Last week, I had the privilege of giving the annual State of the University address. This event allows me the opportunity to share our strategic vision for East Tennessee State University, outline trends in the landscape of higher education, and celebrate the outstanding work of our students, faculty, and staff. The presentation is accompanied by the release of the annual State of the University report, which provides further insight into the health of our institution and the remarkable achievements of members of our university community.
I am incredibly proud to say that ETSU has, for more than 113 years now, remained steadfast in pursuit of its mission to improve the quality of life for the people of this region. This commitment is evident in the stories I shared last week and within the pages of the annual report.
Yet, there is so much more to the story. Each of you plays a role in making ETSU the special place it is: a world-class university in the heart of Appalachia. So, I hope you will take the time to watch the full State of the University address and read the report. While these resources, too, only scratch the surface, they offer richer examples of the transformative impact ETSU is making in our region — and across the world.
Godspeed, and go Bucs!
Choral Collage
The ETSU Choirs will present Choral Collage this Sunday, October 20, at 3 p.m. Join the ETSU Chorale, BucsWorth Tenor Bass Choir, East Tennessee Belles Soprano Alto Choir, Greyscale, and Ascension for an entertaining mix of musical styles and genres ranging from jazz to pop to classical. Over 150 singers will close out the concert onstage together. Tickets and details are available online.
Wind Ensemble and Concert Band Performance
The ETSU Wind Ensemble and Concert Band will perform this Sunday, October 20, at 7:30 p.m. at the Martin Center for the Arts. The event is free and open to the public.
Pulitzer-Prize Winning Journalist Eli Saslow to Visit ETSU
ETSU will welcome Eli Saslow, a Pulitzer Prize-winning journalist with The New York Times, for a public lecture and reading on Tuesday, October 22, at 7 p.m. in the East Tennessee Room of the D.P. Culp Student Center. The event is free and open to the public, with no registration required.
Open Enrollment for Benefits Closes Today
Annual Enrollment for employees is your chance to choose your Partners for Health plan benefits or make changes in your selections that are effective the following January 1. The period to review benefits for 2025 ends today, October 18, 2024. It is crucial to review your benefits and carefully consider your options during this time. Important changes to medical, dental, and vision benefits for 2025 can be seen here. As a reminder, this is a state-mandated deadline that cannot be extended. Employees impacted by Hurricane Helene and needing assistance or additional time to review benefits should contact HR at hr@etsu.edu or (423) 439-4457.
‘Rising with Hope: Appalachia After Hurricane Helene’
Following the devastation caused by Hurricane Helene, many questions remain. A team of ETSU faculty members is helping to make sense of the disaster and map a path for what comes next. Through a new video series, Dr. Andrew Joyner, who leads the Tennessee Climate Office based at ETSU, addresses questions about why Helene caused so much damage to our region, how we might prevent similar disasters in the future, and what actually happened on September 27.
Volunteer Service Hours for Employees
As a reminder, the university is providing all full-time, benefits-eligible employees with up to 15 hours of paid leave, which may be utilized for volunteering. These hours must be used by December 31, 2024, and recorded on your timesheet using the leave code CA. Employees may volunteer in the manner of their choosing, and volunteer work does not have to be done in conjunction with an official organization to count. For example, you might choose to utilize these hours to help clean up the property of a family member or neighbor who was affected. Details regarding allowable uses, procedures, and how to record this leave on your timesheet are available on the Office of Human Resources website. We encourage volunteers to utilize the ETSU Serves website to find organizations in need.
Rare Performance of World-Renowned Choir Coming to ETSU
The Sixteen, one of the world’s most renowned choral ensembles, will perform at the Martin Center for the Arts on Thursday, Oct. 24, at 7:30 p.m. Known for their performances of early English polyphony and works of the Renaissance, The Sixteen now performs music from a wide range of periods, including Baroque, classical, and 20th- and 21st-century compositions. Based in London, The Sixteen regularly performs at major concert halls and festivals throughout Europe, Asia, and Australia but has not been in the United States in over 15 years. Details are available online.
ETSU Presents Dark Comedy 'The Moors'
ETSU's Department of Theatre and Dance will present "The Moors" from October 24-26 at the Martin Center for the Arts. The dark comedy features power struggles and unexpected twists by exploring the strange and unsettling lives of two sisters and their dog living on the bleak English moors. Learn more and purchase tickets.
Bucs Stuffed the Bus
Through ETSU's "Bucs Stuff the Bus" school supply drive, the ETSU community filled 30 boxes of donations to deliver to local schools, including those impacted by Hurricane Helene. "Schools can provide a sense of normalcy and routine for young people and families amid so much disruption," Dr. Leah Adinolfi, dean of Student Engagement and director of Assessment, said. "I'm very pleased with the support everyone has given to strengthen these integral community assets."
