RICHMOND —
As Eastern Kentucky University has expanded in recent decades, admissions staff have found that taking prospective students and their families on walking tours of campus becoming more difficult.
The problem has grown greater as new buildings spring up on the south side of campus, separated from the older areas by a busy four-lane highway, admissions officials say.
On Friday, the university showcased a classic 23-seat trolley that it will begin using to take guests on campus tours. Riding the trolly around campus will take about half the time as walking.
Once the property of a New Jersey community, the trolley was made handicapped accessible and painted in EKU’s maroon and white colors. It has large, sliding windows for full views, heat and air conditioning, and even a small sound system for tour leaders.
“We wanted something a little different,” Admissions Director Brett Morris said. “Lots of people have never ridden on a trolley, so this makes their visit unique.”
Morris said he knows of no other campuses, at least in Kentucky, that are using a trolley for campus visits.
The trolley proved especially valuable in its first month of use, February, said Zach Lawrence, who heads the campus visit program for the admissions office.
“Families are able to see the campus from inside,” he noted.
So far, the reviews have been positive.
Candice Graves, an EKU student and “Colonel Captain” who often leads campus tours, said she has had previous campus tour guests come back just to take the trolley tour, “and they absolutely loved it.”
The trolley easily takes visitors to all sections of the growing campus, Morris said.
“There’s a lot more to Eastern than just what we call the inner loop,” he said.
New facilities on the growing south side include the Center for the Performing Arts, the Business & Technology Center and a renovated Stratton Building.
“This is a wise investment,” Morris added, “because it gives us the ability to show prospective students and their families the full extent of what Eastern has to offer. They get to see that Eastern is a significantly larger campus than they might have expected.”
Because a student’s initial visit and first impressions are so important in their eventual choice of a college, Morris said expects the trolley to enhance Eastern’s recruiting.
Campus tours still include some walking, however. The trolley stops for inside visits to the EKU Fitness and Wellness Center, the John Grant Crabbe Library and a residence hall.
The trolley will be used mainly for campus tours. EKU continues to maintain shuttle buses to assist students in getting from one side of campus to another.
Campus visits can be scheduled online at admissions.eku.edu/visit.
Education
Related Photos
-
Candice Graves, EKU sophomore and Colonel Captain, lead a campus tour for EKU personal and local media Friday as part of the introduction to the new trolley offered for campus tours. Kaitlin Keane
-
The new trolley on EKU's campus is dedicated to campus tours for perceptive students and their families. Kaitlin Keane
New trolley helps take prospective students around Eastern campus
- Education
-
-
White Hall teachers say farewell for the summer
White Hall Elementary kindergarten assistant Patti Von Fischer said she found a poem on the Internet that seemed to fit the last day of school perfectly.
“The teachers jumped out of the windows; the principals ran for the door; the nurse and librarian bolted; they’re not coming back anymore,” Von Fischer read over the loudspeaker Friday before students left for the summer. -
Benson will be state’s third highest paid university president
When Michael Benson begins his tenure as the 12th president of Eastern Kentucky University on Aug. 1, his $400,000 salary plus benefits will make him Kentucky’s third-highest paid state university president.
Benson’s pay will be less only than that of Eli Capilouto, president of the University of Kentucky, $500,000 a year, and Gary Ransdell, president of Western Kentucky University, $423,588 a year, according to figures obtained from the state Council on Post-secondary education. -
Second-grade classroom receives recognition for reading nearly 1,400 books
A project at Mayfield Elementary School has received recognition across state lines from a woman who found a balloon released in celebration of one classroom having read more than 1,000 books.
Second-grade teacher Wanda Wilson started the school year by challenging her 22 students to read a total of 1,000 books by the end of the school year. -
‘Etta May’s On Her Way’ for Model Lab benefit
Laughter will fill Eastern Kentucky University’s Keen Johnson Ballroom June 8 when southern comedienne Etta May comes to town for Model Laboratory School’s first annual fundraising event.
Half of the ticket proceeds will be donated to help five Model programs: Scholarships, gifted programs, the arts, athletics and extended field trips or exchange programs, said school psychologist Ellen Rini. -
State champs get their rings at YMCA breakfast
Two months may have passed, but Madison County continues to celebrate the state basketball championship won by the Madison Central boys team.
Team members were presented championship rings while their cheerleaders received pendants Saturday morning during a breakfast at the Telford YMCA attended by nearly 300. -
District urges students to ‘PowerMyLearning’ through the summer
Sixteen little penguins need help jumping from iceberg to iceberg as a hungry killer whale swims menacingly in the chilly water below.
The fate of the poor little penguins lies in the hands of a third-grade student, who must quickly find the answer to a math equation to lead the penguins to safety. -
GREAT bridges gap between cops, preteens
Bridging the gap between public misconceptions about police officers and the reality of what’s behind the uniform can be a daunting task. But, a growing program at Madison County middle schools is helping break down those barriers.
-
Toyota bornlearning Academy graduates parents
Seven graduates received their certificates Thursday night, but not with the customary rendition of “Pomp and Circumstance.”
It was a celebration of the parents’ six-month journey with the Toyota bornlearning Academy at Berea Community School.
The academy works with parents and caregivers of children from prenatal to 5 years old on ways to turn everyday moments into learning opportunities. -
Caudill Middle School student showcase
Members of the Caudil Middle School Jazz Band entertain the crowd during the school's end of year student showcase Thursday.
-
The Incredible Child: Support group for parents of special-needs children meets Tuesday at library
Richmond now has a local chapter of The Incredible Child, a support group for families of children with all types of disabilities.
The group will host the family-friendly event “Read to Me” from 6:30 to 7 p.m. Tuesday at the Madison County Public Library in Richmond. - More Education Headlines
-
Mayor: Person Killed in San Antonio Flooding
Raw: Apple 1 Computer Sells for More Than $650k
Hagel Urges Cadets to End Scourge of Sex Assault
Raw: Gay Rights Activists March in Ukraine
Bus Fire Kills 16 Children, Teacher in Pakistan
Raw: Pakistan Election Results Protested
Raw: Trucker Bumps I-5 Bridge Before Collapse
Raw: Texas Deputy Shot by Colo. Suspect Honored
Major Detours Following Wash. Bridge Collapse
American Held in Grisly Czech Murders
Raw: Jersey Shore Reopens for Summer
UK-bound Pakistan Plane Diverted, 2 Men Arrested
Officials: Tsarnaev Friend Linked to Slaying
Obama:Sexual Assault Threatens Trust in Military
Bridge Collapse Survivor: 'Rough Day'
Jersey Shore Open for Business
Raw: Memorial Day Flags Placed at Arlington
New Wheelchair Lift Promises More Access
First Person: Mom Discusses Famous Tornado Photo
Raw Video: Washington State Bridge Collapse
