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East Tennessee State University
East Tennessee State University seal.svg
Former name
East Tennessee State Normal School (1911–1925)
East Tennessee State Teachers College (1925–1930)
East Tennessee State Teacher's College, Johnson City (1930–1943)
East Tennessee State College (1943–1963)
Motto "Graduation Begins Today"
Type Public research university
Established October 2, 1911; 113 years ago (1911-10-02)
Accreditation SACS
Academic affiliations
Endowment $151.8 million (2021)
President Brian Noland
Provost Kimberly D. McCorkle
Academic staff
806
Students 13,483
Postgraduates 2,929
Other students
607
Location , ,
United States
Campus Small city, 340 acres (140 ha)
Other campuses
Newspaper East Tennessean
Colors Navy blue and gold
         
Nickname Buccaneers
Sporting affiliations
NCAA Division I FCS – SoCon
Mascot Bucky
East Tennessee State University logo.svg

East Tennessee State University (ETSU) is a big public university in Johnson City, Tennessee. It's a place where students go to learn and do important research. ETSU is one of the largest universities in Tennessee. It also has smaller learning centers in nearby towns like Kingsport, Elizabethton, and Sevierville.

ETSU is known for its strong programs in healthcare, like its College of Medicine and College of Pharmacy. It's also special because it offers unique programs. For example, you can study Bluegrass, Old Time, and Country Music. It even has the only master's degree in Storytelling in America!

History of ETSU

ETSU Dossett Hall
Dossett Hall, an important building at ETSU

ETSU started in 1911 as the East Tennessee State Normal School. A "normal school" was a place that trained teachers. Even today, a school called University School operates there to help train future teachers.

In 1925, the school became a college and changed its name to East Tennessee State Teachers College. It kept growing and changing names over the years. In 1943, it became East Tennessee State College and started offering many different subjects, not just teaching. Finally, in 1963, it became East Tennessee State University, which is its name today.

In 2005, ETSU planned to open a College of Pharmacy. This new college, the Bill Gatton College of Pharmacy, got full approval in 2010. Around the same time, ETSU also started a special Ph.D. program in Sport Physiology and Performance. This program, which began in 2010, was the first of its kind in the United States. It focuses on how sports science can help athletes perform better.

Past Presidents of ETSU

  • Sidney G. Gilbreath, 1911–1925
  • Charles C. Sherrod, 1925–1949
  • Burgin E. Dossett Sr., 1949–1968
  • D.P. Culp, 1968–1977
  • Arthur H. DeRosier Jr., 1977–1980
  • Ronald E. Beller, 1980–1991
  • Bert C. Bach (interim), 1991–1992
  • Roy S. Nicks, 1992–1996
  • Paul E. Stanton Jr., 1997–2012
  • Brian Noland, 2012–present

Research at ETSU

Research is a big part of what happens at ETSU. It's where professors and students work together to discover new things. This research helps improve teaching and learning at the university. It also helps the local community and even people around the world.

ETSU encourages both teachers and students to do research. In 2012, the university received over $50 million for research projects. Each year, ETSU holds an event called the Appalachian Student Research Forum. Here, students can show off their research projects. They present their work through posters or talks. In 2012, over 150 students shared their research.

ETSU Athletics: The Buccaneers

East Tennessee State Buccaneers logo
The logo for ETSU's sports teams

The sports teams at ETSU are called the Buccaneers. They compete in NCAA Division I, which is the highest level of college sports. The Buccaneers are part of the Southern Conference. They rejoined this conference in 2014 after being in the Atlantic Sun Conference for a while.

ETSU has many different sports for both men and women.

  • Men's sports include football, baseball, basketball, cross country, golf, soccer, tennis, and track and field.
  • Women's sports include basketball, cross country, golf, soccer, softball, tennis, track and field, and volleyball.

The Buccaneers have been very successful in sports. For example, in the 2006-07 school year, they won championships in seven different team sports!

