ANNUAL REPORT || FY 2023- 2024
Emerging opportunities
ETSU FOUNDATION
BOARD OF DIRECTORS
Renee Lockhart ’87, ’89, Chairman
Andy Hall ’95, Vice-Chair
Stephen Dixon ’95, Treasurer and Chair, Audit Committee
Tracy Fleenor ’07, Secretary
Tommy Greer ’86, Chair, Investment Committee
Dr. Steve Barnett
Will Barrett
Jeff Bedard
Dr. Virginia Bieber ’90, ’93, ’03
Josh Gibbons
Kim Hall ’91
Margaret Ingram
Steven Kilgore
Doug Martin ’98
Peter Raber ’06
Barb Street
Grant Summers
Sandy Thomas
Joe Trujillo
Mitch Tuell
Matt Wilhjelm ’01
NATIONAL ALUMNI ASSOCIATION
BOARD OF DIRECTORS
Tom Tull ’95, President
Dr. Virginia Bieber ’90, President-Elect
Ken Bailey ’92, Secretary/Treasurer
Bryan Daniels ’95, ’97, Past-President
Whitney Goetz ’05, Executive Director
Dr. Gaurav Bharti ’02
Jan Brown ’69
Becky Buller ’01
Dr. Kyle Colvett ’92
Pauline Douglas ’84, 87
Michael Fishman ’88
Andrew Hall ’95
Tammy Hawes ’83
Dr. Dorsha James ’05
Robyn Ivester ’91
Brian McCormack ’05
Tammy Morreale ’89
Finnigan Shirley, SGA Executive Vice President
Dr. Melanie Stanton ’92, ’95, ’22
Hunter Turgeon, SGA President
Paul Bashea Williams ’03, ’06
ETSU BOARD OF TRUSTEES
Dr. Linda Latimer ’95, Chair
Steve DeCarlo ’80, Vice-Chair/Chair, Finance and Administration Committee
Charles Allen, Jr. ’82
Janet Ayers ’86, Chair, Academic, Research, and Student Success Committee
Dr. Steph Frye-Clark, Faculty Trustee
Dorothy Grisham ’74
Ron Ramsey ’78
Melissa Steagall-Jones ’91, Chair, Audit Committee
Tony Treadway ’77
Trent White, Student Trustee
The Mission of the ETSU Foundation is to maximize sustainable philanthropic support for East Tennessee State University by building relationships and obtaining, elevating, and investing private giving for the institution.
Published by the ETSU Office of University Advancement. Pamela S. Ritter, Vice President for University Advancement and President/CEO of the ETSU Foundation; Renee Lockhart, ETSU Foundation Chairman; Dr. Brian Noland, ETSU President
Editor: Joe Smith, University Advancement; Writers: Michael Bourassa, Robert Pierce; Design: Angelica Ares, Biomedical Communications
“By investing in ETSU, our friends are planting the seeds of a brighter future, one that will bear fruit for generations to come. Their commitment to our mission enables us to cultivate an environment where students can flourish, ideas can take root, and the entire region can benefit from the knowledge and opportunity that a world-class university provides.”
BRIAN NOLAND President | East Tennessee State University
“Philanthropic support is not just about writing checks; it’s about shaping ETSU’s future. Joined together, gifts of all sizes make a monumental impact on our campus every day – impacts such as a record-number of students graduating, new academic programs, continued campus expansion, and elevated national recognition through prestigious awards and even an invitation to appear in the Macy’s Thanksgiving Day Parade.”
RENEE LOCKHART ’87, ’89 ETSU Foundation Chairman
“As a cornerstone of support for the institution, the ETSU Foundation dedicates itself to securing and managing funds and other resources that drive the university’s growth and success. This commitment translates into a diverse array of initiatives, with student scholarships always being an impactful area. Scholarships open doors for students to explore their full potential and realize life-changing opportunities.”
PAMELA S. RITTER Vice President for University Advancement and President/CEO of ETSU Foundation
Numbers tell a profound story of how your gifts advance the mission of ETSU. The 2023-2024 story includes:
NEW GIFTS AND PLEDGES FOR 2023-2024
TOTAL FUND BALANCE $17,202,660 $172,697,798
$182,228,113 $3,885,802 Foundation Portfolio Value Total Assets
$9,530,315
Liabilities and Deferred Inflows of Resources
$145,666,265
Distributed in foundation-funded scholarships
11,858
GIFTS IN 2023-2024 FROM 4,545 DONORS
929 FIRST- TIME DONORS IN 2023-2024 $462,205
RAISED DURING DAY OF GIVING 2024
466
RECURRING MONTHLY CONTRIBUTO RS
AT THE MARTIN CENTER FOR THE ARTS DURING 2023-24 244 SHO WS
65,879 TICKETS SOLD
10 BROADWAY PERFORM ANCES WI TH
1,143 BROADWAY SEASON SUBSCRIBERS
3,392 VOLUN TEER HOURS FROM A TEAM OF 80 VOLUN TEERS
** These are preliminary numbers at the closing of the 2023-24 fiscal year; numbers subject to change.
“SUPPORTING A SCHOLARSHIP PROGRAM TELLS STUDENTS THAT SOMEONE THEY HAVE NEVER MET BELIEVES IN THEIR POTENTIAL.”
