Senator Rusty Crowe cuts the ribbon on the steps in front of Gilbreath Hall.
This week, East Tennessee State University held a ribbon-cutting at the newly renovated Gilbreath Hall, the university’s oldest academic building. The event was part of the university’s Founders Week, a celebration of its founding in October 1911.
Named for ETSU’s first president, Sidney Gilbreath, Gilbreath Hall underwent significant
renovations last summer, transforming its classrooms and offices with state-of-the-art
technology and amenities that will improve the student experience.
“Gilbreath Hall has become a historical landmark for our campus,” said ETSU President
Dr. Brian Noland. “It also is a symbol of our collective belief in a brighter future.
This most recent renovation reminds us that we are continuing a legacy that began
more than a century ago — a legacy that shifts and is shaped by the needs of our ever-changing
world but stands on a foundation of principles that has withstood the test of time.”
Members of ETSU’s Board of Trustees, students, faculty, staff, and local lawmakers
and leaders attended the celebration. Senator Rusty Crowe, an ETSU alumnus, spoke
at the ceremony and was recognized by Noland for his support for the university.
Dr. Kimberly D. McCorkle, provost and senior vice president for Academic Affairs,
spoke about Gilbreath Hall’s impact on students, particularly students in the College of Arts and Sciences who attend classes and perform in the space. The College of Arts and Sciences is
ETSU’s largest college, housing dozens of majors that offer career-ready training.
“Now, more than 100 years after the university’s first students sat in its classrooms,
Gilbreath Hall remains a vibrant part of our students' academic experience,” McCorkle
said. “For decades, it also has served as an entry point for community members to
visit our campus and enjoy productions in the Bud Frank Theatre – and it will continue
to do so with an exciting new initiative we launched this month: Cinema at the Bud
Frank Theatre.”
Cinema at the Bud Frank Theatre is a series of film screenings, open to the public, that give audiences an opportunity
to enjoy films that are not typically shown on the big screen in the region. ETSU
is now home to the only art cinema in the region, outside of Asheville.
To learn more about ETSU’s Founders Week, visit etsu.edu/founders.
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.
Stay in Touch
Follow ETSU on Social