GAVIN ON SURVIVOR - SUMMER 2019 - ETSU Alumni Association
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SUMMER 2019 GAVIN ON SURVIVOR ETSU GRAD REALIZES LIFELONG DREAM TO COMPETE ON POPULAR SHOW A New Campaign Strength in Community Surrounded by Culture
Summer 2019
ETSU President
2 A New Campaign
for ETSU Begins
Leaders unveiled a campaign
16 Gavin on Survivor
ETSU grad realizes
lifelong dream to compete
Brian Noland that will set the course for on popular show
transformative future at ETSU
21
Executive Editor
Fred Sauceman Strength in Community
Managing Editor
Joe Smith
6 From Massive Galaxies
to Miniscule Neutrons
Reflecting on the broad scope
ETSU addresses the
opioid crisis
Advancement/Alumni Editors
Pamela Ritter
Bob Plummer
of the Department of Physics
and Astronomy at ETSU 34 Surrounded by Culture
ETSU Grad Finds New Path
in Hungary
Contributing Writers
Kevin Brown 1 The President’s Perspective 30 No Push-ups Required
Karen Crigger
Lee Ann Davis
5 New Theatre Named 32 Treasures
David Driver in Honor of Bach 33 Guidance for Graduates
Mike Ezekiel 10 Who’s Teaching at ETSU?
Jennifer Hill 36 Daniel Sweeney:
Amanda Mowell 12 Who’s Going to ETSU? A Diamond in the Rough
Melissa Nipper
14 Matthew Hill’s Experience 39 Benavia Jenkins Joins
Brian Noland
Cyndi Ramsey Nets Leadership Role in the ETSU Family as
Randy Sanders Tennessee House Head Volleyball Coach
Fred Sauceman
18 Millennium Center Officially 40 2019 Football Schedule
Joe Smith
Under New Ownership 42 ETSU National Alumni
Graphic Design 20 Introducing ETSU Health Association Presents
Jeanette Henry
23 One of Our Own 2019 Alumni Awards
Photographic Services 45 Class Notes
Ron Campbell 26 Dateline: ETSU
Dakota Hamilton 28 A Johnson City 47 Obituaries
Larry Smith
Charlie Warden
Sesquicentennial
Spotlight on a Beloved
COVER PHOTO COURTESY OF CBS ETSU Professor
PRESIDENT’S PERSPECTIVE
Throughout our history, our alumni, donors, students, faculty, and staff have campaigned
for East Tennessee State University.
In fact, it was a campaign for improved public schools in Tennessee that led to the
creation of East Tennessee State Normal School in 1911. During the Great Depression,
President Charles Sherrod campaigned to keep the doors of the institution open. There
were many missed paydays in the early 1930s. Revenues were dwindling. Appropriations
were being reduced. In late December of 1932, Dr. Sherrod read in a Nashville newspaper
that a senator was introducing a legislative bill that would abolish the teachers colleges.
He began a campaign to show the value of those colleges to the state, citing figures on
financing, qualifications of faculty, supply of teachers, and cost of attendance. Eventually
the bill was killed. But the idea did not die. In 1936, the legislature debated closing the
school and called it an “unnecessary luxury.” Dr. Sherrod fought tirelessly to keep the
school open, even refusing increases in his own salary for several years.
Another campaign some of you may not have heard about is the one for us to achieve
university status. Burgin Dossett was President of East Tennessee State College when the
push was made for the school to be recognized as a university. When this proposal was
met with opposition, President Dossett marshaled civic leaders, service and professional
groups, political leaders, school boards, owners of television and radio stations, editors,
and publishers to join the campaign. He prepared a booklet filled with statistics on
population and economic and industrial growth. Students and citizens wrote letters,
signed petitions, and visited Nashville. The legislation to make ETSC ETSU passed both
the House and Senate unanimously, and Governor Frank Clement signed the bill on
March 5, 1963.
Many other campaigns stand out in our history books. A movement during the early
1990s to establish an honors enrichment experience for undergraduate students led to the
creation of the Honors Program, which began in 1993 with four students. A decade later,
the program expanded to become an Honors College which, during the 2017-18 year, had
460 students enrolled in its programs. One of the most dramatic chapters in Tennessee
politics was a campaign that resulted in the authorization of a medical school for ETSU in
1974. Campaigns led by our students helped bridge the return of football to our campus
and also became the foundation for the renovation of the D.P. Culp University Center,
which is currently underway. And, of course, there is the landmark campaign in 2005
when our community raised $5 million in just 58 days to start our pharmacy school.
And now, a new campaign has begun. During our Distinguished President’s Trust Dinner
this past April, we launched the Campaign for ETSU, a $120 million capital campaign that
will transform our campus. Significant support for our students and faculty as well as for
facilities, research, and for new and current academic programs will propel us toward our
strategic goals and position our university as a destination for students seeking premier
education to prepare for the careers of tomorrow.
I invite you to join us for the Campaign for ETSU and help write the next chapter in our
institution’s history. Thank you for all that you do for East Tennessee State University!
Sincerely,
Brian Noland
President
Godspeed and Go Bucs!
SUMMER 2019 x 1
A NEW
On the evening when ETSU recognized its top donors for their past
contributions to the institution, leaders unveiled a campaign that
will set the course for what promises to be a transformative future.
CAMPAIGN
During the Distinguished President’s Trust Dinner on
April 12, President Brian Noland and Lieutenant General Ron Hite
(U.S. Army, Retired), Chairman of the ETSU Foundation, launched
the Campaign for ETSU, a $120 million comprehensive campaign
that, according to Noland, will transform the campus and provide
FOR ETSU
new opportunities for students and faculty.
“Campaigns have been part of this institution’s history, going
back to the days when our doors first opened in 1911,” Noland
BEGINS
told the guests. “People campaigned for ETSU because they
believed in this institution and because they believed in our
mission, a mission to improve the quality of life for the people
of this region.”
2 x ETSU TODAY
Among those most notable campaigns
Noland referenced were the push for the
creation of the Gatton College of Pharmacy,
the name change from East Tennessee State
College to ETSU, the return of football to
campus, the construction of a performing
arts center, and the landmark establishment
of the Quillen College of Medicine.
A significant priority of the Campaign for
ETSU is to create more opportunities to
assist students, with a goal of raising
$21 million in scholarships and other types
of support.
