From President Noland's Notepads
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May 18, 2023

As we bid farewell to another rewarding academic year, I wish each of you a happy and enriching summer vacation. This season, filled with longer days and brighter skies, is a perfect opportunity for you to explore new interests, deepen your knowledge, and expand your horizons.

 

For many of you, the coming months will be filled with internships, summer jobs, or experiential learning opportunities. These endeavors provide not only a chance to apply the knowledge you have gained during the academic year, but also to build lifelong skills. As Coach Brenda Mock Brown wisely noted during our recent commencement ceremonies, "all work is valuable," offering us the chance to become better collaborators, develop a strong work ethic, strengthen our problem-solving skills, and humbly serve others. 

 

Summer also is an ideal time for relaxation and rejuvenation. Whether you are outdoors enjoying our beautiful region, curling up with a good book, or exploring new hobbies, these moments of leisure can ignite creativity and inspire new ideas.

 

For those still seeking summer employment or internship opportunities, I recommend you take advantage of the resources offered by our University Career Services center. The center's dedicated team is readily available to assist with job searches, internship placements, résumé reviews, interview coaching, and more.

 

To our faculty, thank you for your tireless efforts during the academic year. I hope you find time this summer for a much-deserved break as well as opportunities for growth, exploration, and joy. I look forward to welcoming you back in the fall, brimming with new experiences and insights. Until then, we will take a break in publishing “From My Notepads” on its standard schedule. Enjoy the summer!

 

Godspeed, and Go Bucs

Brian Noland

May is Mental Health Awareness Month

“At ETSU, we support the student as a whole,” said Dr. Alison Davis, interim director of the ETSU Counseling Center. Students, faculty, and staff also have access to a host of mental health and wellness resources, ranging from counseling services to financial aid. For more information, visit etsu.edu/counseling.

A smiling student sits next to Sgt. Pepper, ETSU’s emotional support dog. Pepper is a shorthaired brown dog wearing an ETSU Campus Safety harness and jacket.

Among the many resources ETSU offers to support wellness is Sgt. Pepper, the university's emotional support dog. Pepper brings smiles to the faces of the people she meets on campus.

ETSU Named ‘Top Adventure College’ in the Southeast

ETSU students sitting in blue and gold kayaks raise their paddles in the air in celebration. The students are on a lake with lush green foliage in the background.

ETSU has been named the 2023 Top Adventure College by readers of Blue Ridge Outdoors magazine, besting numerous other colleges and universities. ETSU came out on top after multiple rounds of head-to-head matchups with competitors such as Clemson University, the University of Tennessee, Virginia Tech University, and previous winner Maryville College. Learn more about the outdoor adventure opportunities ETSU and the surrounding region offer.

ETSU Trailblazers

How Spiders May Unlock the Key to Better Sleep

Dr. Darrell Moore and Dr. Thomas Jones in the Department of Biological Sciences are studying spiders and their unique internal clocks to better understand circadian rhythms.

A series of small plastic crates containing live spiders.

Congratulations to the 2023 Distinguished Staff Award Winners

Our annual Staff Social is a special event. It not only allows us to recognize the winners of our Distinguished Staff Awards, but also provides an opportunity for the university community to say thank you to the amazing staff members who call this institution home. These staff members guide our students, support our faculty and business operations, keep our campus safe, and make our grounds one of the most beautiful college campuses in the nation. I commend our Staff Senate for the excellent work once again in organizing this event. Thank you for all you do, and congratulations to all of our winners!

 

Congratulations to this year’s honorees!

 

2023 Distinguished Staff Awards
Wendy Eckert
Michelle Byrd
Brandon Mitchell
Jason Jones
Ray Miller
Pamela Edwards
 
Career Award
Charles “Chuck” Foster

Four university staff members pose holding props, including a fake mustache and a princess crown.

Staff members had fun snapping photos in the selfie booth at the annual ETSU Staff Social. Browse the photo booth gallery.

Celebrating Juneteenth

Earlier this month, Gov. Bill Lee signed legislation designating Juneteenth as an official state holiday. ETSU employees will receive an administrative leave day and the university will close on Monday, June 19.  
 
As this closure impacts areas of campus differently, please note the following:

  • Quillen College of Medicine and Gatton College of Pharmacy students should continue with their current academic schedules as planned.
  • Faculty and staff who must work during that time will be able to take the day off at a later time. This may include university employees working in the clinical environment or precepting students on clinical rotations, employees giving student tours or advising, etc. The administrative leave time must be used by August 31.

Employees should record an “L” on their timesheet for June 19.  Only employees who cannot take the day on June 19 because of teaching/clinical/other responsibilities may use the day at a later time.  Those employees should record an “L” on their timesheet when the day is used. Learn more about Juneteenth. 

    ETSU Student Spotlight

    Aiden Graybeal Discovers His Place in Politics

    “I’ve always been a weird political kid,” Aiden Graybeal said. “I sleep with ‘Robert’s Rules of Order’ under my pillow.” Read Aiden’s story and learn about his involvement in TISL, the Tennessee Intercollegiate State Legislature. 

    A headshot of Aiden Graybeal

    ETSU Board of Trustees to Hold Special Called Meeting

    East Tennessee State University’s Board of Trustees will hold a special called meeting on Friday, May 19, at 11 a.m. to discuss the budget for 2023-24 and other business as necessary. The meeting will be conducted permitting participation by electronic or other means of communication if necessary. A livestream of the meeting will be available at etsu.edu/trustees/livestream.php. The agenda and accompanying materials for the meeting are posted at etsu.edu/trustees under “Meeting Schedule & Materials.”

    Bucs Go Beyond

    • Quillen College of Medicine Climbs U.S. News and World Report Rankings

    • Dr. Stacey Williams publishes book on misunderstood malady

    • Melanie Richards competes in super mom challenge to support children in need 
    • Center for Appalachian Studies and Services receives NEH grant

    Get Involved

    • The George L. Carter Railroad Museum Big Train Show
    • An Exuberant Spirit: The Sammie L. Nicely Collection on Display in the Reece
    • William Nealy Exhibit on Display in the Reece
    • Appalachian Trail Vista

    Photo of the Week

    Students and faculty sit at tables in a meeting room listening to a presentation.

    ETSU Health’s inaugural Professional Leadership Academy kicked off with 30 participants from all five of ETSU’s health sciences colleges. Learn more about the Academy.

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    Follow @ETSUPrez

    #BucsGoBeyond

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    Notepads will return to its regular publishing schedule in mid-August. 

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