In January 2024, ETSU graduate Zachary West unexpectedly passed away in his sleep. He earned his undergraduate degree in Geosciences in 2022 and secured a job he loved in Florida. His mother, Kimberly West, along with numerous friends and loved ones, established the Zach West Memorial Scholarship to support a student majoring in Geosciences. The first scholarship award was presented this past spring by Zach’s mother.
Fundraising activities continue for the Jessica Colter Scholarship, named in memory of ETSU nursing student Jessica Colter who died in a car accident in December 2020. This scholarship offers funding for students in Greeneville and Benton, Greene or Washington counties who are interested in a career in nursing or medicine.
In memory of Debra Wilson, the Guy and Debra Wilson Family Scholarship Endowment was established to provide scholarship support for students enrolled in the Bill Gatton College of Pharmacy. The Wilsons were highly instrumental in the establishment of Gatton College.
The Vickie Connolly Clemmer Graduate Scholarship Endowment will support deserving graduate students enrolled in education-related studies in the Clemmer College of Education and Human Development. The endowment was established by Col. (retired) Michael Connolly in memory of his wife who earned her master’s degree from the ETSU Clemmer College.
Honoring his impact as a member of ETSU faculty, the Dr. Michael Marchioni Scholarship Endowment was established to offer scholarship assistance to deserving students enrolled in the Masters of Public Administration program who are interested in the fields of city management, urban planning, community development, or financial management.
The Mary and Dennis Powell Roan Scholarship Endowment will provide scholarship assistance to those accepted into the ETSU Roan Scholars Leadership Program. The fund was established by Mary Powell on her behalf and that of her late husband, Dennis T. Powell.
Donor Support Changes the Landscape of ETSU Programs
The opening of the Center for Surgical Innovation and Training (CSIT) in October 2023 pushed the Quillen College of Medicine to the forefront of medical education with its approach to offering hands-on surgical/procedural training in a highly unique life-like setting. Here, third- and fourth-year medical students, residents in surgery, orthopedic, OB/GYN, and other procedural disciplines, as well as area surgeons in all specialties, can perfect their surgical techniques using anatomical donors. Quillen is using unique embalming techniques for the donors, making the tissues more flexible and life-like which simulates actual surgical scenarios. The faculty provides participants with hands-on surgical practice with a realistic representation of living patients, allowing them to explore different procedures in a safe and controlled environment. In addition, the CSIT, using advanced video conferencing technology, can train par ticipants anywhere in the world. It is already forging partnerships with institutions that serve developing countries, including the Monze Mission Hospital in Zambia.
After two years of development and a $1.5 million investment, ETSU’s new B.S. degree program in Mechatronics Engineering has launched, addressing the growing need for skilled professionals in the manufacturing and technology sectors. Mechatronics combines mechanical, electrical, control, and computer engineering to create intelligent systems. Students will gain expertise in robotics, automation, control systems, sensors, embedded systems, and more. The inaugural Mechatronics Engineering class arrived in fall 2024.
The Mary B. Martin School of the Arts awarded more than $120,000 in funding to support ETSU arts programs in in Film Studies; Bluegrass, Old-Time, and Roots Music; Communication
Studies and Storytelling; Ar t and Design; Reece Museum; Music; Media and Communication; and Theatre and Dance. Projects included puppet rentals for a production of “James and the Giant Peach,” tango teacher training, artist residencies, the annual FL3TCH3R exhibit, and development and programming for the new Bud Frank Cinema.
With a lead gift from a donor, the College of Public Health established the Lyme and Vector Borne Disease Research Fund to support research in Lyme disease and vector borne diseases that may lead to vaccines, and a better understanding of how these diseases spread, can be prevented, and their effect on humans, animals, and the environment.
