Named in commemoration of the year when ETSU was founded, the 1911 Society recognizes the university’s most notable graduates from undergraduate, graduate and professional programs. The selection committee evaluates applicants on academic achievement; sustained service; honors, awards, recognitions, publications and presentations; demonstrated leadership; work experience, such as study abroad, internships, externships and clinicals; and personal narratives.
ETSU President Brian Noland said, “For more than a century, ETSU has carried forth a mission to improve the quality of life for the people of this region. The 1911 Society recognizes an elite group of graduates who have embodied that very mission. We are delighted to honor these distinct members of the Class of 2024 throughout Commencement exercises this week.”
The 1911 Society was established in 2020. Honorees receive special recognition and tartan stoles to wear during Commencement. Their contributions and accomplishments will be showcased on the 1911 Society wall located on the third floor of the D.P. Culp Student Center.
“These students have distinguished themselves in their service, their scholarship and their commitment to the mission of ETSU,” said Dr. Kimberly D. McCorkle, ETSU provost and senior vice president for Academics. “Their leadership on this campus has made an impact, and we look forward to watching them continue their journeys.”
Abigail Simpson
Abigail Simpson graduated in May 2025 with a B.S. in rehabilitative health sciences and a minor in communicative disorders and psychology. As a Roan Scholar, she interned for Holston Home for Children and Therapy Abroad. Her community service projects included Eager for Education, where she collected and organized over 800 books for local public schools, and A Sweater for Cameron, a crochet circle organized to reduce stress, which resulted in honoring those who passed away from COVID-19. Simpson served as a Preview and Orientation Leader, Buccaneer Involvement Guide, and outreach chair for Letters of Love. She started Looking Ahead, a program to prepare individuals for life after high school. She is a member of the Rehabilitative Health Sciences Club and Omicron Delta Kappa. She received the Twenty Under 20 award and placed second in the 2023 ETSU Elevates competition. Abigail plans to pursue a master’s degree in speech and language pathology.
Ava Yobst
Ava Yobst graduated in May 2025 with a health sciences degree and a minor in public health. While at ETSU, she founded Power Speakers, an organization that works with students to build public speaking and leadership skills. She was a speaker for TEDxETSU 2023 where she advocated for access to health care in rural communities. She advocated for equitable course material costs at ETSU. Yobst was a four-year member of the ETSU Cheerleading Team and served as a Supplemental Instruction Leader. She researched women’s cardiovascular health under Dr. Cerrone Foster and earned a grant for her research on the Lavengel Project under Dr. Sean Fox. She interned in the Quillen Gross Anatomy and Simulation Labs and is a member of the EQUIP Program. She and her family organize annual Christmas donation drives for the Haven of Mercy Homeless Shelter to honor a family member. Yobst will continue her education at the ETSU Quillen College of Medicine.
Shaina Thompson
Shaina Thompson of Elizabethton, Tennessee, graduated in May 2025 with a Bachelor of Social Work and a minor in Spanish for the professions. The Roan Scholar served as a Preview and Orientation Leader. She founded Letters of Love, a campus organization that spreads kindness, encourages, and celebrates people through letter writing. Students in this organization have written and delivered over 3,000 letters to community members, students, faculty, and staff. She also used her Spanish and social work skills to advocate for and empower community members in Appalachia and on trips to South America. She interned with the 2nd District Public Defender’s Office. She mentors area youth, provides trauma-informed care to children in custody, and is active in her church. She was selected as a member of Omicron Delta Kappa, and as part of the Project Transformation intern class, she was selected to receive a Servant Leadership Award.
Dr. Morgan Teeters
Morgan Teeters graduated with her Doctor of Pharmacy degree from Bill Gatton College of Pharmacy in May 2025. She was the National Remember the Ribbon Chair for the Student National Pharmaceutical Association, where she coordinated over 100 chapters’ HIV awareness and education efforts. Part of her work as chair for this campaign included assisting others to organize HIV/STI testing; educating students on issues facing diagnosis, prevention, and treatment of HIV; and coordinating webinars to educate members about HIV/AIDS. She served as Vice President of the Student National Pharmaceutical Association, organized health outreach clinics at Tri-Pride and Umoja festivals, and was a peer tutor. She presented research on the accuracy of herbal medication labeling and studied the rate of publication of patient-reported outcomes for new chemotherapy approvals. Teeters was selected by ETSU faculty and staff as the Pharmacy Student of the Year. Her plans include residency opportunities where she will pursue work as an emergency medicine pharmacist.
Sara Madison Goodwin
Sara Madison Goodwin graduated with a B.S. in human services and a minor in trauma and resilience. Goodwin served new students as a Preview and Orientation Leader (POLO) and was awarded the Hoot and Holler Award in 2023 and the Dr. Bonnie Burchett Spirit of POLO Award in 2024. Goodwin was a Buccaneer Involvement Guide for five semesters. She also served her community at Coalition for Kids, a non-profit organization with a mission to empower children by providing a nurturing environment where they can achieve academic, physical, spiritual, and social growth. She represented ETSU at the Southern Regional Orientation Workshop for three years, discussing innovative ideas to orient students to campus. She also served on the ETSU Homecoming Committee, participated in ETSU’s Letters of Love campaign, and the ETSU BucWild organization, where she planned student activities at athletic events. She plans to pursue a graduate degree at ETSU.
