Eastern University was recognized at the White House on June 10 for being a founding partner in President Obama’s Fair Chance Higher Education Pledge. Eastern administrators Robert Duffett, President, and Thomas Ridington, Executive Vice President for University Relations and New Ventures, both attended the White House event. They met with Domestic Policy Council Director Cecilia Muñoz, Education Secretary John King and 15 other institutions who have made the pledge. By making the pledge Eastern has reaffirmed its commitment to making the transition to higher education more readily available for those with criminal records, including formerly incarcerated individuals.
“As the federal government begins to remove barriers that frustrate that transition, we have the opportunity to imagine how our Christian mission positions us to equip our communities’ returning citizens for lives of thoughtful and productive service,” Dr. Ridington comments.
Each educational institution may outline their own pledge to be submitted. Eastern’s pledge highlights its history of promoting social justice and its commitment to faith, reason and justice.
Sources: eastern.edu, whitehouse.gov
Lenora Kirkland 
Colin Tomczak 
Ella Curcuruto