August 24, 2022

It is my distinct honor and privilege to welcome each of you to the first week of the fall 2022 semester. For those who are new to the ETSU campus this fall, this publication, “From My Notepads,” is sent to our students, faculty, and staff every other Wednesday throughout the year. I use this platform to provide updates and announcements to the ETSU community. If you have seen me on campus, you may have noticed that I am often jotting down thoughts on the yellow notepads I carry constantly with me. Many of the insights and stories in this newsletter stem from those scribblings – hence the name “Notepads.” 

Fall 2022 marks one of the most exciting times in this institution’s history. More than 1,700 students attended PREVIEW this year – the largest PREVIEW class ever at ETSU. Within the past week, over 3,000 students moved into our residence halls, which are at full capacity. Our enrollment numbers are the highest they have been in recent years, as more and more students recognize the life-changing opportunities that come with being a Buccaneer.  

This is a university that values community and is committed to excellence. It is a place where people come first, where teachers make a lifelong impact on their students, and where research drives innovation in our communities. This will be a year of opportunity, a year of transformation, and a year of promise for the students, faculty, and staff of this institution. Thank you for being part of this campus as we begin this new chapter.  

2022 Distinguished Faculty Award Winners

While the week leading up to the start of the fall semester is certainly one of the busiest of the academic semester, it is also a time of magic, excitement, and renewed energy. I spent most of the week meeting our new faculty, helping students move into the residence halls, enjoying the music of the marching band practicing outside, and attending a number of special events as well as our student and faculty convocations. A highlight of the Faculty Convocation last Friday was presenting the 2022 Distinguished Faculty Awards to three notable individuals from our faculty. Please join me in congratulating Dr. Cerrone Foster (Biological Sciences – Teaching Award), Dr. Kate Beatty (Health Services Management and Policy – Research Award), and Ashley Sergiadis (Sherrod Library – Service Award). Thank you, professors Foster, Beatty, and Sergiadis, for all you do to shape this institution and to enhance the educational journeys of our students. We are very proud of you.  

ETSU earns membership in APLU

I am pleased to announce that, in recognition of our university's accomplishments and our unwavering pursuit of our mission, ETSU has been accepted to full membership in the Association of Public and Land-Grant Universities (APLU), one of the nation’s preeminent post-secondary research organizations. This affiliation with APLU speaks to the significance of our role in improving the quality of life for people in the region and beyond.

The APLU is a research, policy, and advocacy organization dedicated to strengthening and advancing the work of public universities throughout North America. According to the APLU website, the organization "works with members to expand access and improve student success to deliver the innovative workforce of tomorrow; advance and promote research and discovery to improve society, foster economic growth, and address global challenges; and build healthy, prosperous, equitable, and vibrant communities locally and globally."   

Broadway at the ETSU Martin Center

This past Saturday evening, I had the honor to be part of an announcement that has been over 40 years in the making. One of the longstanding dreams of having a performing arts center was that it would provide the opportunity to bring touring Broadway shows to our campus. In 2023, that dream will be realized as the curtain will rise on four shows. Our inaugural Broadway season will include “Annie” (January 25-26), “CATS” (March 6-7), “Riverdance” (March 21), and “Chicago” (April 25-26). ETSU faculty, staff, and students have the opportunity to purchase presale season tickets before tickets go on sale to the general public tomorrow, August 25. The link to request these exclusive presale season tickets is only valid from 8 a.m.-8 p.m. today, August 24. 

New Website for QEP

Significant work for our SACSCOC reaffirmation will continue throughout the new academic year. Included in these efforts is our new Quality Enhancement Plan, or QEP, which will focus on community-engaged learning. Dr. Susan McCracken and the QEP leadership team have launched a new QEP website, which provides an overview of what this initiative will involve. I invite you to visit the new site and reflect on possible opportunities for your students to take the skills and knowledge they gain in the classroom into the community to enhance their education. 

Inside ETSU Today

The latest edition of ETSU Today arrived in our mailboxes just as we were preparing for the start of the fall semester. The institution has been producing this publication – filled with stories about the university and its people – for our alumni, donors, and friends for many decades. The summer issue includes stories about the anniversary of the first graduating class from Quillen, current and upcoming renovation projects, ETSU alumnus Dr. Chris Hampton – who was named “Principal of the Year,” our new educational space in Allen Hall, and our work to create a trauma-informed framework for a local school system. We are pleased to have this opportunity to share our amazing ETSU stories. Thank you for being part of those stories. 

Meet Kailey Kyle

For Theatre and Dance student Kailey Kyle, the summer was spent at Barter Theatre, where she was an intern with The Barter Players and performed in two productions. She was one of three ETSU students who were summer interns. ETSU is grateful to have this partnership with Barter Theatre. You can learn more about Kailey’s summer at Barter here.   

Expanding Care for Patients with HIV

The presence of ETSU Health has led to dramatic improvements in health care, including better access to care and the availability of the latest state-of-the-art treatment options. For over two decades, we have been home to the Ryan White HIV Center of Excellence that provides a range of treatment and support services for patients living with HIV. That work will be greatly enhanced through a new grant from the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services/Health Resources and Services Administration. Visit ETSU News to learn more about what this means for patients in our region. We greatly appreciate Dr. Jon Moorman and his team for the incredible work they do.  

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