About Founders Week
Founders Week commemorates ETSU’s founding in October of 1911, and includes a variety of events that underscore the university’s ongoing commitment to improve the lives of the people of this region.
“Since it was founded as East Tennessee Normal School in 1911, this institution has served the region as a beacon of knowledge, innovation and service,” said ETSU President Dr. Brian Noland. “Founders Week is a recognition of the longstanding community support that has allowed this university to thrive, and it is also an opportunity to showcase how ETSU continues to make meaningful and lasting impacts on the lives of the people it serves.”
The roots of ETSU began to grow in 1909, when the citizens of the region sought to convince then- Governor Malcolm R. Patterson to locate the East Tennessee Normal School in Johnson City. Over the course of two years, community members worked to secure resources, persuade policymakers and build unified support for the creation of the school in Northeast Tennesseehere.
ETSU’s founders did not merely provide proposals and plans to the governor and other officials; they rolled up their sleeves and started the job. Local utility companies offered free services for the college. Business leaders donated funds, supplies, land and labor to work to build a campus and serve the people of the region.
“These acts have made such a positive and lasting impact that we are still celebrating them decades later,” Noland said.
Founders Week is a recognition of the longstanding community support that has allowed
this university to thrive, and it is also an opportunity to showcase how ETSU continues
to make meaningful and lasting impacts on the lives of the people it serves.
During the 2024 Founders Week festivities, Mr. Fred Sauceman delivered a Presidential Lecture on ETSU's third president, Mr. Burgin E. Dossett.
ETSU Founders Week Events
ETSU observed the 2024 Founders Week from Oct. 7-12. Special events included:
Bucs Stuff the Bus
Monday, October 7-Saturday, October 12
ETSU community & offices
Bucs Stuff the Bus served area schools through a collection of classroom supplies. The kickoff for the drive began on September 16 and culminated during Founders Week at the ETSU vs. Samford Game on October 12. Offices around campus had an opportunity to “adopt” a school to support. Collected supplies were delivered to schools the week of October 14.
ETSU Elevates Pitch Competition
Monday, October 7
Doors open at 5:00 p.m.; competition begins at 5:30 p.m.
ETSU Martin Center for the Arts, ETSU Foundation Grand Hall
ETSU Elevates featured collaborative community engagement projects between ETSU students and regional community partners that address economic, social or environmental issues. The students presented their pitches in front of a live audience and three judges.
ETSU Remembers
Tuesday, October 8
10 a.m. (Bells of remembrance ring at 10:11 a.m.)
ETSU Carillon
ETSU Remembers is an annual ceremony to honor current faculty, staff and students who have passed
away during the prior academic year. This special ceremony included a ringing of the
Carillon bells in remembrance of those the university has lost. This year’s ceremony
remembered those who passed away between July 2023 – June 2024.
Presidential Lecture: The Life and Times of Burgin E. Dossett
Tuesday, October 8
6:30-7:30 p.m.
ETSU Martin Center for the Arts, Powell Recital Hall
Mr. Fred Sauceman presented a presidential lecture titled "The Life and Times of Burgin E. Dossett." A former coal miner and candidate for Governor of Tennessee, Burgin E. Dossett became
East Tennessee State College’s third president in 1949. During his 19-year tenure,
ETSC became ETSU, the campaign for a medical school began, enrollment increased significantly,
the institution’s first masters degrees were awarded, and the campus was peacefully
integrated, among other transformational accomplishments. Mr. Sauceman, who knew President
Dossett personally, described this remarkable era in ETSU’s history and the man who
defined it.
ETSU Service Awards
Wednesday, October 9
11:30-1 p.m.
This event is by invitation only.
ETSU held the annual ETSU Celebration of Service recognizing faculty and staff celebrating
5, 10, 15, 20, 25, 30, 35, 40, 45, and 50 years of service to the State of Tennessee.
Farmers Market at ETSU
Thursday, October 10
10 a.m.-2 p.m.
Borchuck Plaza
The Farmers Market at ETSU features fresh, local food, regional arts and crafts, vintage and handmade clothing, plants, live music, food trucks, and more!
Johnson City's Acoustic Autumn Series (sponsored by ETSU)
Thursday, October 10
6-7:30 p.m.
Founders Park Amphitheatre
ETSU sponsored Acoustic Autumn at Founders Park in the Amphitheater. The event featured local musician performances. The event was free and open to the public.
State of the University Address
Friday, October 11
10 a.m.
ETSU Martin Center for the Arts, Powell Recital Hall
ETSU President Dr. Brian Noland delivered his annual State of the University address. The event was also livestreamed at www.etsu.edu/president/speeches.php.
ETSU Football vs. Samford
Saturday, October 12
3:30 p.m.
Bank of Tennessee Field at William B. Greene, Jr. Stadium
Previous 1911 Society recipients received special recognition during the game.