EKU will recognize 1,128 degree candidates at its annual Fall Commencement on Saturday, Dec. 17.

The morning ceremony, at 10 a.m., will honor candidates from the Colleges of Education, Health Sciences and Justice & Safety. The afternoon ceremony, at 3 p.m., will recognize candidates from the Colleges of Arts & Sciences and Business & Technology. Both ceremonies will be held in Alumni Coliseum and are open to the public.

The honorees include 773 bachelor’s degree candidates, 237 master’s degree candidates and 118 associate degree candidates.

Renowned local author Charles Bracelen Flood, whose latest book chronicles “Grant and Sherman: The Friendship That Won the Civil War,” signed copies of the book following his presentation on campus Dec. 6. Earlier in the day, the Bookstore hosted a “Meet-and-Greet” with the author in the store.

Rhodora, the journal of the New England Botanical Club, called it a “monumental and much-needed work.”

Modern Mountain Magazine said the book is “ideal for students, teachers, landscapers and consultants, wildlife biologists, county agents, environmentalists and amateur naturalists.”

Taxon, the International Journal of Plant Taxonomy, Phylogeny and Evolution, said Daniel Boone “would have loved” this “beautifully and comprehensively executed book,” adding that non-residents of the Bluegrass State “should be green with envy.”

Dr. Ron Jones’ new book “Plant Life of Kentucky: An Illustrated Guide to the vascular Flora,” the first volume ever of its kind in the Commonwealth, has garnered praise from academicians and gardeners alike and earned for its author the 2005 Biological Diversity Protection Award from the Kentucky State Nature Preserves Commission. The impetus for the book, however, was deeply rooted in simple necessity.

EKU, in collaboration with other colleges and universities around the Commonwealth, will host the next annual conference of the National Council of Professors of Educational Administration.

EKU students spent eight days this semester teaching two different groups of sixth-graders at Clark Moores Middle School about "The Power of Five," created by America's Promise. On Dec. 7 and 8, the middle school students were presented with t-shirts and certificates to recognize their graduation from the program, designed to teach the students how to be safe and give back to others in their life and their community.

“Building a national reputation in the larger literary community has been a professional goal” of Frank X Walker.

Consider it reached.

The EKU English professor and leading “Affrilachian” poet learned recently that he had received a prestigious Lannan Writing Fellowship. He is one of only nine nationally to receive a Lannan Literary Award or Fellowship for 2005 and one of only three Kentuckians to have earned the honor in the Lannan Foundation’s 17-year history, joining Wendell Berry and Chris Offutt.

EKU occupational therapy graduate students Anita Vetter of Lexington and Joy Mullins, Litt Carr, are the first recipients of two OT scholarships.

EKU senior nursing students organized the third annual Battle of the Belts competition among all Madison County high schools to promote the use of seat belts while driving/riding. On Dec. 1, Madison Central High School was presented the first-place prize in the contest, co-sponsored by the Madison County Health Department. On hand for the award ceremony were, from left, Lloyd Jordison of the health department; EKU nursing stduent Sarah Peacock; Elaine Waters, assistant professor of nursing; EKU nursing students Patricia Hibbitts, Kalena Hunt, Effie Sizemore, Taryn Brandenburg, Lindsay Davis, Lisa Watson and Johnnida Caldwell; Madison County High School Assistant Principal Chris Young; EKU nursing student Tasia Rader; Sgt. Willard Reardon of the Richmond Police Department; Madison Central High students Sarah Baird and Rogers Summers; and MCHS teacher Jamie Ford.

Carole Garrison, chair of the Department of Criminal Justice and Police Studies, is featured in this ongoing series designed to allow EKU leaders to discuss their roles as well as campus issues. Garrison, who joined the EKU faculty more than five years ago, holds a Ph.D. in public administration from Ohio State University, a master's degree in government administration from The Institute of Government Administration at Georgia State University, and a bachelor's degree in history and government from the University of Miami.