May 3, 2023

This Saturday, we will celebrate the achievements of more than 2,000 new graduates. Obtaining a college diploma indicates that you have mastered a set of skills within a particular field of study. One skill I hope all ETSU graduates leave with is that of leadership. And it is a skill I hope you continue developing all your life.

As members of the ETSU community, each of us has been commissioned to pursue and fulfill a singular mission: to improve the quality of life for people in this region and beyond. Strong leadership is essential if we are to achieve that purpose.

The qualities of leadership, however, are the subject of much debate and are difficult to define. One common definition is having and utilizing the ability to move people with passion in pursuit of common objectives rather than individual goals. I think a mentor of mine, Dr. E. Grady Bogue, provided a more poignant description when he said the first responsibility of the leader is to define reality. The second is to say thank you.

Leadership looks different for everyone, and there are many types of leaders. But I believe most share some common characteristics:

Purpose: Leaders of vision understand the primeval human urge to find meaning in their lives and appreciate the power of dreams to create hope.

Wonder: The most innovative and impactful leaders sustain curiosity and the desire to learn, which some have argued is the hallmark of humanity.

Adventure: Leaders must recognize that there is no achievement without failure and no growth without discomfort. Leaders must embrace ideological and physical struggle as opportunities to learn and improve.

As T.E. Lawrence wrote in his book The Seven Pillars of Wisdom, “all [people] dream, but not equally. Those who dream by night in the dusty recesses of their minds wake in the day to find that it was vanity; but the dreamers of day are dangerous…[for] they may act their dreams with open eyes to make it possible.”

Congratulations to all of our graduates, and I look forward to seeing the impact you will make on the world. May each of you live a life of purpose, wonder, and adventure.

Godspeed, and Go Bucs

Brian Noland

A Week of Graduation Celebrations

Few weeks of the year match the magic and excitement of Commencement week. In addition to our ceremonies on Saturday, a number of other celebrations and convocations are scheduled for the upcoming days, all recognizing the accomplishments and achievements of the Class of 2023. 

Watch this short video to learn procedures and what you can expect if you are graduating on Saturday. 

Friday, May 5

10 a.m. – Bill Gatton College of Pharmacy Hooding/Commencement (Martin Center) 

1 p.m. – ROTC Commissioning (Martha Street Culp Auditorium) 

2 p.m. – Quillen College of Medicine Hooding/Commencement (Martin Center) 

6:30 p.m. – College of Nursing Convocation (Martin Center) 

Saturday, May 6

10 a.m. – Commencement: College of Arts & Sciences, Biomedical Sciences, Global Sport Leadership, College of Nursing, and College of Public Health (Ballad Health Athletic Center) 

2 p.m. – Commencement: College of Business and Technology, Clemmer College, College of Clinical and Rehabilitative Health Sciences, College of Graduate and Continuing Studies,* Bill Gatton College of Pharmacy - Bachelor of Science (Ballad Health Athletic Center) 

* The graduate-level programs that participate with the College of Graduate and Continuing Studies are the Master of Arts in Liberal Studies and Master of Professional Studies. All other graduate-level degree programs will participate with their corresponding college. 

Additional information, including a link to the livestreams and virtual commencement program, are available here. 

Congratulations to all members of the Class of 2023!

1911 Society, Class of 2023

Eleven members of the Class of 2023 at East Tennessee State University will be inducted into the 1911 Society. Named in commemoration of the year ETSU was founded, the organization honors the university’s most notable graduates from undergraduate, graduate, and professional programs. For more than a century, ETSU has carried forth a mission to improve the quality of life for people in this region and beyond. The 1911 Society recognizes an elite group of graduates who have embodied this mission. We are delighted to honor these distinct members of the Class of 2023. View the list of inductees.

Meet a Soon-To-Be Graduate, Lydia Hamby

“ETSU has been everything to me. These past two years, I made friendships that I never thought were going to be so deep in such a short amount of time,” ETSU senior Lydia Hamby said. “The Bluegrass Program changed my life. The Human Services Program just made me such a way better person than I was when I got here. And so I’m not going to leave. I’m looking forward to the next two years in the master’s program here in Appalachian Studies and seeing where it takes me from there.” 

Hear Lydia’s story.

Annual Staff Social 

This year, our annual Staff Senate Social will be held Tuesday, May 16, from noon to 4:30 p.m. at the Ballad Health Athletic Center. This year’s theme is “Buccaneer Family Game Time” and will feature board-game-themed contests and a chance to win prizes. Lunch from The Firehouse Restaurant will be provided. Our partners at Marsh Regional Blood Center will be on site from 10 a.m.-3 p.m. To reserve an appointment time, click here. 

A highlight of this annual event is the presentation of the Distinguished Staff Awards and the Career Award. While the university will remain open the afternoon of May 16 to avoid any disruptions to summer courses and activities, I am asking supervisors to allow staff to attend the social from noon to 4:30 p.m. and implement flexible schedules as necessary. Food will be served from noon to 2 p.m. Formal remarks and the awards presentation will occur at 1 p.m. I look forward to joining members of our staff as we celebrate the close of the 2022-23 year. Thank you for all you do for ETSU. 

Farewell to Dean Horsley 

This summer, we will bid farewell to Dr. Leann Horsley, who has served as Dean of the College of Nursing for the past two years. She has accepted a position at Texas A&M University. On behalf of the ETSU family, I would like to offer her our sincere gratitude for her leadership and contributions and wish her all the best in her future endeavors. Provost Dr. Kimberly McCorkle is working with campus leaders to identify an Interim Dean of the College of Nursing, who I anticipate will be announced next week.  A national search for a permanent replacement will begin in the coming weeks, and we will share more details as they become available. 

Promotion and Tenure

The East Tennessee State University Board of Trustees approved the promotion and/or tenure of 56 faculty members during its quarterly meeting on April 21. ETSU faculty are not only masters in their fields of study, but also are among the most caring and dedicated professionals in the world. View the list of those promoted or granted tenure.

Bucs Go Beyond

• Dr. Kara Boynewicz: Driven by Her Vision for a Stronger Community

• Researchers Have Identified Two Species of Moles Entirely New to Science

• ETSU's Tipton and Slocumb Galleries Win Award of Excellence 
• Dr. Audrey Depelteau: Leading the Way for Others
• ETSU students succeed in national advertising competition

Get Involved

• Nominate an ETSU Hero
• Vote for Artists for the Fall SGA Concert
• Destress with a Forest Walk

Photo of the Week

Last week, the ETSU Jazz Ensemble presented their spring concert titled “Mixed Bag,” which featured music from genres ranging from pop to rock to movie themes and swing.

Follow @ETSUPrez

#BucsGoBeyond