PROGRAMS FACULTY
“This is necessary in order for the
institution to recruit and retain the best
and brightest undergraduate and graduate
OUR PRIORITIES
students,” Hite said. “Support from our
donors is needed to establish and enhance
competitive scholarships, study abroad
experiences, and graduate student stipends,
$23.5M
and also make participation at major
academic conferences possible.”
$35M FOR FACULTY
During the dinner, guests heard from Mollie FOR PROGRAMS
Rutledge, a 2014 graduate of ETSU’s Roan
Scholars Leadership Program, who discussed
how the program did more than just
prepare her to become a teacher but rather
transformed her life. The Roan Program is
a comprehensive leadership development
$21M
experience established by longtime
university benefactor Louis Gump. Since Campaign for ETSU
the establishment of the program in 2000,
FOR STUDENTS FUNDING GOALS
$120M
nearly 100 ETSU students have participated.
“You have no idea how your gifts can
change the lives of our students,” Rutledge
told the guests.
$40.5M
Another major goal of the campaign is to
raise $40 million for future building and
renovation projects. This initiative includes FOR FACILITIES
securing the necessary matching dollars for
a proposed $71 million humanities building
that would be built in the center of campus.
Current major projects on campus include
the renovation of the D.P. Culp University
Center, which is being funded through a
dedicated student fee, and the construction
of the Martin Center for the Arts. Both are
expected to be completed in 2020.
“Faculty are also at the heart of the
Campaign for ETSU,” said Pam Ritter, Vice
President for Advancement and President/
CEO of the ETSU Foundation. “The minds
and lives of tomorrow’s leaders are shaped
and influenced by our faculty who, through
their teaching and research, are sharing new
knowledge and building new ideas.” STUDENTS FACILITIES
SUMMER 2019 x 3
Dr. Ron Roach, Chair of the The Campaign for ETSU will also raise
CAMPAIGNS HAVE Department of Appalachian
Studies, shared with the
approximately $35 million in support for
new academic programs that are aligned
BEEN PART OF THIS audience how donor support with emerging job market demands.
INSTITUTION’S HISTORY, has positioned ETSU as a
destination campus in the Though the Distinguished President’s
GOING BACK TO THE DAYS field of Appalachian studies,
particularly in the Bluegrass,
Trust Dinner marked the official launch
of the campaign, a silent phase began two
WHEN OUR DOORS FIRST Old-Time, and Country Music years ago, Noland announced. Already, the
Studies program. university has raised over $50 million.
OPENED IN 1911.
ETSU was the first university in “Every person in this room has campaigned
ETSU President Brian Noland the nation to offer a bachelor’s for ETSU in some way and, in doing so,
degree in Bluegrass, Old-Time, you have carried forth a legacy that began
and Country Music Studies. The more than a century ago,” Noland said.
According to Ritter, the campaign has program has attracted students and faculty “The Campaign for ETSU is our
a specific goal of $23 million that from around the world. These individuals opportunity to script the future of East
would be used to empower faculty have captured hundreds of nominations and Tennessee State University, and tonight,
through opportunities such as awards from major music organizations, that next chapter begins.”
distinguished professorships and chairs including the International Bluegrass Music
and new endowments. Association and the Grammys.
Joe Smith is Executive Assistant to the
President for University Relations and Chief
Communications Officer at ETSU.
4 x ETSU TODAY
NEW THEATRE NAMED
IN HONOR OF BACH
In addition to launching ETSU’s new comprehensive campaign, Bach’s presence in higher education extends beyond Tennessee. He
President Noland used the Distinguished President’s Trust event as has served with the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools
the setting to recognize one of Tennessee’s most respected leaders Commission on Colleges and the Southern Regional Education Board,
in higher education. as well as with the Tennessee Board of Regents, Tennessee Higher
Education Commission, and Tennessee College Association.
Longtime ETSU administrator Dr. Bert C. Bach has announced his
plans to retire in January 2020 following 43 years of service in Noland announced that the new theatre in the Martin Center for the
Tennessee higher education. Bach most recently served as Provost Arts will be named the Bert C. Bach Theatre.
and Vice President for Academic Affairs at ETSU, a role he held since
1994. He served as Interim President of ETSU from 1991-92. “Dr. Bach is known for many things, including a love for baseball
and as a profound supporter for the arts, especially theatre,” Noland
“Without a doubt, Dr. Bach stands as one of Tennessee’s greatest and said. “Though his love for the performing arts often takes Dr. Bach
most respected leaders in higher education,” Noland said. “From the to theatres in New York City and London, he never misses an ETSU
moment he arrived on this campus in the early 1990s, he has had a Theatre and Dance production, which our students and faculty deeply
profound influence on our academic programs as well as our student appreciate. He has developed and supported academic scholarships
success initiatives. He has been a true champion for East Tennessee for Theatre and Dance students, and this act of generosity has already
State University, and we are fortunate that he chose this institution as dramatically changed the lives of so many students.”
his academic home for more than two decades.”
SUMMER 2019 x 5
FROM
MASSIVE
GALAXIES TO
MINISCULE NEUTRONS
A VETERAN FACULTY MEMBER AND A NEWCOMER
REFLECT ON THE BROAD SCOPE OF
THE DEPARTMENT OF PHYSICS Dr. Beverly Smith
AND ASTRONOMY AT ETSU
PHOTO BY RON CAMPBELL
Galaxies move around in space. They
Dr. Robert Pattie interact and collide. They get distorted
by gravitational forces and occasionally
produce other galaxies. Little bits and
pieces can fly out into intergalactic space,
and they might become other independent
galaxies. Around our Milky Way are a
couple of dozen small galaxies. Maybe they
were produced by just this kind of process.
Or maybe they have been around since the
beginning of the universe.
This isn’t a monologue from a science
fiction film. It’s the kind of talk you’re
likely to hear in the classrooms of Brown
Hall on the campus of East Tennessee
State University.
Dr. Beverly Smith is an ETSU astrophysicist
who researches the formation of dwarf
galaxies, and she is part of an energetic
academic organization, the university’s
Department of Physics and Astronomy.
She has taught at ETSU for almost 20 years.
PHOTO BY LARRY SMITH
6 x ETSU TODAY
“It’s very unusual to have so much DR. SMITH SPEARHEADED Here I began research that
astronomy work going on at a culminated in a yearlong honors
regional university,” Smith said. THE CREATION OF ETSU’S thesis project on the hot gas
“One year, we had 17 students who
graduated with physics degrees.” NEW STEM COMMUNITY around a young class O star,
and Dr. Smith and Dr. Giroux
In 2015, the department was
OUTREACH SCHOLARSHIP were close mentors of mine.
