East Tennessee State University was founded in 1911 with the goal of improving the quality of life for people in the region and beyond. However, the roots of this institution began to grow in 1909 when the citizens of our region sought to convince Governor Malcolm R. Patterson to locate the East Tennessee Normal School in Johnson City. Over the course of two years, members of this community worked to secure resources, persuade policymakers, and build unified support for the creation of the school here. They were successful in their endeavor because they demonstrated resourcefulness unmatched by rival and competing communities.
Those first champions for ETSU did not merely provide proposals and plans to the governor and other officials. They rolled up their sleeves and started the job. Local utility companies offered free services for the college, and business leaders donated funds, supplies, land, and labor to build the campus.
Many of you likely know that George L. Carter donated the land upon which our beautiful campus sits. But what you may not know is the night before the site selection committee was due to visit, he built a road through the property — overnight — to show the site to its best advantage. Not stopping there, he also woke his neighbor in the wee hours of that morning, convincing the gentleman to sell him additional acres to make the location even more attractive. Somehow, Mr. Carter even found time to squeeze in a shave and a haircut that morning before the selection committee arrived.
That sort of passion, vigor, and initiative from the community did not end with the construction of Gilbreath Hall, our first building. For example, when the Great Depression hit, local banks helped us weather the storm, loaning the college money so that we could make payroll. Acts of generosity, kindness — and sometimes good old Appalachian stubbornness — have fueled the success of this institution for more than a century. In that time, ETSU has become a world-class institution, serving as a beacon for knowledge, innovation, and service.
Next week, we will celebrate Founders Week in recognition of the longstanding community support that has allowed this university to thrive. Through a series of events, we will showcase our vibrant history, our bright future, and the myriad of ways ETSU makes a meaningful and lasting impact on the lives of the people it serves. I invite each of you to join me in the observances we have planned for next week and to take a moment to reflect on the purpose and values of this institution. Bucs work hard. Bucs put people first. And Bucs go beyond.
Godspeed,
Brian Noland
Students can collect the limited-edition Founders Week Buc Badge by attending the ETSU Elevates Pitch Competition! Limited quantities are available, so arrive early!
Campus Conversations
ETSU Elevates
Campus Conversations is a new series that gives me the opportunity to go in-depth with leaders across the institution to learn more about and share some of the exciting initiatives that are underway here at East Tennessee State University. For this inaugural episode, I spoke with Dr. Susan McCracken and Nathan Farnor, two of the driving forces for our ETSU Elevates program. I hope you enjoy this conversation, and I encourage everyone on campus to join us Monday at 5 p.m. at the Martin Center for the ETSU Elevates Pitch Competition.
People Come First
ETSU's Moon Shot
At ETSU, we strive to be a place where anyone, regardless of where they came from, can grow, succeed, and compete with the best. That is why we have launched the Moon Shot initiative, which seeks to close opportunity gaps and ensure that all students who enter ETSU have the chance to achieve their full potential. To help eliminate barriers, we are examining institutional policies, investing in intensive academic advising services for all students, and providing wrap-around student support services.
Get Involved
Homecoming Activities
Homecoming Week is off to a wonderful start as students, faculty, and staff have turned out in droves to celebrate at events across campus. The next few days will be just as eventful, and I encourage you to make time to enjoy the fall weather, take part in campus traditions, and make new memories that will last you a lifetime. Full details for Homecoming are available online.
Tonight
Petting Zoo and Goat Yoga from 4 to 7 p.m. at the Amphitheatre
Tomorrow
Western-Themed Farmers Market from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. on the Pride Walk
Zip n S’mores ziplining and campfire from 5 to 7 p.m. at the Basler Challenge Course
Skit Night at 7 p.m. in the Martha Street Culp Auditorium
Friday
Buctainment Movie Night begins at 7:30 p.m. at the Amphitheatre and features Jordan Peele’s neo-western science fiction horror movie, “Nope.”
Saturday
Homecoming Football Game at 3:30 p.m. in William B. Greene Jr. Stadium
Stroll Off and Comedy Show at 8 p.m. in the Martha Street Culp Auditorium
Sunday
Gospel Choir Concert at 3:30 p.m. in the Martha Street Culp Auditorium
Students can collect the limited-edition Homecoming Buc Badge by attending Goat Yoga, Skit Night, or the Buctainment Movie Night. Limited quantities are available at each event, so arrive early!
Bucs Go Beyond
ROTC Hall of Fame Inductees
East Tennessee State University’s Army ROTC program will induct its 2023 Hall of Fame class tomorrow at 2 p.m. in the Grand Soldiers Ballroom at the Carnegie Hotel. Inductees include Gary McAllister, Dr. Wilsie Bishop, and Charles “Chuck” Rambo. The event is free and open to the public.
Go Beyond the Classroom
ETSU Theatre and Dance Presents ‘These Shining Lives’
The Department of Theatre and Dance will open its 2023-24 season this week with “These Shining Lives” by Melanie Marnich. Performances will be held in the Bert C. Bach Theatre in the ETSU Martin Center at 7:30 p.m. Thursday through Saturday with a 2 p.m. performance on Sunday. The play, which is set in the 1920s and 30s, tells the true story of a group of courageous women who fought for justice against a company that knowingly poisoned its workers. Tickets are available on the Martin Center’s website.
Get Involved
Art Cinema at the Buc Frank Theatre
The Bud Frank Theatre, housed in Gilbreath Hall, is being reimagined as the region’s first art cinema. “Cinema at the Bud Frank Theatre” kicks off at 6 p.m. tomorrow with an opening reception, live music performed by musicians in ETSU’s Bluegrass, Old-Time, and Roots Music Studies and a screening of the silent film, “Our Hospitality,” happening at 7 p.m. “This is important because half of the films released – indeed, half the Oscar contenders – do not play in Northeast Tennessee on initial release,” said Dr. Matthew Holtmeier, an associate professor in the Department of Literature and Language. This semester, the cinema will feature four more films including
“Annihilation” on Tuesday, October 24
“Rocky Horror Picture Show” on Monday, October 30
“Frankenstein, a National Theatre Live Performance” on Sunday, November 5, and
“White Christmas” on Friday, December 1
All events are free and open to the public. Details are available at etsu.edu/cas/cinema.
Get Involved
Bands of America Returns to ETSU
On Saturday, October 21, ETSU will again host a Bands of America Regional Championship event. I would like to thank Dr. Joe Moore, director of athletic bands and a member of the Department of Music, and David Golden, chief executive officer for the ETSU Research Corporation, for their work in securing this prestigious honor. Our very own Marching Bucs, who have been selected to march in the 2024 Macy’s Thanksgiving Day Parade, will perform at 4:30 p.m. Tickets may be purchased online at the Bands of America website or at the door of the Ballad Health Athletic Center on the day of the event.
Fall Break Reminder
Students will be on Fall Break October 16 and 17. During this time, there will be no classes. However, the university will remain open. Faculty are encouraged to honor this time as a true break and refrain from setting deadlines for assignments on these days.
Annual Benefits Enrollment Reminder
The annual enrollment period for employee benefits began October 1 and will continue through October 13. Annual enrollment is your opportunity to add, cancel, or change insurance coverages. Learn more at etsu.edu/human-resources/benefits/enrollment.php.
Nearly 100 people took their oath of citizenship in front of a large crowd of guests and friends on Friday, Sept. 29. The Honorable J. Ronnie Greer, U.S. District Judge for the Eastern District of Tennessee and a graduate of ETSU, presided over the ceremony. This marked the second time that ETSU hosted a naturalization ceremony after becoming the first higher education institution in East Tennessee to host one in 2018.
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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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