Eastern Kentucky University

Public university in Richmond, Kentucky, US

Eastern Kentucky University

Former names

| Eastern Kentucky State Normal School No. 1 (1906–1922)
Eastern Kentucky State Normal School and Teachers College (1922–1930)
Eastern Kentucky State Teachers College (1930–1948)
Eastern Kentucky State College (1948–1966)
Type| Public university
Established| 1874; 151 years ago (1874) (predecessor college)
1906; 119 years ago (1906) (current institution)[1]

Academic affiliations

| Space-grant
Endowment| $78.8 million (2022)[2]
President| David McFaddin
Provost| Sara Zeigler

Academic staff

| 563 full-time (spring 2022) and 410 part-time (spring 2022)[3]

Administrative staff

| 1,554 full-time[4]
Students| 15,673 (fall 2024)[5]
Undergraduates| 13,448 (fall 2024)[5]
Postgraduates| 2,225 (fall 2024)[5]
Location|

Richmond

Kentucky

United States

Colors| Maroon and White[6]

Nickname| Colonels

Sporting affiliations

* NCAA Division I \- FCS
* ASUN
* UAC

Mascot| Colonels
Website| www.eku.edu

Eastern Kentucky University (Eastern or EKU) is a public university in Richmond, Kentucky. It also maintains branch campuses in Corbin, Hazard, and Manchester and offers over 40 online undergraduate and graduate options.[7][8]

## History

[edit]

### Founding

[edit]

On March 21, 1906, Governor J. C. W. Beckham signed legislation which established the Eastern Kentucky State Normal School No. 1.[9] On May 7, 1906, the Normal School Commission selected the site of the former Central University campus as the location of this new college; EKU remains at this location today.

### Renaming

[edit]

In 1922, the Eastern Kentucky State Normal School No. 1 changed its name to Eastern Kentucky State Normal School and Teachers College, and the transformed college awarded its first degrees under that name in 1925. In 1930, the college changed its name again, becoming the Eastern Kentucky State Teachers College. In 1948, the General Assembly shortened it to Eastern Kentucky State College. In 1966, it was officially renamed Eastern Kentucky University.[citation needed]

### Campus revitalization

[edit]

The years between 2012 and 2020 were marked by a building campaign that altered the campus layout and improved aesthetics. Funding for the multimillion-dollar project relied heavily on public-private partnerships (P3) under the leadership of then-President Michael T. Benson. The construction efforts mark the most significant period of campus facility development since President Robert R. Martin's tenure in the 1960s. Among the renovations and additions are:

* Powell Student Center (2019–20)[10]
* New Rec Center (2019–20)[11]
* Case Dining Hall (2018)[11]
* New Gertrude Hood Stadium (Softball Field) (2017)[12]
* Scholar House (2017)[13]
* Turner Gate (2016)[14]
* John Grant Crabbe Main Library's Noel Reading Porch (2015)[15]
* Lancaster Avenue Pedway (2015/2017)[16]
* 1971 Verdin Carillon bells (Keen Johnson Building) (2014)[17]
* New Science Building (Phase I) (2012)[17]

### Presidents

[edit]

Presidents of the institution have included:[18]

No. | President | Term

|
|

1 | Ruric Nevel Roark | 1906–1909
2 | Mary Creegan Roark | 1909–1910
3 | John G. Crabbe | 1910–1916
4 | Thomas J. Coates | 1916–1928
- | Homer Cooper (interim) | 1928
5 | Herman L. Donovan | 1928–1941
6 | William F. O'Donnell | 1941–1960
7 | Robert R. Martin | 1960–1976
- | Julius Cherry Powell (interim) | 1975–1976
8 | Julius Cherry Powell | 1976–1984
9 | Hanley Funderburk | 1984–1998
10 | Bob Kustra | 1998–2001
- | Eugene Hughes (interim) | 2001
11 | Joanne Glasser | 2001–2007
- | Charles D. Whitlock (interim) | 2007–2008
12 | Charles D. Whitlock | 2008–2013
13 | Michael T. Benson | 2013–2020
- | David T. McFaddin (interim) | 2020
14 | David T. McFaddin | 2020–present

