’s […]
Unstoppable Mom Finds Success as EKU Transfer Student
Born in Detroit and raised in Kentucky, Kahlilah Mitchell became a mother at 17, a turning point that sparked a deep motivation to build a better future for her son. She began her college journey at the Kentucky Community and Technical College System (KCTCS). By the time she earned her associate degree, Mitchell said her […]
Public Health and Kindness
In recognition of Suicide Prevention Awareness Month in September and World Mental Health Day on October 10th, EKU Public Health continued its outreach with a Kindness Tabling Event focused on promoting mental health awareness and fostering compassion across campus. The event featured “kindness gumballs” each containing an encouraging action to brighten someone’s day—such as “call […]
‘Go Here, Go Anywhere’: Fire Engineering Takes EKU Grad Around the World and Back
As a kid, Tony Cole, ’93, never imagined his dream of becoming a firefighter would lead him to Eastern Kentucky University (EKU), then across the world meeting foreign dignitaries as a fire protection engineer for Saudi Aramco, and now operating a fire protection firm in Lexington. When Cole graduated high school in the late 1980s, […]
Enrich Needs Fair
In the spring 2025 semester, Dr. Molly McKinney’s HEA 485 Community Organization & Advocacy class collaborated with Enrich, a local non-profit, to plan and implement a needs fair for Richmond community members in recovery or seeking recovery. EKU Public Health students planned and implemented the entire event with guidance from Enrich staff and Dr. McKinney. […]
From Small Towns to a World of Giving
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 […]
From Students to Professionals: Public Health Internships
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 […]
A Champion for Justice and Storytelling
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 […]
The Rippling Effect of Generosity: Amy and Simon Sapsford
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 […]
From Campus Roots to Surgical Heights
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 […]
Student Spotlight: Outstanding Applied Human Sciences Graduate Earns Statewide Recognition
Hannah Dunagan, a spring 2025 graduate of EKU’s Bachelor of Science in Food and Nutrition with a concentration in dietetics, has received recognition for academic excellence at both the state and local level. Dunagan was awarded the Kentucky Academy of Nutrition and Dietetics (KAND) Outstanding Dietetic Student award at the organization’s annual conference in Bowling […]
A Legacy of Learning: Five Generations of EKU Colonels
Today, when Luke Fletcher, a Madison County native, walks across the stage to receive his diploma, he will continue a more than 100-year family history with Eastern Kentucky University (EKU) as a fifth-generation EKU Colonel. When Luke’s mother, Anisha Fletcher, ’95, a fourth-generation Colonel, reflects on her time at EKU, she sees more than her […]
EKU Volleyball Team Going to Europe, Thanks to Support from Former Coach Polvino
Eastern Kentucky University (EKU) Hall of Fame Volleyball Coach Dr. Geri Polvino, a beloved mentor and leader, gave two transformational gifts to EKU’s Volleyball Team, continuing a legacy of support and dedication to the program. The gifts amount to $125,000—establishing the Volleyball Alumni Legacy Fund to encourage alumni contributions and funding a 2025 European tour […]
EKU Medical Laboratory Science: Cultivating Careers, One Sample at a Time
Students Cheyanne Scherder and Isabel Alguera put on their lab coats and gloves and head into Eastern Kentucky University’s (EKU) state-of-the-art Medical Laboratory Science (MLS) lab in the Dizney Building. Here, they apply what they’ve learned in the classroom, examining blood samples under a microscope and looking for any abnormalities to make diagnoses. EKU’s MLS […]
Students Take Their Research to Harvard, Representing EKU at the National Level
In January, six Eastern Kentucky University (EKU) students traveled to Harvard University and presented their research at the National Collegiate Research Conference (NCRC). This marked the second time students from EKU attended the conference, following recommendations from faculty mentors. “Our students being accepted to showcase their research at the NCRC—at Harvard—shows the massive potential of […]
EKU’s Spin the Wheel Scholarship Sends 21 Students Abroad
Eastern Kentucky University’s (EKU) annual Spin the Wheel Scholarship event took place in January, offering students a chance to win a fully funded study-abroad experience. Interested students could submit an entry prior to the event, then on Jan. 29, winners were drawn from a box filled with the entries by the president, provost and deans […]
Bringing Healthcare Back Home
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 […]
EKU Nursing Students Inspired by Care, Driven to Serve
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 […]
EKU Exhibits Excellence in Healthcare Education
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 […]
College of STEM Honors Mr. Mark Sweet
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 […]
EKU Student Spotlight: Esteban Castro Platonoff
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. […]
EKU College of Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics Congratulates Fall 2024 Graduates
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, […]
EKU Grad, Now Harvard Fellow, Joins Allied Gaming Board of Directors
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 […]
EKU Alum Sparks Viral Fame with Nostalgia-Fueled Content
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 […]
Aviation Careers Beyond the Cockpit: EKU Graduates Soar in Aerospace Management
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 […]
Adapting Through Adversity
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 […]
