Thomas Fugate and the Legacy of Opportunity at Eastern Kentucky University
Eastern Kentucky University (EKU), recognized as the School of Opportunity, has a rich history of serving the Commonwealth by preparing students to make a difference in their communities. From its sesquicentennial anniversary marking 150 years of higher education on the Richmond, Kentucky campus, to its consistent ranking as a "Best Bang for the Buck College" by Washington Monthly, EKU continues to demonstrate its commitment to providing accessible and valuable education. This article explores how EKU is expanding opportunities for its students, particularly in fields like medicine, safety, and climate-smart agriculture, and celebrates the achievements of its alumni.
Expanding Healthcare Education: The College of Osteopathic Medicine Feasibility Study
EKU is actively exploring the establishment of a College of Osteopathic Medicine (COM) to address the growing healthcare needs in Kentucky. The university has launched a feasibility study to analyze the need for a public COM in the Commonwealth. If approved, this initiative would create more opportunities to prepare and retain healthcare professionals in Kentucky. The EKU College of Osteopathic Medicine Feasibility Study, conducted earlier this year, sought legislation that would allow the university to offer this program. This endeavor aligns with EKU's commitment to meeting the rising healthcare needs in the state by introducing a new and cost-effective medical education program.
Commitment to Safety: Wildland Firefighting and Conservation Law Enforcement Certificates
Recognizing the need for specialized knowledge in wilderness and outdoor safety, EKU’s Center for Wilderness and Outdoor Public Safety and the College of Justice, Safety, and Military Science are offering two new undergraduate certificates in wildland firefighting and conservation law enforcement. These certificate programs are designed to help students and professionals address the growing demands in these critical fields.
Advancing Climate-Smart Agriculture: Partnership with Mt. Folly Enterprises
EKU is collaborating with Mt. Folly Enterprises on a $5-million USDA Partnerships for Climate-Smart Commodities project. This initiative aims to move the region toward climate-friendly agriculture. Mt. Folly Enterprises is led by CEO Ben Pasley, an EKU graduate from the class of 2013. The USDA estimates the Partnerships project will significantly impact climate-smart practices.
Honoring Veterans and Military Service Members
EKU consistently ranks high in the Military Times Best for Vets: Colleges rankings. Eastern Kentucky University (EKU) ranks first in Kentucky in the 2023 Best for Vets: Colleges. Additionally, EKU came in as the No. 4 best college for military service members and veterans in Appalachia. According to Military Times, the Best for Vets: Colleges is the largest and most comprehensive annual ranking of schools for military service members. The university commemorated the newly relocated Veterans Memorial during a formal ribbon-cutting ceremony. The new Veterans Memorial in Carloftis Garden displays the American flag and the service flags to represent the branches of the military; a granite slate.
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Celebrating Student Success
EKU’s Honors Program has a strong presence at the National Collegiate Honors Council (NCHC) annual meeting. 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. Bradley Lackey, an honors graduate, delivered an inspiring address during the fall commencement ceremony. Lackey began by recounting the moment that marked the start of his EKU journey. Another graduate, Mackenzie Maawac, motivated graduates with her father’s inspiring “No Fear!” philosophy.
Alumni Achievements and Recognition
EKU alumni continue to make significant contributions in various fields, earning accolades and honors. The Distinguished Alumnus Award is given to alumni who have achieved distinction in their chosen field and have enriched the lives of others. The Outstanding Young Alumnus Award recognizes alumni whose achievements in career, public service, and volunteer activities have brought honor to Berea College. The Alumni Loyalty Award is given to alumni who have rendered outstanding service to, and demonstrated loyal interest in, Berea College. The Honorary Alumni Award is given to non-alumni in recognition of their outstanding service to, and demonstrated loyal interest in, Berea College. The Rodney C. Bussey Award of Special Merit is given to alumni who have been employed by Berea College and are recognized for their outstanding service, demonstrated loyal interest and extraordinary quality of work to the Berea College family.
Here's a glimpse into some notable alumni achievements:
- Steven Yates ('83) and Freida Outlaw ('68) received the Distinguished Alumnus Award.
- Akilah Hughes ('10) and Melvin Cowan ('06) received the Outstanding Young Alumnus Award.
- Luke Sulfridge ('03), Katy Sulfridge ('03), Rick Gunter ('67), David Nickel ('64), and Jennie Tallent Nickel ('65) received the Alumni Loyalty Award.
- Calvin Gross ('86) received the Rodney C. Bussey Award of Special Merit.
- Alix Heintzman ('09) and Rachel Saunders Carr ('08) received the Outstanding Young Alumnus Award.
- Charles Glenn Ihrig ('63) and John Combs ('69) received the Alumni Loyalty Award.
- Michael Berheide, Becky Berheide, and John Vanderstar received the Honorary Alumni Award.
- Al White ('81) received the Rodney C. Bussey Award of Special Merit.
- Clark Allison ('79) received the Alumni Loyalty Award.
- Rev. Kent Gilbert received the Honorary Alumni Award.
- Christopher Thomas Hayes (’06) received the Outstanding Young Alumnus Award.
- Jeff Reed, Lyle Roelofs, and Laurie Roelofs received the Honorary Alumni Award.