Enriching the ETSU Experience Beyond the Classroom
Donor support paved the way for the creation of the I-40 Project in the Honors College’s Office of Prestigious Awards. The I-40 Project is a cultural immersion initiative, and for the fall 2023 semester, 12 ETSU students spent three days on an HBCU (Historically Black College or University) campus in Tennessee. This past spring, students from Tennessee State University enjoyed time at ETSU learning about the Appalachian culture. ETSU student Trent White discussed his experience with the I-40 Project when competing (and ultimately winning) the Truman Scholarship.
The Roan Scholars Leadership Program , which will celebrate its 25th anniversary in 2025, had an exceptional year. Founded by the late Louie Gump, the Roan continues to receive financial support from members of the Gump family as well as numerous alumni and friends. A recent estate bequest allowed the Roan to add two more students to the incoming class and realize another element of Mr. Gump’s founding vision which was to add at least 10 new Roan Scholars each year.
Another Global Year has begun at ETSU. This internationalization effort provides the campus, curricula, and surrounding community with a rich, complex sense of place and global interconnectedness through a year-long series of events, course enhancements, projects, and initiatives that focus on a single country. For the upcoming year, that destination is Scotland. A recent $10,000 gift helped support travel costs for those attending a faculty seminar in Scotland.
1st in Tennessee,14th in Nation
ETSU joins a small and very elite listing of institutions in the country offering an orthotics and prosthetics program. The inaugural class arrives this January. And when they do, they will train in the Karl Fillauer Learning Center where students will learn to use state-of-the-art equipment to craft custom orthotic and prosthetic devices. The center is named for Karl Fillauer, former board chairman of Fillauer Companies Inc, a leading manufacturer of orthotics and prosthetics in the nation.
Enriching the ETSU Experience Beyond the Classroom
With the opening of the newly renovated Lamb Hall, faculty and students with the Dental Hygiene program commemorated the naming of the Sturgill Family Dental Hygiene Clinic. The clinic is named for Dr. Riley Sturgill and Dr. Jeremiah Sturgill in honor of the Sturgill family’s ongoing contributions to dentistry and dental education for the region. The renovations provided advanced resources and an invested space for the education of future dental professionals.
Also part of the Lamb Hall reopening was the ribbon-cutting ceremony for the Joan Dearden Radiologic Science Suite. Ms. Dearden was influential in radiology and industry research and, as a consistent donor to the community, her impact continues through her established generosity in scholarships and resources to ETSU.
The A. Lynn Williams Concussion Management Clinic was named for Dr. Lynn Williams, Interim Dean of the College of Health Sciences. A partnership with Intercollegiate Athletics, the clinic trains students on administering concussion testing protocols and conducts concussion-related testing for the university.
The second annual Pattie Lathan Browder Lectureship was held this past spring and honors the legacy of nurse Pattie L. Browder, who passed away in March 2022. Her dedication to the role of nursing spanned many years with service in pediatric oncology, adult and pediatric impatient units, adult surgical intensive care, and elementary school nursing both in the United States and Japan. The lectureship focuses on the impact nursing careers have on the lives of nurses and their loved ones.
New Growth and Innovation (and Dreams) Break Ground
Academic Building: And the walls came tumbling down! The Campus Center building is no longer, and the soil has been turned for a new 62,000 square-foot Academic Building. Fundraising continues for the $4 million matching fund requirement. The building is tentatively expected to be completed in late 2025.
Brown Hall (North Side): This project renovating the north side of ETSU’s hallowed science facility is currently in the planning phase and will have a $1.9 million match requirement.
Integrated Health Services Building: This health training facility that will focus on team-based learning is also in the planning phase. A $3.1 million match will be sought.
Burleson Hall: As part of the Academic Building construction, a major renovation of Burleson Hall is under way. For decades, it has been home to Literature and Language classrooms; now, it will be dedicated entirely as a faculty office building.
WETS-FM Tower: Through a State of Tennessee appropriation as well as donor support, a new tower and transmitter is being placed on Holston Mountain for ETSU’s public radio station, WETS-FM (89.5), which celebrated 50 years in 2024.
The Arts Enhance Lives in Profound Ways
The inaugural exhibition of the Mary and Jim Martin Student Juried Art Exhibition took place at Slocumb Gallery and was funded by a gift from Tony McGlone and Bob Mantone in memory of the Martins. The art was judged by distinguished artist Annette Rawlings.
A generous gift from friends Henry and Flora Joy to the Department of Theatre and Dance allowed for the purchase of specialized audio/visual enhancement equipment and sound reinforcements in the Bert C. Bach Theatre.
Several donors provided funding for the inaugural Bluegrass, Old-Time and Roots Music Camp which welcomed over 60 youth from as far away as Oregon.
The Martin Center for the Arts new Ticket Subsidy campaign raised over $42,000 in 2023-24 and awarded its first batch of tickets for the Broadway touring production of “Shrek” in April.
