EKU Offers Relief in Aftermath of Tornado

RICHMOND, Ky. (May 22, 2025) — On Friday night, an EF-4 tornado ripped through Pulaski and Laurel Counties—merely hours after Eastern Kentucky University’s (EKU) spring commencement ceremonies. In the aftermath of one the deadliest tornadoes in EKU’s service region, the university offers support and assistance for students affected by the storm. The Student Assistance Fund for Eastern (SAFE) provides immediate assistance to EKU students who are unable to meet essential expenses due to emergencies, such as the weekend tornado. 

“Our hearts go out to our neighbors and communities devastated by this tragic storm,” said EKU President David McFaddin. “Our students and the region we serve are always our top priority. When our EKU family is in need, we rally together to help in any and every way possible—that’s what EKU Colonels do.”

 

A married couple, both students at EKU, lost their apartment and their vehicle in the storms. In an email communication where Dr. Lara Vance, dean of students, extended help through the SAFE fund, the husband said, “I want you to understand how much this means to my family. I am currently on break at work and nearly in tears receiving this news. We have fought with our renters and auto insurance since Friday, and the fact that the university is able to step up and help in this situation is nothing short of a miracle.”

 

Another student walked across the graduation stage at Friday afternoon’s commencement ceremony, and that night, huddled in the bathroom with her husband and three children while the roof of their home ripped away in the storm. She is enrolled in her last two classes this summer and was offered SAFE assistance as she completes her degree and copes with the storm’s damage. 

 

Vance said, “I know we understand what a difference the SAFE program makes, but this week, there just are not words sufficient enough to describe it.”

 

One student cried with relief on the phone when EKU called to check on her and extend SAFE funds to help.

 

Four SAFE awards have been disbursed to students affected by the tornado. Students who may need assistance are encouraged to apply for funding from SAFE. Those who would like to donate to the fund can do so at: go.eku.edu/give-SAFE.

 

Additionally, EKU’s School of Aviation is organizing a donation drive to support affected residents. Donations of nonperishable food items, bottled water, baby supplies, hygiene products, clothing and other supplies can be dropped off at the Central Kentucky Regional Airport (FBO) and EKU Stratton Building (Room 50).

 

“Due to the tornado impacting the aviation community in London and Corbin, we are reaching out to our students, flight instructors and staff directly to see if we could support the victims,” said Dennis Sinnett, chair of EKU’s School of Aviation. Sinnett expects the donations to be delivered to the area early next week. He said members of the EKU Aviation team have been in London, Kentucky, assisting in the cleanup of the airport. EKU faculty member David Fifer, director of the EKU Center for Wilderness and Outdoor Public Safety, is also on the ground helping communities with response efforts.

 

EKU’s service region encompasses 22 counties in south central and southeastern Kentucky, including Laurel and Pulaski counties. About one-third of EKU’s student body is from the university’s service region, with more than 900 students from Laurel and Pulaski counties in Fall 2024. 

 

The SAFE program is generously supported by gifts from EKU alumni, parents and friends, ensuring any student receives essential financial assistance during unforeseen emergencies. Whether it's replacing belongings lost in natural disasters, helping with funeral expenses, covering travel costs for medical treatments, or ensuring students can repair their vehicles to attend classes, SAFE steps in when students need it most.