Homespun Tales
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 […]
A Transformational Career Change
EKU’s nationally prominent Master of Public Health (MPH) program is a growing network of highly respected professionals nationwide. While a civilian working in occupational safety and health, in 2015, Sarah Hughes encountered Lieutenant Commander (LCDR) Rebecca Hampton Ebersole, an EKU MPH alumna and an environmental health officer in the U.S. Public Health Service Commissioned Corps. […]
EKU Hosts Ribbon Cutting Celebrating the Acceptance of SNAP Benefits on Campus
On Thursday, Nov. 21, Eastern Kentucky University (EKU) hosted a ribbon cutting event at the Stratton P.O.D. (Provisions on Demand), celebrating Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) benefits officially being accepted on campus. SNAP is a U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) program that provides food benefits to low-income families to supplement their grocery budget. The acceptance […]
A Legacy of Opportunity
For many years, West Louisville has been the victim of economic neglect. Due to the financial struggles throughout the years, the area saw restricted investment and development, leading to limited economic opportunities. Despite the area’s difficulties, two Eastern Kentucky University (EKU) alumni worked to rejuvenate the area through partnerships and a $170 million investment. On […]
EKU Crowns 2024 Homecoming King and Queen
Eastern Kentucky University (EKU) crowned the 2024 Homecoming king and queen, Garrett Jenkins and Gracie Agee, on Saturday, Oct. 26, 2024. Jenkins, a sophomore from Olive Hill, Kentucky, represents NOVA, an organization dedicated to supporting first-generation college students and others and providing a transformative undergraduate experience. Agee, a senior from Berea, Kentucky, was chosen to […]
Colonels Shine in “Forty Under 40” Class
EKU graduates Josh Jarboe, ’12, and Tony Mudd, ’15, made the Louisville Business First’s Forty Under 40 list for 2023. The program honors “professionals under the age of 40 thriving in their careers, demonstrating their skills at work or in the community and contributing to make Greater Louisville a better place,” according to Louisville Business […]
EKU Animal Studies Offers Unique Perspective on Animal Relationships
For many people, watching a black bear take a nap is not part of everyday life, let alone part of their daily education. For students like Emily Howard, a senior in Eastern Kentucky University’s (EKU) animal studies program, it’s an educational opportunity. Howard, from Winchester, Kentucky, never doubted that EKU was the school for her, […]
EKU Fire, Arson and Explosion Investigation Degree Sparks Game-Changing Career Readiness
A fire breaks out and the temperature rises on Eastern Kentucky University’s (EKU) campus; however, this fire does not present any danger to the campus. Simulated and controlled fire situations instead, help make campus and communities safer because they happen at EKU’s fire lab. As part of EKU’s Fire, Arson and Explosion Investigation bachelor’s degree […]
Meet the Newest EKU Colonels
Eastern Kentucky University (EKU) welcomed the class of 2028, which is projected to be the largest freshman class in EKU history at nearly 3,000 students. The freshmen come from 108 Kentucky counties, 34 states and nine countries. More than 50% of the incoming class are first-generation college students. Since 2020, during a time of national […]
Alumni Set New Standards in Finance
Taylor Davis, ’16, excelled as a quarterback for the Colonels. Today, he is the founding president of DFG Advisory, a Northwestern Mutual (NM) subsidiary advisory firm based in Lexington. Under his leadership, DFG became a Northwestern Mutual Top 20 firm in 2021, the youngest to ever reach a top-20 ranking in the company’s 166-year history. […]
Roping in Rescues, Serving Eastern Kentucky
Hikers in Red River Gorge might not realize that one wrong step could plunge them off a 200-foot cliff hidden by the undergrowth. When accidents like that happen, John May, ’92, and his Wolfe County Search and Rescue Team quickly respond to assist injured hikers, stranded climbers and people trapped by high water who may […]
From Classroom to Conservation: EKU Fire Science Alum’s Summer at the National Parks
Kyle Januska, ’24, is dedicating his summer to safeguarding some of America’s most iconic landscapes. After interning with the National Park Service (NPS) last year in Boise, Idaho, he’s now immersed in preserving historic buildings across Florida’s national parks—Everglades, Dry Tortugas, Big Cypress and Biscayne. “I’m writing a report providing fire protection safety recommendations for […]
The Right Fit
Beau Mosley, ’23, started his career as a police officer for the Kentucky State Police in 2009, then moved into transportation safety. Now Mosley is the chief risk officer and executive vice president for Usher Transport, Inc. The Hindman, Kentucky, native chose to attend EKU to carry on his family’s Colonel legacy, as his late […]
Entrepreneurship Ignited at EKU’s Scholars Tank
Pitch a business idea in two minutes. Get $5,000 to start the business. That’s the concept behind EKU’s annual Scholars Tank event, held in April, where students present their business ideas to a panel of business owners and professionals. The business idea chosen by the judges receives the $5,000 award to get the idea off […]
At the Frontiers of Science
For Dr. Annabelle Manalo-Morgan, ’06, life’s dance with adversity offered her a gift—ultimately leading to a scientific breakthrough, which saved her son’s life. Dr. Annabelle’s first major experience with adversity, however, presented itself when she came to EKU as a displaced student from Hurricane Katrina. “We did not know the impact this storm was going […]
Counting Cats: An EKU Math Grad’s Mission to Save Strays