The Digital Media program has furthered its relationship with the East Tennessee Children’s Hospital by establishing a team of students to create virtual reality training simulations for medical practice. The full-scale production challenges its members with technical problem-solving, team delegation, and creating professional-level deliverables for industry use.
#daymade
ETSU celebrates Day of Giving 2024
Nine hundred fifty-seven donors.
More than $462,000 raised.
Not bad for a day’s work.
IN FACT, IT WAS A RECORD DAY FOR THE ETSU FOUNDATION DURING ITS ANNUAL DAY O F GIVING EVENT.
“For a college or university that hosts a giving day each year, it’s a big day – Christmas, Thanksgiving, and July 4th all wrapped together,” said Desmond Pierce, ETSU’s Executive Director of Annual Giving. “We have a planning committee of representatives from across campus who spend months planning this day, and we could not do it without them.”
On Day of Giving, which for ETSU was held April 18, faculty, staff, alumni, friends, and even students are invited to give to whatever cause or program at ETSU that they are most passionate about. Gifts of all sizes are welcome.
By the close of the event, ETSU’s had yielded $462,205 in gifts, an increase of more than $100,000 from the 2023 giving day’s thenrecord of $358,000.
Students and staff with ETSU’s Esports program invited the campus to spend the day
casting on the Twitch platform talking about the various ways donor support elevates ETSU scholarships and other programming. The Roan Scholars program had an exceptionally strong day, receiving over $55,000 from 148 donors.
The Martin Center for the Arts used the day to launch a new Ticket Subsidy program that provided tickets to youth who are unable to afford full admission prices. All of the ETSU colleges heard from alumni and friends, and scholarship programs such as the Noland Family First-Generation Scholarship and the Alumni Legacy Scholarship also received gifts, as did many of the campus assistance programs such as the Buccaneer Student Crisis Fund and Bucky’s Food Pantry.
“Another great win from Day of Giving is our opportunity to meet new donors,” said Tyler Gaby, Associate Director of Annual Giving.
“This year, we welcomed 349 first-time donors during Day of Giving. This provides us a great opportunity to engage with them and share with them the many great stories from ETSU and the ways donor support is writing those chapters.”
Saluting the Newest Carillon Society Members
In advance of the annual Distinguished President’s Trust (DPT) event in April (see story on next page), the ETSU Foundation held a luncheon in February to welcome the newest DPT inductees who are joining the Carillon Society.
The Carillon Society is comprised of alumni and friends whose giving has reached $10,000. “Historically, we had a reception for the Carillon Society on the same evening as our DPT gala, but in recent years we have had record numbers of new Carillon members – so many that we now have a separate event just for them,” said Pam Ritter, Vice President for University Advancement and President/ CEO of the ETSU Foundation.
More than 60 donors joined the DPT’s Carillon Society this year. New inductees enjoyed lunch while visiting with ETSU students and administrators and also received an engraved crystal “E.” The event was held in the newly renovated East Tennessee Room in the D.P. Culp Student Center.
“I cannot think of a better place to hold this event than here,” said SGA President Trent White. “As you walked in today, you likely noticed the transformation that has taken place as a result of the recent major renovation project here in the Culp.
“And here is the most exciting thing about this project: this renovation was funded by the ETSU student body. Like you, our students have a passion for making the dreams of others possible.”
Donors Inducted into the Distinguished President’s Trust
Hundreds of donors and friends joined the ETSU Foundation in welcoming the newest inductees into the Distinguished President’s Trust. The DPT is comprised of donors whose lifetime giving to ETSU has reached $10,000 or higher.
“Let us begin by saying ‘thank you,’” said Pate Anglin, a member of the Roan Scholars and one of the student presenters during the DPT dinner. “All of you are here tonight for one reason: you love East Tennessee State University and you believe in our students, our faculty, our mission, and everything that ETSU has done – and will do – for the wonderful Appalachian Highlands region.”
Nora Honeycutt, also a Roan Scholar, announced the creation of a new giving society within DPT, the Carter Society, which recognizes donors whose giving level has reached $25,000. “This society honors the individual – businessman George L. Carter – who made the first gift to ETSU,” Honeycutt said. “It was the gift of land, the very land that is our campus home today.”
During the program, donors learned about the various building projects taking place on campus, including those currently in progress as well as those that have been completed, all of which were made possible through donor support. Recognition was also given to the Quillen College of Medicine in honor of the school’s 50th anniversary.
President Noland presented a crystal “E” statue to Dr. Bill Block, Dean of Medicine, and Vice President for Clinical Affairs, in honor of the ongoing support of ETSU Health for numerous university initiatives.