This research taught me how to
recognized by the American PROGRAM, NICELY analyze data graphically.”
Institute of Physics for being a
leader among undergraduate- DOVETAILING TWO HIGH Another of Smith’s students,
only physics departments in
the number of students who
PRIORITIES OF OUR Amanda Moffett, went on to earn
a Ph.D. at the University of North
graduated with B.S. degrees
in Physics.
DEPARTMENT. Carolina in Chapel Hill and is
now a post-doctoral researcher at
Vanderbilt University.
Several years before Smith’s
Dr. Don Luttermoser, Chair of the
arrival, ETSU joined the Department of Physics and Astronomy “She is working on galaxies,
Southeastern Association for too,” Smith says with a smile.
Research in Astronomy (SARA), “She made perfect grades at
which operates a 0.9-meter ETSU, including our large intro
telescope at Kitt Peak National class. When I discovered she
Observatory in Arizona. From Austin, Texas, when Giroux was a graduate was the person getting all those 100s,
then on, the university’s reputation in student and Smith a post-doctoral researcher I zeroed in on her.”
astronomy grew. at the University of Texas.
Smith has mentored many women over
ETSU runs its own observatory, named for “What do two married astrophysicists talk the years, guiding them toward STEM
Dr. Harry D. Powell, a longtime physics about at the dinner table?” I ask Smith. “We (Science, Technology, Engineering, and
professor at the university. It is the site of talk about advising the physics majors,” she Mathematics) careers. For the first time this
popular “Star Parties,” begun by ETSU’s answers without hesitation. semester, a course she developed, “Women
Dr. Gary Henson to bring the community in Astronomy,” has been officially added to
to the campus to explore the heavens. Not only is Smith married to someone who the curriculum.
The observatory houses a radio telescope makes a living in the academic world, she is
purchased with the aid of a NASA Education the daughter of two university mathematics “I don’t know of another school that focuses
Public Outreach Grant. Middle and high professors, who taught at the University of on women in astronomy,” she adds. And
school teachers use it for workshops, and Tennessee and the University of Connecticut. men make up about half the enrollment in
high school students from throughout the With their encouragement and the the course.
region gaze through its lens. inspiration provided by a very special high
school teacher, she chose to enter the male- “Dr. Smith spearheaded the creation of
Smith said it’s that kind of public outreach dominated field of physics. ETSU’s new STEM Community Outreach
that attracted her to ETSU and that has Scholarship Program, nicely dovetailing
kept her here for nearly two decades. “And “My experience made me realize just how two high priorities of our department,”
the region is so wonderful and beautiful,” important high school teachers are,” she said, adds Luttermoser.
she adds. pointing to recent ETSU graduates such as
Rachel Horn, who is on the physics faculty Smith takes me across the hall to the office
Dr. Don Luttermoser, Chair of the at Daniel Boone High School. Having also of Dr. Robert Pattie, the newest member of
Department of Physics and Astronomy, earned a Master of Arts in Teaching, Horn is the Physics and Astronomy faculty at ETSU.
describes ETSU as “a leader in broad an evening instructor for ETSU’s astronomy I learn that Pattie had worked at the U.S.
community outreach communicating labs as well. Department of Energy’s Los Alamos National
physics and astronomy with open houses, Laboratory in New Mexico. That relationship
planetarium shows, public talks, popular Horn says the course “Variable Stars,” taught has resulted in a first-ever collaboration
newspaper articles, and leadership in by Henson, was her first experience with real between ETSU and the Los Alamos Neutron
regional grade school and high school scientific research. Science Center.
student science events like science fairs and
the Science Olympiad.” “After that, I worked closely with Dr. Smith, “We’re actually building equipment for Los
cataloguing and filtering stars from a Alamos here at ETSU,” Pattie says, “and one
There are more astronomers and NASA infrared telescope,” Horn said. “This of our undergraduates, Isaiah Cox, will be
astrophysicists at ETSU than any university experience, along with Dr. Luttermoser’s working there this summer.”
in the Southeastern United States. One of ‘Computational Physics’ class, greatly
them is Dr. Mark Giroux, who is married increased my technology and computer On the day of our interview, Los Alamos had
to Smith. They’re often seen strolling the programming skills. The following summer just sent to the ETSU Department of Physics
campus, hand in hand. Smith and Giroux I was awarded a two-month paid research and Astronomy a new data acquisitions
both attended Brown University but did not experience at Dr. Richard Ignace’s alma system, consisting of some $50,000 worth
know each other at the time. They met in mater, the University of Wisconsin, Madison. of electronics.
SUMMER 2019 x 7
WE’RE ACTUALLY BUILDING
EQUIPMENT FOR LOS
ALAMOS HERE AT ETSU.
Dr. Robert Pattie
that we can smash another defining part of Robert Pattie’s life:
into tungsten. his military service.
When that happens,
you boil off a bunch During his sophomore year at Virginia Tech,
of neutrons. You he joined the Marine Corps Reserves—
basically liberate specifically the 4th Combat Engineers
neutrons. But Battalion operating out of Roanoke, where
they’re really high he learned to be a heavy equipment operator.
energy—the same He loved the experience so much that he
neutrons that you continued to commute to Roanoke while
would make in working on his doctorate at North Carolina
a nuclear power State University.
plant. We cool them
down so they can’t
get out of materials.
They bounce
around in tubes like
ping-pong balls.
And then we can
transport them off
to an experiment,
where we do things
like measure the
neutron lifetime—
how long it lives
PHOTO CONTRIBUTED
PHOTO BY LARRY SMITH
before it breaks up.”
As an experimental nuclear physicist, Pattie Pattie had never taken a physics class
brings to the department valuable expertise before he enrolled at North Carolina’s
in the field of particle physics, a branch of Surry Community College, where he was a
the discipline that studies the elementary catcher on the baseball team. Although he
constituents of matter and radiation and didn’t continue his baseball career when In 2005, during his second year in Raleigh,
the interactions between them. As Pattie he transferred to Virginia Tech to major in he began a nine-month deployment to Anbar
describes it, he is working “on the boundary physics, the sport figures into his physics Province in Iraq.
of nuclear and particle physics.” classes at ETSU.
