View source for Eastern Kentucky University

{{Short description|Public university in Richmond, Kentucky, US}}
{{Use American English|date=September 2025}}
{{Use mdy dates|date=June 2021}}
{{Infobox university
 | name                   = Eastern Kentucky University
 | former_names           = Eastern Kentucky State Normal School No. 1 (1906–1922)<br />Eastern Kentucky State Normal School and Teachers College (1922–1930)<br />Eastern Kentucky State Teachers College (1930–1948)<br />Eastern Kentucky State College (1948–1966)
 | image                  = Eastern Kentucky University seal.svg
 | image_upright          = 0.7
 | logo                   = Eastern Kentucky University wordmark.svg
 | motto                  = 
 | established            = {{start date and age|1874}} (predecessor college)<br />{{start date and age|1906}} (current institution)<ref name="eku.edu">{{cite web |author=Great Journeys Begin Here |url=http://www.eku.edu/about |title=About EKU &#124; Eastern Kentucky University &#124; Eastern Kentucky University |publisher=Eku.edu |access-date=2015-10-26 |archive-date=November 13, 2015 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20151113105518/http://www.eku.edu/about |url-status=dead}}</ref>
 | type                   = [[Public university]]
 | academic_affiliations  = [[National Space Grant College and Fellowship Program|Space-grant]]
 | endowment              = $78.8 million (2022)<ref>As of June 30, 2022. {{cite report |url=https://www.nacubo.org/-/media/Nacubo/Documents/research/2022-NTSE-Public-Tables--Endowment-Market-Values--FINAL.ashx |title=U.S. and Canadian Institutions Listed by Fiscal Year (FY) 2022 Endowment Market Value and Change in Endowment Market Value from FY21 to FY22 |publisher=National Association of College and University Business Officers and [[TIAA]] |date=June 30, 2022 |access-date=June 20, 2023}}</ref>
 | president              = David McFaddin
 | provost                = Sara Zeigler
 | students               = 15,673 (fall 2024)<ref name=CPE>{{Cite web|title=CPE Interactive Data Center|url=https://reports.ky.gov/t/CPE/views/KentuckyPostsecondaryEducationInteractiveDataDashboard/Navigation?%3AshowAppBanner=false&%3Adisplay_count=n&%3AshowVizHome=n&%3Aorigin=viz_share_link&%3AisGuestRedirectFromVizportal=y&%3Aembed=y|access-date=2025-02-13}}</ref>
 | undergrad              = 13,448 (fall 2024)<ref name="CPE"/>
 | postgrad               = 2,225 (fall 2024)<ref name="CPE"/>
 | city                   = [[Richmond, Kentucky]]
 | country                = United States
 | colors                 = Maroon and White<ref>{{cite book |url=http://www.prm.eku.edu/publications/eku_visual_identity.pdf |title=EKU Visual Identity |publisher=EKU |access-date=2015-10-26 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160305102703/http://www.prm.eku.edu/publications/eku_visual_identity.pdf |archive-date=2016-03-05 |url-status=dead}}</ref><br />{{color box|#5E213B}}&nbsp;{{color box|#FFFFFF}}
 | nickname               = [[Eastern Kentucky Colonels|Colonels]]
 | mascot                 = [[Eastern Kentucky Colonels|Colonels]]
 | sporting_affiliations  = {{hlist|[[NCAA Division I]] - [[NCAA Division I Football Championship Subdivision|FCS]]|[[Atlantic Sun Conference|ASUN]]|[[United Athletic Conference|UAC]]}}
 | website                = {{URL|www.eku.edu}}
 | faculty                = 563 full-time (spring 2022) and 410 part-time (spring 2022)<ref name="nces.ed.gov">{{cite web|url=https://nces.ed.gov/collegenavigator/?q=Eastern+Kentucky&s=all&id=156620|title=College Navigator - Eastern Kentucky University}}</ref>
 | administrative_staff   = 1,554 full-time<ref name="EKU IR">{{cite web |title=EKU Fact Book |year=2015 |publisher=Eastern Kentucky University Institutional Research |url=http://ir.eku.edu/sites/ir.eku.edu/files/files/Fast%20Facts%20Brochure%2015-16.pdf/}}</ref>
}}

