Earlier this week, our Men's Golf Team competed for a national title, ultimately placing 12th in the nation among a field of 30 competitors comprising primarily state flagship institutions. It was ETSU's fourth straight appearance in the NCAA Men's Golf Tournament, and we are one of just nine programs in the country to accomplish that feat. Our golf team's ability to compete at an elite level against far larger schools with much deeper pockets is outstanding. But it is not unique — at least not at ETSU.
Our students, faculty, staff, and alumni are achieving national and international recognition in research, scholarship, athletics, the arts, health care, business, government, and service. In the last year alone, our marching band grew to one of the largest in the nation and was selected to perform on the world stage at the Macy's Thanksgiving Day Parade, while Bluegrass alums Amythyst Kiah and Tray Wellington received national acclaim from the New York Times and PBS, among others. Our pharmacy students ranked second nationally for their scores on the NAPLEX licensing exam, and students and faculty in the College of Public Health claimed one of the nation's top awards for innovation in public service.
Our focus on developing innovative programs to meet the unique and changing needs of our communities also was applauded. Our BlueSky Tennessee Institute, in partnership with BlueCross BlueShield of TN, has received numerous accolades, the most recent coming from the Carnegie Corporation of New York. Meanwhile, faculty members in our College of Clinical and Rehabilitative Health Sciences have been busy preparing to launch the first cohort of the new Orthotics and Prosthetics program, the first of its kind in Tennessee and one of only 15 nationwide.
ETSU has also shined when it comes to service to veterans and military-affiliated students. Jake Berens, a student in our Quillen College of Medicine, was named a 2023 National Student Veteran Leadership Award recipient. Our Army ROTC program is consistently ranked the best in Tennessee and among the top battalions in the nation, and there are 17 generals and flag officers from ETSU.
For far too long, our university has been among the world's "best-kept secrets." This is a disservice not only to our students, faculty, staff, and alumni but also to our entire region, which has worked hand-in-hand with the university for more than a century to develop a world-class institution in the heart of Appalachia. And we have done so without sacrificing our mission and remaining accessible to all. Nearly 40 percent of our May 2024 graduates were the first in their families to graduate from college. East Tennessee State University is a place where anyone — regardless of their income, background, or where they came from — can grow, succeed, and compete with the best. I am incredibly proud of that fact, and I hope each of you is as well.
Thank you for all you do for ETSU and for making our 2023-24 academic year one for the record books. Be sure to take some time to relax and rejuvenate this summer. Godspeed and GO BUCS!
Go Beyond the Classroom
Alt Breaks: An Immersive Learning Experience
ETSU's Alternative Breaks program is the embodiment of our mission to improve the quality of life for people in the region and beyond. See it in action through the eyes of students who traveled to New Orleans this past semester to support education and youth development efforts.
Be Part of This Year's Official ETSU Football Poster
Join Coach Tre Lamb and the ETSU football team next Thursday, June 6th, at noon on the football field for a group photo for this year’s official Fall 2024 Football Season poster. The poster will be designed to highlight the team’s motto, “Together we win.” Students, faculty, staff, alumni, and fans are encouraged to be part of the field photo and to wear their favorite ETSU gear or their work uniform (police uniform, scrubs, etc.).
To Amplify Our Music Community, We Need Your Voice
The Northeast Tennessee music census is a community-led initiative to gain a better understanding of the current needs of our music community. Our census survey captures key information about the Northeast Tennessee music economy to help the community make more informed, data-driven decisions to support the music ecosystem. Your information is collected by Sound Music Cities, a leading Austin-based provider of music ecosystem studies and music census work. Please consider completing the survey if you contribute any type of music-related work, with or without compensation, and you believe your skills and commitment are worthy of acknowledgment and support. This includes part-time work, rarely paid or volunteer work, and work that is more administrative than creative.
ETSU Named ‘Top Adventure College’ — Again!
ETSU is the Top Adventure College in the Southeast and Mid-Atlantic for the second year in a row, as selected by readers of Blue Ridge Outdoors magazine and the community. This distinction came through an online, bracket-style tournament that pitted ETSU against regional colleges and universities, culminating in ETSU’s triumph over Appalachian State University in the final round.
In Memory
Earlier this week, we celebrated Memorial Day, a time to remember and honor individuals who sacrificed their lives in service to our country. This list of ETSU students who are among our nation's fallen service members offers a poignant reminder of their bravery, dedication, and impact.
