Eastern Kentucky University Impact Report 2020-21

IMPACT REPORT

EKU ANNUAL GIVING 2020-21

Dear Friends:

Over the past year, I have had the privilege of witnessing alumni, friends and students come together in great numbers in support of Eastern Kentucky University. From the Colonel’s Cupboard virtual food drive, to joining together to establish funds in memory of loved ones, to our record-breaking Giving Day, our donors have stood with us all year long. In an undoubtedly difficult year for many in our university community due to the COVID-19 pandemic, your support has allowed us to not only continue supporting our students, but actually increase our donor and fundraising numbers.

In fiscal year 2021 we established the EKU Milestone Society, and since its inception, we have welcomed 3,065 donors into the society. The Milestone Society celebrates those who support EKU year after year. Your annual gift to EKU provides sustained opportunities and resources for our students and helps us continue our mission as a School of Opportunity.

In this report, you will discover impact stories made possible by our donors. Every dollar given helps and allows more students the opportunity to experience excellence. I hope as you read this report you’ll connect with the features we’ve included. These stories only begin to touch on the countless lives changed through donor support.

I’m looking forward to this semester, where we plan for life on campus to return to a sense of normalcy. I certainly hope we will see you on the Campus Beautiful soon!

Thank you for your dedication to EKU,

Betina Gardner Vice President for Development & Alumni Engagement

#GIVEBIGE 2021

Eastern Kentucky University’s Giving Day took place on Wednesday, April 14, 2021. On this day of celebration, the university community came together in a major way to make an impact in the lives of students. By midnight, the original donor goal of 1,000 was almost doubled as nearly 2,000 donors participated. In total, more than $325,000 was given in support of students.

During the course of the day, several new initiatives were established to benefit students. EKU President David McFaddin and his wife, Melissa, announced their Pay it Back to Pay it Forward campaign, designed to encourage EKU alumni who received scholarships to give back in support of future generations of Colonels. The McFaddins will make a gift equal to the total amount of scholarship money they each received while students at EKU. They encourage alumni to give what they can to help others have the opportunity to experience excellence at EKU.

John Williamson, superintendent of Model Laboratory School, provided a challenge gift to start the new Future Educators Scholarship for Model Alumni. More than 30 current and retired Model teachers and staff stepped up to secure Mr. Williamson’s $1,000 match to the new fund, which will provide an EKU scholarship to Model graduates who plan to pursue a career in education. Many Model alumni also participated in Giving Day by supporting the school’s development fund and scholarships.

When EKU reached 125 brand-new donors on Giving Day, EKU Board of Regents Chair Lewis Diaz and his wife, Becky, released a gift to support the Dinsmore Pre-Law Minority Program. The program will provide mentoring, career advice, interactive programming and financial assistance to area minority undergraduate students interested in attending law school after they earn their undergraduate degrees. Lewis Diaz is a partner at Dinsmore & Shohl, LLP, a firm committed to diversity, equity and inclusion.

Many additional challenge gifts were provided by the EKU Alumni Board, Foundation Board, President’s Cabinet, deans and generous individuals across the university community. To see more information about Giving Day 2021, including leaderboards, visit go.eku.edu/givingday. Please save the date for Giving Day 2022, which will take place on Wednesday, April 13.

Photo: Student Alumni Ambassadors placed flags in the Ravine to represent the number of donors who made gifts on Giving Day.

IMPACT STORIES

Hannah Wilkerson, ’22 University General Scholarship

Gifts to the University General Scholarship Fund directly support students in financial need. This fund is pivotal in providing scholarship money to many students who do not qualify for other scholarship opportunities. One such student this year, Hannah Wilkerson, is appreciative for this financial assistance in the pursuit of her degree. Your generosity has helped her as she works toward her dream of becoming an educator.

“I am honored to be chosen as the recipient of the University General Scholarship. I would like to thank you sincerely for your contribution to my educational experience. I am currently majoring in elementary education and working in an elementary school in my hometown. Educating young minds in the correct way is so significant,” said Wilkerson. “I work full time and commute to college; therefore, any assistance financially is always so greatly appreciated. I hope to represent this award well.”

Jacob Chesnut, ’21 College of Business

Thanks to donor support, the College of Business purchased textbooks for all Accounting (ACC) 441 students. For the Spring 2021 semester, there was no textbook cost to any student registered for the class. At a time when budgets have been strained due to the pandemic, this offered great relief, making students’ degrees a bit more affordable when help was needed the most.

“I would love to say thank you so much! Your generosity has taken one more financial burden off of my plate and the plates of my classmates in ACC 441,” said Jacob Chesnut, senior accounting major. “I am currently working 40 hours a week and taking 21 hours this semester. Amidst all of this stress, your generosity offered some calm in the storm. Thank you again.”

Students travel by the John Grant Crabbe Main Library's Noel Reading Porch.

