On Thursday, Sept. 11, “9-1-1 on 9-11” will demonstrate how the campus deals with students in distress. The event will be held in the University’s new Tech Commons in the basement of the Powell Building from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. Members of the University community may drop in at their convenience to browse informational booths and talk with representatives of various campus offices that help students.

A new “Faculty/Staff 911” guide, the product of an effort involving Academic Affairs, Student Affairs and Administrative Affairs, outlines steps to take in dealing with students in distress and defines disruptive conduct and forms of personal abuse. The guide also lists the proper contacts for issues related to aggression, illness, emotional behavior and disability and includes a question-and-answer session on classroom disruption.

Two exhibitions – mixed media by Jason Urban and photography by Dan Younger – are on display through Sept. 30 in the Giles Gallery of the Jane F. Campbell Building.

EKU’s Bluegrass Community Health Center, with two locations in Lexington, has expanded its services to make available a wide variety of on-site and outreach services to all central Kentuckians on an ability-to-pay basis.

A recently published book by John P. Bowes, assistant professor of history at Eastern, focuses on the removal and post-removal histories of Shawnee, Delaware, Wyandot, and Potawatomi Indians.

The Center for Educational Research in Appalachia at EKU will host its second annual symposium Sept. 16-17.

The EKU Cultural Center will offer numerous events this fall for the campus community and the general public.

Several events for campus and community members are planned at Eastern in celebration of Constitution Day, Sept. 17.

“Pyres,” the debut novel by Derek Nikitas, a new faculty member in Eastern’s MFA in Creative Writing Program, has earned rave reviews nationwide.

EKU is again ranked among the top Southern Master’s Universities in the 2009 edition of “America’s Best Colleges” by U.S.News & World Report, the nation’s leading source of service journalism and news.

Local schools, civic clubs and/or organizations are welcome to help celebrate Eastern’s Homecoming by participating in the Homecoming Parade Oct. 25.

Several Model Laboratory High School students have been selected to complete work experiences before they graduate. While attending academic classes with their peers, these students will also have carefully supervised work experiences to help them decide on a career.

A team of instrumental conducting students at Eastern has been researching the measurable attributes of competitive marching activity to further the understanding and effectiveness of its practices and processes. Joining EKU Director of Bands Dr. Joe Allison, center, at a recent Drum Corps International (DCI) event in Bloomington, Ind., are, from left, Brandon Jones, Columbia; Brian Faber, Ekron; Jeremy Britt, Erlanger; and Nick Carr, Vine Grove. According to Allison, the purpose is also to provide EKU students an enhanced experience that prepares them for effective careers in music education and promote marching music activity as a valid and effective performance-based educational pursuit. The research is being coordinated with DCI and Bands of America.

Two Eastern faculty members have found a way to engage young readers in the Civil War without physically traveling back in time.

Dozens of cultural events are scheduled during the fall semester at Eastern. They include student and faculty concerts and recitals, plays, dance programs, special holiday events and art exhibits.

Nancy Thames, director of Eastern ‘s AmeriCorps program since its establishment at the University 16 years ago, is headed to the White House.

“Zap the Gap: Bridging Generations in the Workforce,” a day-long conference at EKU on Thursday, Nov. 6, will offer insights into the differences between Traditionalists (born 1925-45), Boomers, Generation X’ers and Millennials (those just now entering the workforce) and give participants tools to improve multi-generational relationships with co-workers and clients.

Twelve programs in the 2008-09 Chautauqua Lecture Series, “Freedom: A Force Against Ignorance and Tyranny,” will explore the topic from a variety of perspectives and feature several nationally known speakers, including well-known economist Deirdre McCloskey and rapper Chuck D, as well as a face-off between the editors of National Review and New Republic.

The first lecture will feature Pulitzer Prize-winning journalist Chris Hedges, best-selling author of “War Is a Force that Gives Us Meaning” and “American Fascists: The Christian Right and the War on America.”

Bob Shadur, director of Regional Stewardship at EKU, is featured in this ongoing series designed to allow EKU leaders and others in prominent positions to discuss their roles as well as campus issues. Shadur, who had taught at Model Laboratory School since 2006, moved into his new role at Eastern in August. He holds a bachelor's degree in political science from UCLA and a juris doctorate from the University of Chicago Law School.

Jon Akers, Correctional and Juvenile Justice Studies, was awarded $865,683 from the Kentucky Department of Education to continue the operation of the Kentucky Center for Instructional Discipline in an effort to continue the positive, proactive, schoolwide discipline approach that exists in several schools across the Commonwealth.

Karen Dilka and Karen Janssen, Special Education, were awarded $18,000 from the WHAS Crusade for Children to provide scholarships for graduate students preparing to serve children with disabilities.

Susan Fister, Baccalaureate and Graduate Degree Nursing, was awarded $74,883 from the Lexington Fayette County Health Department to provide discounted family planning services at the Bluegrass Community Health Center.

Stephanie McSpirit, Anthropology, Sociology, and Social Work, was awarded $38,205 from the Kentucky Division of Water to develop, implement, and evaluate surveys of relevant stakeholders to assist in the development of a State Wetland Conservation Plan.

Ronnie Nolan, Kentucky Educational Collaborative for State Agency Children was awarded $11,000 from the Kentucky Department of Education to develop exemplary transition practices for KECSAC youth in collaboration with selected model sites.

Kristel Smith, Center for Economic Development, Entrepreneurship, and Technology, was awarded $50,000 from the Kentucky Department of Tourism to support the Kentucky Artisan Heritage Trails program in its efforts to improve, promote, and increase cultural heritage tourism in a 51-county Appalachia Kentucky service area.

Beth Thompson, Educational Talent Search Program, was awarded $351,253 from the United States Department of Education to continue the Educational Talent Search Program, a TRIO program that assists participants to enroll in, continue in, and graduate from secondary schools.