- Sharyn Richards Mitchell FD ’65 BC ’69 and Virgil Burnside ’74 & Dr. Jackie Grisby Burnside ’74 received the Rodney C. Bussey Award of Special Merit.
- Silas House received the Honorary Alumni Award.
- Janie Adams Frazier ('72) received the Alumni Loyalty Award.
- DeJuana L. Thompson (’05) and Vernon Johnson (’03) received the Outstanding Young Alumnus Award.
- Brenda Williams Guy (’79) and Elizabeth Culbreth (’64) received the Alumni Loyalty Award.
- Katherine Silver Kelly (’91) received the Outstanding Young Alumnus Award.
- Frances Nichols Rogers (’66) and Dr. P. Clayton (’61) and Dr. Linda Stewart Rivers (’62) received the Alumni Loyalty Award.
- Joshua Powell (’97) and Dr. Ronnie Nolan (’95) received the Outstanding Young Alumnus Award.
- Hilda Karlsson Roderick (’48) received the Alumni Loyalty Award.
- Corey Craig (’97) received the Outstanding Young Alumnus Award.
- Bill Bowman received the Honorary Alumni Award.
- Truman (’61) and Joyce Barnes Fields (’61) received the Alumni Loyalty Award.
- Dr. Richard Drake and Glennis Walker received the Honorary Alumni Award.
- George Wayne Eisenhour (’41) received the Alumni Loyalty Award.
- Molly Levey and Dr. Maureen Flannery received the Honorary Alumni Award.
- Charles and Annette Tinnin and Rev. Lee Morris received the Honorary Alumni Award.
- Ora Lee Hill received the Honorary Alumni Award.
- Marolyn Olson Dunlap (’52), Nelvia Lowe Hunt (’52), and William Allender (’43) received the Alumni Loyalty Award.
- Kathryn Dick Christopher (’28), Jessie Reasor Zander (’54), William S. Murphy A’29, (’33), and Roberta Larew Allison (’45) received the Alumni Loyalty Award.
- Charles Crowe (’70) received the Alumni Loyalty Award.
- Helena Jacobs Mink (’51) received the Alumni Loyalty Award.
- Dr. Charles Haywood (’49), Dean (’35) and Martha Colvard (’34), and L. T. (’41) and LaVerna McClure (’41) received the Alumni Loyalty Award.
- David (’55) and Joyce Loy Welch (’55) and Helen David Hieronymus (’46) received the Alumni Loyalty Award.
- Guy Wesley (’41) received the Alumni Loyalty Award.
- Lily Bennett McGinty (’36) and Jack and Ann Saylor Mullins (’40) received the Alumni Loyalty Award.
- Mildred Faulkner Dawn (’35), Lillie Mae Crouch Walters (’27), and James “Pop” Hollandsworth (’37) received the Alumni Loyalty Award.
- John Bill A’36, (’40) and Flora Allen (’40) received the Alumni Loyalty Award.
- Dr. Key L. Barkley (’26) and Dr. Hugh Mahaffey (’24) received the Alumni Loyalty Award.
- Dr. Badgett Dillard (’49) and M. Elizabeth Culbreth (’64) received the Distinguished Alumnus Award.
- Dr. Leonard Roberts (’39) and Harriet Simpson Arnow (’28) received the Distinguished Alumnus Award.
- Rubynelle Waldrop Thyne (’56) and Charles Counts (’56) received the Distinguished Alumnus Award.
- Dr. Robert R. Blake (’40) and Dr. James E. Colvard (’58) received the Distinguished Alumnus Award.
- Dr. James S. Burton (’58) and Dr. Dean W. Colvard (’58) received the Distinguished Alumnus Award.
- Dr. James S. Brown (’37) and Willie Fay Allen Spurlock (’30) received the Distinguished Alumnus Award.
- Earl G. Robbins A’28, (’32) and E.R. Brann (’42) received the Distinguished Alumnus Award.
- Dr. Ralph C. John (’41) and Dr. Dwight L. Blackburn (’49) received the Distinguished Alumnus Award.
- Dr. Edward B. Cooper (’30) received the Distinguished Alumnus Award.
- Dr. George W. McKinney Jr. (’42) and Rev. J. Clyde Wheeler (’34) received the Distinguished Alumnus Award.
- Dr. Stanley Wall (’38) received the Distinguished Alumnus Award.
- Dr. Charles G. Hamilton (’25) and Fred J. Burkhard (’35) received the Distinguished Alumnus Award.
- Irene Holcombe Clark (’36) and Dr. Charles E. Bishop (’46) received the Distinguished Alumnus Award.
- William B. Welsh (’49) and Dr. Raymond M. Cable (’29) received the Distinguished Alumnus Award.
- Rev. C. McCoy Franklin (’20) and Dr. Ralph W. Phillips (’30) received the Distinguished Alumnus Award.
- Dr. James M. Moler (’32) and Dr. A. C. Russell (’28) received the Distinguished Alumnus Award.
Commitment to Workplace Safety
EKU has earned the Kentucky Employers’ Mutual Insurance (KEMI) Destiny Award for workplace safety for five consecutive years. EKU is one of 25 recipients across the commonwealth to be recognized for its commitment to workplace safety with the Destiny Award. This consistent recognition underscores EKU’s dedication to maintaining a safe and healthy environment for its employees.
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