I have often said that East Tennessee State University performs the role of a land-grant or flagship university for northeast Tennessee and communities throughout central and southern Appalachia. This position is bolstered by ETSU’s rapidly expanding research and development (R&D) portfolio, which infuses millions of dollars annually into the regional economy and promotes both social and entrepreneurial innovation. Last year alone, the university secured $70.4 million in externally sponsored awards and reported $42.3 million in R&D expenditures – a figure that has more than quadrupled since 2016. These hard numbers are but one indicator of the invaluable impact ETSU’s faculty and researchers make in the lives of people throughout our region.
Take, for example, the Families First partnership program developed and coordinated by ETSU’s Center for Community Outreach nearly three decades ago. Last year, Families First received a new $3 million annual grant to remove barriers to employment and offer local families the assistance they need to become self-sustaining. The university’s Access ETSU program also focuses on finding new ways to help people reach their full potential. Research through that initiative is helping young adults with intellectual disabilities live more self-directed and fulfilling lives.
ETSU faculty and students also are taking a comprehensive approach to addressing the fallout from addiction – and working hard to mitigate its effects on the next generation. Fourth-year medical student Summer Shore, working with Dr. Marty Olsen, recently received national recognition for her research into reducing the number of children born with Neonatal Abstinence Syndrome, a tragic affliction prevalent in infants throughout the Appalachian region. The ETSU Ballad Health Strong BRAIN Institute represents the cutting-edge of addressing the lingering effects of trauma caused by Adverse Childhood Experiences (ACEs) through initiatives such as Better Workplaces Tennessee and numerous research projects. Just last week, the university was named as a partner supporting 10 new projects to remediate the devastation caused by the opioid epidemic, a problem that has long been at the forefront of research conducted through the ETSU Addiction Science Center, ETSU Health, and other partners across campus.
From an economic impact perspective, ETSU is taking a leading role in supporting both business and workforce development. University researchers have obtained numerous patents, boasting an impressive 53% patent approval rate – a metric of innovation in which ETSU is outperforming many institutions of our size. The ETSU Research Corporation, meanwhile, serves as an incubator for new businesses and a resource for entrepreneurs. And the Research Corporation’s partnerships in programs like BioMADE are helping build a pipeline of talent to support emerging industries.
The university community will be offered an excellent opportunity to see the research activity occurring at ETSU in action this Friday, April 5, in the D.P. Culp Student Center as we celebrate the annual Research Day. The day’s activities will include the Appalachian Student Research Forum, the Jay W. Boland Undergraduate Research Symposium, and a Community-Engaged Learning Showcase. I encourage you to stop by between 9 a.m. and 4:30 p.m. The ideas that will be on display are sure to spark your curiosity and engage your imagination.
Real-World Impact
Day of Giving
This video was created by ETSU student Kennon Cook.
The ETSU community will celebrate the annual Day of Giving on April 16, offering an opportunity for members of the university community to provide support and make a positive impact on the programs and initiatives that are most meaningful to them. Every donation makes a difference! Learn more at etsu.edu/give.
Get Involved
Join Us in Celebrating 'Dula Day'
Join members of the ETSU community in giving back to organizations working to address hunger, homelessness, and housing throughout the Appalachian Highlands.
Created in honor of the late Dr. Chris Dula, a well-known and beloved faculty member, Dula Day honors Dr. Dula’s joyous spirit and inspiring legacy. Students, faculty, and staff are encouraged to volunteer on the morning of April 20 from 8 a.m. to noon. Volunteers will receive a T-shirt to wear during the day's service and be treated to a light breakfast before heading out to their assigned nonprofit sites.
Following their service, volunteers will return to main campus just in time to join in on the Dula Day Celebration, which will be held at Borchuck Plaza and include live music, food trucks, and more. The event is free and open to the public, and you do not have to volunteer in the morning to attend the afternoon’s events. Sign up and learn more at etsu.edu/dula.
Bucs Go Beyond
ETSU Alum Named National Teacher of the Year
I am thrilled to share that Missy Testerman, a graduate of ETSU’s Clemmer College of Education and Human Development, was named the National Teacher of the Year earlier today. Ms. Testerman is an English as a second language instructor and program director at Rogersville City School (RCS). She was announced as the winner on “CBS Mornings” today and will spend the next year serving as an ambassador and advocate for all teachers and students.
Know Before You Go
Preparing for Commencement
We are quickly approaching Commencement, the culmination of the academic calendar and one of my favorite days of the year. ETSU will celebrate the graduates of Gatton College of Pharmacy and Quillen College of Medicine on Friday, May 3, at the Martin Center for the Arts. We will host two Commencement ceremonies in the Ballad Health Athletic Center on Saturday, May 4, for all other graduates. I am excited to welcome Timothy Busfield, an Emmy Award-winning actor, director, and producer who attended ETSU, as this year’s keynote speaker on May 4. We will also recognize the newest members of the ETSU 1911 Society and the Golden Fifties alumni from the Class of 1974. Learn more about the ceremonies.
Special Called Board Meeting
The ETSU Board of Trustees will hold a special called meeting of the Finance and Administration Committee on Friday, April 5, at 10 a.m. to discuss the budget for 2024-2025 and other business as necessary. To access the agenda, meeting materials, and livestream, visit etsu.edu/trustees. For disability accommodations, call the ETSU Office of Disability Services at (423) 439-8346.
People Come First
ETSU Recognized Nationally as a Military-Friendly University
ETSU has secured the prestigious Military Friendly® School designation for the 14th consecutive year. “They see us military-affiliated students as more than a number, and they really do want to know us as individuals,” ETSU student Alexis Calain said of the university’s Military and Veteran Services Office. Learn more about the support ETSU provides to veterans and their dependents.
Real-World Impact
BlueSky Tennessee Institute Receives National Recognition
The Carnegie Corporation of New York has named ETSU’s BlueSky Tennessee Institute as one of 10 winners of a new initiative to support outstanding local partnerships that educate youth, bolster the workforce, and demonstrate the power of working together. Read more about this exciting program.
Vote Now!
Top Adventure College
ETSU is once again vying for the recognition of “Top Adventure College.” This week, we are facing off against James Madison University in the bracket-style tournament. Vote weekly to help us claim the title for the second year running!
The latest edition of ETSU Health magazine is out now. The annual publication highlights the lifesaving work and cutting-edge research ETSU Health students and faculty are undertaking throughout the region.
Photo of the Week
ETSU students recently celebrated the Hindu festival Holi, also known as the Festival of Colors. The event celebrates eternal and divine love, the triumph of good over evil, and the arrival of spring.
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#BucsGoBeyond
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.
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