“We had a lot of interaction with the Iraqis,”
The Los Alamos Neutron Science Center has His students consider a baseball hit at he says. “They wanted to be safe, they wanted
been in existence for more than 30 years. a certain angle and with a certain initial electric power, food, water, and to make sure
According to its website, it provides “the velocity. “Does it get over the fence at their children were taken care of. The country
scientific underpinnings in nuclear physics Fenway Park?” Pattie asks. Or, “If a pitch is was in such disarray. When the power went
and material science needed to ensure the thrown with this angular velocity and this out, citizens didn’t know where to turn. They
safety and surety of the nuclear stockpile speed at this height, where is it going to saw guys in green uniforms with guns and
into the future.” In addition, the center end up when it hits the strike zone?” asks assumed we were the ones who could take
provides “the scientific community with the Baltimore Orioles fan, who admits care of getting their power restored. They
intense sources of neutrons and protons to watching his team of late with a certain were used to the kind of society where strong
perform experiments supporting civilian amount of depression. men with guns control everything.”
research and the production of medical and
research isotopes.” On the wall of Pattie’s office is an unusual Pattie says the Marine Corps prepared him
Periodic Table of the Elements, organized very well for the experience in Iraq. “They
Pattie explains that his work involves the differently than the ones posted in gave us a huge amount of information,” he
Ultracold Neutron source at Los Alamos. American classrooms. In the margins there says. “They even gave us a reading list, with
“There is a high-powered proton accelerator is writing in Arabic. It’s a reminder of books about Arab culture.”
8 x ETSU TODAYPHOTO BY RON CAMPBELL
Pattie says his time in the Foundation’s Noyce program, as well as
PHOTO BY HANNAH
HAWORTH Marine Corps figures into his private funding for our undergraduate
approach to teaching physics, majors through LEAP (Learning Experiences
especially when it comes to in Astronomy and Physics) Foundation
outlining expectations for first- scholarships,” Luttermoser adds with pride.
year students. “The Marine
Corps teaching style is to focus Daniel Boone High School’s Rachel Horn
on objectives,” he says. summarizes graduates’ feelings about how
this dynamic department on the ETSU
Luttermoser says the addition campus is shaping their future: “I am
of Pattie “substantially forever grateful for my experience as an
broadened the department’s undergraduate student in the Department
research interests,” pointing of Physics and Astronomy, and I share my
to his national connections at enthusiasm for scientific endeavors every day
both Los Alamos and the Oak that I am teaching in my high school physics
Ridge National Laboratory and astronomy classes.”
in Tennessee.
“And we continue to pursue Fred Sauceman holds B.A. and M.A.
and obtain public funding degrees from ETSU and is Executive Editor
through NASA’s Space Grant of ETSU Today.
Rachel Horn, Daniel Boone High School. and the National Science
Destinations and Careers of Some Recent ETSU Physics Graduates:
• Second Lieutenant, United States Army • Graduate Student in Physics, • Physics teacher, Cherokee High School,
Vanderbilt University Rogersville, Tennessee
• Medical Student at the
University of Tennessee • Graduate student in Medical Physics at • Graduate Student in Physics,
the University of Wisconsin-Madison Clemson University
• Nuclear Operator at BWX Technologies
• Graduate student in Chemical • Graduate Student at the University
• Medical Student at ETSU’s Quillen
Engineering, Northeastern University of Tennessee and Oak Ridge
College of Medicine
National Laboratory
• Graduate Student in the Physics
• Graduate Student in Physics,
and Astronomy Department, • Employed at Eastman
University of Florida
Florida State University Chemical Company
• Physics and chemistry teacher,
• Graduate Student in Mathematics, • Graduate Student in Physics,
Science Hill High School
Clemson University Texas A&M University
• Graduate student in Physics at the
• Graduate Student in Engineering, • Graduate student in Medical Physics
University of Tennessee
Georgia Tech at the University of Toledo
• Employed at Integrity Applications
SUMMER 2019 x 9WHO’S TEACHING AT ETSU? 10 x ETSU TODAY
ETSU PROFESSOR
CREATES THRIVING
ONLINE COMMUNITIES
Dr. Kelly Price-Rhea can see beyond the recording instead of typed text. She begins
horizon of academia. her courses by posting an intro video that
seems more like a social media post and less
Her aspirations are not bound by the limits like a typical college lecture.
of physical, traditional classroom space.
She envisions an evolving digital learning “It is so rewarding to watch students from
environment. Since 2013, Price, Associate across the country interact in the digital
Professor of Marketing, has taught almost learning environment where they can
entirely online. An experience that was first cultivate understanding and evaluate other
overwhelming has become a fascination. perspectives and experiences,” she explained.
“I view the interactions that happen in Price is deeply connected to both the digital
the online classroom from a psychology and tangible versions of the ETSU campus.
standpoint, and while those interactions are She is a two-time alumna of the university,
different, there are things we as instructors and both her parents earned degrees from
can do to ‘be there.’ A lot of my research ETSU. Price graduated with a bachelor’s
focuses on professor presence,” she says. degree in Fashion Merchandising in 1995
and worked as an apparel buyer. Feeling
Price taught on ground for 10 years before a bit burned out from the retail business,
she was asked to help build a new graduate she came home to ETSU to study
program focused on an emerging career professional communications.
field, Digital Marketing. Given the nature
of the subject matter, it made sense for the Looking back, Price says it was a big
program to be offered entirely online. Price decision to leave her professional life in
admits she was hesitant at first but has since Colorado behind, but studying at ETSU was
come to realize that online courses are the meant to be.
future of higher education and argues that
she actually gets to know her online students “I took a research class and I remember
much better. exactly where I was sitting in Warf-Pickel
Hall when I realized that I never wanted to
“When I taught on ground courses and had leave academia,” she recalls.
more than 100 students, I didn’t have the
opportunity to see them in the same way I A short time after completing her Ph.D.
do online. I saw them a couple times a week. in Human Ecology with a concentration
Online, I interact with everyone all the time.” in Retail and Consumer Sciences at the
University of Tennessee, she eagerly
She and colleague Dr. Don Shemwell, accepted an adjunct teaching position at
Professor of Marketing, built the Digital ETSU and says she has no regrets about
Marketing program from the ground up. returning to her roots.
