A new documentary – narrated by Kentucky native Nick Clooney – chronicles the rich history of Eastern Kentucky University. It premieres Monday, March 28 at 9/8 pm on KET.

The Essential Eastern: A History of Eastern Kentucky University, produced by EKU communications professor Chad Cogdill, follows the institution’s evolution from its founding in 1874 as Central University to its 1906 status as a state normal school to its role, since 1966, as a state university.

The film touches on the historical events and cultural and societal issues – including the Great Depression; two World Wars and other military conflicts; and the Civil Rights Movement and integration – that helped shape the Eastern Kentucky University campus and the students, faculty and staff who have called it home.

“What emerged,” said Cogdill of the making of the film, “was [a sense of] Eastern’s resiliency during difficult times coupled with a strong sense of community throughout the institution’s history. As with many educational institutions, Eastern has endured its share of victories and setbacks. But one thing remained clear, and that is a strong sense of community and institutional pride.”

The film draws upon Bill Ellis’s 2005 book A History of Eastern Kentucky University as a historical source, as well as records from the EKU Libraries, Special Collections and Archives and past copies of EKU’s student newspaper, The Eastern Progress, and its yearbook, Milestone.

Featuring interviews with 18 figures from the University’s past and present – including  Paul Blanchard, a retired EKU professor of political science; archivist Jackie Couture; historian Bill Ellis; archivist emeritus Charles Hay; noted comedian and EKU alum Carl Hurley; Coach Roy Kidd; Board of Regents chair Craig Tuner; Provost Janna Vice; and President Emeritus Doug Whitlock, among others – the documentary offers first-hand accounts of the moments and movements that have shaped EKU into the university it is today.

“I hope people learn something historical about the institution,” Cogdill said. “I hope they connect on a level that triggers positive memories of their time at Eastern.”

The Essential Eastern: A History of Eastern Kentucky University is produced and directed by Chad Cogdill.

KET is Kentucky’s largest classroom, serving more than one million people each week via television, online and mobile. Learn more about Kentucky’s preeminent public media organization on Twitter @KET and facebook.com/KET and at KET.org.

Contact:

Todd Piccirilli
Senior Director, Marketing and Communications
859-258-7242
tpiccirilli@ket.org