Latest news with #EKU
Yahoo
23-05-2025
- Health
- Yahoo
London man paralyzed by tornado, family asks for help
LONDON, Ky. (FOX 56) — Shawn Cupp was overcome with emotion as she looked at the dirt patch where her home on Philpot Road in London once stood. It is also where her brother, David, nearly died in Friday's tornado. 'It's amazing that he made it,' Cupp said through tears. 'He said he remembers it picking him up and it slinging him through the wall.' London mayor warns of stolen pets after deadly tornado EKU offers help to students impacted by deadly southern Kentucky tornado: How to receive it London man paralyzed by tornado, family asks for help She said David was diagnosed with spinal meningitis as a baby, which caused long-term damage to his brain. After their mother passed, Shawn became the primary caregiver of her now 46-year-old brother. Shawn was on her way home from work when the tornado came through, which meant that David was home alone. Fortunately, though, neighbors heard his cries for help. 'My brother was lying on his bedroom door when they found him, so they just grabbed the bedroom door and slid him out of the rubble that was down there, about 80 feet from where he started at,' she said. David is still in the ICU, but his life will never be the same. His injuries from the storm left him paralyzed from the waist down. 'He tried to stand up, and he couldn't, so he said he knew he was paralyzed,' Cupp said. Kentucky's most misspelled word, according to study Drug overdoses see major decline: How Kentucky measures up UFO sightings in Kentucky: A look back on past 30 years When David was found, Shawn told FOX 56 that their mother's urn was lying just feet from David, almost completely intact. 'God and I believe wholeheartedly my mom was with him. There's no other explanation as to why he's still here,' she said. Now, a GoFundMe account has been set up to help get them a new home. But not just that, one that's accessible for David, and what Shawn calls their 'new normal.' 'We just have absolutely nothing left, and they said I'm looking at a couple of months before he comes home, and I need to have him home and have everything accessible,' Cupp said. 'I want to have everything to make him as comfortable as possible, to give him the best life that I can. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
Yahoo
14-05-2025
- Politics
- Yahoo
In wake of new law, EKU swaps ‘diversity,' ‘inclusion' for ‘viewpoint neutrality'
Students walk on Eastern Kentucky University's campus in Richmond, May 14, 2025. (Kentucky Lantern photo by McKenna Horsley) RICHMOND — With approval of its governing board, Eastern Kentucky University became the first in the state to formally adopt policies that bring it into compliance with a Republican-backed state law banning diversity, equity and inclusion practices at Kentucky public universities. In its Wednesday meeting, the EKU Board of Regents passed a policy to uphold viewpoint neutrality and a resolution showing EKU plans to comply with the recently passed House Bill 4. The board also approved removing words such as 'diverse' from its strategic goals. No board members voted against the measures in a voice vote. Kentucky public universities have been reviewing HB 4 since its passage by the Republican-controlled General Assembly earlier this year. GOP caucuses in the House and Senate easily had the votes to override Democratic Gov. Andy Beshear's veto of the law, which he said 'is about hate.' In his veto message, the governor wrote, 'Acting like racism and discrimination no longer exist or that hundreds of years of inequality have been somehow overcome and there is a level playing field is disingenuous.' He also said the law would prevent universities and colleges from investigating allegations of bias except in limited circumstances. EKU's board members had little discussion on the new policies before they cast votes. Regent Laura Babbage asked questions about how the university will still support students from a variety of backgrounds. She added that she hoped as an institution, EKU 'believes that we have responsibility to our brothers and sisters, regardless of their race, creed, beliefs or whatever the case might be.' 'I'm not speaking for the board. I'm speaking for Laura Babbage, but I am just saying that that is an essential part of who I am,' she said. 'And so as we have issues that come before us that perhaps need a voice, I will, in fact, be that voice.' EKU President David McFaddin said in response to Babbage that supporting all students would remain a focus of the administration. 