'''Eastern Kentucky University''' ('''Eastern''' or '''EKU''') is a [[public university]] in [[Richmond, Kentucky]], United States. It also maintains branch campuses in [[Corbin, Kentucky|Corbin]], [[Hazard, Kentucky|Hazard]], and [[Manchester, Kentucky|Manchester]] and offers over 40 online undergraduate and graduate options.<ref>{{Cite web |title=EKU Regional Campuses {{!}} Regional Campuses {{!}} Eastern Kentucky University |url=https://regionalcampuses.eku.edu/ |access-date=2024-09-30 |website=regionalcampuses.eku.edu}}</ref><ref name="EKU Online Degree Programs">{{cite web|url=http://ekuonline.eku.edu/|title=Accredited Online Degree Programs from EKU – Earn Your Degree Online – Online Degree Programs – – Eastern Kentucky University|work=eku.edu}}</ref>

==History==

=== Founding ===
On March 21, 1906, [[Governor of Kentucky|Governor]] [[J. C. W. Beckham]] signed legislation which established the '''Eastern Kentucky State Normal School No. 1'''.<ref>[https://www.eku.edu/about/ "About" Eastern Kentucky University]</ref> On May 7, 1906, the [[Normal School]] Commission selected the site of the former [[Central University (Kentucky)|Central University]] campus as the location of this new college; EKU remains at this location today.

=== Renaming ===
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|date=November 2022}}

=== Campus revitalization ===
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:
{{div col|colwidth=30em}}
*Powell Student Center (2019–20)<ref>{{cite news|url=http://www.richmondregister.com/news/eastern-continues-to-expand-its-campus-beautiful/article_c1bd178e-847c-11e7-ab28-e3bcbbf4d453.html|title=Eastern continues to expand its 'campus beautiful'|last=Barker|first=Ricki|date=August 18, 2017|work=Richmond Register|access-date=August 22, 2017}}</ref>
*New Rec Center (2019–20)<ref name="ekubuilds.eku.edu">{{cite web|url=http://ekubuilds.eku.edu/posts/new-residence-halls-science-bldg-phase-2-open|title=New Residence Halls, Science Bldg. Phase 2 Open|date=July 25, 2017 <!-- - 4:53pm --> |website=EKU Builds|access-date=August 5, 2017}}</ref>
*Case Dining Hall (2018)<ref name="ekubuilds.eku.edu"/>
*New Gertrude Hood Stadium (Softball Field) (2017)<ref>{{cite web|url=https://ekusports.com/news/2016/6/23/renovations-begin-for-eku-baseball-softball-stadiums.aspx|title=Renovations Begin For EKU Baseball & Softball Stadiums|website=Eastern Kentucky University Athletics|date=June 24, 2016 }}</ref>
*Scholar House (2017)<ref>{{cite web|url=https://stories.eku.edu/students/construction-begins-scholar-house|title=Construction Begins On Scholar House &#124; EKU Stories &#124; Eastern Kentucky University|website=stories.eku.edu}}</ref>
*Turner Gate (2016)<ref>{{cite web|url=http://stories.eku.edu/events/gate-dream-come-true-turners|title=Gate Dream Come True For Turners {{!}} EKU Stories {{!}} Eastern Kentucky University|website=stories.eku.edu|access-date=2016-12-30}}</ref>
*John Grant Crabbe Main Library's Noel Reading Porch (2015)<ref>{{cite web|url=http://library.eku.edu/readingporch|title=Noel Reading Porch {{!}} EKU Libraries {{!}} Eastern Kentucky University|website=library.eku.edu|access-date=2016-12-29|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20161229170907/http://library.eku.edu/readingporch|archive-date=2016-12-29|url-status=dead}}</ref>
*Lancaster Avenue Pedway (2015/2017)<ref>{{cite news|url=http://www.kentucky.com/news/state/article126948204.html|title=EKU pedway reopens months after being damaged in crash|last=Eads|first=Morgan|date=January 17, 2017<!-- 8:41 AM-->|work=Lexington Herald Leader|access-date=August 5, 2017}}</ref>
*1971 Verdin Carillon bells (Keen Johnson Building) (2014)<ref name="auto">{{cite web|url=http://president.eku.edu/sites/president.eku.edu/files/files/Presidents-Report-May%202014.pdf|title=The President's Report: May 2014|last=Benson|first=Michael|date=May 2014|website=EKU|access-date=December 28, 2016}}</ref>
*New Science Building (Phase I) (2012)<ref name="auto"/>
{{div col end}}

