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.

History

Founding

EKU's earliest predecessor institution, Central University, was founded in 1874 in Richmond, Kentucky. Beset with financial difficulties and small enrollment, Central consolidated with Centre College in 1901. On March 21, 1906, the Governor signed legislation which established the Eastern Kentucky State Normal School No. 1. 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

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.

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:

Presidents

Presidents of the institution have included:

Academics

Accreditation and academic charge

The university is accredited by the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools. In 2010, the university awarded its first doctoral degree through its Educational Leadership and Policy Studies program. EKU serves its service region by offering adult degree completion options and online degree programs in addition to its traditional on-campus offerings.

Rankings and outcomes

Eastern Kentucky University has achieved national recognition, including mostly recently by the U.S. News & World Report 2022 rankings: EKU was also ranked by the 2019 Forbes Magazine America's Top Colleges: 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. 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. 61% of EKU graduates earn higher than a typical high school graduate of the corresponding area.

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. The first 34 students entered the program in 1988.

Athletics

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.

Media

WEKU

Launched in 1968, WEKU is a charter member of the educational radio network, National Public Radio (NPR). 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:

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.

Notable alumni