ETSU Elevates
During last week's Founders Week activities, eight student teams pitched their ideas to tackle community challenges. A panel of judges selected three prize winners, and the crowd voted for its favorite.
The winner of the People's Choice Award was Skylar Mittelsteadt, a business management major, who also took home the first prize from the judges. Her project is "Level the Field." In partnership with the YMCA Kingsport, Mittelsteadt is collecting new/gently used sports gear and reallocating it to athletes in need. In total, the ETSU Elevates Pitch Competition invested $25,000 into the region. Learn more about the other winners and entrants.
'Bands of America' Returns to ETSU
The prestigious Bands of America regional championships will return to ETSU this Saturday, October 19, at the Ballad Health Athletic Center (Mini-Dome). The ticket office opens at 7 a.m., and the performance kicks off at 8 a.m. High school bands from across the nation will compete throughout the day. Local interest includes performances by Science Hill at 10:30 a.m., Elizabethton at 10:45 a.m., and Dobyns-Bennett at 4:15 p.m. The ETSU Marching Bucs will perform an exhibition at 4:30 p.m.
Out-of-State Students Can Apply to ETSU for Free in October
Prospective first-year students and transfer students from out-of-state can apply to ETSU for free during October. Interested applicants should visit www.etsu.edu/apply.php and use the code OOSFreeApp25 when filling out the application to waive the $25 fee. The code is valid until October 31.
The Life and Times of Burgin E. Dossett
During last week’s Founders Week activities, Mr. Fred Sauceman presented a presidential lecture titled "The Life and Times of Burgin E. Dossett." A former coal miner and candidate for Governor of Tennessee, Burgin E. Dossett became East Tennessee State College’s third president in 1949. During his 19-year tenure, ETSC became ETSU, the campaign for a medical school began, enrollment increased significantly, the institution’s first master’s degrees were awarded, and the campus was peacefully integrated, among other transformational accomplishments. In a fascinating presentation, Mr. Sauceman, who knew President Dossett personally, described this remarkable era in ETSU’s history and the man who defined it. You can watch the lecture on ETSU's YouTube Channel.
Staff Senate Food Drive
The ETSU Staff Senate has launched its annual Holiday Food Drive to provide crucial assistance to members of the ETSU community. If you know someone from the ETSU community who could benefit from receiving a holiday basket, please contact one of the following individuals by Monday, November 11. All requests will be kept confidential:
To support the drive, Staff Senate is accepting donations of non-perishable food items or monetary gifts from October 10 through November 14. Suggested items include:
Canned vegetables (green beans, corn, peas, etc.)
Canned sweet potatoes, pumpkin, apples, etc.
Stuffing mix
Boxed potatoes
Cranberry sauce
Gravy mix
Note: Unfortunately, home-canned foods cannot be accepted.
Food item collection areas are marked and can be found in most buildings across campus. If you prefer to contribute financially, please make checks payable to ETSU and mail them to Suzy Hooven or Stefanie Murphy at P.O. Box 70291. Cash collection canisters are also available at several cash registers across campus.
ETSU Foundation 2023-24 Annual Report
The ETSU Foundation is a 501(c)(3) corporation that oversees the management and investment of funds donated to ETSU. The Foundation exists in partnership with the Office of University Advancement, and the work of the ETSU Foundation touches the lives of every student and employee at this university, as well as all our graduates.
Last year, the Foundation awarded undergraduate and graduate students over $3.8 million in scholarships. The University Advancement team has helped raise thousands of dollars to support the Marching Bucs' upcoming trip to the Macy's Thanksgiving Day Parade. Funds donated to the Foundation are strengthening faculty initiatives and helping launch research centers like the Center for Rural Health and Research and the Strong BRAIN Institute. Building projects – from yesterday, today, and tomorrow – have risen from the ground thanks to donor support. Presently, the University Advancement team is working to raise funds for the various relief efforts on campus to assist those affected by Hurricane Helene.
I extend my deepest appreciation to the ETSU University Advancement staff and to all of you who donated to the ETSU Foundation during the 2023-24 year. Please enjoy reading the Foundation's latest annual report, "Emerging Opportunities," which is a celebration of the work you made possible.
Save the Date
Annual Holiday Lighting Celebration
ETSU's annual holiday lighting celebration will be held on November 18. Activities will commence in Alumni Plaza with a special ceremony to turn on the 2024 lights. Other festivities will include a holiday movie showing in the Bud Frank Cinema and the opening of the synthetic ice-skating rink in University Commons. More details will be provided in the coming weeks.
Photo of the Week
Congratulations and a heartfelt "thank you" to the employees who celebrated service milestones during last week's annual Celebration of Service event.
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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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