Rosalie (Rose) Richburg, ’23, moved from Texas to Richmond with her family when she was 8 years old. The Richburg family thought the biggest adjustment to moving would be getting acclimated to a new environment, but it turned out to be something far different: stray cats, with one large population located right across the street […]
EKU Graduation Speaker, Gracy Kelley, Encourages Class of 2024 to Embrace “Firsts” in Life
At Eastern Kentucky University’s (EKU) spring commencement ceremony on May 10, Honors Scholar Gracy Kelley stood before her fellow graduates encouraging them to embrace the “firsts” in life. With the support of her friends, family and peers, she navigated challenges from COVID-19 to the complexities of student life. “My firsts did not come without a […]
EKU Graduation Speaker Emphasizes the Importance of Community
During Eastern Kentucky University’s (EKU) spring 2024 commencement ceremony, Emma Thomas took center stage to address her fellow graduates, praising the community that she said, “pushed us to become educated, professional and resilient to whatever may come our way.” While speaking to her classmates, Thomas, who is an Ewing, Kentucky native and a first-generation graduate, […]
Empowered by Community: EKU Graduate’s Journey from College to Career
Richmond, Kentucky native and now Eastern Kentucky University (EKU) graduate Jenna Riel shared the value of support, community and opportunities as she took the stage for spring commencement. “This sense of community and the network of support that EKU has granted us has been the foundation for our success,” she said. Riel expressed gratitude for […]
Author Kim Michele Richardson Receives Honorary Doctorate From EKU
Eastern Kentucky University (EKU) recognized author Kim Michele Richardson for her distinguished service to arts and culture with an honorary Doctor of Humanities (L.H.D) degree at EKU’s spring commencement ceremony on Friday, May 10, 2024. A native-born Kentuckian, Richardson is a New York Times, Los Angeles Times and USA Today bestselling author and has written […]
Degrees of Resilience: EKU Grad Achieves Lifelong Goal of Going to College
Despite dropping out of high school and facing mental and physical challenges while raising a family, Jody Denny never gave up on her dream of getting a college degree. At Eastern Kentucky University’s (EKU) spring commencement ceremony, Denny will stand with her diploma in hand, the culmination of years of dedication and perseverance finally etched […]
A Day in the Life of Lexie Barth: EKU Presidential Office Student Assistant
Lexie Barth, a senior public relations major, has gained valuable experience while working as the student assistant in the President’s Office at Eastern Kentucky University (EKU). Reporting to the president’s manager, the executive director of the president’s office, and chief of staff, Barth gets unique insight into how a university operates at its highest levels. […]
Students Get Hands-On Experience in EKU’s Manufacturing Engineering Program
Just over a year ago, Eastern Kentucky University (EKU) announced a manufacturing engineering degree program, making it the only program of its kind in the state. The program, which was offered for the first time in the fall semester, has quickly made the school a destination for students interested in engineering across the Commonwealth. “Because […]
From Sidewalk Chalk to Derby Art
Wylie Caudill, ’18, is the official artist of the 2024 Kentucky Derby. “Since before I can remember, my parents tell me I have been drawing,” he said. As Caudill grew up, he started exploring various art forms on all kinds of surfaces. He made the world his canvas, using sidewalks, canvases, whiskey bottles, horse statues […]
EKU Ranks for Best Occupational Therapy Programs
Eastern Kentucky University (EKU) is home to one of the top Occupational Therapy (OT) programs in the nation, boasting a 99% graduation rate since 2020. Recently, EKU ranked No. 22 in Best Occupational Therapy Programs for 2024 Best Health Schools by U.S. News & World Report, moving up from a previous No. 29 position. The […]
Taking Flight
Dili Sitanonth’s journey took her from Thailand, to Scotland, to Eastern Kentucky University, where she is thriving on the golf course and in EKU’s renowned aviation program. Sitanonth grew up in Bangkok, the capital city of Thailand. As a kid, she dabbled in ballet and piano, but soon discovered that her real passion was golf. […]
A Day in the Life: Student Fitness Instructor Julia Day Empowers Others
“You are capable of way more than you think,” Senior Julia Day says in the weekly strength circuit class that she teaches at Eastern Kentucky University’s (EKU) Recreation Center. As a group fitness instructor, Day fuels her goal to transform the fitness industry through her work and education at EKU. The exercise and sport science major […]
Students Choose EKU for Manufacturing Engineering
At the beginning of the fall semester, Eastern Kentucky University (EKU) welcomed its first cohort of students in the new manufacturing engineering program. The bachelor’s degree program—the first of its kind in Kentucky—prepares students for careers in the expanding manufacturing engineering industry. According to a Kentucky Council on Postsecondary Education report, engineering jobs in Kentucky are projected […]
Study Abroad Offers Transformative Experience for EKU Students
Through study abroad, EKU nursing major Jasmine Gaona shadowed the Red Cross and worked with patients in Mexico. Richmond native Charles Kokinda learned the German language. First-generation student Dustin Tucker explored World War II history in Europe. Studio art major Nomi Smith studied artwork and philosophies in Japan and brought home a new understanding of […]
Beyond the Classroom: EKU Students Stand Out in State Internships