The discipline is always changing, so the
curriculum must adjust to reflect the latest In addition to professor presence, Price
trends and tools available. While Price, who actively researches consumer behavior and
coordinates the program, might not be able is planning a new digital marketing ethics
to reuse materials she developed the previous course. She also teaches a social media
semester, that’s part of what she claims to course and when she’s not immersed in
enjoy most about the online experience. online learning, she enjoys playing and
writing about women’s golf.
Aligned with the research she has read
and conducted surrounding professor
presence, Price has developed a series of Amanda Mowell is Interim Director of
fluid syllabus items. Many of her students Communications in the ETSU Office of
are familiar with “Dr. P’s Question of the University Relations.
Week” assignments delivered by an audio
PHOTO BY CHARLIE WARDEN SUMMER 2019 x 11ENTREPRENEURIAL
STUDENT-ATHLETE DARACK NANTO
LOOKS TOWARD 2022
Darack Nanto is an inventor, a graduate learned main electronic components in people think that you can only do one
student, a personal trainer, an Olympic the manufacturing engineering technology thing—academics or athletics. What if I
hopeful, and a leader. He is determined to program, but this is different because you can be well-rounded? What if I can have
show those in his home country of Togo that take normal hardware and try to make it degrees and still be an athlete? I just want
he can succeed at both his academic and talk to the internet. I had to really start to start this bobsled journey and compete
athletic aspirations. Darack is building a researching online, troubleshooting, failing in a winter sport even though I am from a
prototype of his invention, the Eco Smart at it, and trying and trying again. I first had country on the continent of Africa and we
Can, while balancing his time between a basic version for my undergraduate honors don’t have snow. I want to do a sport that’s
graduate classes and training to become an thesis. I won the competition, and other not even offered in my country to show to the
Olympic athlete. His goal is to become the people on campus discovered my project. younger generation that you can dream big.
first person from Togo to compete in bobsled The College of Business and Technology It doesn’t matter where you come from, you
skeleton at the winter games in 2022. took an interest in it, and I went to an can achieve whatever you put your heart into
entrepreneurship conference in Nashville and you work on. That’s what’s pushing me
What was it like adjusting to life and talked to other people with startups and motivating me to try to do the Olympics
in the United States as an across Tennessee. I really got inspired. I and represent my country. Hopefully, with
international student? invested in books and equipment. Right my hard work and support from friends and
now I’m working on a prototype with a solar family, I’ll be at Beijing in 2022.
I had never been to the U.S. I came in the panel and a compactor inside, which will be
spring semester 2013 and it was really cold. I fully automated. It can identify and compress Has the Olympic Training Site at ETSU
brought my jacket from home and it was not the trash at certain levels. When the trash influenced your decision to train for
made for winter. When I was at the airport I is at 50 percent filled, it can compact it to bobsled skeleton?
asked my friend to bring me a winter jacket around 30 percent.
because what I had cannot hold me. I was I wanted to become a weightlifter, but
frozen. The other thing was getting used to When you’re not working on the Eco my country does not have a weightlifting
the accents, “y’all” especially, and people Smart Can prototype in your lab in federation so it was really hard to make it
were having a hard time understanding me Wilson-Wallis Hall or studying, what happen. The Olympic Training Site played a
so I had to work on articulating my words. I other activities are you involved in? role because there are people here who know
tried my best to integrate and learn as much what they are doing. You see international
as I can about American culture. Currently, I’m President of the Muslim and U.S. athletes coming to train here.
Student Association and if I’m not in the
Last year, you won a business pitch lab, I try to work with the association, What’s the next step in your journey
competition at ETSU (iBucs). What is or because I am an athlete as well, I will and what do you hope to accomplish?
your invention and what phase are you be training. I’m hoping to represent my
at now? country Togo in the next Winter Olympics Finances are the next step. It’s a small
in the sport of bobsled skeleton. So if I’m sport and expensive. I believe I have the
One day I was walking to the CPA (Center for not in class or in the lab learning, I’m in drive, the motivation, and the strength to
Physical Activity) and saw a maintenance guy the CPA working out or in the Mini-Dome make it happen. I’m building from scratch.
emptying trash near Rogers-Stout Hall. The training. I’m also a personal trainer, so I have to get the equipment on my own. I
can was barely filled, but he emptied it and during the summer I work at the CPA hope people will believe in me and invest
replaced the plastic bag and went to the next to help people reach their fitness goals. in me so I can prove you can dream big and
can. In my head, I thought, “Those cans have I am also a Presidential Ambassador for make it happen. In May I graduate with my
almost nothing inside. Why would you empty the university. Master’s in Technology with a concentration
it?” As an engineer, I was thinking why. It in Engineering Technology and a Certificate
seemed like a waste of time and resources. How did your Olympic dream begin? in Business Administration. I would like to
Is there a way that we could know the trash invest my time to develop a company to sell
level before, so we don’t have to collect the I grew up participating in sports, mostly and advertise the product (Eco Smart Can).
trash if it’s not needed? martial arts, and I was a goal-keeper in high My ultimate goal is to inspire the younger
N CA MP BE LL
school. When I came to ETSU, I wanted to generation that you can do whatever you
I started researching and applying for funds join a team, but I couldn’t commit the time. want to do as long as you put time and
for startup and to get the equipment to Then I started on a workout journey and I effort into it. Because of my field of study in
PH OTO BY RO
develop it. To track the level of trash, I am just wanted to be a fit man and work hard. manufacturing, I have a lot of options and I
using IOT (Internet of Things) technology People started noticing me. I always had can almost work anywhere. It really depends
and I had to start learning about it. We a dream to be an athlete, but sometimes on the opportunities that happen.
