January 23, 2025

Welcome back to what I am sure will be an exciting and meaningful semester at East Tennessee State University. At ETSU, we believe in the power of ideas to inspire, challenge, and transform our community. Our annual Festival of Ideas is an opportunity to hear from some of the world's most brilliant thinkers and engage in open inquiry, meaningful discussion, and the kind of nuanced thinking necessary to navigate complex issues in an ever-changing world. This year, we are honored to welcome Pulitzer Prize-winning author Anthony Doerr and celebrated actor and literacy advocate LeVar Burton as keynote speakers.

Mr. Doerr, the author of All the Light We Cannot See, Cloud Cuckoo Land, and The Shell Collector, will speak on Feb. 25 at the ETSU Martin Center for the Arts. His work, known for its lyrical storytelling and deep human connections, has captivated readers worldwide. As you likely know, All the Light We Cannot See is this year’s ETSU Campus Read, selected for its themes of human connection, kindness, and the transformative power of education.

On Feb. 27, we will welcome LeVar Burton, an Emmy and Peabody Award-winning advocate for literacy and storytelling. From his iconic role as Kunta Kinte in Roots to his groundbreaking work on Reading Rainbow and Star Trek: The Next Generation, Mr. Burton has dedicated his career to the power of education and imagination. Reading Rainbow, which aired for over 20 years, inspired generations of young readers and won dozens of awards, including multiple Emmys. His commitment to literacy continues today through his various projects and advocacy efforts.

I believe the Festival of Ideas is one of the most inspiring events we host each year and serves as a perfect example of our teaching philosophy at ETSU. This is not a place where we teach students what to think. Rather, we strive to help them learn how to think—how to develop critical thinking skills, engage with diverse perspectives, and build their own inner compasses. Through events like the Festival of Ideas, we are fostering civil dialogue and engaged citizenship, ensuring that our students have the space and freedom to explore ideas, challenge assumptions, and engage in thoughtful discourse. 

All Festival of Ideas events are free and open to the public, with tickets available at etsu.edu/ideas.

Godspeed, and go, Bucs!

Dr. Brian Noland

Mary B. Martin School of the Arts Showcase

The Mary B. Martin School of the Arts Showcase is scheduled for this Sunday, January 26, 2025, at the ETSU Martin Center for the Arts. Doors open at 1:30 p.m. for an immersive lobby experience featuring student art displays, live music, and appetizers. The main event, a concert showcasing performances from ETSU’s departments of Art and Design, Creative Writing, Music, Theatre and Dance, Storytelling, Film and Media Studies, and Bluegrass, Old-Time, and Roots Music Studies, begins at 3 p.m. in the ETSU Foundation Grand Hall. This special event celebrates creativity across multiple disciplines and underscores the importance of the arts in our community.

Boland Research Day: Call for Abstracts

Students are encouraged to submit abstracts for the Dr. Jay W. Boland Research Day, which will be held on April 16. This annual event showcases innovative research and interdisciplinary collaboration. Submit an abstract.

Welcoming New Leadership

We are pleased to welcome two new Deans, who officially assumed their roles earlier this month. 

Dr. Dena Evans has joined us as Dean of the College of Nursing, and Dr. Jeff Snodgrass has been named Dean of the College of Health Sciences. Please join me in offering a warm welcome to Dr. Evans and in congratulating Dr. Snodgrass on his new position at ETSU.

Pepper’s Sports Grill Grand Opening

A new dining option is coming to ETSU. Pepper’s sports grill will celebrate its grand opening on January 29 at 12:30 p.m. Located on the main level of the ETSU Parking Garage in the space formerly occupied by Subway, this new campus restaurant offers sandwiches, burgers, salads, and other sports grill menu items. The grand opening event will feature free food, music, giveaways, games, and other fun activities for students.

Inclement Weather Procedures

As a reminder, in the event of delays or cancelations due to inclement weather, ETSU will send alerts via our emergency alert system, post updates on our website under the "advisories" section, and share information on our official social media channels. Given the region's mountainous terrain, weather conditions can vary greatly within a relatively small geographic range. As such, all students, faculty, and staff are encouraged to exercise discretion regarding whether or not it is safe to travel to campus. Instructors and supervisors are asked to provide flexibility when weather conditions prohibit safe travel. Please review the Campus Closing Due to Inclement Weather Policy for additional details.

ETSU Trailblazers

ETSU’s Research Ranking Rises

ETSU continues to climb in the latest HERD research rankings, reflecting our university’s growing commitment to innovation and discovery.

Honoring Dr. Martin Luther King Jr.

On Jan. 28, ETSU will host two events celebrating the legacy of Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. At 11:30 a.m. in the East Tennessee Room, the ETSU Multicultural Center (MCC) will host “King’s Beloved Community,” featuring the ETSU Gospel Choir, a candle lighting and remarks from MCC director Dr. Kevin Brooks.  

At 5 p.m. in the Culp Center ballroom, motivational speaker Ken E. Nwadike Jr. will speak about his journey from homelessness to becoming a successful entrepreneur and embracing one’s inner strength to create a compassionate and just world.

The MCC will also host events throughout Black History Month in February, beginning with an opening event featuring speaker Bettie Mae Fikes at 5 p.m. on Feb. 3 in the Culp Center’s Martha Street Culp Auditorium.

Bucs Go Beyond

A National Leader in Computing Education

ETSU’s computing programs continue to claim accolades and rigorous accreditations, earning a spot among the most distinguished in the country.

Hoops for Groups: Cheering on the Bucs

Through ETSU Athletics' new Hoops for Groups initiative, student organizations, clubs, and campus departments can take advantage of discounted group ticket packages and come together to show their school spirit. Special group experiences, including on-court recognition and in-game promotions, are also available. We hope to see a sellout crowd this weekend at Freedom Hall when the men's basketball team takes on one of our top rivals, Chattanooga! 

Photo of the Week

The Alumni Arctic Adventure Series — including the recent Skate Night — has been a huge success, featuring fun activities for the entire family. Check out upcoming events!

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#BucsGoBeyond

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"BucBeat" is a weekly news roundup published on Fridays covering highlights from the week in roughly five minutes. Listen anywhere you find your podcasts.

From My Notepads is a twice-monthly newsletter published by the office of ETSU President Dr. Brian Noland. The newsletter's title is a reference to the legal notepads Dr. Noland constantly carries to jot down thoughts, ideas, and notes.