I’ve said before that seeing our students recognized and meeting their families at the “Outstanding First-Year Student Awards” is probably my favorite part of the job. Well, a pandemic happened and we didn’t get to host our yearly event. But we wanted to do something to recognize their hard work, so we put this virtual awards ceremony together so that they could share their achievements with their families, friends, and loved ones. Thanks to EKU’s phenomenal branding department for making this come together through Zoom, and thank you to President McFaddin for taking the time to make the video more meaningful. Most of all, congrats to all our winners!

Travis L. Martin, PhD, is founding director of the Kentucky Center for Veterans Studies at Eastern Kentucky University. He has established several nationally recognized programs to support returning veterans in higher education and the non-profit sector. A scholar of American literature, psychoanalytic trauma theory, and social theory, Dr. Martin presents frequently at conferences and universities. He has published dozens of research articles and creative short works on veterans’ issues. A former sergeant in the U.S. Army, he served during two deployments in the Iraq War (2003-04 & 2005). His book War and Homecoming: Veteran Identity and the Post-9/11 Generation is slated for publication with the University Press of Kentucky in 2022. He resides in Richmond, KY.