Last summer, the Kentucky Energy and Environment Cabinet (EEC) in Frankfort hired more than a dozen interns from Eastern Kentucky University (EKU). “All of these students have sought out interdisciplinary learning and training, and they are great examples of how impactful internship opportunities can be for students,” said Dr. Stephen Richter, executive director of agriculture, […]
EKU Pre-Med Student Aspires to Serve Barbourville Community
In an effort to combat the severe healthcare provider shortage in the Commonwealth, Eastern Kentucky University (EKU) is seeking approval from the Kentucky General Assembly to pursue the establishment of an osteopathic medical program, bringing an affordable, public option for Kentuckians who aspire to become physicians and serve their communities. House Bill 407 passed the […]
EKU Mock Trial Headed to Nationals
Eastern Kentucky University’s (EKU) Mock Trial program is going back to nationals. EKU punched its ticket to the American Mock Trial Association’s (AMTA) Opening Round Championships in Chicago, Illinois, with a 5-3 record at the AMTA Regional Tournament hosted by the University of Dayton, Feb. 3-4, 2024. EKU narrowly missed out on a nationals bid last year, […]
EKU is Kentucky’s Manufacturing Hub
Kentucky may be best known for bourbon and horses. However, according to the Kentucky Cabinet for Economic Development, the state is the No. 1 producer of cars, light trucks and SUVs per capita, and in 2019, Kentucky exported more than $14.6 billion in aerospace parts and products. In a tournament presented by the Kentucky Association […]
A Day in the Life: Student Social Media Assistant Sarah Davenport
Eastern Kentucky University is highlighting the unique opportunities available for student employment positions through a series of Day in the Life articles. In this feature, senior public relations major and recreation and parks administration minor Sarah Davenport shares a first-person account of her experience working in social media with EKU’s Division of Communications and Brand […]
EKU Honors Student Earns National Award for Appalachia Research
Eastern Kentucky University’s (EKU) Honors Program has had more than 1,100 student presenters at the National Collegiate Honors Council (NCHC) annual meeting since 1990—a total exceeding that of any other university in the nation. Over the past decade, EKU students have earned two NCHC poster awards. Notably, at this year’s NCHC awards alone, EKU Honors […]
A Day in the Life: Student Wellness Assistant McCartney Derington Puts Passion Into Practice
Senior food and nutrition major, McCartney Derington, puts her passion for health and wellness into practice daily at EKU. Derington has been involved with the Student Food and Nutrition Association since her freshman year and was hired onto the Campus Recreation wellness team as a wellness peer educator last year. Over the summer, Derington was […]
“My Job is Cooler Than Your Vacation”
Not many people can honestly say that. But Nate Powell, ’08, is one of the fortunate few. Powell parlayed a lifelong love of the outdoors with a richly varied educational experience as a parks and recreation major at Eastern Kentucky University to create the career of his dreams. As a child growing up near Cincinnati, […]
Leading a Life of Service
By the time he served as president of his senior class at EKU, it was obvious that a bright future awaited the 1971 graduate. But, just four years earlier, he had arrived on the Richmond campus “somewhat shy,” as he continued to live at his parents’ nearby home. That reticence quickly faded as the mathematics […]
EKU Graduation Speaker Inspires Classmates with Call to Embrace Opportunities
Bradley Lackey, an honors graduate of Eastern Kentucky University (EKU), took center stage during the 2023 fall commencement ceremony, delivering an address that resonates with the essence of EKU’s renowned reputation as the School of Opportunity. Lackey began by recounting the moment that marked the start of his EKU journey. From his first steps on […]
EKU Commencement Speaker Motivates Graduates with Father’s Inspiring “No Fear!” Philosophy
Mackenzie Maawac and their father have shared a lifelong philosophy that instilled the importance of independence and strength. “No fear!”, a motto adopted by the pair, was inspired by Maawac’s favorite childhood movie. “We created this phrase because the original Mulan has been my favorite movie since I was a toddler,” said Maawac. “She always […]
Never Too Late: EKU Student Celebrates Graduation Just Before 60th Birthday
On Dec. 2, more than 1,300 Eastern Kentucky University (EKU) students will receive their degrees as they cross the graduation stage and celebrate their academic success. Among the diverse group of graduates is Diane Gentry, from Lexington, who will be finishing her education as she prepares to celebrate her 60th birthday. Gentry started working toward […]
From Studio to Startup
Ashley Norman, ’11, half of the husband-and-wife team that created Dirty South Pottery in Winchester, Kentucky, didn’t choose pottery as her profession. It chose her. Originally, Ashley came to EKU with plans to pursue nursing. That’s in sharp contrast to today’s career calling, where she sits contentedly at her pottery wheel, elbows deep in wet […]
A Day in the Life: Student Life Assistant Carson England Commits to Community and Leadership at EKU
Carson England, a senior from Paducah, Kentucky, has become a significant presence on campus, including being crowned as Eastern Kentucky University’s (EKU) 2023 Homecoming King! England actively participates in campus life through his involvement in the Sigma Nu fraternity, the Maroon Platoon student organization dedicated to school spirit, and serving as a Student Life and […]
Eastern Kentucky University School of Nursing Achieves 100% Pass Rate in Recent AASN Cohort