## Academics

[edit]

Commonwealth Hall at Eastern Kentucky University in 2011

### Accreditation and academic charge

[edit]

The university is accredited by the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools.[19] In 2010, the university awarded its first doctoral degree through its Educational Leadership and Policy Studies program.[1][20]

EKU serves its service region by offering adult degree completion options and online degree programs in addition to its traditional on-campus offerings.[8][21]

### Rankings and outcomes

[edit]

Eastern Kentucky University has achieved national recognition, including mostly recently by the U.S. News & World Report 2022 rankings:

* #52 (tie) in Regional Universities South (51st in 2021)
* #29 Best Graduate School – Occupational Therapy (29th in 2021)[22]
* #170 (tie) Best Graduate School – Public Affairs (166th in 2021)
* #189 Best Graduate School – Speech-Language Pathology (189th in 2021)
* #74 (tie) Best Online Bachelor's Programs (58th in 2021)
* #24 Best Colleges for Veterans (32nd in 2021)

EKU was also ranked by the 2019 Forbes Magazine America's Top Colleges:[23]

* #641 Top Colleges (637 in 2017 and 647 in 2018)
* #248 in Public Colleges (249 in 2017 and 250 in 2018)
* #160 in the South (172 in 2017 and 167 in 2018)[citation needed]

According to 2022 data from College Scorecard, Eastern Kentucky University graduates earn a median salary of $42,000 ten years after their entry into the institution.[24] The median salaries of graduates vary across disciplines, with criminal justice majors earning around $33,000, biology $40,000, psychology $35,000, nursing $65,000, and Computer and Information Science $72,000.[25] 61% of EKU graduates earn higher than a typical high school graduate of the corresponding area.[24]

### Honors program

[edit]

In 1987, the faculty senate voted to approve an honors program to attract high-achieving students primarily from Kentucky with approval coming from the board of regents the following year.[26][27] The first 34 students entered the program in 1988.[28]

## Athletics

[edit]

Main article: Eastern Kentucky Colonels

The EKU football team playing against the University of Louisville in 2013

The Eastern Kentucky (EKU) athletic teams are called the Colonels (formerly known as the "Maroons" until the mid-1960s). The university is a member of the NCAA Division I ranks, primarily competing in the ASUN Conference since the 2021–22 academic year; while its football team competes in the United Athletic Conference (UAC), with the conference having aspirations to go to the FBS level. The Colonels previously competed in the Ohio Valley Conference (OVC) from 1948–49 to 2020–21. EKU competes in 18 intercollegiate varsity sports: Men's sports include baseball, basketball, cross country, football, golf, tennis, and track & field; while women's sports include basketball, beach volleyball, cross country, golf, soccer, softball, tennis, track & field and volleyball.[29]

## Media

[edit]

### WEKU

[edit]

Main article: WEKU

Launched in 1968, WEKU is a charter member of the educational radio network, National Public Radio (NPR).[30] WEKU features NPR news and talk programming in addition to locally produced news, arts and cultural programming.

WEKU broadcasts across nine FM stations in Central and Eastern Kentucky:

* 88.9 FM Richmond /Lexington
* 90.9 FM Hazard
* 88.5 FM Corbin
* 90.1 FM Pineville
* 106.7 FM Frankfort
* 96.3 FM Harlan
* 96.9 FM Barbourville
* 95.1 FM Pikeville
* 102.5 FM Middlesboro[31][32]

### The Eastern Progress

[edit]

The Eastern Progress is the student-run media network at Eastern Kentucky University founded in 1922. The Eastern Progress produces a monthly print edition, online content, videos, photos, and podcasts. The Progress is housed in the School of Communication.[33]

## Notable alumni

[edit]