12 x ETSU TODAYWHO’S GOING TO ETSU? PHOTO BY CHARLIE WARDEN SUMMER 2019 x 13
MATTHEW HILL’S EXPERIENCE NETS LEADERSHIP ROLE IN TENNESSEE HOUSE Matthew Hill says that if anyone had told him when he was an undergraduate at East Tennessee State University that he would one day run for state representative and win – and represent his alma mater in his district – he would have said, “You’re crazy.” But run for state representative he did, and now, not only is he serving his eighth consecutive term as representative for the 7th House District – tying him for sixth in Tennessee House seniority – he was named Deputy Speaker of the House for the 111th General Assembly. Hill’s experience from his seven previous terms, as well as the communication skills honed through his career in broadcasting, earned him the opportunity to succeed the former Deputy Speaker, Representative Steve McDaniel, who retired. In this new role, Hill works to move legislation through the House and advises both House leadership and the chairpersons of various committees and subcommittees. 14 x ETSU TODAY
He chairs the House Rules and Ethics is lower taxes, less regulation, and more our classroom discussions sometimes broke
committees, and, as a member of the individual liberty, is pushed forward, and out into debates. That really sharpened
Budget Subcommittee, he examines the number two, to continue to make sure that my rhetorical skills to be able to argue in
allocations and expenditures of all Tennessee Johnson City, Washington County, and, I committee or to advocate strongly for a
governmental departments and agencies. might say, ETSU, are represented well in the position on the House floor, and I know
House of Representatives. In this new role, beyond a shadow of a doubt that those
“This affords me the opportunity to have a we’ll always make sure that ETSU is part of skills were either acquired or honed very
lot of access to our leadership, including our the conversation.” well at ETSU. Classes were really infused
new Governor,” Hill says. “Just to be able to with everyday life, to prepare you to get
build that relationship with Governor Bill From the entire time Hill has spent in out in the real world and work at your
Lee and his staff is invaluable in my role as the state legislature thus far, he says he is chosen profession.
Deputy Speaker, and will continue to be very most proud of being “able to help literally
helpful to me as the Representative for the thousands of people.” He and his longtime “When I was at ETSU, I had no idea I was
7th District, as well.” legislative assistant, Carol Burroughs, keep a going to run for State Representative and
file of thank you notes from constituents and serve in the Legislature as long as I have, but
Hill’s goals in this role, he says, are, “number groups they have assisted through the years. to be able to constantly, consistently, every
one, to make sure that the agenda of the single day, draw upon those skills and that
Republican majority in the House, which “I’m thankful that file is very full,” he says. knowledge base that I first learned at ETSU
“That’s why I’m there – the folks of the 7th is invaluable.”
House District. They send me to Nashville
...TO BE ABLE TO to represent them, and when they need help
with their state government, I’m there to
Hill adds that he comes from an “ETSU
family.” His parents met as students in
CONSTANTLY, help. I genuinely enjoy getting to help people. Theatre at ETSU, and his brother, Tim (also
CONSISTENTLY, That’s the best part of everything.” a state legislator, representing District 3), is
a graduate of ETSU. His wife, Amanda, was
EVERY SINGLE Hill draws upon his education from ETSU
each day, whether he’s on the House floor
a member of the first class of the bachelor’s
degree program in Dental Hygiene after it
DAY, DRAW UPON or working in his career as Vice President converted from an associate degree program,
for Operations at Appalachian Radio Group, and together they have two children.
THOSE SKILLS AND which has four stations based in the Tri-
THAT KNOWLEDGE Cities. After earning his associate degree
from Northeast State Community College, he
“I do consider it a real honor and privilege to
represent ETSU in the legislature,” Hill says.
BASE THAT I FIRST went on to graduate from ETSU in 2003 with
a bachelor’s degree in Communication with
LEARNED AT ETSU an emphasis in Broadcasting and a minor in Jennifer Hill is Assistant Director of University
Political Science. Relations at ETSU. | Photos courtesy
IS INVALUABLE. of Photographic Services, Tennessee
“That minor was excellent preparation for Department of General Services, Nashville
Matthew Hill what I’m doing now,” Hill says, “because
SUMMER 2019 x 15COVER STORY
GAVIN ON SURVIVOR
ETSU GRAD REALIZES
LIFELONG DREAM
TO COMPETE
ON POPULAR
SHOW
While competing on
Survivor, Gavin Whitson was
surprised by a visit from his
wife, Carly, whom he married
just two days before leaving
to be on the show.
PHOTO COURTESY OF CBS
Gavin Whitson ’16 outwitted, outplayed, and Did your time at ETSU prepare you for I loved the family visit episode and
outlasted his fellow tribemates for 39 days, any aspect of your Survivor journey? your story about moving up your
ultimately becoming first-runner up. But his If so, how? wedding for Survivor. Did you know
Survivor journey goes back much further. Carly when you were a student at
I think my time at ETSU was similar to the ETSU? Will you share how the decision
I read you always dreamed about game of Survivor. The first day of class you to move up the wedding played out?
playing Survivor and applied five look around and see if there are people you
times. Why did it appeal to you? think you can work with and to help you get Carly and I actually started dating while we
through the semester, which is similar to the were both students at ETSU. We dated all
Being on Survivor was a dream of mine game when you find people on day one that through college and got engaged while we
since I was a kid. I think part of it was being you hope will work with you until the end. were students there as well, so ETSU played
drawn to the challenges. I always thought It’s always easier when you have people you a big part in our relationship. When I found
I would excel in them. I was also amazed can trust to go to when you find yourself in out I had the opportunity to be on Survivor,
by the fact that it was filmed in locations so difficult situations. Carly and I had to make a decision whether
much different than Tennessee, and before we were going to move the wedding so I
Survivor I hadn’t traveled much at all. It How have people in Erwin/East could play or skip out on the opportunity
was an experience I wanted to have that not Tennessee responded to your and keep the wedding plans we had set. We
many other people can say they’ve had. Survivor appearance? ultimately decided that I was going to play
and Carly made the final decision because
Did the experience live up to your I am still working at the YMCA and I love she knew this had been my dream since I
expectations? In what ways? my job, but I am excited to see if this was a kid and she wanted to let me pursue
opportunity opens new doors for me. If my dream. The family visit on Day 30 was
The experience was everything I wanted… ETSU ever wants to offer a course on the a day I will never forget for the rest of my
okay more. I didn’t realize how hard psychology of Survivor, I’m interested! The life. I was so happy I made it that far so
Survivor actually was until I got to people of Erwin and East Tennessee have Carly was able to come share a piece of this
participate. It’s a lot easier sitting on the made my Survivor experience. Being in an adventure with me.
couch eating a cheeseburger and wondering area like this where everyone I have met
why these people are making the decisions has been super supportive was one of the
they make. When you are actually out there greatest gifts from this experience. Melissa Nipper is Assistant Director for
living it with no food and no comfort, it puts Communications in the Office of University
things into perspective. I have so much more Relations at ETSU.
respect for the game now.
