Across ETSU, students, faculty and staff have sprung into action to support the region
as it begins the process of recovering from the most destructive flooding our area has ever seen. 

When East Tennessee State University students Katherin Brewer and Brooklyn Maupin – seniors in the College of Health Sciences’ Dental Hygiene program – saw their community needed help following Hurricane Helene’s devastating impact on the region, they jumped into action. 

Living in Greeneville, Brewer saw the storm’s impact first-hand. And while her home was spared damage from Helene’s destructive flooding, she knew she wanted to find a way to support her neighbors. 

“I have two little boys at home, and there’s only so much I can do with having them at home, but at the same time, it’s hard to just sit back and watch this unfold,” said Brewer, a military veteran. 

So, Brewer launched an Amazon Wish List for people to purchase and donate supplies – supplies which she, Maupin and their classmates spent Wednesday morning loading into boxes to bring to students, faculty, staff and clinic patients impacted by Hurricane Helene. 

“I’m one of the older students in the class, and I spent nine years in the military, so for me, I don’t like to sit and wait,” said Brewer. “I wanted to try and get something going, even if it was just for the people in our college who needed help.” 

And help they did. 

“Everyone is so amazing here,” said Brewer. “We are a tight-knit group, and we always try to help each other when we can.” 

Students pose for a photo with supplies while unloading them outside of Lamb Hall.

Maupin, meanwhile, decided to leverage her creative passion to help others – raffling off a one-hour photoshoot, with funds raised being donated to support regional recovery efforts. She’s raised more than $1,200 in less than three days. 

“I thought about what I could give, and with photography, I have an amazing and generous clientele,” said Maupin, who photographs everything from weddings and engagements to portrait sessions. “I was happy to donate my time to help the community, but it was really everyone who gave that deserves the credit.” 

Across ETSU, students, faculty and staff have sprung into action to support the region as it begins the process of recovering from the one of the most destructive flood events our area has ever seen. 

Making an Impact

In the university’s health sciences colleges – which includes the College of Nursing, College of Public Health, Quillen College of Medicine and Bill Gatton College of Pharmacy, in addition to the College of Health Sciences – students and educators alike have raised thousands of dollars for relief efforts, while many more have rolled up their sleeves to donate blood, supplies and time to the multitude of relief efforts underway across Northeast Tennessee, Western North Carolina and Southwest Virginia. 

“There’s not enough words for me to describe how amazing these students are,” said Amy Clark, an executive aide with the Dental Hygiene program who has taken a leading role in coordinating the delivery of supplies to those in need. 

“I continue to get emotional about it. I mean, you really can’t ask for better students, and we are so blessed to be part of this program, and proud to work at a college that recognizes the need in our community,” Clark added. 

Clark said almost immediately students were reaching out to her and searching for ways to help, despite the university canceling classes this week. 

“I go back to my old motto: one mission, one team,” Clark said. “That’s what we are. We are the College of Health Sciences, and we stick together. And if one of our teammates needs help, we want to rally together.” 

Since its inception in 1911, East Tennessee State University has been committed to improving the quality of life for the people of the region and beyond. Central to this mission is the belief that people come first. 

Bucs Rebuild Together, the university’s response to the devastation from Hurricane Helene in the region, reflects ETSU’s continuing commitment to supporting our communities in times of need. Through collaborative efforts, we are dedicated to helping rebuild, embodying our core values of service, excellence and compassion. 

“I am incredibly moved and proud of our students in the College of Health Sciences who recognized the significant need in our community following Hurricane Helene,” said Dr. Lynn Williams, interim dean for the College of Health Sciences. “The compassion and dedication of our students across the college, including these wonderful Dental Hygiene students, is a true reflection of the culture and spirit of our college and the many health care professions we train students to succeed in.” 

More information on the university’s response is available at ETSU.edu/response.


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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