A presentation by political strategist Donna Brazile on Monday, Feb. 8, is one of several events planned at Eastern in observance of Black History Month.

The Southern Growth Policies Board, in cooperation with EKU, Madison County Schools and the Richmond and Berea chambers of commerce, will conduct a community forum on Friday, Feb. 19, on how communities like Richmond and Berea can address current economic challenges while looking ahead to future opportunities.

Dr. Dorothy Sutton, EKU Foundation Professor Emeritus of English, has been named a “Kentucky Great Writer” by the Carnegie Center for Literacy and Learning.

Three members of the EKU faculty will discuss the Call Me MISTER initiative this week on Kentucky Educational Television.

WEKU-FM, a regional radio favorite for its classical music programming and award-winning news coverage, is now available to Frankfort-area listeners.

WEKU-FM, the public radio service at Eastern Kentucky University, celebrates Women’s History Month in March with a Kentucky-made series, "This We Believe."

Curriculum & Instruction Professor and Chair Dr. Dorie Combs, a member of the Kentucky State Board of Education, has been selected to serve on a year-long National Association of State Boards of Education study group to examine the skills and knowledge required to teach and lead 21st century schools and administer districts.

Dozens of cultural events are scheduled during the spring semester at EKU. They include concerts, plays, dance programs and art exhibits.

Seventeen EKU students will be among approximately 250 students from colleges and universities statewide to participate in the 9th annual Posters-at-the-Capitol program in Frankfort on Jan. 28.

Professor Kristen Kean will perform a recital of 20th century flute and piccolo music on Tuesday, Jan. 26, at 8 p.m. in the Gifford Theater.

EKU’s College of Education, the Southeast/Southcentral Educational Cooperative, the Center for Renewal of Schools and the Education Professions, the Kentucky Collaborative for State Agency Children, the EKU Office of Enrollment Management, and EKU AmeriCorps will host the ninth annual Diversity Conference Feb. 10-11 in the Perkins Building.

The Chautauqua Lecture Series and the Department of Art & Design are sponsoring a juried exhibition with the theme of Creative Inquiries. The exhibition, in the Giles Gallery, will run Jan. 25-Feb. 19, with an opening reception on Jan. 28, from 5 to 7 p.m. The Gallery is in the Campbell Building.

The Division of Continuing Education and Outreach will offer approximately 200 community education courses this spring semester, including 17 basket-weaving classes in Danville and 50 instructor-facilitated on-line courses through a partnership with Ed2Go.

QEP Stars, a regular feature in EKUpdate, will take a look at those faculty members who are incorporating critical/creative thinking and communication strategies with their students. The feature hopes to show how those strategies have impacted the classroom experience, both from a learning and teaching standpoint. This issue's "QEP Star" is Mike Collier, Assistant Professor of Homeland Security.

Melinda Wilder, Director of the Division of Natural Areas, 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. Wilder began her career at EKU in 1983 as a middle school math and science teacher at Model Laboratory School, then taught in the Department of Curriculum and Instruction and became Director of the Division of Natural Areas in 2005. She holds a bachelor's degree in Resource Management from West Virginia University, a master's degree in Science Education from Miami (Ohio) University and a doctorate in Science Education from The Ohio State University.

William Bennett, Natural Areas, was awarded $80,000 from Western Kentucky University for the KUPEE Energy Initiative, sponsored by the Commission for National and Community Service, which will integrate service learning into environmental education programs as a means to increase energy conservation within the service region.

Donna Harmon, Training Resource Center, was awarded $54,000 from the Kentucky Cabinet for Health and Family Services in support of a child support conference.

Donna Harmon, Training Resource Center, was awarded $869,400 from the Kentucky Cabinet for Health and Family Services for the University Training Consortium cost center.

Terry Kline, Safety, Security, and Emergency Management, was awarded $365,084 from the Kentucky Justice and Public Safety Cabinet to continue operation of the Kentucky Motorcycle Rider Education Program.

Gary Ritchison, Biological Sciences, was awarded $7,000 from the Kentucky Department of Fish and Wildlife Resources for research on sharp-shinned hawks in Kentucky.