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Valid through September 9, 2018.PHOTO BY CHARLIE WARDEN
Millennium Center
OFFICIALLY UNDER
NEW OWNERSHIP
18 x ETSU TODAYOn October 1, 2018, ETSU acquired the staff already plan and facilitate events in the would ever make it to a classroom. The
74,000-square-foot building from the City Culp Center in conjunction with food service department’s current home in Nicks Hall is
of Johnson City, specifically, the Johnson provider Sodexo, they were prepared to take at capacity as the department has grown 15
City Building Authority. The purchase on the new space. In fact, ETSU continues percent in the last two years. Every lab and
jumpstarted the creation of a Cybersecurity to run the Millennium Center as an events classroom is completely booked.
concentration in the Department of facility for university and community use,
Computing and provides a temporary while portions of the building transition to More space is the key to growth.
solution to a lack of meeting and event academic use over time.
space while the D.P. Culp University The Department of Computing is projecting
Center undergoes a major renovation. The Although much about the Millennium more than 100 new students through the
pedestrian bridge and the adjacent parking Center remains as it was, one of the addition of a Cybersecurity and Modern
garage were also included in the purchase first big changes was the spelling of the Networks concentration, which will have a
and will help support the increased flow of facility’s name from “Centre” in order to selective admission process.
foot and vehicle traffic as campus extends maintain consistency with other buildings
across State of Franklin Road. on campus. Additionally, the Millennium “We want to recruit the absolute best and
brightest students to take advantage of the
cyber security training,” Pittarese says.
I FORESEE MANY OPPORTUNITIES Sections of the Millennium Center will
be renovated in phases with the goal of
FOR INTERDISCIPLINARY INTERACTIONS creating technology-forward classrooms
and specialized computing and networking
BETWEEN STUDENTS IN THE PERFORMING labs that position ETSU as the pinnacle for
computing education in the region. The
ARTS AND STUDENTS IN BUSINESS institution is already among a small number
AND TECHNOLOGY. of universities to have three programs under
one roof—Computer Science, Information
Systems, and Information Technology—all
Jeremy Ross, ETSU’s accredited by the Computing Accreditation
Chief Operating Officer Commission of ABET.
To enter the Cybersecurity and Modern
Networks (CSMN) concentration, students
must first complete two years of computer
Motorists on that busy thoroughfare eagerly Center provided a unique opportunity for science courses at ETSU. They can then
watch the Martin Center for the Arts take academic expansion without the wait for join a cohort of students who will complete
shape on the property beside the Millennium a new building to be constructed. ETSU’s the CSMN concentration together over
Center. Because of its close proximity to Department of Computing began offering the next two years. The first junior-level
the forthcoming performing arts center, the courses at the Millennium Center during the cohort will be admitted in fall 2021, making
Millennium Center’s purchase by ETSU did spring semester and through several phases, freshmen entering ETSU in fall 2019 the first
not come as a big surprise. additional square footage will transition to candidates eligible for this new program.
academic space as the department prepares
Some said it was simply meant to be. to offer cybersecurity courses. Whether it was foresight, perfect timing,
or maybe a bit of both, incorporating the
“The original vision back in 1999 when the “There are many of these types of programs Millennium Center onto ETSU’s campus was
Millennium Center opened was to offer an available, but our emphasis on incorporating a major investment that will pay off dividends
educational component and its use has been contemporary issues around contemporary in new possibilities, especially for students.
flexible over the years,” explained Jeremy network applications, IoT (Internet of
Ross, ETSU’s Chief Operating Officer and Things) and cloud computing will make us “I foresee many opportunities for
one of the architects who helped design the unique,” says Dr. Tony Pittarese, Chair of the interdisciplinary interactions between
Millennium Center. “It was foreseen that Department of Computing. students in the performing arts and students
ETSU could eventually be the owner.” in business and technology,” Ross says. “The
“We will focus on protecting our digital Millennium Center expands our ability to
Even if the purchase was predicted, it made resources not only as they reside on serve our students and our community.”
good sense. computer systems but also as it travels from
place to place.”
ETSU already operated the Niswonger Amanda Mowell is Interim Director of
Digital Media Center in a wing of the facility Before the Millennium Center came Communications in the ETSU Office of
and was one of its main clients, hosting into focus, Pittarese said he was unsure University Relations.
numerous conferences, lectures, and if a proposed curriculum focusing on
celebrations annually. Because university cybersecurity and modern networks
SUMMER 2019 x 19INTRODUCING ETSU HEALTH
Dr. Wilsie S. Bishop, Senior
Vice President for Academics.
Patients will begin seeing the name ETSU Health on the health care They serve the region, with clinics in five counties with a
landscape of Northeast Tennessee. commitment to caring for the citizens of the region.
Earlier this year, students, faculty, and staff gathered to celebrate the “Our patients are already familiar with the high-quality care we
launch of ETSU Health, the new name for the five colleges in East provide at our clinical sites,” Bishop said. “As this year progresses,
Tennessee State University’s Academic Health Sciences Center. they will also become familiar with the name ETSU Health.
The name refers to the educational, clinical, and research pursuits of “Our goal is that this name will represent team-based care and a
ETSU’s Quillen College of Medicine, Bill Gatton College of Pharmacy, seamless experience for our patients.”
College of Nursing, College of Public Health, and College of Clinical
and Rehabilitative Health Sciences. The university also took an official step toward introducing ETSU
Health earlier this year when it joined the Nashville Health Care
“The name ETSU Health will unify our colleges and providers and will Council, a premier association of health care leaders. Joining the
help shape the future of the education and care that we provide,” said Nashville Health Care Council was a natural first step in the rollout of
Dr. Wilsie Bishop, Senior Vice President for Academics at ETSU. “The the ETSU Health name, Bishop added.
AHSC name was descriptive of what we are, but beyond the academic
arena, it really did little to identify the comprehensive nature of “The council is committed to improving health care, and ETSU
our educational program offerings, clinical health care delivery, or Health is a leader in health care in Northeast Tennessee and
research activities.” Southwest Virginia,” Bishop said. “Our mission and values align with
those of the council, and we are excited to contribute and collaborate
With 30 clinical locations, 250 health care providers, and the five with its membership.”
AHSC colleges, ETSU Health is on the front lines of efforts to improve
the region’s health. ETSU Health includes the university’s existing For a comprehensive listing of ETSU’s clinical locations and to learn
comprehensive primary and specialty medical clinics (including more about ETSU Health, visit www.ETSUHealth.com.