6th Annual Equity and Inclusion Conference
Registration is now open for the sixth annual Equity and Inclusion Conference, which will be held September 26-27. Additionally, students, faculty, staff, and community members are invited to submit proposals to present. Proposals are due by July 12.
Bucs Go Beyond
An Advocate for Tennessee's Children
Congratulations to Dr. Michele Moser, who recently earned the 2024 Jim Pryor Child Advocacy Award from the Tennessee Commission on Children and Youth. Dr. Moser, a professor in the ETSU Quillen College of Medicine’s Department of Psychiatry and Behavioral Sciences, earned this recognition for bringing professionals together to address a need for Tennessee’s infants, children, and families through the Connecting for Children’s Justice Conference.
ETSU's Reece Museum Wins Major Award
ETSU’s Reece Museum has received a Tennessee Association of Museums Award of Excellence for its long-running 2023 exhibition, “An Exuberant Spirit: The Sammie L. Nicely Collection.” This exhibit featured 85 artworks from the Reece Museum’s permanent collection and was on display from May to December 2023, drawing more than 3,800 visitors.
If you have not seen it yet, be sure to check out the Reece Museum's latest exhibit, "Fire, Earth, & Life," which features Tennessee artists and is on display through tomorrow.
ETSU Faculty Share Insights on AI
In this article, several ETSU faculty members share their thoughts on AI's use in marketing and research; issues in information technology security, misinformation, and ethics; and training students to harness its power.
Academic Restructure, Tuition and Fees, Salary Pool Approved by ETSU Board
During its recent quarterly meeting, ETSU's Board of Trustees approved the granting of tenure and promotion for 54 faculty members. A celebration recognizing these individuals is planned for this fall.
The Board also approved the expansion of the revenue dedicated to salary in next year’s budget through the creation of a $6.68 million salary pool. Much of this revenue will be generated by a 5.25% increase in tuition and fees for the Fall 2024 semester. The increased rate amounts to in-state undergraduate students paying approximately $261 more per semester. The Board noted that the average annual increase of tuition and fees over the past five years at ETSU has only been approximately 2%. The Board will review and take action on a plan outlining the distribution and details of salary enhancements in the fall.
Additionally, the Board approved a proposal to update the university’s academic structure to facilitate greater collaboration across academic programs and more closely align with community and workforce needs. This new structure — which is still pending approval by THEC — will build on the university’s strengths in the health sciences by moving programs to the newly named College of Health Sciences. It will also provide opportunities to showcase the numerous degree offerings in the arts as well as digital media and marketing. More information on this effort is available on the Office of the Provost website.
Voyager Implementation Update
As a reminder, last week, I shared a memo outlining our decision to delay the launch of the Voyager ERP system and the transition to bi-weekly pay. As previously noted, the Board of Trustees has authorized us to provide a one-time $500 bonus to all full-time, benefits-eligible employees to assist in the transition to the new schedule. This bonus will be provided one month prior to the implementation date, which will be determined at a later date.
Celebrating Our Staff
I would like to offer a special "thank you" to the ETSU Staff Senate for coordinating the Staff Celebration earlier this month. During the event, the following employees were recognized for their outstanding service to the institution:
Dustin Fawyer
Christopher Hicks
Alexis Malone
Karen Mann
Nancy Miller
Dreama Pullon
Travis Watson
Also, be sure to check out the gallery of photos captured at the selfie station during the event!
Upcoming University Closures
As a reminder, the university will be closed on Wednesday, June 19, in observance of the Juneteenth holiday. Additionally, in gratitude for our employees' service and dedication, I have designated July 5 as an administrative leave day. This is in addition to the regular paid holiday on July 4. For the July 5 closure, please make note of the following:
Quillen College of Medicine and Gatton College of Pharmacy students should continue with their current academic/clinical schedules as planned.
Faculty and staff who must work during that time (e.g., university employees working in the clinical environment or precepting students on clinical rotations, employees giving student tours or advising, etc.) will be able to take the day off at a later time. That time must be used by August 31.
Employees should record an “L” on their timesheet for July 5. Only employees who cannot take the day on July 5 because of teaching/clinical/other responsibilities may use the day at a later time. Those employees should record an “L” on their timesheet when the day is used.
Photo of the Week
Earlier this week, the ETSU Men's Golf Team recorded a 12th-place finish in the national NCAA tournament.
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Stay Informed with 'BucBeat'
"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.
During the summer break, “From My Notepads” will be published on the following schedule:
Week of June 24
Week of July 29
We will return to the usual twice-monthly schedule the week of August 19.
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