A highlight of the evening were performances by the Marching Bucs, the color guard, and the majorettes. These groups will be performing at the Macy’s Thanksgiving Day Parade this fall.
Presently, approximately 64% of Americans do not have a Will or estate plan.
“That’s a startling number,” said Rebecca Muncy, ETSU Executive Director of Planned Giving. “Having a Will is one of the best things a person can do, regardless of age, in order to protect their loved ones, their home, their resources, and even their pets.”
ETSU has partnered with FreeWill to offer a new tool for anyone wanting to create a Will. Individuals can use this platform free of charge.
“Those who want to leave a portion of their estate to ETSU can help ensure that the work of this campus can continue for generations to come,” Muncy said. When
New Free Tool Available for Creating a Will Estate Gift Supports Two Endowments
An estate gift from the late Wanda Dugger is funding scholarships in two programs that had special meaning to her and her husband.
Mrs. Dugger was a member of the classes of 1956 and 1967 and taught science at local schools before retiring in 1993. When a new science wing was completed at Daniel Boone High School in 2008, the Washington County Board of Commissioners voted to dedicate this addition in honor of her service as an educator.
using FreeWill, users will come to the “Residuary” step and can designate either a fixed dollar amount or a percentage of their estate to the ETSU Foundation.
Those who have already included a gift to ETSU in their estate plans are encouraged to visit FreeWill.com/record/ETSU. All individuals who have made plans for ETSU in their estate automatically become members in the ETSU Legacy Circle.
Her husband, the late Delmas Dugger, was also an ETSU graduate from the classes of 1955 and 1967 and retired from Eastman Chemical Company as Senior Development Chemist following 28 years of service. He served in the U.S. Army in counterintelligence.
Funds from her estate will be used to support the Delmas and Wanda Dugger Biological Sciences Scholarship Endowment and the Delmas and Wanda Dugger Medical School Scholarship Endowment.
The Legacy of Bert C. Bach
ETSU’s longtime Provost and Vice President for Academic Affairs Dr. Bert C. Bach was regarded as one of Tennessee’s greatest leaders in higher education. He retired from ETSU in 2020 and passed away on August 14, 2023.
Dr. Bach was a lifetime champion for the arts, and during his time at ETSU he provided funding for numerous arts initiatives. “Dr. Bach was a visionary, and every year he would meet with the Foundation staff to talk about his long-
Over $1 Million in New Testamentary Commitments in 2023-24
range plans for how his gifts could support future arts programming,” said Pam Ritter, Vice President for University Advancement and President/CEO of the ETSU Foundation.
Upon his death, Dr. Bach’s estate provided generous funding to allow for his legacy to continue shaping ETSU’s arts programs for generations to come. These include the Daryl and Harold “Bud” Frank Scholarship Endowment, the ETSU Theatre and Dance/Barter Theatre Internship Endowment, the Bert C. Bach Written Word Initiative, and the DeLaNie Chamber Music Scholarship Strings Fund.
The Bert C. Bach Theatre at the Martin Center for the Arts was dedicated in honor of Dr. Bach’s commitment to the arts. Home to ETSU’s Department of Theatre and Dance, numerous shows starring ETSU students are presented there throughout the year.
Gifts of all sizes are sending the Marching Bucs to the Macy’s Thanksgiving Day Parade
It’s been described as a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity, a dream of every marching band student.
In November 2024, hundreds of ETSU Marching Bucs members will capture that dream as they march in the Macy’s Thanksgiving Day Parade. In addition to the parade, the Color Guard and Majorettes will also per form in the Radio City Music Hall with the Rockettes to kick-off their holiday program.
IT IS A MOMENT MADE POSSIBLE BY MANY GENEROUS FRIENDS.
When the announcement of ETSU’s selection was first made in spring of 2023, a fundraising campaign began immediately to help offset the costs for the students to make the trip. The initial goal was $375,000, but with the heightened interest from students, the number of students in the Marching Bucs surged, so the fundraising goal was increased to $450,000.
Upon announcing ETSU winning a coveted spot in the parade, Macy’s presented the ETSU Foundation with a check for $10,000. The second gift came just an hour later from one of the Buccaneers’ greatest fans.
Her name is Penny Hughes, and while you may not recognize her name, you’ve seen her cheering in the stands when the Buccaneers take to the fields and courts, donned in blue and gold and a vast collection of ETSU pins. She has also worked for ETSU Dining Services for 39 years.