The Eastern Kentucky University School of Nursing announced a 100% pass rate in the National Council Licensure Examination (NCLEX) by the latest Associate of Applied Science in Nursing (AASN) cohort. “This accomplishment reinforces EKU’s commitment to meeting the needs of the Commonwealth’s workforce. We’re producing highly skilled nursing professionals who are equipped to meet today’s […]
Homeland Security Major Lands D.C. Internship
When disaster strikes—whether as a flood, wildfire, hazardous material incident, pandemic or other emergency—EKU’s Homeland security graduates stand ready to respond. Homeland Security senior Hannah Gabbard is already making a vast impact locally and nationally in her field of disaster management. While working as a technical support specialist with Jackson County Emergency Management, Gabbard produced […]
Letcher County Students Receive Scholarship to Attend EKU
Eastern Kentucky University (EKU) awarded 17 students the Bud Fugate Endowed Scholarship for Letcher County. An anonymous donor gave EKU $1.6 million to establish the scholarship in memory of Bud Fugate. Fugate, a native of Mayking, Letcher County, Kentucky, dreamed of attending college when he graduated high school but was unable to afford it. Instead, […]
EKU Crowns 2023 Homecoming King and Queen
Eastern Kentucky University (EKU) crowned the 2023 Homecoming king and queen, Carson England and Ainye Rogers, on Saturday, Oct. 14, 2023. England is a senior from Paducah, Kentucky, and represents the Maroon Platoon, EKU’s student organization dedicated to school spirit and cheering on the Colonels. Rogers is a senior from Frankfort, Kentucky, and was chosen […]
Proud Alumna and Mom Becomes EKU’s Biggest Fan
Throughout the football season, Eastern Kentucky University’s (EKU) Roy Kidd Stadium hosts thousands of Colonel fans. This year, one proud EKU alumna and mom, Kim Hatley, plans to attend every home game. She will be cheering for more than the football team, though. Kim’s son Caleb, who just started his freshman year at EKU, plays […]
EKU Graduate Partners with PayPal to Help Latino Students at EKU
As a first-generation college student from a single-parent household of Latino heritage, Ivan Olivas found a sense of community and began to envision the exciting possibilities while being a student at Eastern Kentucky University (EKU). Olivas became very involved with the Latinx community on campus through El Centro, which has grown to be a significant […]
A Day in the Life of Student Housing Representative Torrey White
Housing at Eastern Kentucky University (EKU) has been an integral part of student Torrey White’s Eastern experience. Beyond being her home away from home—like it is for many students—White also found a fulfilling student worker position with Housing & Residence Life. The senior homeland security and criminal justice double major has been working for housing […]
Four Generations of EKU Colonels
Eastern Kentucky University (EKU) has gone through many changes since the 1930s, including a few name changes, the addition of sports programs, rapid student enrollment growth, construction of several campus buildings and so much more. However, in that same amount of time, one thing that has stayed consistent is a family’s nearly 90-year history of […]
Gen. Rainey’s Four-Star Formula
Akron, Ohio native, Gen. James E. Rainey, ’87, came to EKU on a swimming scholarship—a decision he claims formed the launchpad for his successful career in the United States Army and marriage of 35 years with his wife, Tracy, ’88. “It all started here,” Rainey says about his time at EKU. “It’s where I fell […]
EKU Alumna Hannah Gentry Celebrates 101st Birthday
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 […]
Back-to-School: Innovative Elementary Education Programs Place More Teachers in Classrooms Across Kentucky
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 […]
A Day in the Life of Student Leader Ainye Rogers
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. […]
Meet EKU’s New Students
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 […]
A For Affordability
“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 […]
Movie Filmed at EKU Opens Doors of Opportunities for Students
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 […]
A Flood of Support
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 […]
Generosity of Donors Gives EKU Students a SAFE Haven
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 […]
Leading the Way for the Next Wave
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 […]
EKU Graduate Leading Operations at Louisville Airport
Megan Thoben, ’10, earned her degree in aviation management from Eastern Kentucky University (EKU) in just three years. Originally from Louisville, Kentucky, Thoben says EKU’s aviation program is what drew her to the school. “I had looked at several other programs across multiple surrounding states and decided on EKU for one big reason: the obvious […]
Colonel Works Alongside Legislator Serving Her Hometown
Jessica Overbay, senior political science major and pre-law and communication studies minor, is one of the Eastern Kentucky University (EKU) students selected for this year’s Colonels at the Capitol Internship Program (CCIP). CCIP interns spend Tuesdays and Thursdays at the Kentucky State Capitol working with state legislators. “The Colonels at the Capitol Internship Program has […]
Colonel Community Provides Support for Student Parent to Achieve Career Goals
Times-Tribune Reporter, Christen Gibson, ’22, attributes her success to the Colonel community and the resources made available to her as she balanced life as a full-time student, an Eastern Progress employee and a mother of two children. Prior to coming to EKU, Gibson attended community college on and off for eight years. When she decided […]
Quadruplets Share Together in Unique EKU Experiences
Within minutes of each other, quadruplets Emma, Kobe, Griffin and Luke Staude were born on January 26, 2003. “We shared a lot,” Luke said of the quadruplet experience. Now the quadruplets are sharing together in the Eastern experience, although each with unique and differing interests. Emma, the first born of the four, is a broadcasting and […]