College of Health Sciences

The opportunity to invest in faculty during a challenging year was made possible by College of Health Sciences donors. Faculty involvement is a major reason students have a great EKU experience and go on to have successful careers. Therefore, supporting faculty and investing in their careers is a priority. Your gifts allowed the college to give financial awards to four faculty members to use in their professional development. One of the recipients was Dr. Cindy Hayden, chair of the Department of Occupational Science and Occupational Therapy’s Curriculum Committee.

“I am grateful for the College of Health Sciences Development Fund. In a pandemic year when there were no professional development funds available, I was able to attend three professional conferences that greatly benefitted me and the faculty in the Department of Occupational Science and Occupational Therapy,” said Hayden. “Attending all three conferences empowered me to retain my national occupational therapy registration (OTR) and certified hand therapy designation (CHT). I sincerely appreciate the funding that enabled me to continue practicing the art and science of being an occupational therapist and occupational therapy educator at Eastern Kentucky University.”

Dr. Cindy Hayden teaches an occupational therapy class.

Molly Muncy, ’23

College of Education and Applied Human Sciences

Those who gave in support of the College of Education and Applied Human Sciences helped a student build the courage to return to school. Having access to additional financial support makes obtaining a college degree more feasible for students who are not sure if they should keep going. You certainly helped Molly Muncy continue her journey of education so she can one day educate others.

“As a student with parents working full time, I am very blessed to see that this has taken a lot of stress off of my parents. Having the past year off due to dropping out, then rearranging my life to work harder and go to school, this scholarship has rewarded me with not only less financial stress but the enjoyment of working hard for my education,” said Muncy. “My goals are to become an elementary teacher and help young children love learning and enjoy coming to school. Not only that, but having an extra person to love and care for them outside of their home. This scholarship is helping me follow my dreams of teaching and helping others.”

Cyntoria Vaughn, ’20

College of Justice, Safety, and Military Science

Gifts to the College of Justice, Safety, and Military Science support the dreams of students who will one day graduate and give back to the community through their careers. The generosity of donors like you has supported criminal justice major and African/ African-American studies minor, Cyntoria Vaughn. Without donor support, Cyntoria may not have been able to finish her degree.

“There is no word in the English vocabulary that can express my gratitude. Yet thank you will have to do. When coming to Eastern to finish my degree in criminal justice, I had no idea of the family I was joining. The Colonel nation has taken me under its wing and guided me to new heights in my life,” said Vaughn. “None of this would be possible if I had not been selected as a scholarship recipient. Last year I ran out of Pell grants and I needed scholarships to help pay for school. Receiving a scholarship has become a major key to me finishing my education.”

College of Letters, Arts, and Social Sciences (CLASS)

Gifts to CLASS created the opportunity to support students financially, while also improving classroom spaces. Through an initiative organized by faculty and supported by Dr. Sara Zeigler, former dean of CLASS and current EKU Provost, CLASS purchased artwork directly from EKU art and design students to display in classrooms and common spaces around campus.

“Art can transform our spaces, inspiring students to linger, think, feel and learn,” said Zeigler. “Through this initiative, we bring beauty and inspiration to institutional spaces with art made by our current students, while at the same time paying them for their artwork and building their credentials.”

“All the proceeds from the sale went directly to the individual student artists,” said Melissa Vandenberg, associate professor in the art and design program and incoming director of the Giles Gallery. “Supporting creative scholarship here at Eastern not only offers immediate benefits to our innovative students, but makes the campus a more welcoming place."

Ivan Olivas, ’21 College of Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics (STEM)

The gift of education can change not only the trajectory of an individual student’s life, but also the lives of future generations. Ivan Olivas, a computer science and Spanish double major with the goal of becoming a software engineer, recognizes the power of higher education.

“Throughout my college journey, I have become president of the Latino Student Association and I also founded the first multicultural Greek organization on campus, Sigma Lambda Beta International Fraternity. In addition, I studied abroad in Argentina and Mexico. Through my education I have been able to gain a better understanding of the world we live in and also my life,” said Olivas. “As someone whose father was an alcoholic, whose grandfather committed suicide, and whose other grandfather was an orphan, I have been able to learn and understand how a lack of nurture, education and opportunity can affect an individual’s life. I have been able to understand how these faults transcend generations and create cycles of hardship and adversities. My education is a pillar in this generational paradigm shift. Thank you for contributing to making this possible.”

Josey Owens, ’21 I Read the News Today Ink and acrylic on Mylar

EKU Athletics

The energy and commitment of EKU student-athletes are supported by an unsung group of heroes whose contributions were even more apparent during the COVID-19 pandemic. The EKU sports medicine program was integral in the ability of EKU’s teams to compete during the 2020-21 season. Gifts to EKU Athletics and EKU sports medicine directly impact the lives of every student-athlete. The sports medicine program at EKU focuses on the whole healthcare of student-athletes, including nutrition, sports performance, mental health and orthopaedic injuries. Not only does the program help every student-athlete, it also produces some of the top professionals in athletic training and sports medicine across the nation.

