Saluting Success: EKU Named a Top School for Military Families

RICHMOND, KY — Once again, Eastern Kentucky University (EKU) was named second in the nation for Military Friendly® Spouse Schools. This national recognition highlights EKU’s continued success in providing a welcoming and resourceful environment for military families pursuing higher education. In addition, EKU is the only university in Kentucky to make the top 10 Military Friendly® Schools designation, further solidifying its role as a leader in education for the military community.

     “At EKU, there is no greater honor than supporting those who have served our nation,” said EKU President David McFaddin. “In our recent partnership with the Kentucky National Guard and a renewed MOU with the Department of Defense, we continue to seek out opportunities to grow and support our military-affiliated students. Our consistent rankings among Military Friendly Schools, Spouse Schools, Best for Vets and other national recognition reaffirm our commitment to excellence in serving veterans and their families.”

     EKU is home to over 1,800 military-connected students, as of Spring 2024. EKU’s Office of Military and Veteran Affairs (OMVA) provides valuable support and resources to military students and their families, such as priority registration, reduced tuition for active-duty service members and their spouses, specialized advising and the on-campus EKU Veterans Center. Further supporting military students, the EKU Board of Regents recently approved OMVA’s funding for the upcoming academic year, which includes a reduction in tuition for graduate level, uniformed military students by $75 per credit hour.

     Bringing firsthand experience and understanding to campus, every member of the OMVA team is military-affiliated. This shared background allows the staff to connect with transitioning veterans, understand the unique challenges faced by military spouses, and recognize the value of supporting dependents in their educational journeys. 

     “As a current service member, I see many of our veterans struggle with the complexity of understanding their education benefits,” said Nick Wentzel, ’09, assistant director of OMVA. “Providing veterans and their families a sense of clarity and guidance fosters a sense of purpose and community.”

     When Nick was deployed for military service, his wife, Starr Wentzel, ’06 ’08 ’24, worked full time, cared for their two children and completed her dissertation for her doctoral degree. 

     “As a first-generation college student from rural Eastern Kentucky, I wasn’t sure what to expect, but EKU gave me the support, confidence and opportunity I needed to grow,” said Starr, director of first-year courses at EKU. “This university has afforded me both my education and my career, and I believe in its mission as the School of Opportunity.” 

     More than 1,800 schools across the country participated in the Military FriendlyⓇ Schools survey. To receive a ranking, institutions must meet a variety of standards and thresholds for retention, graduation, job placement, repayment, persistence and loan default rates for all students, specifically for student veterans.

     To see the complete list of 2025-26 Military FriendlyⓇ Schools, visit militaryfriendly.com/schools/. To learn more about the services and resources available to students through EKU OMVA, visit eku.edu/omva.