An hour after the April 2023 news conference with Macy’s, ETSU development director Denise Asbury stopped at the campus’ Treehouse Takeout canteen
to get coffee. Hughes was there working her shift, and the two chatted about the exciting news. Determined to help the students, Hughes reached in her pocket and handed cash to Asbury, a fundraiser for the College of Arts and Sciences.
“Going to New York City is expensive for anyone, and a lot of our students do not have extra money for things other than food,” Hughes told her. “I know they struggle, but I also know this trip will be the opportunity of a lifetime. I want to help them.”
Others have followed. Faculty and staff signed up for payroll deductions. Alumni and friends gave. Businesses across the region wrote checks. ETSU and its College of Arts and Sciences were able to provide additional support, and the ETSU Foundation provided funding for the purchase of additional uniforms and instruments.
“This opportunity really resonated with our donors,” Asbury said. “People see the impact our marching band has here in our community. They see them at football games and at the Christmas parade. Many of them were band members in high school and have dreamed of the magical experience of being invited by the Macy’s organization to perform in New York.”
As far as a fundraising status update, the $450,00 goal is nearly complete.
“This has been a truly collaborative effort,” Asbury added. “So many incredibly generous people have made this happen. People truly love the Marching Bucs, and we are grateful to all who have supported our students and share in the excitement and joy of the Macy’s parade experience.”
Get to Know Foundation Chairman Renee Lockhart
Renee Bays Lockhart loves everything ETSU.
The alumna from the ETSU classes of 1987 and 1989 is a loyal blue and gold fan at Buccaneer football and basketball games, plus “anything the marching band or majorettes do,” including the upcoming trip to the Macy’s Thanksgiving Day Parade. That’s not much of a surprise, considering Lockhart was a majorette with the Marching Bucs and continued on as a majorette instructor for several years.
She also loves attending functions at the Martin Center for the Arts and events hosted by the National Alumni Association.
It’s this passion for supporting the Buccaneers – and an even deeper passion to give back to her hometown institution – that she brings to her new role as Chairman of the ETSU Foundation which she assumed on July 1, 2024.
“I had such a great experience there as a student, especially as a majorette, and every time I visit campus today, I feel the same exact way,” she said. “It has always been very important for me to give back in some way, even if just small ways, and to stay engaged.
“That has been my message to others. Think of what you love about ETSU – the programs, the things you were involved with or enjoy – and give to those causes. Find your passion,” she said. “There are countless ways you can make a difference.
“And speaking of making a difference, just look at how ETSU has transformed this region. Imagine what Johnson City and the Tri-Cities would be if not for the presence of this university. ETSU has shaped education, health care, the business and industry sector, and the arts in profound ways. Investing in ETSU is investing in our region for generations to come.”
5 Interesting Facts about Renee Lockhart
1. She has worked for the same company since 1990. That was the year Lockhart joined Heritage Operating, a parent company that owns a network of funeral homes and cemeteries. When she first joined the team, Heritage had 10 locations in three states. Today, that footprint has expanded to include more than 100 locations in 11 states. After 34 years with the company, Lockhart retired as President and CEO on July 19, 2024.
2. Though lockhart is retiring, her mom is still working full-time… as a CEO. “Yes, this is true. She loves her job at Abundant
Christian Living and plans to keep going.”
3. She met her husband in front of the ETS U mini-dome. “It was an early morning and I was leaving the Dome after band practice. He was heading in for football practice. And, well, the rest is history.”
4. In Spring 2021, Lockhart attended three ETS U graduating ceremonies…all the same weekend. “It was during the pandemic, and to keep audience numbers low as a safety precaution, the university held a series of smaller graduation ceremonies,” said Lockhart, who attended
three of them. “I had nieces and nephews graduating that spring, but they were going to be in different ceremonies. And there was no way I was going to miss them, especially since I helped recruit them to ETSU.”
5. When she graduated in 1989, she did not put her batons in the back of the closet. Instead, she remained with the Marching Bucs for some 14 years as a majorette instructor. In addition, she was a majorette instructor for several local high schools in Tennessee, Kentucky, and Southwest Virginia for a number of years. And she is still active every year and judging local majorette tryouts.
ETSU Foundation Welcomes New Board Members
DR. STEVE BARNET T
Superintendent of Schools for the Johnson City School System, a position he received in April 2017.
WILL BARRET T
President and CEO of Bank of Tennessee.
BARBARA STREE T
Vice President of Community Relations for the JA Street General Contractor Company in the Tri-Cities of Bristol, Kingsport, and Johnson City, Tennessee.
MITCH TUELL
Financial advisor at UBS Financial Services where he has worked for the past 13 years.
