As I shared with our faculty during Convocation two weeks ago, enrollment numbers are up for the fall 2022 semester. Our most recent census data show first-year student enrollment at 2,056 for the fall. That is 405, or 11%, more first-year students over last year, and an increase of 25% from 2020. As you have likely heard, our campus housing is also at full occupancy. I greatly appreciate the work of everyone who has helped the institution in achieving the goals of our strategic growth agenda. Thanks also to all of our faculty and staff for the work you do each day to make this university a transformational destination where the dreams of our students can be achieved. Best wishes as this semester continues.
Save the Date: 2022 State of the University Address
Please join me on Friday, October 14, at 10 a.m. as I deliver my annual State of the University Address. The event will be held in the Powell Recital Hall at the ETSU Martin Center for the Arts and will provide an opportunity for me to share updates on enrollment, the budget, legislative issues, building projects, and other upcoming major initiatives, including the implementation of the recommendations from the Committee for 125 Chapter II. Thank you for being part of our story during the past year.
2021 State of the University Address
Board of Trustees to Meet Sept. 16
Our Board of Trustees will hold its first meeting of the 2022-23 year next week on Friday, September 16, in the D.P. Culp Student Center’s East Tennessee Room. The meeting schedule is as follows:
Academic, Research, and Student Success Committee – 8 a.m.
Finance and Administration Committee – 9:45 a.m.
Audit Committee – 11:30 a.m.
Board of Trustees Meeting – 1:30 p.m.
Committee meeting times are approximate and will begin following the conclusion of the previous meeting. Closer to the time of the meeting, the agenda and accompanying materials for the meeting will be posted at etsu.edu/trustees under “Meeting Schedule & Materials.” The meetings are open to the public and will be conducted permitting participation by electronic or other means of communication if necessary. A livestream of the full board meeting will be available at etsu.edu/trustees/livestream.php.
First and Triumph: Leo Williams
Our first-generation college student series “First and Triumph” returns this fall with Leo Williams, a student in our College of Public Health. His long-term goal is to someday oversee a hospital, and Leo tells us that no matter where he goes, serving the community will always be part of his life. Leo transferred to ETSU after attending anther school for three years, and he currently serves as president of Phi Beta Sigma, one of our NPHC organizations.
Mental Health Resources and Support
While we celebrate the start of the academic year and enjoy the excitement and energy this time of year always offers, we also recognize this is a time of transition for everyone. There are expectations and deadlines that must be met along with more demands on our time. Many of you are adjusting to living in a new place and may be experiencing loneliness or homesickness.
Your health and well-being are our highest priority, and this includes your mental health. If you are struggling, or feel overwhelmed, you are not alone. Take care of yourself, and know that there are resources available for our students, faculty, and staff.
Counseling Center – Visit the website to learn more about the many services available for ETSU students.
BucsPress2 – This 24-hour mental health help line for ETSU students provides free, confidential crisis counseling over the phone. It is staffed 24/7/365 by counseling professionals under contract with the Counseling Center. To access this service, call (423) 439-4841, then press 2.
Telehealth Counseling Services – Now available for ETSU students through a partnership with Mantra Health. Night and weekend hours are available. Email counselingcenter@etsu.edu for more information.
ETSU Health - A host of mental health professionals are available to support your care.
Community Counseling Clinic – A service provided by the ETSU Department of Counseling and Human Services; available for students, faculty, staff, and the community.
ETSU Behavioral Health and Wellness Clinic – Staffed by doctoral students from the ETSU Department of Psychology and supervised by licensed psychologists; available for students, faculty, staff, and the community.
New Podcast Series: 'Primary Sources'
In addition to the “Why I Teach” podcast series hosted by Provost McCorkle, ETSU has launched another installment of podcasts called “Primary Sources,” which features our own faculty talking about their various research and scholarly activities. Our first round of guests has included Dr. Steve Nash (History) and Dr. Andrew Joyner (Geosciences) and will soon include Dr. Ron Roach (Appalachian Studies) and Dr. Randy Wykoff (Public Health). This podcast series may serve as a lecture hall, a debate floor, or a platform for community outreach. Special thanks to Martin Walters (Music) for creating the music for our podcast series. You can listen to “Primary Sources” here.
Equity and Inclusion Conference Registration Continues
There is still time to register for ETSU's fourth annual Equity and Inclusion Conference, which will be held September 26-28, with a student track on September 29.
This year's conference features keynote speakers who focus on a wide range of topics, such as Appalachian identity, culture, race relations, and more. They include Dr. Michael Eric Dyson, author and Georgetown University sociology professor; Yona FrenchHawk, full-blooded Cherokee wisdom keeper and ceremonialist; artist, advocate, and entrepreneur Crystal Dawn Good; and Broadway star Bryan Terrell Clark.
Registration is free for ETSU students, $60 for ETSU faculty/staff, $65 for community members, and $25 for non-ETSU students. Click here to register. Visit the conference webpage for more information. Individuals interested in volunteering with the conference may email waldenrr@etsu.edu.
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