LEADING THROUGH LEARNING
Learning and leadership are intimately related. This year, Scholars learned about the topic of addiction for the Roan Impact Focus – and the Roan launched a new initiative to promote lifelong learning for Roan Alumni.
they shared their thoughts on the work. “Dopesick showed me the effects of addiction but most importantly, how drugs can destroy a community so quickly,” said Sam Garcia ’23. Casey Bonnell ’22, Olivia Bostic ’23, Brianna McCoy ’20, and Addie Fairchild ’22 (l-r) traveled to North Carolina to hear Macy speak about the journey to writing her award-winning book. “In rural areas I think that we need to have more educational talks like this, so that
Roan Impact Focus: Addiction Scholars spent Academic Year 20192020 learning about and engaging in direct service around addiction, the topic of this past year’s Roan Impact Focus. The Roan Impact Focus began in fall 2018 and Scholars focused during that first year on early childhood literacy, before selecting addiction as the next topic. Having Scholars choose a specific topic on which to focus for the academic year encourages greater conversation, collaboration, and leadership – and empowers Scholars to take ownership of the initiative. Scholars began by reading Beth Macy's Dopesick: Dealers, Doctors, and the Drug Company that Addicted America (2018). Scholars convened for a series of book discussions, where
the younger generation knows more about addiction and ways that it can affect anyone,” said Addie. Roan Scholars helped plan and organize a special day of educational events in November 2019. All Scholars were trained in the administration of Naloxone by students from the Gatton College of Pharmacy, an opportunity Seth Jewett ’20 helped coordinate. Scholars then heard from Richie Tannerhill, a North Carolina-based recovery specialist who himself is in long-term recovery. Tannerhill was connected to the Roan by Rebecca Frazier ’23. The day concluded with
14 | ROAN ANNUAL REPORT 2019-2020
a talk by Joy Shoun, the Drug Abuse Initiative Manager for United Way of Greater Kingsport, who has extensive experience in law enforcement. Shoun was recommended by McKenzie Templeton ’22, who learned about Joy’s work while completing her Summer of Service at the United Way of Greater Kingsport. Throughout the academic year, Scholars also found other ways to contribute to this year’s Roan Impact Focus: • Addie Fairchild ’22 and Casey Bonnell ’22 continued their work with Students Advocating for Harm Reduction (SAFHR). Addie and Casey were among the ETSU students who helped found the organization after participating in an Alternative Break trip on the opioid crisis. “We hosted a clothing drive during the fall semester collecting items to be donated to shelters in the community, hosted a free Narcan training opportunity for ETSU students, and collaborated with the Sullivan County Anti-Drug Coalition to provide free Narcan to over thirty students who attended our training and informational session on addiction,” said Casey. SAFHR was recognized at ETSU’s 2020 Summit Awards with the “One to Watch” award for most promising new student organization. “We have made a lot of progress in our first year
