Serving Communities

Leadership is – and begins with – service. That belief stands at the center of the Roan Program. In a year filled with challenges, Scholars stepped up to serve diverse communities in a variety of ways, including pandemic relief.

Blazing New Paths:

Serving Communities

Roan Summer of Service 2021

Members of the Roan Class of 2024 continued the tradition of the Roan Summer of Service, with each Scholar completing a minimum of six weeks of service with a host organization over the course of the summer. From STEMeducation to housing rehabilitation, nature education to tutoring, the breadth of issues addressed this summer reflects these Scholars’ diverse interests and passions. This was the 9th summer of the Roan Summer of Service, which has yielded more than 12,000 service hours for dozens of organizations, locally and around the globe. This Summer of Service was sponsored by a marquee contribution from Eastman Credit Union (see p. 16 for more).

Keaton Smith ’24 National Ability Center, Park City, UT Adaptive recreation and outdoor adventures

Ronquille Joyner ’24 Appalachia Service Project Kanawha County, WV Critical home repair and replacement

Cade Campbell ’24 Blue Ridge Discovery Center Troutdale, VA Nature education and outdoor adventure

Emily Casteel ’24

Holston United Methodist Home for Children Greeneville, TN Adventure-based counseling program

Lexi Vance ’24

Sync Space Kingsport, TN Strengthening the entrepreneurial ecosystem

Sally Chikomb ’24

Branch House Family Justice Center Blountville, TN Supporting survivors of abuse

Gavin Bentley ’24 STREAMWORKS Kingsport, TN K-12 STEM-based education

Cadee Warren ’24 Mitchell County Schools Bakersville, NC COVID-19 academic recovery

Roan Scholars on the Frontlines during the Pandemic

As the COVID-19 pandemic swept across the nation, Roan Scholars actively sought – and found – ways to respond by serving on the front lines in their communities.

Nursing student Addie “LEADERSHIP does Fairchild ’22 (left) took a mean being passionate part-time job caring for about your work and patients at a long-term care always being present facility while continuing where you are needed.” her ETSU courses, and she’s been working closely — Addie Fairchild ’22 with patients ever since. The experience “has been a vital part of advancing my definition of leadership,” said Addie. “I have learned to put myself where I’m most needed and do my best in that position. Leadership has no true definition, but leadership does mean being passionate about your work and always being present where you are needed,” she added.

Rubi Estrada ’21 (center), then a senior Political Science major, registered patients and provided Spanish translation at a drive-thru testing site in Avery County, North Carolina, her home county. “I want to do my part as a bilingual and help the Hispanic community and health workers connect,” Rubi said. “I find joy over the thought that I can help someone receive the information needed to help themselves and others.”

Meanwhile, Cadee Warren ’24 (right), an Accounting major, volunteered at a vaccination clinic in Spruce Pine, North Carolina, where she helped administer the very first round of vaccines in her home county, which she described as an “awesome experience.” “When I first saw the vaccine go into the syringe, I knew I was watching history in the making,” Cadee said. “Once people started coming in and getting vaccinated, it was like a weight lifted off their shoulders.”

“Addie, Rubi, and Cadee exemplify the Roan spirit,” said Roan Director Scott Jeffress. “There was an evident need; each used their unique skills and abilities to serve their communities, even at some risk to themselves. They put serving their communities first, and, in the process, they showed incredible leadership.”

Honored for Service

Caroline Parris ’22 was named a recipient of The Corre Anding Stegall Collegiate Leadership Award which is presented annually to the top echelon of Kappa Delta sorority student leaders. Caroline was one of just 12 recipients nationally.

The award recognized Caroline’s exemplary record of leadership and service. Within her chapter, she has delivered programming on leadership development, created a leadership inventory to help fellow members become more involved on campus, and assisted in planning events that raised over $20,000 for Prevent Child Abuse America and the Children’s Advocacy Center of Sullivan County.

Caroline is just the third woman from ETSU’s Gamma Delta chapter to receive this national honor since its inception in 1989. Congratulations, Caroline!