EKU News
EKU recognized as one of best colleges to work
Eastern Kentucky University is among 122 four-year colleges and universities nationally recognized in The Chronicle of Higher Education’s 2009 Great Colleges to Work For program, according to the results of the second annual survey announced in a special supplement of The Chronicle.
The program recognizes small groups of colleges — based on enrollment size — for specific best practices in areas such as compensation and benefits, work environment and institutional policies.
Among four-year colleges and universities with enrollment of at least 10,000, EKU ranked in the top 10 nationally for Tuition Reimbursement (tuition waivers for eligible employees, their spouses and dependents) in the Pay/Benefits category and for Professional/Career Development Programs (employees are given opportunities to develop skills, and understand requirements to advance in their careers) in the Institutional Policies category.
“Obviously, I am very pleased that the responses to the Chronicle’s survey by our faculty and staff have resulted in this distinction for Eastern,” said EKU President Doug Whitlock. “It reflects a sense of pride and appreciation of place among our community members that is gratifying and will be very helpful as we seek to attract other individuals to join us.
“But the most significant thing, in my mind, is that this recognition is truly a reflection of the excellence and dedication of the Eastern faculty and staff. I believe your colleagues are the single most important factor in the quality of the workplace experience,” he said.
The Chronicle program is modeled after Fortune Magazine’s popular “Best Companies to Work For” issue, but does not rank institutions in one comprehensive list. Instead, schools are recognized in the special Chronicle supplement.
“Despite the down economy, colleges are still hiring,” said Jeffrey J. Selingo, editor of The Chronicle of Higher Education. “Through this program, The Chronicle is able to provide more information to job seekers about the colleges that are the leading innovators when it comes to providing a rewarding work environment.”
To administer the survey and analyze the results, The Chronicle turned to ModernThink LLC, a strategic human capital consulting firm that has conducted numerous “Best Places to Work” programs, surveying hundreds of thousands of college and university employees nationwide. The Great Colleges survey included a two-part assessment process: a survey administered to faculty, administrators, and professional support staff (the ModernThink Higher Education Insight Survey) and an institutional audit that captured demographics and workplace policies and practices from each institution. The primary factor in deciding whether an institution received recognition was feedback collected from faculty and staff.
“Leaders within higher education are facing tough challenges on many fronts,” said Richard K. Boyer, principal and managing partner of ModernThink. “The opportunity for national recognition draws institutions that are looking for a competitive edge in recruiting, retention and even research dollars. In addition, leaders are thirsty for reliable data that can help them make better decisions, prioritize scarce resources, and improve morale. As expected with a more established recognition program, the number of participants wasn’t the only thing that went up. We also saw a commensurate jump in the caliber of the field.”
View the entire Chronicle report at chronicle.com/indepth/academicworkplace.
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EKU group presents ‘Eastern Stars, a Night on Broadway’
Eastern Kentucky University’s student chapter of the American Choral Directors Association will present “Eastern Stars, a Night on Broadway,” on March 23, at 8 p.m. in O’Donnell Hall, the Student Services Building auditorium.
The program includes songs from Broadway shows such as “Phantom of the Opera,” “Hairspray” and “Wicked.”
The event is free and open to the public. -
Program offers professionals a chance to teach
After four successful years, Eastern Kentucky University’s “Try Teaching” program is again accepting applications from mid- and second-career professionals who are intrigued about their potential in front of a classroom.
The nationally innovative program is geared to those who have doubts about leaving their current job behind to return to college for a second degree. It allows participants to gauge their comfort level as a classroom teacher before making a life-changing career move. -
Students focused on energy
Students at Eastern Kentucky University, many of whom are planning careers as teachers or have already begun their teaching careers, are spending this semester learning about environmental issues.
Those taking Ecology for Teachers, an undergraduate class taught by Billy Bennett, and Environmental Science Issues, a graduate course taught by Melinda Wilder, have utilized a grant that allows students to actively pursue ways to teach their classmates and current and future students. -
Bridal showcase set for March 21
Eastern Kentucky University Catering, along with Conferencing and Events, will host the Bridal and Events Showcase on Sunday, March 21, from 1 to 5 p.m. in the Keen Johnson Building on EKU’s campus.
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Foster Music Camp at EKU to celebrate its 75th season
The nation’s second oldest music camp will celebrate its 75th season this summer at Eastern Kentucky University.
Founded in the midst of the Great Depression, the Stephen Collins Foster Music Camps — with numerous camp options throughout June for middle school and high school students — continue to draw young musicians from throughout the nation and even internationally. -
EKU student president making plans to go back where she came from
Immediately following the 2001 attacks on the World Trade Center, a few of her fellow middle school students told Afsi Siahloohi she should “go back where you came from.”
That would not have been hard to do.
Like most of her classmates, she was born and raised in eastern Kentucky. On a farm at Spout Springs, to be exact.
Her father, Karim, is a native of Iran, and her mother, Kimberly, was born and reared in the Kentucky hill country.
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EKU arts center subject of presentation
The Center for the Performing Arts, now under construction at Eastern Kentucky University, will be the subject of a presentation at the fifth annual Best Practices in Building University/City Relations Conference, hosted by the International Town & Gown Association and Iowa State University.
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EKU arts center names executive director
The Center for the Performing Arts at Eastern Kentucky University formally introduced Katherine Eckstrand as its executive director Wednesday during a press conference on campus.
Since 2005, Eckstrand has been the director of community development for the Ohio Arts Council in Columbus.
She previously served as executive director of the Clark State Community College Performing Arts Center in Springfield, Ohio, from 1994 to 2005.
In all, Eckstrand has 23 years experience in arts administration and promotion.
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EKU sustainability project already showing savings
Going green has gotten Eastern Kentucky University a lot of attention, even making them a model for a similar University of Louisville project and a part of Gov. Steve Beshear’s comprehensive energy-savings plan.
Representatives from Siemens Industry Inc. were on EKU’s campus Monday to give an update on the state’s largest-ever performance contract, according to Dan Crowley, Appalachian zone manager for Siemens.
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EKU seeks to have tenure case moved
Attorneys for Eastern Kentucky University have filed to have a tenure discrimination suit against the school moved to a federal courtroom.
A notice of removal was filed in U.S. District Court in Lexington on Tuesday seeking to have marketing professor F. Mark Case’s suit against the university transferred out of Madison Circuit Court, where Case filed the suit Oct. 13.
The notice claims that because Case’s suit raises issues of whether the university violated his due process rights under the U.S. Constitution, the federal court should have jurisdiction.
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EKU group presents ‘Eastern Stars, a Night on Broadway’
