Last week, East Tennessee State University’s student newspaper, the East Tennessean, celebrated its 100th anniversary. This milestone commemorated a century of journalistic excellence. The East Tennessean plays an important role in facilitating dialogue and engagement on our campus. Students decide what is covered, create content without faculty or administrative oversight, and strive to always provide impartial and thorough information. The newspaper has served as a springboard for hundreds of professional journalists working in the region and beyond, instilling generations of reporters with a sense of integrity, discernment, responsibility, and empathy.
The East Tennessean also is emblematic of the critical role local journalism plays on our campus and in our community. Amid the cacophony of social media posts and the endless stream of national news, local journalists provide two crucial elements that are central to an effective democracy: context and civic-mindedness. Local reporters understand the nuances and needs of our community, and, as citizens themselves, are invested in the success of the region they serve. Their voices are absolutely essential to the conversation. Unfortunately, local media outlets are often drowned out by the noise of social media giants and multinational media conglomerates. This is a threat to the intellectual and civic health of our communities.
I encourage everyone in our campus community to follow and support local news outlets and educate themselves about local issues. Deep knowledge and understanding are essential if we are to fulfill our institutional mission of improving the quality of life for people in the region and beyond.
Nationally Acclaimed Muralist Unveils New Work at ETSU
Kelsey Montague, a nationally acclaimed muralist who has completed works for Taylor Swift and the NFL, recently completed her latest work — and it can be found on the campus of East Tennessee State University.
“All my work is positive in some way. I always want my work to be uplifting,” Montague said. “I am a huge fan of universities. The energy and the creativity are always so exciting. I hope the university community knows that this is for them.”
Located near the parking garage, the navy and gold mural features design elements unique to both ETSU and the region: the Ballad Health Athletic Center, Tennessee’s Tri-Star, the ETSU Carillon, 1911 (the year ETSU was founded), the Appalachian mountains, and rhododendrons. We encourage you to share your photos with the mural online using the hashtags #ETSUPride365 and #WhatLiftsYou.
Go Beyond the Classroom: Project EARTH
Visitors are often surprised by the classrooms they find at the ETSU-Eastman Valleybrook campus, located on Pickens Road in Kingsport. There, students are more likely to be found in workshops, gardens, and simulation labs than in lecture halls. The campus is home to Project EARTH and the Niswonger VILLAGE, award-winning academic programs developed by ETSU’s College of Public Health that promote critical thinking and resourcefulness.
In some classes, students learn to work in settings they might encounter following a natural disaster, such as a hurricane, or in low-resource communities. They practice making use of the tools and items on hand to solve critical problems like providing access to sanitary drinking water, shelter, or food.
In other classes, they work together to develop creative solutions to local problems. For example, students in the AdaptoPlay workshop modify toys so that they can be used by children in the region who are differently abled.
“When you think of higher education, you think of classrooms and office spaces,” said Harrison Ihrig, a graduate student in the ETSU College of Public Health. “So, when you walk into our workshop and you see tools and wood and all these different projects everywhere, it breaks the mold of what to expect.”
Day of Giving
On April 18, ETSU will celebrate the annual Day of Giving, a 24-hour online fundraising event. Day of Giving offers an opportunity for alumni, faculty, staff, students, parents, friends, and partners to unite to support ETSU students and the university’s mission of improving the quality of life of people in the region.
Scholarships made it easier for grad student Kendra Whitehurst to pursue her dreams at ETSU. Now, she is using her voice to encourage student-athletes and her peers to seek out the opportunities that ETSU provides.
Across campus, ETSU researchers are exploring innovative ideas and conducting cutting-edge research that helps fulfill the university’s mission to improve the quality of life for people in the region and beyond. Earlier this week, the Office of the Vice Provost for Research launched a new website, ETSU Trailblazers, to showcase those stories.
Vote ETSU the ‘Top Adventure College’
We were victorious over Virginia Tech. We crushed Clemson. Now we’re up against Appalachian State for the title of “Top Adventure College” in the Southeast. ETSU is among the “elite eight” remaining in the “Blue Ridge Outdoors” magazine bracket-style tournament. To make it to the next round, we need your vote!
Meet Kreneshia Whiteside-McGee
From galleries to business spaces and homes, ETSU alum Kreneshia Whiteside-McGee goes beyond the ordinary to orchestrate interdisciplinary art exhibitions. Her expansive curation portfolio showcases how she elevates the artwork of creatives to captivate the audience and create moments of conversation.
“I have to relay the message of the artist, so I have to understand what they’re saying and then translate it to the public. I have to ensure that something changes within them,” she said. “Art is a vulnerable and expressive medium that creates conversations that need to happen. Change, love, and hope – that is what I hope for.”
Save the Dates for the Boland Undergraduate Research Symposium and Appalachian Student Research Forum
The Dr. Jay S. Boland Undergraduate Research Symposium will be held on April 24 in the D.P. Culp Student Center. Dedicated to the memory of former faculty member Dr. Jay Boland and sponsored by the Honors College, the event showcases and celebrates scholarly achievement by ETSU undergraduate students. The 2023 Symposium will be held alongside the Appalachian Student Research Forum scheduled for April 25.
ETSU will be Closed for Good Friday
The university will be closed on Friday, April 7, in observance of Good Friday. We wish you a restful and restorative long weekend.
Team members from the Office of University Marketing and Communications collaborated with renowned muralist Kelsey Montague to create a new mural on campus.
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#BucsGoBeyond
East Tennessee State University, 1276 Gilbreath Drive, Johnson City, TN 37614
