Eastern Kentucky University President David McFaddin told faculty and staff this week he believes this could be the school’s best academic year ever.
The 14th president of the Richmond school stressed a theme of excellence throughout his almost hour-long speech. McFaddin admitted the current COVID situation will create challenges.
“The key for us to move forward as a community, as a campus, in a safe and responsible way hinges entirely on our willingness to follow the science, our willingness to care about ourselves and those around us, and our willingness to be vaccinated,” said McFaddin.
The EKU president said vaccination opportunities in Powell Plaza will be held this Friday and Saturday for students, staff, and faculty. McFaddin noted pop-up vaccination sites will be held along with daily opportunities for students through student health. Starting Sunday, masks will be required indoors on campus.
McFaddin spent some time talking about his experience growing up in Appalachia Kentucky. A first-generation college student, he said his mother, who had 12 siblings, was the only one among them to graduate from high school. He said he’s the first alumnus from the region served by EKU to hold the position of president.
“I am a proud eastern Kentuckian. I am someone who is grounded in integrity because of the place that I come from. Centered by values like family, and community, and service, and resilience,” said McFaddin.
McFaddin also spoke about gains such as freshmen enrollment up 6% year over year for the incoming class. Classes get underway next Monday on the Richmond campus.
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