Committee for 125 Chapter II

ETSU COMMITTEE FOR 125 CHAPTER II SETS VISION FOR THE NEXT DECADE

In its quarterly meeting in late April, the East Tennessee State University Board of Trustees unanimously approved the final report from the Committee for 125 Chapter II.

It’s a transformative document that will guide the university through 2036.

“Our institution has been focused on this for the better part of two years,” said Dr. Brian Noland, President of ETSU. “The higher education landscape has changed so much in recent years, and this report helps position the university for the future.”

The ETSU Committee for 125 Chapter II was formed in March 2021 and included ETSU board members, national leaders, former university presidents, and regional leaders from the Appalachian Highlands.

In addition to the work of the committee, the university hosted a range of town halls, listening sessions, and focus groups led by Dr. Michael Hoff,

Dr. Michael Hoff Vice Provost for Decision Support and University Chief Planning Officer. Task forces, comprised of faculty, staff, students, and community members, were also formed with the purpose of developing vision statements around academics, equity and inclusion, ETSU Health, student success and experience, research and scholarship, and fiscal sustainability.

Noland, as well as other senior leaders at ETSU, engaged the public in the strategic visioning process, and the Board of Trustees held a retreat to discuss how ETSU can continue to evolve and grow over the next decade.

The committee’s ultimate charge: to incorporate input and feedback from stakeholders to craft a strategic vision for ETSU to pursue in advance of its 125th anniversary in 2036.

When the ETSU Board of Trustees approved the final report in April, Noland said ETSU will begin implementing the initiatives outlined by the committee. Some of those include:

 Establish a comprehensive student support center that offers a full spectrum of services for students, especially first-generation students, from the point of application through career placement.

 Create a Center for Community

Engagement that elevates the number of experiential learning opportunities for students. The university would like to see 90% of ETSU students participating in internships or realworld experiences within their majors.

 Offer additional pathways for veterans, military-affiliated families, ROTC cadets, and military personnel.

 Expand the Access ETSU program for neuro- and physically-diverse students.

Enrollment was a key factor in the committee’s work.

“Factors that demonstrate the value of higher education, those that have shown they open enrollment opportunities, and initiatives that ensure all who enroll succeed will receive top priority for promotion and resources as we implement the bold vision contained in the remainder of this report,” Noland wrote.

Over the summer, Hoff and other senior leaders are communicating the strategic vision across both the ETSU campus and the Appalachian Highlands.

This initiative is the second part of the first Committee for 125. That strategic visioning process launched in 2012 when Noland arrived at ETSU. Many of the recommendations from the initial group have already been implemented, including the establishment of a single identifiable university brand, the realization of the arts initiative with the construction of the ETSU Martin Center for the Arts, and the launch of a comprehensive fundraising campaign.

“Vision, analysis, capital, and execution are the recipe for success,” Hoff said. “With the report from the Committee for 125 Chapter II, the next decade at ETSU will elevate the university once again as we approach the 125th anniversary of the institution.”

O.J. Early is Marketing and Communications Specialist in ETSU’s Office of University Marketing and Communications. | Photos by Charlie Warden

MEET THE

ETSU HEROES

ETSU celebrated the extraordinary and impactful stories of the inaugural recipients of the ETSU Heroes award during the spring semester. The ETSU Heroes recognition program honors the exemplary service of those who “embody excellence and contribute significant and innovative accomplishments” to the university. Recipients of this prestigious award received a medallion and honorarium.

“Quite often we get so caught up in the pace and flow of dayto-day life that we miss acts of bravery, fortitude, kindness, and grace that happen around us each day. This event provides us the opportunity to take time to celebrate those who go above and beyond to make a difference in the lives of others,” said President Brian Noland.

Five ETSU Heroes from across the university were recognized and presented with their medallions by Noland and Jeremy Ross, ETSU Chief Operating Officer. In addition, Ballad Health also received special recognition for the health care heroes risking personal health and providing steadfast leadership throughout the COVID-19 pandemic.The inaugural ETSU Heroes are:

Patti Marlow is the executive aide with the ETSU Marching Band. She has worked for the ETSU Department of Music for 32 years and is renowned in the marching band for her ability to solve problems and for the compassion she has for her students. She maintains contact with many alumni of the program and has formed lasting friendships with them and their families. On Senior Day each year Marlow stands on the field with students whose families cannot attend so that they will not be alone as they are recognized.

Zachary Olsen is technical director for the ETSU Department of Theatre and Dance. His designs and input were instrumental in the completion of the Aerial Dance Studio in Brooks Gym, and he continues to support the aerial

dance program with his technical knowledge. As the director of the scene shop at the Martin Center for the Arts, he is faced with challenges that he meets with proactive and innovative solutions. Olsen is also known for his unwavering support of the students he leads and his commitment to providing students with meaningful, quality experiences.

Derek Patton is the public safety officer assigned to the ETSU Health Johnson City Downtown Day Center. Officer Patton often exceeds his duties as head of security to offer counseling to clients, assist staff with their own duties, and offer guidance when needed. His incredible patience puts clients at ease and encourages them to open up about their needs. Officer Patton also encourages and motivates the staff of the Day Center. Officer Patton’s support is instrumental to the function of the Downtown Day Center. He has been with ETSU for 15 years.

Kelvin Tarukwasha recently served as the general manager of Sodexo Dining Services at ETSU. His leadership is characterized by its flexibility, innovation, and extraordinary service. During the pandemic, Tarukwasha helped provide high-quality meals to students isolated in quarantine rooms. Tarukwasha shows his care for students through the example he sets for ETSU dining services. He initiated a scholarship in support of ETSU students and supported Bucky’s Food Pantry and other local charitable meal service organizations. ETSU Health was also recognized as an ETSU Hero in recognition of the system’s efforts to provide care throughout the pandemic. The ETSU Health team stood on the front lines from the moment the pandemic began by establishing the region’s first drivethrough COVID-19 testing site and later opening the first COVID-19 community collection site that delivered molecular PCR test results within 24 hours. The ETSU Health team also delivered some of the first doses of the COVID-19 vaccines and has continued to offer vaccine clinics.

In addition to the Heroes honorees, ETSU student Emily Burnette received a special recognition for her act of heroism that occurred on the ETSU University Commons. While walking to class, Burnette saw a woman fall and injure her leg. Burnette called ETSU Public Safety and remained with the injured woman, refusing to leave her side until the paramedics were finished treating and transporting her.

Noting the increased mental health challenges that the community has faced throughout the pandemic, ETSU also recognized the work of one of ETSU’s most popular and photographed figures, Pepper. As the resident therapy dog on campus, Pepper was presented with a bone and treats for her work spreading smiles across campus.

The Heroes celebration will become an annual event on campus, recognizing the work that often takes place behind the scenes to make ETSU and the community a better place to live, work, and study.