Quillen ETSU Physicians and ETSU Family Medicine clinics), nurse-
managed clinics, allied health clinics, and interprofessional care
provided in the clinics. Melissa Nipper is Assistant Director for Communications in the Office
of University Relations at ETSU.
Working with its wide range of regional partners, ETSU Health
providers offer leading-edge health care in dozens of specialties.
20 x ETSU TODAYStrength in
Community
ETSU brings together
key stakeholders
to address the opioid crisis
Dr. Nick Hagemeier, Associate Professor in And he wasn’t alone. local communities who play a role in fighting
ETSU’s Bill Gatton College of Pharmacy, will the opioid problem.
never forget the day the opioid crisis crossed In Tennessee, during 2017 more than 1,700
his professional path and changed the course people died due to drug overdoses, and even Since its inception in 2012, the Working
of his career. greater numbers battle opioid use disorders Group has been transformational in the
every day and the effects on their babies, fight against opioid morbidity and mortality
He was working in a retail pharmacy in jobs, and families. in Northeast Tennessee, according to Dr.
Indiana when a man with a mask entered the Robert Pack, Executive Director of ETSU’s
store and demanded all of the OxyContin. Experts from across the five colleges in the Center for Prescription Drug Abuse and
The masked man started counting down Academic Health Sciences Center at ETSU Treatment and Associate Dean and Professor
from 20, waiting on Hagemeier and the are grappling with the issue of the opioid in ETSU’s College of Public Health.
pharmacy technician to comply. crisis in their research and clinical practices.
In addition, professionals throughout “The purpose of the Working Group is to
After cleaning out their supply of OxyContin, Northeast Tennessee, such as pharmacists, assemble key stakeholders to discuss what
the man fled and was apprehended about psychologists, public health experts, we can do together,” Pack said. “It is trust-
a mile down the road. Months later, physicians, nurses, dentists, criminal justice building, relationship-building, and it’s
Hagemeier received a letter of apology from professionals, social workers, and even proven to be so valuable.”
the man, telling him that he was sorry, but he funeral home directors are all exploring ways
had been hurting and needed help. to prevent and treat prescription drug abuse. The Working Group holds its meetings on
the second Tuesday of each month from
“That was a game changer for me,” To address this issue, a group of ETSU 4-5:30 p.m. in various locations on ETSU’s
Hagemeier said. “I didn’t know how to faculty and community members formed campus and in the community. Currently,
relieve the hurt and help him. So that was the the Prescription Drug Abuse/Misuse there are more than 280 people from
driver for what I wanted to focus on in my Working Group (“the Working Group”), an throughout the region on the email invitation
research—because if I was feeling that way, I interdisciplinary team comprised of experts list, and the meetings are open to anyone
was probably not the only one.” from ETSU and individuals from throughout who wants to attend.
SUMMER 2019 x 21The combined efforts of the Working Group
have led to many positive outcomes in
the state and region, including 13 projects
totaling approximately $4.5 million
in extramural funding. Members have
collaborated on more than 100 public
presentations and more than 20 peer-
reviewed publications, Pack said.
Another development that came from
the Working Group’s discussions is
Overmountain Recovery, an outpatient
opioid treatment program that provides
evidence-based treatment of opioid use
disorders. It is a joint project of ETSU, Ballad
Health, and Frontier Health. Overmountain
Recovery recently received a grant from the
Tennessee Department of Mental Health
& Substance Abuse Services to expand its
treatment services in the region.
The Working Group also led to the
establishment of ETSU’s Center for
Prescription Drug Abuse Prevention and
Treatment, which has received state and Dr. Robert Pack
national attention for its efforts to combat
the opioid crisis. PHOTO CONTRIBUTED
Last year, Pack was among a handful of support the salaries and research of faculty once a year to pray and learn more about
public health experts to take part in a members of the center. the opioid problem.”
Congressional briefing in Washington, D.C.,
to discuss the complexities of the opioid This year, the center received more good The center partnered closely with the student
crisis. The same year, the team received a news: a one-year Eugene Washington group to ensure that they were presenting
national award from the United States Public Engagement Award from the Patient- concrete data, supported by best practices.
Health Service Interprofessional Education Centered Outcomes Research Institute to
Collaborative. In addition, Hagemeier, who establish the Opioids Research Consortium “What is profound about this event is that
is also part of the Working Group, was one of Central Appalachia (ORCA). ETSU the people they invited to attend were senior
of just 28 individuals—and one of only two partnered with Virginia Tech to apply for leaders of their congregations, and at the
pharmacists—across the country appointed the grant, which will facilitate planning for a event they were exposed to really excellent
to a national task force charged with looking research blueprint on opioids for the Central content,” Pack said. “Hundreds of faith
at best practices related to pain management. Appalachian region. leaders in the region are better informed
because of what those students are doing.”
“The biggest challenge is understanding Ballad Health and Carilion are key partners
and teaching others that there is no silver in the grant, and university partners This community-focused approach is what
bullet,” said Angela Hagaman, Director of include ETSU, Virginia Tech, West Virginia Pack and his colleagues find so gratifying
Operations for the Center for Prescription University, Marshall University, and the about the Working Group and ETSU’s
Drug Abuse Prevention and Treatment. University of Kentucky. Other university centrality to the region’s efforts to battle the
“This is a wicked public health problem partners in the region could also be included. opioid crisis.
with multiple contributing factors. A
comprehensive approach is a must due to the While grant money is key to funding “Our work is by no means complete, but
complexity of the problem. important research, Pack is also seeing the we’re on the right path and we’re making
center’s influence in other ways throughout progress,” Hagemeier said. “It’s a blessing
“Over the past seven years, our team and the community, including through faith- to work at an institution that is leading
corresponding Working Group have engaged based initiatives. the charge and, in the process, positively
with partners across the state and region. In impacting the region. It’s operationalizing
addition, we are frequently asked to serve on “There is a group of highly-motivated, stewardship of place.”
national panels and make presentations to supremely talented students around ETSU’s
elected officials in Nashville and D.C.” main campus and medical and pharmacy
schools who have organized a faith-based Melissa Nipper is Assistant Director for
Last year, the center received a $500,000 initiative called Adoration,” Pack said. Communications in the Office of University
state appropriation from Tennessee to “Their vision is to have 1,000 churches Relations at ETSU.
bolster its work, and those funds have helped represented at a praise and worship service
22 x ETSU TODAYYou can also read