=== Presidents ===
Presidents of the institution have included:<ref>{{Cite web |title=A History of Leadership |url=https://www.eku.edu/president/history-leadership/ |access-date=2024-02-09 |website=President |language=en-US}}</ref>
{|class="wikitable"
|-
! 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 (Educator)|Thomas J. Coates]] || 1916–1928
|-
| - || [[Homer Cooper]] (interim)|| 1928
|-
| 5 || [[Herman L. Donovan]] || 1928–1941 
|-
| 6 || [[William F. O'Donnell (Educator)|William F. O'Donnell]] || 1941–1960
|-
| 7 || [[Robert R. Martin (educator)|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 (educator)|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==
===Rankings===
{{Infobox US university ranking
| Forbes =
| USNWR_NU = 329 (tie)
| USNWR_W =
| Wamo_NU =
| THE_WSJ =
}}

{| class="wikitable floatright sortable collapsible"; text-align:right; font-size:80%;"
|+ style="font-size:90%" |Undergraduate demographics as of Fall 2023<ref>{{cite web |title= College Scorecard: Eastern Kentucky University|url=https://collegescorecard.ed.gov/school?156620-Eastern-Kentucky-University|website=College Scorecard |publisher=[[United States Department of Education]] |access-date=July 27, 2025}}</ref>
|-
! Race and ethnicity
! colspan="2" data-sort-type=number |Total
|-
| [[Non-Hispanic whites|White]]
|align=right| {{bartable|80|%|2||background:cyan}}
|-
| [[African Americans|Black]]
|align=right| {{bartable|7|%|2||background:purple}}
|-
| [[Hispanic and Latino Americans|Hispanic]]
|align=right| {{bartable|6|%|2||background:green}}
|-
| [[Multiracial Americans|Two or more races]]
|align=right| {{bartable|5|%|2||background:violet}}
|-
| [[Asian Americans|Asian]]
|align=right| {{bartable|1|%|2||background:orange}}
|-
| [[International student]]
|align=right| {{bartable|1|%|2||background:#008080}}
|-
| Unknown
|align=right| {{bartable|1|%|2||background:grey}} 
|-
! colspan="4" data-sort-type=number |[[Economic diversity]]
|-
| [[American lower class|Low-income]]{{efn|The percentage of students who received an income-based federal [[Pell grant]] intended for low-income students.}}
|align=right| {{bartable|41|%|2||background:red}}
|-
| [[Affluence in the United States|Affluent]]{{efn|The percentage of students who are a part of the [[American middle class]] at the bare minimum.}}
|align=right| {{bartable|59|%|2||background:black}}
|}
[[File:Commonwealth Hall at Eastern Kentucky University.jpg|thumb|Commonwealth Hall at Eastern Kentucky University in 2011]]

=== Accreditation and academic charge ===
The university is [[Higher education accreditation in the United States|accredited]] by the [[Southern Association of Colleges and Schools]].<ref>{{cite web |title=Accreditation & Recognition |url=https://finish.eku.edu/accreditation-recognition |access-date=2022-05-09 |website= |publisher=Eastern Kentucky University}}</ref> In 2010, the university awarded its first doctoral degree through its Educational Leadership and Policy Studies program.<ref name="eku.edu" /><ref>Eastern Kentucky University, EKU Undergraduate Catalog. 2007–2008. pg 6</ref>