'Student success will continue to be our focus. Supporting students — every student — in every way that we can will continue to be a part of the institution,' he said. The newly adopted university policy — titled 'Institutional Viewpoint Neutrality' — says that EKU 'does not discriminate against individuals or groups based on their social or political viewpoints and values the contributions of all community members to robust dialogue and the free exchange of viewpoints to contribute to an intellectually diverse campus community.' The university may not require anyone to 'endorse or condemn a specific ideology, political viewpoint, or social viewpoint to be eligible for hiring, contract renewal, tenure, promotion, admission or graduation.' Directing the state's public universities to adopt such viewpoint neutrality policies was a tenet of HB 4. The university policy says that the EKU president has the only authority to issue official statements on behalf of the university, and may designate someone else to issue statements as needed. The board chair has a similar authority to issue official statements of the board. The president and board chair are prohibited from issuing official statements 'on political, social or cultural matters that are not directly related to the operations, mission or legal obligations of the University.' The policy says that any violation 'will be handled through the normal University processes.' The board also approved changes to the university's strategic goals, removing a reference to supporting 'EKU's diverse learners' and replacing the word 'inclusivity' with 'respect.' The changes also remove 'Inclusion' as a guiding value of the university, which was defined as 'Community engagement, Diversity of people and perspectives, Professional growth, Hospitality, Celebration' and replaces it with 'Opportunity,' defined as 'Community Engagement, Multiple Perspectives and Lived Experiences, Professional Growth, Hospitality, Celebration.' The resolution approved by the board says EKU will follow the state law. An EKU spokesperson previously told the Kentucky Lantern the university planned to comply with the law. The bill's primary sponsor, Rep. Jennifer Decker, R-Waddy, said in a statement after filing the legislation that it sought 'to prohibit discrimination on the basis of religion, race, sex, color, or national origin, and ensure that our university campuses are free from the failed and misguided DEI policies that have proven only to make higher education less attainable for Kentuckians.' In a statement ahead of Wednesday's board meeting, Decker said the law ended 'discriminatory and wasteful practices on our public postsecondary campuses.' Decker added that the law ensures Kentucky public colleges 'provide equal treatment to all of their students and judge students on their individual merits, not on their race, color, or creed.' 'These are institutions of learning and must focus on improving the quality of education on their campuses and increasing enrollment among all Kentuckians,' Decker said. HB 4 directs the governing boards of Kentucky's public universities to enact a policy by June 30 to meet requirements under the law such as not restricting scholarship eligibility criteria on the basis of religion, race, sex, color or national origin and not requiring or encouraging students to complete courses 'of which the primary purpose is to indoctrinate participants with a discriminatory concept.' Next year on July 1, each institution must begin submitting annual certification to the Council on Postsecondary Education to verify the institution has not spent money to support DEI programs. The law largely had support from Republicans in both the state House and Senate throughout the legislative session earlier this year. It comes on the heels of Republicans nationwide aiming to rollback DEI programs. President Donald Trump has taken actions against such programs, including issuing an executive order early in his second term aimed at curbing DEI in private sector businesses. More recently, Trump signed an executive order directing the U.S. Department of Education to overhaul university and college accreditation programs to root out DEI standards. Before the General Assembly passed the law, Kentucky college students held protests against the legislation on their campuses, including EKU. Students also voiced opposition in committee hearings and protests at the Capitol. 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Yahoo
09-05-2025
- Sport
- Yahoo
Nicholasville community resource will soon come to local park
NICHOLASVILLE, Ky. (FOX 56) — For years, the people of Jessamine County have been waiting for a community resource that can bring everyone together, and the wait is almost over. The area in Nicholasville's John Preece Park will soon be home to the new community recreation center. Nicholasville and Jessamine County parks and recreation director Anessa Snowden said this is something community leaders have wanted to do for years. 'It truly means everything for the community, because we have nothing like this here. There are no community centers to go to, and nothing really for kids and families or individuals of all ages and ability levels to come and experience,' Snowden said. Jessamine County sheriff warns against increasing scams Kentucky school officials warn community of 'dangerous' TikTok trend Thursday's groundbreaking is the first step in changing that. County leaders like Jessamine County Judge Executive David West said the community has been pushing for a resource like this. 