ETSU Heroes were honored with a special ceremony and reception on Wednesday, Oct. 11.

East Tennessee State University recognized three individuals and two university divisions as “ETSU Heroes” for the many ways they have gone beyond to support the mission of ETSU.

ETSU Heroes is an annual recognition program that celebrates the impactful and extraordinary service of people across the ETSU community. The ETSU Heroes were honored with medallions and cash awards at a special ceremony held Wednesday, Oct. 11, at the D.P. Culp Student Center. The event was part of ETSU’s Founders Week, celebrating the university’s October 1911 founding.

“One of the things I love the most about East Tennessee State University are the people – people who make the institution move, individuals who get up every day and come to work with the purpose of serving students, advancing the mission of the institution, and of going about the work behind the scenes that makes the university run,” said ETSU President Dr. Brian Noland. “The ETSU Heroes program is a way to say ‘thank you’ to those individuals who each day get up and make the institution move. People who, in big ways or small ways, are heroes.”

This year’s ETSU Heroes are: 

Mr. Rob Blankenbeckler, Custodial Supervisor

Blankenbeckler joined ETSU as a temporary employee in 2011 and quickly became a dedicated and reliable full-time staff member in Custodial Services. As a supervisor, Blankenbeckler continuously goes above and beyond to assist with requests, sometimes urgent in nature, within all of the buildings he manages. He was the first person called upon to assist with flooding cleanup when temperatures dipped into the single digits in December 2022.  He offers to assist with any event and assures ETSU always looks its best.   

Dr. Michelle Byrd, Associate Vice President and Dean of Students

Byrd has served the university for 18 years, and during that time, her reassuring and calm voice has eased worry and stress for countless students in crisis. She offers patience, discretion and respect when assisting students, and their families, during times of uncertainty. Under Byrd’s leadership, the Dean of Students Office meets individuals where they are and not only connects them with assistance and resources, but helps them navigate barriers to receiving support services.

Dr. Cheri Clavier, Director of Institutional Effectiveness and Accreditation Liaison

Clavier began her ETSU story nearly 15 years ago by putting both her teaching and professional experience to work for the betterment of the university. The successful reception of ETSU’s Quality Enhancement Plan and Focus Report relied on Clavier’s savvy collaboration skills with colleagues from across colleges and disciplines spanning several years. It was under her discerning leadership in 2023 that the university conducted an exceptional SACSCOC reaffirmation onsite review which cited no concerns or recommendations.

Capital Planning & Facilities

The ETSU Capital Planning division has been recognized as the No. 1 recipient of capital projects in the state for the past two years with $312 million awarded. As the campus landscape continues to evolve, Facilities employees work tirelessly to prioritize and complete daily work orders while addressing immediate needs as they arise. One such example of timely response occurred last winter when a nearly empty campus experienced a deep freeze over the holiday break. While others were spending quality time with their families, the Facilities team was on the scene preventing further damage to buildings.

Bursar’s Office

The expertise of the Bursar’s Office extends much further than posting and processing tuition and fee payments. Staff approach each inquiry, which reach peak volumes prior to the start of each semester, with patience and professionalism. No matter the question or need, employees in the Bursar’s Office work in partnership with other offices such as Financial Aid and the Registrar, to ensure students are connected to confirm they have a successful semester.

City of Johnson City

The City of Johnson City also received special recognition at the event to celebrate longstanding partnerships with ETSU that began more than a century ago with the establishment of the East Tennessee Normal School. City Manager Cathy Ball accepted the acknowledgment on behalf of city employees who were recognized for their commitment to the success and safety of the ETSU community. To learn more about ETSU Heroes, visit etsu.edu/heroes.

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East Tennessee State University was founded in 1911 with a singular mission: to improve the quality of life for people in the region and beyond. Through its world-class health sciences programs and interprofessional approach to health care education, ETSU is a highly respected leader in rural health research and practices. The university also boasts nationally ranked programs in the arts, technology, computing, and media studies. ETSU serves approximately 14,000 students each year and is ranked among the top 10 percent of colleges in the nation for students graduating with the least amount of debt.

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