In just a few short weeks, we will welcome students and faculty for the start of the Fall 2024-25 academic year. I find the beginning of the fall semester to be one of the most energizing and active times on a college campus, and I look forward to the bustle and excitement on the horizon. However, this summer has been an eventful period as well, with faculty and staff working hard to advance major university initiatives under the institution’s strategic plan. In this short video, I offer an update on the progress that has occurred during the break and give a forward look toward the upcoming academic year.
I would like to offer my deepest appreciation and gratitude to the many individuals who have been hard at work this summer and to the entire campus community for the ongoing and outstanding work in progress at this university. Over the past few years, East Tennessee State University has celebrated numerous historic milestones ranging from welcoming the largest first-year class ever to providing the largest pay raises in the institution’s modern history, from launching new and cutting-edge programs to expanding our research portfolio. Thank you — truly, thank you. I look forward to continuing this momentum in the semesters to come.
Godspeed, and go Bucs!
Brian Noland
ETSU Named a “Best Employer for Women” by Forbes
East Tennessee State University has been recognized as one of America’s Best Employers for Women 2024 by Forbes magazine. The list stems from an independent survey from a sample of over 150,000 women working for companies employing at least 1,000 people within the U.S. from all industry sectors.
Real-World Impact
Today: Nurse Narratives Film Screening
The Tennessee Center for Nursing Advancement and Ballad Health are partnering with East Tennessee State University and StoryCollab to create the Nurse Narratives Initiative. The effort aims to tell the stories of nursing, from nurses, and explain why nursing remains one of the most trusted professions.
A free screening of several first-person video stories, which touch on resilience and strength in the face of personal and professional challenges, will be held this evening at 6 p.m. in the Auditorium of the Culp Student Center.
Join us to hear from local nurses, such as oncology nurse Kylie Mims, who shared her powerful reason for becoming a nurse and the emotional experience of supporting those battling cancer.
Go Beyond the Classroom
An Upward Bound Student Reflects on a Summer Spent at ETSU
Trea’zur Cassidy, a student from Science Hill High School, spent much of her summer on campus taking classes and completing a hands-on internship as part of her experience with ETSU’s nationally recognized Upward Bound program.
“This internship has been such a great opportunity for me to get to know, adapt, and learn from the amazing team that works in communications at ETSU,” Cassidy said. “UB has mentored, blessed, and shaped me to love myself and the people around me. The program has given me a voice and helped me to understand that I am seen and heard. It also helped me recognize my purpose to share my story as well as others.”
Learn more about her experience by reading her blog post on ETSU News.
ETSU Has a New Free Platform for Creating a Will
Did you know that approximately 64% of Americans do not have an estate plan? ETSU understands the importance for everyone, regardless of age, to have a Will. As a member of the campus community, you have access to a new online tool that allows you to create a Will at no charge. To learn more, visit FreeWill.com/ETSU. You can use this site even if you do not have plans to include the university in your Will. For more information about using the site, contact Rebecca Muncy, ETSU Director of Planned Giving, at muncyrh@etsu.edu.
From Enrolled to Employed
ETSU Launches Both Mechatronics and Orthotics & Prosthetics This Fall
Mechatronics, an interdisciplinary field, combines mechanical, electrical, control and computer engineering to create intelligent systems. Students in the program will gain expertise in robotics, automation, control systems, sensors, embedded systems and more. The program has already garnered significant interest from both students and local industries, including Y-12 in Oak Ridge and Siemens in Johnson City.
The Orthotics and Prosthetics program, which is the first of its kind in Tennessee and only the 14th in the nation, also is designed to meet significant workforce demands. Nationwide, the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics projects employment of orthotists and prosthetists to increase by 15% from 2022-32 – much faster than the average growth rate for all occupations.
The State of Aging in East Tennessee
ETSU’s Office of Professional Development is offering The State of Aging in East Tennessee Conference on August 7, from 8 a.m. to 3 p.m. at the Carnegie Hotel. Conversations will focus on essential topics in aging including the latest Alzheimer's research and proven strategies to enrich the journey of the region’s senior citizens. Other topics include dementia, active aging, creative aging, elder law and more. Learn more and register for the conference.
Save the Date
New Student and Faculty Convocations
The start of the new academic year is just around the corner, and I hope to see many of you at our upcoming New Student and Faculty Convocation events on August 23. Student Convocation will be held in the Ballad Health Athletic Center (Mini-Dome) at 3:30 p.m. while Faculty Convocation will occur at the Martin Center for the Arts at 8:30 a.m.
Listen In
‘Vital Voices’ Shares Unique Perspectives from the Region and Beyond
Last year, ETSU’s public radio station, WETS-FM, launched a new on-air show and podcast called “Vital Voices.” Hosted by historian and journalist Fred Sauceman, the show features rich conversations sharing unique perspectives from the Appalachian region and beyond. Listen in on 89.5 WETS-FM on Saturdays at 7 p.m. or Sundays at 2 p.m. or online anywhere you listen to podcasts.
ETSU's Preview and Orientation Leader (POLO) students have been hard at work all summer welcoming incoming students and their families during Orientation events.
Follow @ETSUPrez
#BucsGoBeyond
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.
East Tennessee State University, 1276 Gilbreath Drive, Johnson City, TN 37614
