Eastern Kentucky University Impact Report 2021-22

IMPACT REPORT

EKU ANNUAL GIVING 2021-22

Dear Friends:

The past year has been one of celebration at Eastern Kentucky University. As the pandemic began to subside, campus came alive with the revival of traditions and events that were paused the prior year. From Homecoming and athletic events to the installation of President David T. McFaddin and commencement, the Campus Beautiful is once again bustling with activity. I hope you have had the opportunity to visit Eastern recently and enjoy the sights and sounds of campus life. And if you haven’t, come see us soon!

So much of what we achieve at EKU is made possible by donors. This year, we welcomed 3,105 members into the Milestone Society, the donor society that celebrates those who support EKU year after year. This is also a momentous year as we close the Make No Little Plans Campaign—the historic $50-million campaign for EKU. During Make No Little Plans, more than $17-million has been provided through annual giving. These numbers are a testament to the dedication of our community of alumni and friends who believe in the power of education and want to be a sustained part of changing lives.

Although we only have room to feature a selection of stories here, every story you read in this report represents thousands of similar stories. Every dollar given annually helps us to create an excellent experience for students all across campus, year after year.

Thank you,

Betina Gardner Vice President for Development & Alumni Engagement

Milestone Society

See the fiscal year 2022 Milestone Society Honor Roll of Donors at development.eku.edu/MilestoneSociety

#GIVEBIGE

EKU’s Giving Day resulted in the most gifts made in a single day in Eastern’s history. Nearly 2,400 donors supported EKU with total contributions exceeding $396,000 on Wednesday, April 13, 2022. Gifts poured in from all over the United States as the map was made maroon with a gift received from each state. Donors unlocked more than $160,000 in challenge gifts, providing additional funding for colleges and funds across campus.

The I EKU Party for students celebrated Giving Day with a concert by Zach Day, ’19, a musician featured on “The Voice” television show. Students also enjoyed photos in the Powell Fountain, free food, crafts and giveaways. A special $500 challenge gift was unlocked from the EKU Alumni Board when 50 students made gifts during the event.

Save the date for Giving Day 2023, set to take place on Wednesday, April 19.

Photos (right): Students enjoying the I EKU Party on Giving Day 2022

REMEMBERING MA KELLY

Giving Day served as the launch for a campaign to honor the late Bessie Kelly, known affectionately as “Ma.” Many of Eastern’s alumni and longtime locals of Richmond, Kentucky, remember her as the owner of Ma Kelly’s restaurant. She was known for her delicious meals and warm hospitality toward Eastern’s students.

In honor of Ma’s love for students, an anonymous donor pledged a $10,000 gift on Giving Day once 50 donors gave in support of the “Ma” Bessie Kelly Memorial Endowed Scholarship. By the end of the day, more than 120 gifts were made to Ma’s scholarship, providing tuition assistance to students in need.

Sydney Amos, ’22, is one of the 2021-22 scholarship recipients. Gifts to this scholarship have helped her move one step closer to achieving her dreams and making a difference in her home community.

goal is to become a choir director at a high school in the area surrounding my hometown. My passion is to build up my community by fostering the next generations. I believe that music inspires people and brings out the best in people."

“My

Sydney Amos

Photo (above): Ma Kelly's restaurant, courtesy of EKU Special Collections & Archives

YOUR GIFT MAKES AN IMPACT

General Endowed Scholarship

In fiscal year 2022, two separate campaigns highlighted the General Endowed Scholarship to help students in need of tuition assistance. This scholarship is unique and in high demand, because it is available to students who are not eligible for other scholarship opportunities.

President David McFaddin, ’99, ’15, and his wife, Melissa, ’02, created the Pay It Back to Pay It Forward campaign to generate support for the General Endowed Scholarship. The McFaddins pledged to contribute the amount of the scholarships they received while they were students at EKU and encouraged alumni to join them in supporting current and future students. More than 500 donors gave over $78,000 to the scholarship, exceeding the campaign goal of 500 gifts before July 2022.

The Socktober campaign in the fall of 2021 also served to increase the funds available through the General Endowed Scholarship. Donors who gave $60 or more to this scholarship during October received a pair of limited-edition EKU socks, and an additional pair of socks was provided to the Colonel’s Cupboard. Alumni and friends doubled the goal of providing 100 pairs of socks to the Cupboard, and 200 pairs were given to assist students through the cold, winter months. In total, over $17,000 was added to the General Endowed Scholarship through the Socktober campaign.

Visit development.eku.edu/Socktober to learn more about the Socktober 2022 campaign.

