EKU Army ROTC Colonels' Battalion

05/25/2026

05/21/2026

Congrats to the Commissioning Class of 2026 — years of hard work, early mornings, late nights, and endless dedication finally paid off. Here’s to the next chapter of leadership, service, and making a difference. The future of the Army is in good hands. 🇺🇸

05/09/2026

05/04/2026

Senior Spotlight 🎓

Closing out our Senior Spotlights with CDT Dawson from Wi******er, KY!

Majoring in Homeland Security with a minor in Military Science and Leadership, he will commission into the Kentucky Army National Guard as a Field Artillery Officer 🇺🇸

Serving as our Battalion Commander (BC), CDT Dawson led the program from the front, setting the standard for leadership, discipline, and overall battalion success.

😎 Fun Fact: We’ll just say he keeps things simple… no fun facts needed.

05/03/2026

Honoring excellence, leadership, and dedication 🇺🇸

This year’s EKU Army ROTC Spring Awards Ceremony recognized the outstanding achievements of our cadets and cadre. From academic excellence and physical fitness to leadership and service, these awards highlight the very best of the Colonel’s Battalion.

We also recognized and thanked MAJ Corrigan and MSG Yates for their years of selfless service, and said farewell to LTC Plutt after three years as our Professor of Military Science (2023–2026). His leadership and impact on this battalion will not be forgotten.

Congratulations to all award recipients and those who continue to raise the standard every day. The future of the Army is in great hands.

05/01/2026

Senior Spotlight 🎓

Continuing our Senior Spotlights with CDT Franzen from Independence, KY!

Majoring in General Studies with minors in Military Science and Leadership and Women and Gender Studies, she will commission Active Duty in the Adjutant General Corps 🇺🇸

Serving as our Executive Officer (XO), CDT Franzen played a critical role in synchronizing operations, managing timelines, and ensuring the battalion stayed organized and on track for mission success.

As our Public Affairs Officer (PAO), she was responsible for capturing and sharing the story of the battalion—highlighting training, achievements, and the people who make the program what it is.

✨ Fun Fact: At Annual Training in Muscatatuck, IN, I trained alongside Taiwan ROC Urban Search and Rescue teams and acted out a dramatic scenario about “my baby” being injured in a water rescue so well my Commander laughed until he cried.

04/29/2026

Senior Spotlight 🎓

Continuing our Senior Spotlights with CDT Stone!

Majoring in Wildlife Management with minors in Biology and Military Science and Leadership, he will commission into the Kentucky Army National Guard as a Military Intelligence Officer 🇺🇸

Serving as our Command Sergeant Major (CSM), CDT Stone played a key role in enforcing standards, maintaining discipline, and supporting the overall readiness of the battalion.

🏊‍♂️ Fun Fact: He just started training for an Ironman!

04/27/2026

Senior Spotlight 🎓

Continuing our Senior Spotlights with CDT Melton from Middlesboro, KY!

Majoring in Cyber Systems Technology with a concentration in Network Security & Electronics, and a minor in Military Science and Leadership, he will commission Active Duty in the Cyber branch with a detail in Infantry 🇺🇸

Serving as our S3, CDT Melton played a key role in planning, coordinating, and executing training operations across the battalion.

🐱 Fun Fact: He has a cat named Big Chungus!

04/24/2026

Senior Spotlight 🎓

Ending our week with our Senior Spotlight with CDT Poynter from Elizabethtown, KY!

Majoring in Psychology with minors in Criminal Justice and Military Science and Leadership, she will commission Active Duty in the Logistics branch with an ADSO 🇺🇸

Serving as our S6, CDT Poynter played a key role in managing communications and ensuring the battalion stayed connected and mission-ready.

🦅 Fun Fact: She’s a die-hard Philadelphia Eagles fan — GO BIRDS!!

04/22/2026

The generous gift from the Keen family makes a world of difference for our cadets! https://www.eku.edu/news/lieutenant-general-ken-and-mary-ellen-keen-paying-it-forward-at-eku/

Lieutenant General Ken Keen and his wife, Mary Ellen, know that life isn’t defined by a single decision—but by the steady choices that shape who we become. At Eastern Kentucky University, those choices led them to ROTC, to lifelong friendships, and ultimately, to each other. Along the way, they ...