This section contains an excessive or unencyclopedic gallery of images. Please help improve it by removing unnecessary or indiscriminate images, and by moving relevant images beside adjacent text in accordance with Wikipedia's Manual of Style. (November 2024) (Learn how and when to remove this message)

|

Main article: List of Eastern Kentucky University alumni

* J. C. W. Beckham, governor of Kentucky and U.S. senator

* Eula Bingham, Assistant Secretary of Labor for Occupational Safety and Health Administration

* Leila Feltner Begley, former Secretary of State of Kentucky

* Elmer Begley, former Secretary of State of Kentucky

* Mike Harmon, former Kentucky Auditor of Public Accounts

* Mallory Ervin, Miss Kentucky 2009

* Sam Champion, weather anchor

* Earle Combs, MLB Hall of Fame, New York Yankees

* Lee Majors, Actor, The Six Million Dollar Man

* Roy Kidd, College Football Coach, College Football Hall of Fame

* Thaksin Shinawatra, Prime Minister of Thailand

* Danny C. Reeves, Chief Judge of the United States District Court for the Eastern District of Kentucky

* Gregory N. Stivers, Chief Judge of the United States District Court for the Western District of Kentucky

* Silas House, Novelist

* Ken Keen, Military Deputy Commander of United States Southern Command

## References

[edit]

1. ^ a b Great Journeys Begin Here. "About EKU | Eastern Kentucky University | Eastern Kentucky University". Eku.edu. Archived from the original on November 13, 2015. Retrieved October 26, 2015.
2. ^ As of June 30, 2022. U.S. and Canadian Institutions Listed by Fiscal Year (FY) 2022 Endowment Market Value and Change in Endowment Market Value from FY21 to FY22 (Report). National Association of College and University Business Officers and TIAA. June 30, 2022. Retrieved June 20, 2023.
3. ^ "College Navigator - Eastern Kentucky University".
4. ^ "EKU Fact Book". Eastern Kentucky University Institutional Research. 2015.
5. ^ a b c "CPE Interactive Data Center". Retrieved February 13, 2025.
6. ^ EKU Visual Identity (PDF). EKU. Archived from the original (PDF) on March 5, 2016. Retrieved October 26, 2015.
7. ^ "EKU Regional Campuses | Regional Campuses | Eastern Kentucky University". regionalcampuses.eku.edu. Retrieved September 30, 2024.
8. ^ a b "Accredited Online Degree Programs from EKU – Earn Your Degree Online – Online Degree Programs – – Eastern Kentucky University". eku.edu.
9. ^ "About" Eastern Kentucky University
10. ^ Barker, Ricki (August 18, 2017). "Eastern continues to expand its 'campus beautiful'". Richmond Register. Retrieved August 22, 2017.
11. ^ a b "New Residence Halls, Science Bldg. Phase 2 Open". EKU Builds. July 25, 2017. Retrieved August 5, 2017.
12. ^ "Renovations Begin For EKU Baseball & Softball Stadiums". Eastern Kentucky University Athletics. June 24, 2016.
13. ^ "Construction Begins On Scholar House | EKU Stories | Eastern Kentucky University". stories.eku.edu.
14. ^ "Gate Dream Come True For Turners | EKU Stories | Eastern Kentucky University". stories.eku.edu. Retrieved December 30, 2016.
15. ^ "Noel Reading Porch | EKU Libraries | Eastern Kentucky University". library.eku.edu. Archived from the original on December 29, 2016. Retrieved December 29, 2016.
16. ^ Eads, Morgan (January 17, 2017). "EKU pedway reopens months after being damaged in crash". Lexington Herald Leader. Retrieved August 5, 2017.
17. ^ a b Benson, Michael (May 2014). "The President's Report: May 2014" (PDF). EKU. Retrieved December 28, 2016.
18. ^ "A History of Leadership". President. Retrieved February 9, 2024.
19. ^ "Accreditation & Recognition". Eastern Kentucky University. Retrieved May 9, 2022.
20. ^ Eastern Kentucky University, EKU Undergraduate Catalog. 2007–2008. pg 6
21. ^ "Finish Your Degree – Eastern Kentucky University". eku.edu.
22. ^ "U.S. News Best Grad School Rankings". U.S. News. Retrieved September 13, 2017.
23. ^ "Eastern Kentucky University". Forbes. Retrieved August 25, 2019.
24. ^ a b "College Scorecard: Eastern Kentucky University". collegescorecard.ed.gov. Retrieved June 3, 2023.
25. ^ "Data Home | College Scorecard". collegescorecard.ed.gov. Retrieved July 1, 2023.
26. ^ "Faculty senate approves proposal for honors program". The Eastern Progress. November 5, 1987. Retrieved December 18, 2016 – via EKU Encompass.
27. ^ Marsee, Mike (January 21, 1988). "Honors program endorsed by board". The Eastern Progress. Retrieved December 18, 2016 – via EKU Encompass.
28. ^ Risner, Brent (September 1, 1988). "Honors program completes first week of curriculum". The Eastern Progress. Retrieved December 18, 2016 – via EKU Encompass.
29. ^ "EKU Athletics Site". EKU Sports. Retrieved July 18, 2023.
30. ^ "About". WEKU. Retrieved May 8, 2022.
31. ^ "About WEKU". WEKU About. WEKU-FM. Retrieved May 4, 2022.
32. ^ "Coverage Map". WEKU. Retrieved May 8, 2022.
33. ^ "EKU Magazine Spring 2022". March 28, 2022.