EKU Provides a Foundation for Success in the Colonels at the Capitol Internship Program
The Colonels at the Capitol Internship Program (CCIP) allows Eastern Kentucky University (EKU) students the opportunity to gain hands-on knowledge of the state’s political process while developing professional skills through research, communication and networking. Participants work alongside Kentucky legislators, spending Tuesdays and Thursdays at the Kentucky State Capitol in Frankfort throughout the spring semester. One […]
Student Lands Internship at the Nation’s Capitol After Completing State Capitol Internship
Eastern Kentucky University (EKU) risk management and insurance major, Rylee Meachum, is one of this year’s selected participants for the Colonels at the Capitol Internship Program (CCIP). Throughout this semester, the Harlan, Kentucky native has spent Tuesdays and Thursdays interning under Representative Ashley Tackett Laferty at the Kentucky State Capitol. Laferty graduated from EKU in […]
Commencement Speaker Found Her Passion at EKU
When Haley Snell first stepped onto the Campus Beautiful, the landscape reeled her into attending Eastern Kentucky University. Now an EKU graduate, Snell looked back on her time at the university and the changes she went through as an undergraduate. “When I got here, I was a scared, timid freshman. I was overwhelmed and anxious […]
Political Science and English Double Major Gains Experience for a Career in Politics
Eastern Kentucky University (EKU) junior Zachary Weston has spent Tuesdays and Thursdays of the spring semester at the Kentucky State Capitol. Through the Colonels at the Capitol Internship Program (CCIP), Weston works under Representative Bobby McCool. McCool is a 1991 EKU graduate with a bachelor’s degree in education. Weston, a political science and English double […]
Graduate Finds Success in Management Information Systems
Joe Skinner, ’11, joined the workforce immediately after graduation, starting in an information technology leadership program through Fifth Third Bank in Cincinnati. In this program, Skinner had the opportunity to work in different positions every six months for two years. After completing the program, he received a job placement as a database administrator for the […]
EKU Commencement Speaker Fulfills Ambitious Educational Goal
Now EKU graduate, Kaitlin Coyle, set out to pursue three majors when she first enrolled as a freshman. Coyle’s driving motivational force to achieve her educational goals came from a phrase her mother said to her growing up, “La educación es la mejor herencia que los padres pueden dar a sus hijos.” The phrase translates […]
Scholars Tank Awards The Vintage Tailor $5,000
With the same concept as the “Shark Tank” reality TV series, Eastern Kentucky University’s Scholars Tank offers students the opportunity to present their business ideas in front of “sharks” and compete for a $5,000 award. On April 13, as part of the university’s annual Scholars Week, five groups of students pitched their proposals within a […]
Colonel Earns Bachelor’s Degree in Business in Two Years at 19 Years Old
At spring commencement ceremonies on May 12, Eastern Kentucky University (EKU) recognized more than 2,000 graduates from the Class of 2023. Chia Hui Ouyang, who goes by Joanna, was this spring’s youngest graduate at 19 years old. Ouyang earned her degree in two years after starting her collegiate career at 17 years old. During the […]
EKU Public Health Grad Helps Save Lives by Bringing Resources to Communities Across the Commonwealth
With a service mentality, Chase Barnes, ’15 ’22, travels across Kentucky providing resources to prevent drug overdoses as the harm reduction program manager for the Kentucky Department for Public Health. Barnes chose EKU for the small class sizes and affordability. After he graduated with his bachelor of science in public health, the support from faculty […]
Colonel Gains an Inside Look of Politics Through Colonels at the Capitol Internship Program
Carley Frost, junior political science and criminal justice major, pre-law minor, is one of this year’s participants in the Colonels at the Capitol Internship Program. Through this experience, Frost has gained knowledge about the behind-the-scenes work of legislative processes, as well as helpful life and career skills. “I’ve learned how important relationships are, especially in […]
Four-Star Gen. Rainey Receives Honorary Doctorate during EKU Spring 2023 Commencement
Eastern Kentucky University (EKU) recognized Four-Star Gen. James E. Rainey for his distinguished service to the public with an honorary Doctor of Laws (LL.D) degree during EKU’s spring commencement ceremony on May 12. Rainey, ’87, came to EKU on a swimming scholarship, then became involved with Army ROTC. While at EKU, he also met his wife […]
Colonel Returns to EKU after 38 Years to Finish Degree
Eastern Kentucky University is holding spring commencement ceremonies on Friday, May 12. 60-year-old Randy Carpenter will graduate with an associate degree in general studies in pursuit of his lifelong learning ambitions. “I first came to EKU in fall of 1982,” Carpenter said. “However, I didn’t make college my top priority, so my grades suffered. I […]
Criminal Justice Program Helped Prepare Student for Colonels at the Capitol Internship
Students in Eastern Kentucky University’s Colonels at the Capitol Internship Program (CCIP) gain hands-on knowledge of the state’s political process while developing professional skills through research, communication and networking. Layla Alzatout, one of this year’s interns, spends two days a week at the Kentucky State Capitol working with Representative Keturah Herron. Herron graduated from EKU […]
EKU Colonel Named 2023 Kentucky Mother of the Year