Kaitlin Coyle, ’23 Latino Education Assistance Fund (LEAD)

LEAD was established in 2021 to support the emergency needs of EKU’s Latino/a/x students. Those who give in support of LEAD make a tangible difference for students.

Kaitlin Coyle is a recent recipient of a LEAD award. She said: “I am incredibly fortunate to have received the LEAD scholarship in a time of great need. I will be graduating in the spring of 2023 as a triple major in broadcasting & electronic media, English, and Spanish with a certificate in professional and technical writing. After graduation, I hope to enter the technical communication field to work as a technical writer or content writer. The LEAD scholarship allowed me to pursue my dream of receiving a higher education degree and will serve me immensely through my future. Without the support of scholarships like LEAD, I would not have been able to achieve my goals, and I am immensely grateful for its support. The LEAD scholarship is a wonderful opportunity for Latino students who aspire to be lifelong achievers. I hope the scholarship will continue to support Latino students now and in the future.”

Lizzie Westerfield, ’23 College of Business

Donors to the College of Business provide scholarships and opportunities for students like Lizzie Westerfield. She recently completed an internship in Barcelona, Spain, where she received hands-on experience in digital marketing and public relations.

“I am a first-generation college student working toward my bachelor’s in marketing. I was nervous about attending my ‘hometown’ college at first, but a semester in I knew it was the place for me. My favorite way to explain EKU is that it's just small enough to know someone everywhere you go but big enough that you're always meeting new people. Making connections, like the recent internship in Barcelona, has been amazing! I'm a proud Colonel, and I hope to continue my postgraduate education here at EKU as well.”

Savannah Meza, ’23

College of Education and Applied Human Sciences

Savannah Meza moved one step closer to her goal of becoming a speech-language pathologist, thanks to the generous support of Eastern’s donors. Those who give in support of the College of Education and Applied Human Sciences help to lessen the financial burden of education for students like Savannah.

“I am thrilled to complete my master's degree at EKU for speech-language pathology because of all the priceless opportunities! You all have been graciously helpful and supportive in my educational endeavors. This scholarship has eased some of the stress of financially paying for my master's degree. I am a first-year grad student (and first-generation college student) in communication science disorders. I have a passion for speech-language pathology, and I am thrilled to learn more from my talented professors and help my future clients.”

Braden Jackson,

’23 College of Health Sciences

Braden Jackson set his sights on EKU and will be able to earn a college degree because of donor support. Gifts to the College of Health Sciences invest in students like Braden, who will serve as the next generation of healthcare workers.

“I chose EKU because of the quality of the educational opportunities present and how the university works so hard to make college financially possible for their students. While here, I’ve managed to maintain a 3.93 GPA, make new friends, and be involved in several intramural programs. Upon graduating from EKU, my plan is to pursue a doctor of physical therapy degree and eventually return to my hometown of London to work with the people of my community. Thank you for this generous scholarship, as it has afforded me the opportunity to pursue my educational goals.”

College of Letters, Arts, and Social Sciences

In Spring 2022, the College of Letters, Arts, and Social Sciences (CLASS) purchased 24 Mac computers and monitors to update the Art and Design computer lab that is used for classroom instruction and student independent work. This purchase was almost exclusively funded by donors to the Art and Design Fund and the CLASS Greatest Need Fund. Ann B. Helmuth, ’03, and Graham E. Allen, ’00, contributed to Art and Design to support this type of expenditure. “When we were in school, we did not have a very robust lab or even a single printer on location,” Ann said. “We had to use a Lexington Kinkos for big projects. It is so important to provide student resources on location. We want students to have the resources they need to succeed.”

Students like David Caudill, ’23, have already experienced the difference made by the lab update: "The DES computer lab helped me to be surrounded with inspiration and peers. Anytime I needed some extra motivation or creativity, the DES lab was the place to go. It also helped me gain experience with printing. Working at the printer, I learned how to more effectively set my designs up for pre-press.”

Photo (above): The DES lab is located in the Roark Building.

Kristopher Duran, ’23

College of Justice, Safety, and Military Science

Many College of Justice, Safety, and Military Science alumni gave back in fiscal year 2022 during the launch of the I Pay Thirty A Year (IPTAY) campaign, which encourages alumni to give $30 annually in support of students. Kristopher Duran is one of many students who has benefited from the generosity of those who have chosen to give back.

“I am so grateful for this scholarship, because it allows me to pursue my academic and career goals in fire protection and safety engineering. When I was looking for the right school to provide me with higher education in fire protection and safety engineering, EKU was the one that had everything that I wanted—from the online learning atmosphere to the excellent professors. Working full time as a firefighter/EMT then going full-time EMT through the pandemic as well as going to school full time online, I knew it was going to be tough. It was well worth it in the end because of the support from the professors and other classmates.”

