Welcome to the Dr. Patricia Robertson Pride Center!
The Pride Center is a student support center that specializes in LGBTQIA+ related topics. We not only provide a physical space for students to study, relax, and spend time between classes, but we also provide educaitonal and social programming, provide literature regarding campus resources, and offer free self-care items. Our center and all our events are open and available to all ETSU students, faculty, and staff to utilize.
The Pride Center is a branch of the Mary V. Jordan Multicultural Center. We support
the university’s mission and dedication to student support efforts through programming,
trainings, community outreach, and advocacy on ETSU's main campus and across the region.
The Pride Center is located on the 2nd floor of the D.P. Culp Student Center in room 218, right down the hall from the Women and Gender Resource Center.
About our namesake, Dr. Patricia Robertson:
Dr. Patricia Robertson began her social justice work when she was 19 years old – that is 50 years ago now. Her social justice interest started in high school but she didn’t really have a clear understanding of oppression and advocacy until she went to college and became committed to civil rights work around ethnicity and gender. In the early 80s that interest also became very grounded in lesbian and gay advocacy. She worked professionally and personally with gay men early in the AIDS epidemic, running small groups and working individually with the men and their families. From that time on, LGB and later LGBTQ advocacy has been a soul commitment.
At the University of Wisconsin-Oshkosh and East Tennessee State University, she has been involved in changing University policies to affirm and celebrate the presence of LGBT students and staff and to protect the rights of LGBT students and staff. A Diversity Leadership annual award is given in her honor at East Tennessee State University. This award recognizes the work of a faculty or staff member who is involved in inclusion work at the University. There is also a student who is involved in diversity work at the University who is recognized and is the recipient of the John C. Davis and Patricia E. Robertson scholarship.
Patricia has presented nationally, regionally and locally for decades on issues surrounding the LGBTQ community and has authored articles and created courses to expand knowledge, understanding and support. Her heart is clearly with the LGBTQIA community.
Dr. Robertson retired from East Tennessee State University where she was a professor and chair of the Department of Human Development and Learning. She continues her advocacy work and is teaching a course, Initial Understanding of LGBTQIA, at the Osher Lifelong Learning Institute in Asheville, NC. She is also throwing pots, building totems and dancing her way through retirement.