Katina Alami, ’11, was chosen as the 2023 Kentucky Mother of the Year. Katina, a mother to seven adoptive children, is the 70th woman to be honored as Mother of the Year in Kentucky. “I am humbled and honored to be selected as the 2023 Kentucky Mother of the Year. Motherhood isn’t easy, and this […]
Student Gains Competitive Edge by Participating in Colonels at the Capitol Internship
The Colonels at the Capitol Internship Program (CCIP) allows Eastern Kentucky University (EKU) students the opportunity to gain hands-on knowledge of the state’s political process while developing professional skills through research, communication and networking. Participants work alongside Kentucky legislators, spending Tuesdays and Thursdays at the Kentucky State Capitol in Frankfort throughout the spring semester. Somerset, […]
Students Share Research During Scholars Week
Every April, Eastern Kentucky University hosts Scholars Week, a time when faculty and students celebrate, showcase and promote their academic achievements within the EKU community. Events range from presentations to Scholars Tank, offering students the opportunity to demonstrate and expand upon what they’ve learned in the classroom. Kaitlin Coyle, a senior triple major in broadcasting […]
A Day in the Life of Student Photographer Emma Watson
EKU’s Emma Watson works her magic behind the camera lens to capture stunning photographs of the Campus Beautiful. The sophomore studying elementary education has been working as a student photographer, alongside University Photographer Carsen Bryant, for a little over a year. “Photography is something I have always been interested in. There are so many things […]
EKU Students Present Research at Harvard During the National Collegiate Research Conference
EKU students from the College of Health Sciences traveled to Harvard University for the National Collegiate Research Conference (NCRC) in January. It marked the first time that students from EKU attended the conference to present research from their respective majors. According to the NCRC website, the conference aims to address the need for a cohesive […]
STEM Goes Red Events Inspire Young Women
A one-day event at Eastern Kentucky University opened many doors of opportunity for now-freshman Haley Thacker. As a high school senior, Thacker attended STEM Goes Red on EKU’s campus. As a result, she received the Carol Barr Fund Scholarship, established in honor of U.S. Congressman Andy Barr’s late wife to support young women in Eastern […]
Scholars Week Features Student Research
Annually in April, the Eastern Kentucky University Scholars Week promotes a culture of scholarship, research and creative endeavors through several events and showcases. This year, Scholars Week takes place from April 3-14, 2023. One student’s research on the importance of socialization for children with disabilities was showcased on April 12 as part of the 21st […]
A Day in the Life of Student Video Production Assistant Joseph Becher
Broadcasting and electronic media senior, Joseph Becher, has seen firsthand how Eastern Kentucky University is not only the School of Opportunity, but also the Employer of Choice. Becher works for EKU’s Division of Communications and Brand Management (CBM) as a student video production assistant. Becher first started working for CBM in September 2021, at the […]
EKU STEM Grad Develops Future Habitation Systems at NASA
As a young child, Tracie Prater, ’06, tagged along to EKU classes with her mom, who was then pursuing a master’s degree. From an early age, Prater’s favorite subjects included science, math and space. While attending classes at EKU the summer of her junior year—this time through the Governor’s Scholars Program—Prater studied engineering for the […]
A Day in the Life of Student Writer Christian Bustos
Eastern Kentucky University Colonels have probably seen Christian Bustos around the Campus Beautiful and his photo on EKU’s publications and website. Bustos, a first generation senior, broadcasting and electronic media major, started getting involved with numerous EKU promotional photoshoots in the summer of 2022 before becoming a university brand ambassador and an intern for EKU’s […]
Double Major Grad Works Double Time for Social Change
McKenna Revel, ’17, loved the academic freedom of being able to study multiple majors during her time at Eastern Kentucky University. Now, she’s living out her passions as both a legal assistant in Lexington and executive director of the Homeless Coalition in Montgomery County. When she started searching for colleges that would be best suited […]
EKU Students Earn Top Rankings for Scientific Research Presentations
Three Eastern Kentucky University students ranked among the top scorers for research presentations given at the Kentucky Academy of Science’s 2022 Annual Meeting in November. More than 700 students and professional scientists from across the state attended the annual meeting, which was held Nov. 10-12, at Morehead State University. Panels of scientists who judged students’ […]
EKU Colonel Helps Protect the Planet as Miss Earth USA
Richmond native and public relations graduate, Danielle Mullins, ’20, started out in the pageant world as a young girl who loved glamor. On Jan. 8, Mullins was crowned Miss Earth USA 2023. “With a personal mission to serve and empower others, I realized that pageantry is an opportunity to fulfill my life’s purpose and kept […]
Social Work Master’s Grad Inspires Others
Eastern Kentucky University held fall commencement ceremonies on Dec. 3, 2022, to celebrate over 1,200 students achieving their degrees. Students from this graduation class hail from 11 countries, 40 states and 94 Kentucky counties and range in age from 19 to 71. The 71-year-old graduate, Keri Baker, returned to EKU after a career in California […]
An Entrepreneur at Heart