Audit Committee Hears Outcome of Report
THE ETSU FOUNDATION RECEIVED A CLEAN REPORT FOLLOWING AN OUTSIDE AUDIT OF FINANCIAL STATEMENTS FROM THE 2022-23 YEAR.
Mark Woolwine and Jennifer Harris from Brown Edwards presented the findings during the Nov. 30 meeting of the ETSU Audit Committee. The auditors issued an unmodified opinion and commended the Foundation Accounting staff for their diligent work.
ETSU Foundation Board of Directors member Stephen Dixon, who chairs the Audit Committee, added that the auditors found no significant deficiencies in internal contr ols.
“This audit is done every year and ensures our donors that we have outstanding checks and balances in place and that we are being accountable managers of the resources entrusted upon us,” said Dixon, a 1995 ETSU graduate and Senior Vice President at Bank of Tennessee. “Our established policies and procedures are solid, and we are following them.”
INVESTMENT COMMITTEE REPORTS STRONG 2023-24 FINISH
Tommy Greer calls it another banner year.
The ETSU Foundation closed the 202324 fiscal year with an ending balance of $146,905,060, a $19.7 million increase from the 2022-23 year-end balance of $1 27 million.
Equally as favorable is the increase in the return on investment: 15.54%, up from 12.97% last year.
STEPHEN DIXON
“If you look at where we were just four years ago, we finished the 2019-2020 year with a balance of $98 million,” said Greer, the Foundation’s Investment Committee Chair and a certified public accountant with Blackburn, Childers, and Steagall.
“Now we have almost $50 million more, and with our spending policy of 4% based on a three-year average, that gives us an additional $2 million to spend.
“That’s $2 million to invest in student scholarships, in faculty initiatives, and other major Foundation initiatives,” he said.
Greer added that Goldman Sachs continues to oversee the management of all investment activities for the Foundation and reports to the Investment Committee
on a quarterly basis. The Foundation uses the 70/30 investment allocation model (70% equities and 30% in fixed incomes) that was adopted in late 2021.
“With Goldman Sachs and the combined expertise, experience, and wisdom of the other members of our Investment Committee – Renee Lockhart, Joe Laporte, Tracy Fleenor, Maggie Ingram, Peter Raber and Casey Hammontree – our community can trust the long-term management of our investments is in good hands.
“We continue to stay the course,” Greer said. “It’s not just about where we will be in one year or even 10 years; we are planning for the next two or three generations ahead.”
INVESTMENT COMMITTEE
and the winner is ...
Nine East Tennessee State University alumni and friends were recently honored with the 2023 Alumni Awards on Friday, Nov. 17. Pictured with the recipients are ETSU President Brian Noland and ETSU Alumni Association President Tom Tull.
LT. GEN. RONALD V. HITE ’64 George L. Carter Award
SHIRLEY HOLTSCLAW BERK ’72, ’74 Award of Honor
DR. CORNELL SNEED ’12, ’14, ’18 “PRIDE of ETSU” Award
DICK CL ARKE ’71 Outstanding Alumni Award
DR. JOE D. MOORE ’87 Award of Honor
DONNA NOL AND Honorary Alumni Award
PAULINE DOUGL AS ’84, ’87 Outstanding Alumni Award
ROBERT RAINES ’01 Distinguished Alumnus in Public Service Award
COL. (RE T.) DANIEL S. BISHOP Award of Honor
Alumni Enjoy Summer of Fun
Whether it was to cheer on a baseball game, run an 8K race, or sit back and relax during an outdoor movie, hundreds of alumni and friends have enjoyed a calendar of fun activities in recent months.
It’s been part of the ETSU Alumni Summer Series hosted by the National Alumni Association.
“This has been an opportunity to keep the BU C PRIDE going throughout the summer months with exciting events both on campus and in our communities,” said Whitney Goetz, Executive Director of the ETSU National Alumni Association.
“We had a great time and are already discussing plans for future fun events.”
Events included the Big Screen Bash held on the ETSU campus offering food trucks, lawn games, and giveaways in addition to a screening of Disney and Pixar’s “Cars” movie. On July 13, guests gathered to cheer on the Johnson City Doughboys at the Homerun Hangout while participating in pre-game festivities and watching Bucky throw out the first pitch.
The summer concluded with a pre-race tailgate prior to the Crazy 8s run as part of Kingsport’s Fun Fest.
Earlier in May, the Alumni Association welcomed dozens of alumni from the Class of 1974 during its Golden Fifties Reunion.
New Faces
The ETSU Office of University Advancement had the honor of welcoming new members to its team in 2023-24:
ERIN BILLINGSBY is a former student athlete and returns to her alma mater to serve as Director of Development for Intercollegiate Athletics. Previously, she lived in Colorado and worked in the mortgage industry.