## Further reading

[edit]

* Ellis, William E., "A History of Eastern Kentucky University: The School of Opportunity" (2005). Higher Education. 10.

## External links

[edit]

Wikimedia Commons has media related to Eastern Kentucky University.

* Official website
* Official athletics website

* v
* t
* e

Eastern Kentucky University

Facilities|

* Alumni Coliseum
* Model Laboratory School
* Roy Kidd Stadium
* Turkey Hughes Field

Athletics|

* Eastern Kentucky Colonels
* Baseball
* Men's basketball
* Football
* Women's basketball

* v
* t
* e

Kentucky higher education

Early entrance to college|

* Craft Academy for Excellence in Science and Mathematics
* Carol Martin Gatton Academy of Mathematics and Science

Public universities|

* Eastern Kentucky University
* Kentucky State University
* Morehead State University
* Murray State University
* Northern Kentucky University
* University of Kentucky
* University of Louisville
* Western Kentucky University

Private colleges and universities|

* Alice Lloyd College
* Asbury Theological Seminary
* Asbury University
* Baptist Seminary of Kentucky
* Bellarmine University
* Berea College
* Brescia University
* Campbellsville University
* Centre College
* Clear Creek Baptist Bible College
* Frontier Nursing University
* Georgetown College
* Kentucky Christian University
* Kentucky Mountain Bible College
* Kentucky Wesleyan College
* Lexington Theological Seminary
* Lindsey Wilson College
* Louisville Presbyterian Theological Seminary
* Midway University
* Simmons College
* Southern Baptist Theological Seminary
* Spalding University
* Sullivan University
* Thomas More University
* Transylvania University
* Union Commonwealth University
* University of the Cumberlands
* University of Pikeville

Community and/or technical colleges|

* Ashland
* Big Sandy
* Bluegrass
* Elizabethtown
* Gateway
* Hazard
* Henderson
* Hopkinsville
* Jefferson
* Madisonville
* Maysville
* Owensboro
* Somerset
* Southcentral Kentucky
* Southeast Kentucky
* West Kentucky

Postsecondary education programs|

* Kentucky Council on Postsecondary Education

Authority control databases

International|

* ISNI
* VIAF

National|

* United States

Geographic|

* MusicBrainz place

Other|

* Yale LUX

37°44′2.9562″N 84°18′5.1631″W﻿ / ﻿37.734154500°N 84.301434194°W﻿ / 37.734154500; -84.301434194
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