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Table of Contents

  • 4: We're Back - Men's Basketball
  • 6: Unique Alumni
  • 12: Campus Notes & Briefs
  • 16: Leadership Initiative
  • 18: Advancement
  • 20: Sports Spectrum
  • 21: Class Notes
  • 28: Distinguished President's Trust Dinner
  • 31: Calendar

ETSU President

Paul E. Stanton, Jr.

Managing Editors

Richard A. Manahan; Robert M. Plummer

Contributing Writers

Jeff Anderson; Sara Burmer; Carol Fox; Debi Frakes; Kristn Fry; Deena Gonzales; Jennifer Hill; Patricia Holland; Lainey Howard; Richard A. Manahan; Robert Plummer; Cindy Proffitt; Pamela D. Ripley; Fred Sauceman; Karen K. Sells; Joe Smith; Matt Snelling; Erin Thurman; Mike White; Lee Ann Willis

Photography/Art

Robert Plummer; James Price; Jim Sledge; Larry Smith; Lee Ann Willis

Publication Date

Spring 2003

President's Message

It seems but a few days ago that we were beginning the spring semester in January along with the ringing in of the New Year. Our students returned from holidays, and our members of the Distinguished President’s Trust gathered at the MeadowView Conference Resort and Convention Center in Kingsport to greet new members and celebrate a successful year of fund raising. And, our men’s basketball team was showing signs of what proved to be an exciting season. With our firm grip of the Southern Conference championship and return to the NCAA tournament, we all stand proud of our men’s basketball team and its tremendous success. At that dinner, I was pleased to remark about the progress we had made together. The university continues to enjoy strong and productive partnerships with the people of the Tri-Cities Tennessee/Virginia region, as well as business and industry from near and far, broad support through private giving, funded research and scholarly activities, and the confidence of over 11,000 students. We knew then that the days ahead would be filled with challenges. Little did we know that there would be a war in Iraq that would see a group of students and staff join the ranks of this nation’s armed forces in an effort to spread freedom to a nation held in the hands of a tyrannical leader. This war intruded into my own household as my son Eric was one of the activated students along with some nine others. Among those leading the efforts for the Coalition was an ETSU alumnus, Brigadier General Gary Harrell. Under his command, Special Forces units showed the full capacity of our military to strike quickly and decisively. We know there are a number of other ETSU alumni who have served bravely in this successful campaign. We are proud of each of them, all of our military veterans, and the legacy of the university’s ROTC program which celebrated its 50th anniversary in 2002. As our minds focus daily on those overseas, the financial struggles of the State of Tennessee continue. New Governor Phil Bredesen, our spring 2003 commencement speaker, has brought a fresh voice and a deliberate, down-to-business approach to the issues that have burdened our state. It is obvious that the Governor is anxious to work with the Legislature to find a balanced solution that will adequately address the needs of our people. Budget cutting, the resetting of priorities, and belt-tightening have touched each area of state government. As a state-assisted, public university, ETSU depends on the support of state funding along with student tuition and fees, private gifts, and a variety of other sources to provide a high-quality education at affordable costs and wide availability. We, too, share the painful burden of budget cuts and are struggling to preserve the quality of our core business, teaching and learning. ETSU is evolving into a different institution in response to these times. In short, we are re-evaluating everything we do, from the perspective of cost-effectiveness. We continue to need your help as we strive to move forward against serious limitation and hardships. From lifting your voice in support of the university to writing a check in support of the Annual Fund or our Leadership Initiative, there are ways everyone can help us get through tough times. For all you do on behalf of ETSU, we thank you! - Paul E. Stanton, Jr., ETSU President

ETSU Today - Spring 2003

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