Always having a knack for entrepreneurship, Josiah Stendel, ’22, started his business, Made You Look Media, when he was only 13 years old. His video agency has since grown into a local powerhouse, producing commercials and video content for companies like Chick-fil-A, Eventbrite and Duolingo. “I am really passionate about helping these brands grow and […]
EKU Alum Went From Professional Gamer to Investment Banker
David Ge, ’15, began his career in professional gaming, a passion that “was only fun when I had something to prove.” As he made his way to the top and the excitement waned, he came to EKU in his late 20s to pursue a degree in finance and insurance. Right out of school, an EKU […]
Collins named Chief of Police at EKU
Brandon Collins has been named chief of police at Eastern Kentucky University. A 2002 graduate of the university, Collins’ career began as a student worker for the EKU Police Department in 2001. Since then, he has climbed the ranks to serve in the department’s highest possible position. “I came to the university straight out of […]
EKU Students Engaged in Meaningful Experiences Abroad Thanks to Gilman Scholarship
Two Eastern Kentucky University students were awarded the Benjamin A. Gilman International Scholarship, a highly competitive education-abroad grant that receives thousands of applicants each year. Ximena Patino, EKU Honors Program junior majoring in nursing and Spanish, and Victoria Kay, junior early elementary major, were named recipients in March 2022. Over the past six years, a […]
Single-Parent Student Finds Home at EKU
On Oct. 26, 2022 the Richmond community was introduced to the Workforce Pathway at Kit Carson Commons, the newest housing development on Eastern Kentucky University’s campus. For 30 families, it’s more than just a housing development, it’s their home.Kit Carson Commons is a combination of a scholar and workforce development house geared toward providing affordable […]
Track Record of Excellence
Family. Love. Excellence. Those are some of the values held tightly by Pam Marshall and her staff at Marshall Pediatric Therapy. Putting those values into practice with each family the clinic serves is a daily goal for each member of the organization. It was a challenge getting to this point in the life of the […]
Graduation Speaker Cultivates Passion for Teaching at EKU
Coming from a large family, pursuing a career as a teacher felt like a natural fit for student Isabelle Orth. “My desire to teach may have come from my family, but my passion came from my time at EKU,” she said. Orth addressed graduates at EKU’s 2022 fall commencement ceremony for the College of Justice, […]
EKU Commencement Speaker Defies the Odds
Now EKU Graduate, Holdyn Morrow, dropped out of high school with a 1.2 GPA. Told by her high school’s administration that she should never consider pursuing a college degree, Morrow found opportunity and success at Eastern Kentucky University. “I was never exactly pushed by my rural school system to ever be anything more than the […]
EKU Alumna Fulfills Big Promise
It officially started in 2015. Momentum was built, milestones were reached and new initiatives generated excitement along the way. More than $60 million, 10,000 donors and seven years later, EKU’s largest comprehensive campaign — Make No Little Plans — finished over $10 million above its ambitious $50-million goal. The leader behind the success is philanthropist […]
Passion for the Outdoors Sparks a Rewarding Career
As a recreation and parks administration major at EKU, an internship at Red River Gorge fueled an interesting career path for Park Ranger Jordan Gibbs, ’09. Following graduation, several seasonal positions took him around the country, while he built an impressive resume and skill set. Among the highlights, the London, Kentucky, native patrolled trails of […]
The Future of Education
More than a century ago, Eastern Kentucky University was founded as a teachers’ college, with its purpose to train elementary school teachers. Throughout its history, EKU has evolved and vastly expanded into many other disciplines, but one constant still remains today: a long-standing tradition of excellence in teacher education. Many choose the path of education […]
EKU Veteran Dedicates Time Helping Other Student Veterans
April Bixler, ’14, Army veteran, dedicates her time to helping other student veterans while furthering her education. She served in the 101st Airborne Division at Fort Campbell, Kentucky, and Iraq twice, and was the only female officer in her battalion for two years. April received her master’s from EKU in safety, security & emergency management […]
EKU Alumni Recognized for Reporting and Writing Excellence
Eastern Kentucky University Alumna and Lexington Herald-Leader Reporter, Taylor Six, ’18, was named reporter of the year by CNHI, LLC, in March 2022 for reporting and writing excellence. CNHI, an American publisher of newspapers and advertisement-related publications, hosts a competition to recognize the best reporters, photographers and other staff members each year. After graduating from […]
EKU Alumnus and Four-Star General Visits Campus, Performs Enlistment Ceremony
Among the most notable alumni of Eastern Kentucky University, Gen. James Rainey visited the Richmond, Kentucky, campus Nov. 4-5. The weekend included a full schedule of events with Rainey, including an enlistment ceremony, as part of the university’s Military Appreciation Day. Rainey was recently promoted to four-star general and confirmed as commander of the United […]
Family Values: Education, Service… EKU
With education and service ingrained in their family values, father Choubert Rémy, ’89, and daughter Tarah Rémy, ’15, live their lives with purpose and passion. Originally from Haiti, the Rémy’s created a family legacy at Eastern. Choubert, a missionary, and Tarah, an intellectual property attorney, make meaningful contributions through their careers, carrying forward the Colonel […]