'We have hoped and wished for a facility that could house sporting events and community events for years. We've been developing these parks, and we purchased 111 acres. That made the dream come true. We finally had enough land to build a community and recreation center,' West said. It'll be a multi-purpose resource, one that's expected to make a huge impact on the people who will use it. Nicholasville Mayor Alex Carter said he can't wait for the community to start using this new hub. 'I've been on the city commission for about 7 years now, and even people before me laid the groundwork. The former mayor and commissioners here in the city of Nicholasville have laid the groundwork, and we're excited for the opportunity to get this off the ground and come to fruition,' Carter said. Will Andy Beshear run for president? Here's what political experts think Coroner finds former Kentucky football player died from heart disease and irregular heartbeat EKU students push back against proposed fees for those enrolled in over 15 credit hours After years of waiting, Snowden is reminding the public that the wait isn't much longer now. 'Optimistically, we're hoping 12 to 18 months. Probably more like 18 months, since you never know about the weather and all the delays that could happen. We look forward to hopefully the end of next summer being open,' Snowden said. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
Yahoo
06-05-2025
- Science
- Yahoo
EKU breaks ground on new Model Laboratory School: ‘New era in education'
RICHMOND, Ky. (FOX 56) — Eastern Kentucky University (EKU) marked Teacher Appreciation Day with two major milestones for education in Kentucky: the groundbreaking of a state-of-the-art Model Laboratory School and the official formation of EKU's School of Education within the College of Education and Applied Human Sciences (CEAHS). President David McFaddin hailed the day as a defining moment for EKU and the future of educator preparation. 'This new facility will be a hub of innovation and research—one of the most distinctive environments in the nation for post-secondary teacher preparation,' McFaddin said. 'We're celebrating the impact of immersive learning and shaping tomorrow's educators.' LATEST KENTUCKY NEWS: The new Model Laboratory School, Kentucky's only public P–12 teaching lab, will enhance EKU's reputation as a leader in teacher education by offering hands-on, interdisciplinary experiences to both undergraduate and graduate students. Through its unique integration of research, instruction, and real-world practice, Model Lab plays a vital role in preparing students for a variety of educational careers. 'Innovation is key to solving Kentucky's teacher shortage,' said State Representative James Tipton, chairman of the Kentucky House Higher Education Committee. 'This new facility redefines how we prepare future educators and underscores the importance of investing in the teacher pipeline.' Backed by $149.1 million in funding from the Kentucky General Assembly during the 2021–22 and 2023–24 sessions, the new Model Lab will rise on EKU's south campus, near the Leslie Leach Driving Range on Kit Carson Drive. Its proximity to the Kentucky Center for School Safety and the Department of Criminal Justice Training paves the way for interdisciplinary partnerships, particularly in school safety innovation. LATEST KENTUCKY LISTS AND RANKINGS: The campus will include Model Lab's elementary, middle, and high school facilities, as well as EKU's early childhood development center. It will also feature college classrooms, faculty offices, an auditorium, a lecture hall, and a professional learning center, creating a fully immersive environment for EKU education students. Kentucky leaders and EKU alumni see the investment as a powerful force for community and statewide transformation. 'As a proud EKU alumna and parent of a Model Lab graduate, I know the impact this new school and the School of Education will have for generations,' said State Rep. Deanna Frazier Gordon. 'This is a win for our students, educators, and Madison County.' 'This project cements Madison County as a model for educational advancement,' added State Sen. Jared Carpenter. 'It brings resources, talent, and prestige to our region.' In tandem with the groundbreaking, EKU formally launched its new School of Education. Housed within CEAHS, the School of Education will provide a more visible identity for EKU's longstanding commitment to preparing high-quality educators. 'The School of Education is more than just a new name—it's a recommitment to our mission,' said Dr. Elizabeth Smith, dean of CEAHS. 'It strengthens our identity and expands our impact across Kentucky and beyond.' Latest central Kentucky weather forecast A new pilot program beginning this fall will allow first-year education majors to integrate directly into the Model Lab environment. Students will take core courses co-taught by EKU and Model faculty, blending theory with immediate application in a P–12 setting. John Williamson, superintendent of Model Lab and dean of P–12 education, emphasized the significance of the collaboration. 'As the only lab school in the state, this partnership reflects a deep and renewed commitment to preparing quality educators for Kentucky.' Construction of the new Model Laboratory School is expected to be completed in time for the 2027–28 academic year. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to FOX 56 News.