ETSU Mountain States Health Alliance Athletic Center (2007)
The Mini-Dome, a large sports center at ETSU

The main sports building at ETSU is known as the Mini-Dome. Its official name has changed over time, but many still call it the Mini-Dome. It's the biggest building on campus. This large center is used for many indoor sports events, like track and field meets. It used to be where the university's football team played their home games. The Mini-Dome is also big enough to host other special events that need a lot of indoor space.

Student Life: Greek Organizations

ETSU has several Greek organizations. These are social groups for students, often known by Greek letters. About five percent of students at ETSU are part of these groups. They often focus on community service, leadership, and making friends.

Important Places at ETSU

ETSU Library
The Charles C. Sherrod Library
ETSU Basler Center 2
The Basler Center for Physical Activity
ETSU Gym
Brooks Memorial Hall on the Quad

The Charles C. Sherrod Library

The main library at ETSU is called the Charles C. Sherrod Library. It's not just a place for books! It also holds special collections like the Archives of Appalachia. These archives keep important historical records about the Appalachian region. Sometimes, younger students from local schools even get to visit the library for tours.

Colleges and Schools at ETSU

ETSU is made up of different colleges and schools, each focusing on specific subjects. This allows students to study many different fields.

  • College of Arts and Sciences
  • College of Business and Technology
  • College of Clinical and Rehabilitative Health Sciences
  • Clemmer College
  • James H. Quillen College of Medicine (for future doctors)
  • College of Nursing (for future nurses)
  • College of Pharmacy (for future pharmacists)
  • College of Public Health
  • Honors College
  • School of Continuing Studies
  • School of Graduate Studies

The Honors College

The Honors College at East Tennessee State University is for students who want an extra challenge. It offers special classes and projects that are more advanced. Students in the Honors College often get to do deeper research and work closely with professors.

Famous People Who Attended ETSU

Many people who went to East Tennessee State University have become well-known in different fields. Here are just a few:

  • Donnie Abraham, football player
  • Eric Axley, golfer
  • Barry Bales, musician
  • David Bunton, singer
  • Timothy Busfield, actor and director
  • Dave Campbell, baseball player
  • Ronald E. Carrier, university president
  • Jo Carson, writer
  • Keith Cate, newscaster
  • Jamey Chadwell, football coach
  • Kenny Chesney, entertainer
  • Besse Cooper, once the oldest person in the world
  • Patrick J. Cronin, actor
  • Neil Cusack, runner
  • Rhys Davies, golfer
  • David Davis, politician
  • David Eger, golfer
  • Earl Ferrell, football player
  • Ray Flynn, runner
  • Thane Gash, football player
  • Joseph R. Garber, author
  • Eddie Golden, wrestler
  • Ed Goodson, baseball player
  • J. Ronnie Greer, US federal judge
  • Steven M. Greer, ufologist
  • Atlee Hammaker, baseball player
  • Diana Harshbarger, politician
  • Larry Hinson, golfer
  • Mike Hulbert, golfer
  • Earl Gladstone Hunt Jr., university president
  • Steven James, novelist
  • Keith "Mister" Jennings, basketball player
  • Kenneth P. Johnson, newspaper editor
  • Ric Keller, US Congressman
  • Amythyst Kiah, singer-songwriter
  • R. Alan King, author
  • Dave Loggins, singer, songwriter
  • Herbert Theodore Milburn, US Federal Judge
  • Jim Mooney, baseball player
  • Eureka O'Hara, TV personality
  • Barclay Radebaugh, basketball coach
  • Ron Ramsey, Lieutenant Governor of Tennessee
  • Mo Sabri, recording artist
  • Marcus Satterfield, football player
  • Bryan Lewis Saunders, artist
  • Aaron Schoenfeld, soccer player
  • Gerald Sensabaugh, football player
  • Niall Shanks, philosopher
  • Mike Smith, football coach
  • J.C. Snead, golfer
  • Adam Steffey, musician
  • Harley Swift, basketball player
  • Phyllis Tickle, author
  • Jack Vest, football player
  • Bobby Wadkins, golfer
  • Harry L. Williams, businessman
  • Garrett Willis, golfer
  • Tommy Woods, basketball player

See also

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