March 10 – Dr. David McFaddin, President, Eastern Kentucky University
The Rotary Club of Lexington held its weekly meeting Thursday, March 10, at The Mane on Main and on Zoom. The program featured Dr. David McFaddin, President earstern Kentucky University. To attend via Zoom please email, [email protected].
Dr. David T. McFaddin is the 14th President of Eastern Kentucky University. He was selected as the Interim President in December 2019 and was unanimously appointed president by the Board of Regents in August of 2020. Dr. McFaddin becomes the third Eastern graduate to ascend to the presidency, after Dr. Doug Whitlock and Dr. Robert Martin. In his role as Interim President, Dr. McFaddin led the University during a global pandemic. Facing unprecedented challenges, he overcame unexpected budget expenses, implemented a successful plan for a return to on-campus instruction, and established the Eastern Advantage, a plan to address college access and affordability. It is a cause that is the centerpiece of his priorities, and an initiative that will continue as a primary focus throughout his presidency.
Prior to his current role, Dr. McFaddin was responsible for programming and operations at EKU’s regional campuses, student life, EKU athletics, dual credit, conferencing and events, communication and brand management, community relations, Model Laboratory School, Student Government Association, WEKU public radio, the Center for Entrepreneurship and Economic Development, regional stewardship and the Center for Workforce Development. He also championed EKU’s legislative and policy agenda at all government levels, addressing issues that include higher education policy, research funding, public-private partnerships and workforce development.
Before joining EKU, David held regional and statewide leadership posts with AT&T, a Fortune 10 company and the largest telecommunications provider in the U.S., for nearly 15 years. His tenure there included major legislative, regulatory and strategic initiatives that paved the way for billions of dollars of capital investments in Kentucky.
A native Kentuckian, David holds a doctorate in educational leadership and policy studies from EKU. He also holds a master’s degree in business administration from the distinguished Gatton College of Business and Economics at the University of Kentucky, and a B.A. summa cum laude from EKU with a major in public relations. He is a first-generation college graduate and advocates for others who are the first in their families to graduate from college.
David is a past chair and an executive board member for the Richmond Chamber of Commerce, Chair of the EKU Department of Communication Advisory Board, committee Chairman and board member for Leadership Kentucky, a board member for the EKU International Alumni Association, board member for the EKU Center for the Arts, EKU Chapter Advisor for the Lambda Sigma Honor Society and board member for the Chemical-Weapon Destruction Community Advisory Board. In 2012 David was awarded the prestigious U.S. Presidential Service Award for his community volunteerism leadership efforts and in 2013 he received the EKU Distinguished Alumni Service Award.
David is married to the former Melissa Dye and is the father of three children: Isabel, Sophia and Connor.