SAMANTHA BLACKWELL is a recent ETSU graduate and joins the Advancement Ser vices staff as a Gifts Processor
JARED HEDRICK is Technology Coordinator for the Advancement Services team. He recently worked for the College of Public Health at ETSU as a recruiter.
DEVAN LAMIE serves the University Advancement team as a Gifts Processor for Advancement Services. She comes to the office from the ETSU Department of Pediatrics.
JENNA MARCUM is Office Coordinator and brings over 20 years of experience to her new role. She previously worked at ETSU in the College of Nursing and the Office of Financial Accounting.
NANCY MAST is Business Manager at the Martin Center for the Arts. She was retired and worked for the Martin Center part-time before joining the fulltime staff.
LISA PAWLEY is Director of Development for the College of Arts and Sciences. She spent more than 12 years working in the non-profit sector for organizations such as Coalition for Kids and the Dawn of Hope.
ZACH THOMPSON is the Clemmer College of Education and Human Development’s new Director of Development. Prior to joining University Advancement, he was a recruiter for ETSU’s Undergraduate Admissions office working with transfer students.
KARIN VON KAENEL previously worked for the Grady Health Foundation in Atlanta before her appointment as Director of Development for the Quillen College of Medicine. She also spent nearly a decade working for the United Way.
...and New Places
DESMOND PIERCE was named Executive Director of Annual Giving following the retirement of Jon See. Desmond previously worked in fundraising for Intercollegiate Athletics.
SUZANNE WILLIAMS was promoted to Office Manager following the retirement of Mitzi Whitt.
UNIVERSITY ADVANCEMENT
PAMEL A RIT TER
Vice President of University Advancement and President/CEO of the ETSU Foundation
DENISE ASBURY
Director of Development, College of Arts and Sciences
ERIN BILLINGSBY ‘09
Director of Development, Intercollegiate Athletics
SAMANTH A BL ACKWELL ‘23
Gifts Processor
HOLLY BOOKER ’09
Director of Development, College of Public Health
NICOLE DOWELL ’14, ‘24
Technology Manager – Advancement Services
JENNY FEDERICO
Director of Development, Martin Center for the Arts
DESSI FORD ’00
Director of Development, Student Life and Enrollment, Roan Scholars, Honors College
TYLER GABY
Associate Director of Annual Giving
ANNE GODFREY
Director of Development, College of Nursing, College of Health Sciences
CODY GREENE
Prospect Research Analyst
JARED HEDRICK ‘23
Technology Coordinator
REBECCA HUDDLESTON ’98
Director of Development, College of Business and Technology
JOHN KING ’88, ’22
Associate Vice President of University Advancement
DEVAN LAMIE
Gifts Processor
JENNA MARCUM
Office Coordinator
REBECCA MUNCY ’23
Executive Director of Planned Giving
LISA PAWLEY
Director of Development, College of Arts and Sciences
DESMOND PIERCE ’14
Executive Director of Annual Giving
JOE SMITH ’94, ’16
Executive Director of Advancement
Communications and Stewardship
Z ACH THOMPSON ‘14
Director of Development, Clemmer College of Education and Human Development
KARIN VON KAENEL Director of Development, Quillen College of Medicine
BE TH WILEY
Assistant Vice President of Advancement Services
SUZ ANNE WILLIAMS Office Manager
ETSU NATIONAL ALUMNI ASSOCIATION
WHITNEY GOE TZ ’05
Executive Director, ETSU National Alumni Association
KAREN CRIGGER ’90
Alumni Communications and Technology Coordinator
LEE ANN DAVIS ’91, ’09
Director of Alumni Programs
LEISA HARVEY ’94 Office Coordinator
SAVANNAH KERN ’23
Development Associate
CYNDI RAMSEY ’06
Associate Director for Alumni Services
UNIVERSITY FOUNDATION ACCOUNTING
CHRISTINA GRAH AM
Chief Financial Officer
DAVID FINNEY ’17
Director of Fiscal Affairs
ANDREA JIMENEZ ’12, ’13
Executive Director of Foundation Accounting
MARTIN CENTER FOR THE ARTS/UNIVERSITY EVENTS
JENNIFER CLEMENTS ’11
Executive Director of the Martin Center/University Events
SARA ALLEN Director of Sales and Marketing
TYLER DAVIS Technical Director
TERESA FELTNER Office Coordinator
PAUL A MAROONEY Box Office Manager
NANCY MAST Business Manager
JASON ONKS
Director of Facilities and Operations
CL AIRE SHOUN
University Events Manager
ASHLEY WHITE
Events and Guest Experience Manager