R. David Shew
This past Thursday, Dr. David McFaddin spoke at the Richmond Chamber of Commerce about the State of the University at the Stratton Café. Below are some of the major accomplishments at Eastern Kentucky University.
Total enrollment is 15,969 included full-time and part-time students. There is 13,767 under graduates and 2,202 graduate students with a third of these being remote students.
Over 10,000 alums are living in Madison County. Currently, there are 1,848 students from Madison County which ranks first in Kentucky county enrollment at EKU. Financial aid in the amount of 6.7 million has been awarded to Madison County students. Overall, 50% of students graduate with no known debt.
According to McFaddin, the estimated annual economic impact to Madison County is $580 million. Eastern Kentucky University is the top employer in Madison County with 1,502 full-time and 567 part-time employees. Only 1,280 of these employees live in Madison County and amount to $113 million in Madison County wages.
EKU is estimated to attract approximately 349,000 people to Richmond yearly. There is a focus on adult learners at EKU too. There were 150 graduates last year who were over 50. Also, last year 47% degrees were awarded to students over 25.
McFaddin stated 100% of graduates with degrees in Nursing, Risk Management, and Global Supply Chain were placed in jobs. Aviation ranked between 98 and 100%. The Risk Management Program ranks #1 in the country. The Fire Engineering Safety Programs is one of three accredited programs as well.
The future looks bright for EKU too. The proposed College of Osteopathic Medicine was approved by the Legislature and awarded $8 million in startup funds and $42 million placed in escrow. The Aviation program is the only FAA-University Flight Program in the state. The program has 30 aircraft and is working to own 45 aircraft. In 2024, $25 million was approved for a new aviation building. In 2027, a new Air Traffic Management Program will begin to offer degrees. There is a shortage of 4,000 air traffic controllers currently in the country. EKU will be pursuing an Enhanced FAA Program too.
If you have driven down Lancaster Road lately, you may have seen the newest building coming to the EKU campus. The Model Laboratory School is projected to open in August 2028. In addition, $11.1 million has been secured from Transportation to build turn lanes on Lancaster Avenue.
On Friday night, the Most Exciting Night Event was held at Chenault Vineyard. Coach A.W. Hamilton introduced the Eastern Kentucky Basketball team to a huge crowd of supporters. Hamilton is excited about the group of players leading the Colonels this year.
Back are seniors Jackson Holt and Yvens Paul as well as junior Austin Ball. The Colonel basketball team has an international look this year with junior Shadrak Lasu from Canada, redshirt freshman Mouhamed Camara from Senegal, Omar Hamama from Israel, and Duje Dujmovic from Germany. There are other players to watch like junior 6’6” transfer guard Justin McCarter and junior 6’8” forward Josh Lowe.
The writer wishes AW, staff, and players nothing but success. Finally, thank you to Matt Hurt for providing the entertainment and thanks to Ken DeGrant for helping with the Live Auction. It was great to see everyone in attendance.
