Integrated Health Sciences Building
In October, the State Building Commission approved the early design of ETSU’s Integrated Health Sciences Building, a $55 million project that will provide a modern space for health care services and instruction.
Situated along State of Franklin Road, the building will also serve as a gateway to campus and a future health sciences and technology corridor.
Hands-On Learning
ETSU Occupational Therapy students spent the fall semester getting hands-on experience at the Jeremiah Café supporting the restaurant’s autistic and neurodivergent staff as they develop the skills necessary to succeed and thrive in a work environment.
Dr. Kathryn Halsted, Assistant Professor and Academic Fieldwork Coordinator in the ETSU College of Health Sciences’ Department of Occupational Therapy, said the partnership has been great for both students and staff at the café.
“I just cannot emphasize enough how great of a learning opportunity this is for everyone involved,” said Halsted.
A Banner Year for Research
ETSU has achieved a notable climb in the most recent Higher Education Research and Development (HERD) ranking. ETSU was previously ranked No. 272 in the HERD ranking. In 2023, the year reflected in the most recent rankings that were released in November 2024, the university jumped to No. 239 out of 664 universities represented in the survey. This is a record-high ranking for the university. Conducted by the National Science Foundation, the HERD Survey is an annual census of U.S. colleges and universities that expended at least $150,000 in research and development (R&D) in the fiscal year.
2024 Alumni Awards
Seven alumni and friends of the university were honored with the 2024 Alumni Awards, presented by the ETSU National Alumni Association. They include (left to right): Dr. Sean Ochsenbein (Pride of ETSU Award), Craig Charles (Alumni Award of Honor), Dr. David Stout Jr. (Distinguished Alumnus in Education), Dr. B.J. King (Outstanding Alumna), Juan DeAngulo (Outstanding Alumnus), Dr. Larry Calhoun (Honorary Alumnus), and Bishop Kenneth Carder (Distinguished Alumnus in Service).
Grant Fosters Regional Innovation
The ETSU Research Corporation received a grant of over $900,000 from the U.S. Department of Defense as part of the Defense Industrial Base Consortium.
This investment will help create new opportunities to foster regional innovation in sustainable industrial manufacturing in the region. Eric Jorgenson, Vice President of Biomanufacturing Development for the ETSU Research Corporation, calls it “another key part of the foundation of a robust biomanufacturing ecosystem in Northeast Tennessee (that) will benefit the local economy, advance our sustainable manufacturing goals, and bolster the resilience of our nation’s domestic supply chains.”
Another Rhodes Finalist
ETSU senior political science major Trent White was named a finalist for the internationally renowned Rhodes Scholarship. This is the second year in a row that ETSU has had a Rhodes finalist.
“I am incredibly honored and humbled to have been considered for the Rhodes Scholarship,” said White, a Truman Scholar and member of ETSU’s Roan Scholars Leadership Program. “This is a testament to the unwavering support I’ve received from my family, friends, and the ETSU community.”
White was supported in pursuit of the Rhodes Scholarship by the ETSU Honors College’s Office of Prestigious Awards. His leadership efforts at ETSU include serving as Student Government Association president and student trustee on the university’s Board of Trustees.
ETSU Esports Scores Big
ETSU’s esports program has established itself as a powerhouse in collegiate gaming this past season, showcasing remarkable success across prominent competitions and ending with a fall record of 45-20.
ETSU’s Rocket League Blue roster scored first place in their National Association of Collegiate Esports (NACE) conference regular season before finishing in the top 16 at playoffs.
The Super Smash Brothers Ultimate team ended in the top 32 of the NACE playoffs after snagging second place in the conference regular season.
Rocket League Blue also competed in the Collegiate Championship Series (CCS), finishing their season in the top 16 for CCS playoffs after winning their conference. ETSU’s Rocket League Gold roster also captured second place in the same conference finals.
Read more incredible stories in the Winter 2025 Edition of ETSU Today. #BucsGoBeyond
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