RICHMOND, Ky. – Current Eastern Kentucky University student-athletes traveled to Lee and Owsley County High Schools this past Friday to speak to high school students about the importance of education.

The “Colonels in Education” event featured current student-athletes Tess Akgunduz (soccer), Aundrea Carroll (cheerleading), Nikki Donnelly (soccer), Taylor Riggs (men's golf) and Caleb Watkins (football) as well as Dr. Larry Collins (Faculty Athletic Representative and Associate Dean of School of Safety, Security and Emergency Management), Kate Johnson (Athletic Academic Advisor/LifeSkills Coordinator) and Mark Reese (EKU Extension Agent).

This is the third year EKU Athletics has visited regional schools to promote the benefits of continuing education past high school, discuss the preparation needed for college and explain all of the benefits EKU has to offer students.

Dr. Collins, the keynote speaker, led a discussion on how college is an investment. The student-athletes then participated in a question and answer session at each high school which featured topics ranging from why they picked EKU to how they manage their time with classes while also participating in a Division I sport.

For more information on the “Colonels in Education,” please contact Kate Johnson at 859-622-8931 or kate.johnson@eku.edu.