EKU serves its service region by offering adult degree completion options and online degree programs in addition to its traditional on-campus offerings.<ref name="EKU Online Degree Programs" /><ref>{{cite web |title=Finish Your Degree – Eastern Kentucky University |url=http://finish.eku.edu/ |work=eku.edu}}</ref>

===Rankings and outcomes===
Eastern Kentucky University has achieved national recognition, including mostly recently by the ''[[U.S. News & World Report Best Colleges Ranking|U.S. News & World Report]]'' 2022 rankings:
* #52 (tie) in Regional Universities South (51st in 2021)
* #29 Best Graduate School &ndash; Occupational Therapy (29th in 2021)<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.usnews.com/best-graduate-schools/eastern-kentucky-university-156620/overall-rankings|title=U.S. News Best Grad School Rankings|website=U.S. News|access-date=September 13, 2017}}</ref>
* #170 (tie) Best Graduate School &ndash; Public Affairs (166th in 2021)
* #189 Best Graduate School &ndash; 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's List of America's Best Colleges|''Forbes'' Magazine]] America's Top Colleges:<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.forbes.com/colleges/eastern-kentucky-university/?list=top-colleges/#4309f046f074|title=Eastern Kentucky University|website=Forbes|access-date=August 25, 2019}}</ref>

* #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|date=November 2022}}
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.<ref name=":4">{{Cite web |title=College Scorecard: Eastern Kentucky University |url=https://collegescorecard.ed.gov/school/?156620-Eastern-Kentucky-University |access-date=2023-06-03 |website=collegescorecard.ed.gov |language=en}}</ref> 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.<ref>{{Cite web |title=Data Home {{!}} College Scorecard |url=https://collegescorecard.ed.gov/data/ |access-date=2023-07-01 |website=collegescorecard.ed.gov |language=en}}</ref> 61% of EKU graduates earn higher than a typical high school graduate of the corresponding area.<ref name=":4" />

===Honors program===
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.<ref>{{cite news|url=http://encompass.eku.edu/cgi/viewcontent.cgi?article=1010&context=progress_1987-88|title=Faculty senate approves proposal for honors program|date=November 5, 1987|work=The Eastern Progress|access-date=December 18, 2016|via=EKU Encompass}}</ref><ref>{{cite news|url=http://encompass.eku.edu/cgi/viewcontent.cgi?article=1016&context=progress_1987-88|title=Honors program endorsed by board|last=Marsee|first=Mike|date=January 21, 1988|work=The Eastern Progress|access-date=December 18, 2016|via=EKU Encompass}}</ref> The first 34 students entered the program in 1988.<ref>{{cite news|url=http://encompass.eku.edu/cgi/viewcontent.cgi?article=1001&context=progress_1988-89|title=Honors program completes first week of curriculum|last=Risner|first=Brent|date=September 1, 1988|work=The Eastern Progress|access-date=December 18, 2016|via=EKU Encompass}}</ref>

==Athletics==
{{Main|Eastern Kentucky Colonels}}

[[File:2013 Louisville - Eastern Kentucky - Ryan Hubble tackled (9723266075).jpg|thumb|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 [[Eastern Kentucky Colonels football|football team]] competes in the [[United Athletic Conference]] (UAC), with the conference having aspirations to go to the [[NCAA Division I Football Bowl Subdivision|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.<ref>{{Cite web |title=EKU Athletics Site |url=http://www.ekusports.com/ |access-date=2023-07-18 |website=[[EKU Sports]]}}</ref>