"Our sports medicine staff and the graduates of our sports medicine program are leaders in the industry," said Jeff Carrico, assistant athletics director for sports medicine. "The impact that donors have made in helping us maintain EKU athletic training as a premier landing spot for emerging professionals is key as we serve our current student-athletes and produce professionals in the industry for the next generation."

Student-athlete Mikayla Logan with Katy Lefler, sports medicine trainer

Zachary Yates, ’22 Student Assistance Fund for Eastern

Zachary Yates is just one of the many students whose financial burdens have been made lighter through the Student Assistance Fund for Eastern (SAFE). Established in spring 2020, the fund continues to have a significant impact at EKU. As of July 2021, nearly 200 awards have been presented to students to assist with their medical expenses, transportation issues, and other emergencies. Yates applied for SAFE funding to help him pay for resources necessary in his classes, as well as to afford his internet bill and finish the Fall 2020 semester strong. He says, “I cannot thank the people who made this possible enough.

I work 25-30 hours a week typically, and I am a fulltime music major, which requires a lot of time. I am so thankful that I was able to get relief.”

EKU Libraries

EKU Libraries serve all students as the impact of the Libraries extends throughout all colleges and majors. From providing study spaces to making important resources available, donor funding helps the Libraries meet the evolving needs of Eastern’s students. Over the past year, support from donors has assisted in maintaining subscriptions to JoVE Core: Biology, a resource that provides video lessons to complement biology instruction; Business Expert Press, an important digital collection that provides business students with information written by experts in their fields; and The New York Times, which gives students access to current and historical news articles.

“Maintaining the digital collections, resources and subscriptions we provide to Eastern’s students is an important service—and one that makes a profound impact on the campus community. Access to this content complements the work students must complete throughout their courses and allows them meaningful practice in professional, scholarly research. Generous donor support allows us to continue offering these valuable materials to students both on and off campus,” explained Julie George, dean of Libraries.

Colonel's Cupboard

When the COVID-19 pandemic made the prospect of the Colonel’s Cupboard annual food drive more difficult, the Cupboard’s staff had to get creative. The food drive is essential to the Cupboard’s operations as many EKU students depend on the food pantry for their nourishment. The drive is also an anticipated event on campus as departments and student organizations typically compete to donate the most food. To meet the need, EKU staff members Dylan Bogard and Annabelle Leskinen partnered with University Development & Alumni Engagement to create the Colonel’s Cupboard Crowdfunding Challenge. They knew that 300 gifts at approximately $5 each would supply the funds needed to purchase food and supplies to get through the winter and early spring. During the November campaign, the goal was exceeded as more than 300 gifts totaling more than $10,000 were given in support of the Cupboard. Gifts were provided by students, alumni, EKU employees and friends throughout the university community, with EKU’s Department of Health Promotion and Administration contributing the most number of gifts from a campus department or organization.

“Our donors made it possible to stay open and meet numerous students’ needs, and we are incredibly grateful for them. So far this year, we were able to give out over 2,600 pounds of food, clothes and toiletries to EKU students in need—all thanks to our supporters,” said Leskinen, AmeriCorps VISTA and Colonel’s Cupboard education specialist.

Annabelle Leskinen in the Colonel’s Cupboard

Breanna Bowling, ’21 Bonnie Gray Society Endowed Fund

Established by alumni of the EKU Honors program and named for the program’s founder, the Bonnie Gray Society Endowed Fund provides support for students who participate in the distinctive Sidewalk U. trip each year. Donors to this fund help keep this opportunity affordable for students. From the Borderlands trip to Arizona and Mexico to the recent Virtual Voyages in the French Atlantic, the experience of Honors students is significantly enriched by this cultural opportunity.

“I attended the 2019 Sidewalk U. trip where I visited the border between the United States and Mexico. My experience really exposed me to the political, social and cultural issues surrounding immigration and gave me valuable insight to communityled initiatives to combat disparities, all while encouraging me to push the boundaries of what I thought my academic experience here at EKU would be like. I never dreamed that I would be able to afford such an immersive educational experience during my time at EKU, but Sidewalk U. gave me just that,” said Breanna Bowling, ’21, public health major and Honors program student.

The Gray Endowed Honors Program Fund, another donor-supported fund, was used to award 41 retention scholarships to Honors Program students who were experiencing financial insecurity during the 202021 academic year. These scholarships helped ensure that all 41 of the recipients were able to return to EKU for the fall 2020 semester to continue working toward their degrees, regardless of the challenges that they and their families were facing as a result of the pandemic.

To view a list of our inaugural Milestone Society donors, visit development.eku.edu/ milestonesociety

To watch student features and additional EKU Impact Report video content, visit go.eku.edu/Impact21