USA Today
30-04-2025
- Sport
- USA Today
Whistling Straits will host a unique college golf event. Let this aviation major explain
Whistling Straits will host a unique college golf event. Let this aviation major explain Show Caption Hide Caption Preparations for Ryder Cup at Whistling Straits golf course in Haven Preparations are underway for next week's Ryder Cup golf tournament at Whistling Straits in Haven near Sheboygan. Mike De Sisti, Milwaukee Journal Sentinel EKU golfer Dili Sitanonth will compete in the PGA Works Collegiate Championship at Whistling Straits. The PGA Works Collegiate Championship provides opportunities for minority golfers from various colleges. Sitanonth aims to pursue both a professional golf career and a career in aviation. Eastern Kentucky University golfer Dili Sitanonth isn't afraid to chase new horizons. She has lived around the world while going after her dream of becoming a pro. Sitanonth is also an aviation major who is just starting to take off on solo flights. The senior golfer will set her sights on Whistling Straits in Kohler from May 5-7 as she competes in the PGA Works Collegiate Championship. The world-renowned links course has hosted many big tournaments, notably the 2021 Ryder Cup, three PGA Championships and the 2007 U.S. Senior Open. Several other tournaments are on the way: the 2028 U.S. Amateur, the 2033 U.S. Junior Amateur and the 2037 U.S. Girls' Junior. But the PGA Works has a different kind of impact. It was created in 1986 for athletes from Historically Black Colleges and Universities, Hispanic-serving schools and other institutions that provide opportunities for minorities. Last year at TPC Sawgrass in Florida, 184 golfers and student-athletes from 65 schools competed across five divisions in the 54-hole, stroke-play event. It is open to all minority men and women golfers at any collegiate level. Sitanonth first played in the event when she was on the team at Texas Southern, an HBCU. Then last year, after transferring to Eastern Kentucky because of their top-notch aviation program, she finished second as an individual. The event gave her confidence that she could compete at a high level. 'First of all, with the course setting, it's very professional,' Sitanonth said. 'The camera crews and everything kind of give me a little taste of what it is going to be like when I move on to like a bigger tour. 'The field is very competitive. So I would say it's prepared me for everything.' Sitanonth has shown that she will go after her goals when given the opportunity. She was born in Thailand and doesn't have a typical golf background. 'I started to play golf when I was like 3 ½,' Sitanonth said. 'But it was just an extracurricular for me. Like an activity after school during that time. 'Didn't play competitively until 12, 13, which is a little late, I would say. And then two, three years later it was time for me to make a decision about my high school.' Sitanonth's parents let her research schools, and she found the Loretto School in Scotland, which gave her a golf scholarship. She came to the United States to become a pro. 'She's one of the harder workers we've had here at EKU,' Colonels coach Mandy Moore said. 'She's just really passionate and devoted about what she does. 'She has a goal and a dream of what she wants and she really works hard with her coaches back home and the way she goes about things here to just keep working toward that.' Sitanonth's fearlessness extends to getting behind the controls of a plane. 'My plan is to do both golf and aviation,' she said. 'I'm not graduating this semester, because I have to fly still. So hopefully I can still fly while I try to get my Tour card.' Give her an opportunity and the sky is the limit.