==Media==

===WEKU===
{{Main|WEKU}}
[[File:2020 WEKU Logo 600x600 AR01-02.png|thumb]]
Launched in 1968, [[WEKU]] is a charter member of the educational radio network, [[National Public Radio]] (NPR).<ref>{{Cite web |title=About |url=https://www.weku.org/about |access-date=2022-05-08 |website=WEKU |language=en}}</ref> 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, Kentucky|Richmond]] /Lexington
* 90.9 FM [[Hazard, Kentucky|Hazard]]
* 88.5 FM [[Corbin, Kentucky|Corbin]]
* 90.1 FM [[Pineville, Kentucky|Pineville]]
* 106.7 FM [[Frankfort, Kentucky|Frankfort]] 
* 96.3 FM [[Harlan, Kentucky|Harlan]]
* 96.9 FM [[Barbourville, Kentucky|Barbourville]]
* 95.1 FM [[Pikeville, Kentucky|Pikeville]]
* 102.5 FM [[Middlesboro, Kentucky|Middlesboro]]<ref name="WEKU">{{cite web |title=About WEKU |url=https://www.weku.org/about |access-date=May 4, 2022 |website=WEKU About |publisher=WEKU-FM}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |title=Coverage Map |url=https://www.weku.org/coverage-map |access-date=2022-05-08 |website=WEKU |language=en}}</ref>

===''The Eastern Progress''===
''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.<ref>{{cite web | url=https://issuu.com/easternkentuckyu/docs/2022_sp_magazine_mt14_issuu | title=EKU Magazine Spring 2022 | date=March 28, 2022 }}</ref>

== Notable alumni ==
{{Cleanup gallery|date=November 2024}}

{{Main article|List of Eastern Kentucky University alumni}}
<gallery>
File:BECKHAM, J.C.W. SENATOR LCCN2016858952 (cropped).jpg|[[J. C. W. Beckham]], governor of Kentucky and U.S. senator
File:Eula Bingham.jpg|[[Eula Bingham]], Assistant Secretary of Labor for [[Occupational Safety and Health Administration]]
File:Leila Feltner Begley.jpg|[[Leila Feltner Begley]], former [[Secretary of State of Kentucky]]
File:Elmer Begley.jpg|[[Elmer Begley]], former [[Secretary of State of Kentucky]]
File:Mike Harmon (cropped).jpg|[[Mike Harmon (politician)|Mike Harmon]], former [[Kentucky Auditor of Public Accounts]]
File:Mallory Ervin (cropped).jpg|[[Mallory Ervin]], [[Miss Kentucky]] 2009
File:Sam Champion 121121-G-OD937-141 (cropped).jpg|[[Sam Champion]], weather anchor
File:EarleCombsGoudeycard.jpg|[[Earle Combs]], MLB Hall of Fame, New York Yankees
File:Lee Majors 1973.JPG|[[Lee Majors]], Actor, [[The Six Million Dollar Man]]
File:Roy kidd.jpg|[[Roy Kidd]], College Football Coach, College Football Hall of Fame
File:Thaksin DOD 20050915 (crop).jpg|[[Thaksin Shinawatra]], Prime Minister of Thailand
File:Danny C. Reeves official photo.jpg|[[Danny C. Reeves]], Chief Judge of the United States District Court for the Eastern District of Kentucky
File:Gregory Stivers (cropped).jpg|[[Gregory N. Stivers]], Chief Judge of the United States District Court for the Western District of Kentucky
File:Silas House 2022 Texas Book Festival.jpg|[[Silas House]], Novelist
File:Maj Gen Ken Keen.jpg|[[Ken Keen]], Military Deputy Commander of United States Southern Command
</gallery>

==Notes==
{{noteslist}}

==References==
{{reflist}}

==Further reading==
* Ellis, William E., [https://core.ac.uk/download/pdf/232565168.pdf "A History of Eastern Kentucky University: The School of Opportunity"] (2005). Higher Education. 10.

==External links==
{{Commons category|Eastern Kentucky University}}
* {{Official website|https://www.eku.edu}}
* [https://ekusports.com Official athletics website]

{{Eastern Kentucky University}}
{{Kentucky Higher Education}}
{{Authority control}}

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[[Category:Eastern Kentucky University| ]]
[[Category:Universities and colleges accredited by the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools]]
[[Category:Universities and colleges established in 1906]]
[[Category:1906 establishments in Kentucky]]
[[Category:Public universities and colleges in Kentucky]]
[[Category:Richmond, Kentucky]]
[[Category:Education in Madison County, Kentucky]]