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Jessica Pulliam, a junior at Eastern Kentucky University, is shown at Silver Creek Falls in Madison County.
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EKU junior receives one of only 20 EPA national fellowships
As a young child, she spent countless hours searching for crawdads under rocks in nearby streams.
As a teenager, she discovered the thrill of kayaking in wild rivers.
From those formative experiences, Jessica Pulliam developed a deep awareness of the need to protect nature, an interest she has further explored as a student at Eastern Kentucky University. Now, the junior sociology major and Honors Program participant from Crestwood has parlayed her academic prowess and undergraduate research experiences into a prestigious Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) Fellowship Award, one of only 20 given nationally and the only one in Kentucky.
The two-year fellowship, valued at $39,124, covers Pulliam’s tuition and fees for her final two years at Eastern, provides a living stipend and includes funds for conferences and equipment related to her research. It also provides an internship in Washington, D.C., next summer, when she will work with EPA mentors to develop a research project.
“Receiving this fellowship is incredibly prestigious for an EKU student,” said Dr. Stephanie McSpirit, Pulliam’s academic adviser and professor in the Department of Anthropology, Sociology and Social Work. “Jessica joins the ranks of students from Brandeis, Oberlin College and the University of Wisconsin.”
During her first two years at EKU, the South Oldham High School graduate participated in undergraduate research projects, “one important factor that has allowed me to receive this fellowship. In addition, the Honors Program at Eastern has really challenged me as a student and has encouraged me to apply for grants and fellowships.”
Pulliam, who minors in biology, selected sociology as a major after taking Sharon Hardesty’s Introduction to Sociology course.
“Her encouragement has given me the confidence I need to accomplish the goals I have set for myself,” she said.
It was Hardesty who introduced Pulliam to McSpirit, who gave the eager student an opportunity to participate in research for the Kentucky Stream and Wetlands Protection Plan as well as for the Kentucky Riverkeeper.
“Her passion for the environment is contagious (and) she is the person who suggested I apply for the EPA Fellowship and has offered me guidance along the way,” Pulliam said.
McSpirit said Pulliam was “one of my right hands” on the stream and wetlands project, playing a “crucial role” in compiling electronic databases and transcribing interviews.
“I think Jessica’s research experience on these last two grants and subcontracts helped her application rise above hundreds of others for this prestigious award,” McSpirit said.
After graduation, Pulliam hopes to volunteer for an organization such as Green Corps or Peace Corps and then work toward her doctoral degree in order to teach environmental sociology someday at the university level.
“Because of this fellowship, Jessica’s future is paved with gold,” McSpirit said. “She will easily be able to apply, and receive a research position, at any top-ranking Ph.D. program in environmental sociology in the near future. Her education at EKU has prepared her well for the opportunities that lie ahead for her.”
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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’