Cameron Moss, ’25

College of Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics (STEM)

College of STEM donors provide support to future leaders in many important industries, including aviation. By making a gift to STEM, you make it more affordable for students like Cameron Moss to achieve their dreams.

“In middle school I attended a UPS-led summer camp, OBAP (Organization of Black Aerospace Professionals), where we learned the basics of flying, were put through simulators and even put in the sky for many discovery flights. That is what led me to my aviation major and ultimately to EKU. This scholarship will help me because my older sister and I are both currently in college; therefore, we are both trying to get as much money as possible to help our parents out. At EKU, I hope to accomplish my dream of becoming a private and commercial pilot, and I know if I continue to stay focused, the sky is the limit.”

Shannon Ackerman, ’22 EKU Honors Program

Students in EKU’s prestigious Honors Program experience life-changing opportunities made possible through donor support. Gifts to the EKU Honors Program allow students like Shannon Ackerman to dive deeper into their fields of study by presenting their research and learning from other scholars.

“One of the biggest highlights in my EKU career was being able to travel for conferences with the EKU Honors Program to present my research in Alabama and Florida. I also presented my research through the psychology program at a conference in South Carolina. Donor support changed my life tremendously. I'm a first-generation and low-income student. Without the scholarship and the Honors Program, I would not have been able to travel and meet the friends I have now, and more importantly, to enrich my life with the opportunities for learning that came with it. Currently, I am attending Kent State University as a Ph.D. neuroscience student and studying neurovirology. My future goals are to work at the National Institutes of Health and to further study infectious diseases and how they impact the brain.”

Model Laboratory Schools

Gifts to Model Laboratory Schools have a dual impact: they not only support the education of Model students, they also provide opportunities for the next generation of educators.

John Williamson, superintendent of Model Laboratory Schools and dean of K-12 programs, said, “Giving to Model is an investment in the future of the education profession in Kentucky and beyond. It’s true that we support K-12 students, but our core mission is training the next generation of education professionals. Hundreds of EKU graduate and undergraduate students throughout the university’s colleges come to Model for observation, practicum experiences, and research initiatives. Your gifts make the immense value of an education at EKU even more accessible. As a proud EKU alumnus myself, part of my education at EKU was funded through scholarships, so I know first-hand the transformational power of the generosity of others at a place with opportunity around every corner.”

EKU Libraries

Gifts to EKU Libraries help to serve students all across campus with the spaces and resources they need for success. Julie S. George, dean of libraries, has the opportunity to interact with many students who faithfully utilize the library spaces and services. She said, “The work we do at EKU Libraries makes a profound impact on the students, faculty, and entire Eastern community. This semester I met Caleb, a first-year student, who has found a home at the library. Caleb is autistic and shared with me that he needs quiet study spaces with good lighting in order to focus; he found a perfect spot outside of the library dean’s office and is now a library student employee, as well. Caleb is an example of why we strive to tailor the services, spaces, and resources we provide to meet the needs of our students—we know each student is unique and their needs are always evolving. Generous donor support allows us to maintain important collections and resources students will use in their academic work, and it also helps us update our spaces to offer a variety of options for students to study and collaborate.”

Sports Performance

EKU Athletics

The championship mindset for EKU’s student-athletes begins the moment they arrive on campus and can be showcased in the weight room. The EKU sports performance program is an integral part of setting the championship qualities for our student-athletes. Gifts to EKU Athletics and EKU sports performance directly impact the lives of these students by setting the focus on their needs, including weight training, cardio fitness, physical and mental training, nutrition, and rehabilitation. The Jack Ison Sports Performance Center is a state-of-the-art facility that provides every student-athlete with the opportunity to train more efficiently.

“The EKU Sports Performance Department is blessed to work within such a wonderful community at Eastern Kentucky University. We’ve been given a great vision and values instilled through our athletic director and president. EKU has brought in tremendous coaches and staff that share their thoughts, ideas, and goals. The student-athletes are the focus of our Athletic Department,” said Jon-Michael Davis, associate athletic director of sports and human performance. “We have a tremendous responsibility to help our student-athletes achieve their goals on and off the field of play. As a department, we expose and educate the student-athletes to various physical and mental training, nutrition, recovery methods, and stress and sleep management. While providing these services, we open ourselves up to them and are available to share their life experiences. We expect a lot from our studentathletes, and they expect a lot from us. So with the generous support of our donors, we’re able to provide the proper tools to help them achieve their goals as individuals and as a team. We want to make donors proud of how we use their gifts to provide our studentathletes with the very best resources. Thank you from our department and most importantly the student-athletes that are able to compete and represent EKU at its finest.”