Matthew Kinsler
Matthew Kinsler, of Morristown, Tennessee, graduated with a B.S. in mathematics with
minors in educational foundations and global citizenship. Kinsler served as President
of the Baptist Collegiate Ministry, which led to serving on mission trips to New Orleans,
Panama City Beach, Seattle, and Israel. As a Student Government Association Senator
for the College of Arts and Sciences, he passed legislation that reestablished the
Pride Walk in its current location. Kinsler also served as an intern for the Preview
and Orientation Leader Organization, an Expedition Leader, and an Academic Coach.
While at ETSU, he planned the first Alternative Break that ETSU offered to New Orleans,
where he studied the charter school system. Upon graduation, he plans to finish his
Master of Arts in Teaching and become a secondary mathematics teacher. He credits
ETSU for helping him to be someone who cares for, leads, and grows the community and
its members
Trent White
Trent White graduated with a B.S. in political science and a minor in public administration. A Roan Scholar, White served as President of the Student Government Association during the 2023-24 academic year, when he passed over 20 pieces of legislation. He co-founded and served as President of ETSU’s Mock Trial team, guiding it to a first-place victory and a bid to the semi-final competition. His passion for public service is reflected in his internships, including positions with the Tennessee Secretary of State and U.S. Congresswoman Diana Harshbarger. White gained experience as a Student Trustee on the ETSU Board of Trustees and as an undergraduate law clerk for the university's General Counsel. In March 2024, White won a Harry S. Truman Scholarship, one of the most prestigious graduate scholarships in the United States for students pursuing careers in public service. White was also selected as a Rhodes Scholar finalist.
Hunter Turgeon
Hunter Turgeon graduated in May 2025 with a BBA in finance and economics, with minors in accounting and business management. He was elected Student Government Association President for the 2024-25 academic year. Prior to this, Turgeon served as the Students of Finance Association President, where his equity analysis team secured a competitive bid to present at the Financial Leaders' Conference in New York City. He also led the Economics Club as President and held executive roles as Vice President of Finance for the Mock Trial Team and Vice President of Research for the Buccaneer Investment Fund. While at ETSU, Turgeon completed internships with a Fortune 300 fintech company in Florida, Morgan Stanley’s Wealth Management in Tennessee, an investment firm and hedge fund in Colorado, and an asset management firm in Lisbon. These experiences helped shape his SGA presidency platform, which included expanding internship opportunities for all students. Additionally, Turgeon served as an Expedition Leader, sharing his passion for ETSU with prospective students and families.
Skylar Brackett
Skylar Brackett, of Harriman, Tennessee, graduated with a B.S. in health sciences and will attend the Quillen College of Medicine in the fall of 2025. Brackett served in various leadership positions at ETSU, including President of Sigma Kappa sorority and both Secretary of State and Vice President of Finance and Administration for the Student Government Association. As part of SGA, she organized flood relief efforts for the East Tennessee region. Brackett graduated from Dr. Brenda White Wright's Emerging Leaders Academy and attended the Tennessee Intercollegiate State Legislature as a legislative delegate. Brackett also served as the student representative for the Tennessee Higher Education Commission. She researched women's cardiovascular health under Dr. Cerrone Foster and presented at the annual Boland Symposium. She credits ETSU for allowing her to participate in community-engaged learning, which prepared her for life beyond college and taught her to be a servant leader.
Dr. Opal Frye-Clark
Dr. Opal Frye-Clark holds a master’s degree in professional communication from ETSU and graduated in December 2024 with a doctorate in public health, specializing in health services management and policy. Frye-Clark credits ETSU for offering opportunities for continuous growth and helping her understand the power of research to drive positive change. She has lived out the institution's mission as founder and President of Unity Housing, a 501(c)(3) nonprofit focusing on research-driven interventions to combat homelessness in East Tennessee. She has worked with the city of Johnson City and numerous service providers to develop a strategic plan for reducing homelessness in the region. She has been invited to provide numerous workshops and presentations on topics related to homelessness and equity. Frye-Clark served on the Northeast Community Health Center’s nursing clinic board and is a proud member of the Appalachian Equality Chorus. As a result of her many community-engaged service opportunities, Frye-Clark was awarded the Harold Love Outstanding Community Service Award.
Taylor Leonard
Taylor Leonard of Jonesborough graduated in May 2025 as a double major with a bachelor of social work and a bachelor of science in psychology. When she returned to the university after a three-year break to focus on a family health crisis, she earned a place on the Dean’s List while also raising her infant child. She is the Public Relations Officer for the Student Social Work Association. In this position, she collaborates with external organizations and coordinates volunteer activities that aim to enhance student engagement on campus. She has a passion for individuals from marginalized populations. She has worked at Isaiah 117 House to provide physical and emotional support for children awaiting foster care placement. While working with Coalition for Kids, she led a backpack, personal hygiene, and toy drive, providing 40 backpacks for children impacted by Hurricane Helene. She also met with legislators during the Social Work Day on the Hill.
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ELIGIBILITY
Eligibility
Any East Tennessee State University student, domestic or international, who meets the eligibility requirements for their category are eligible to apply:
- Undergraduate seniors who received their baccalaureate degree in August or who will receive their degree in December 2024 or May 2025; or graduate students who received their master’s or doctorate degree in August or who will receive their degree in December 2024 or May 2025; or pharmacy and medical students who will receive their degrees in May 2025.
- Applicants are eligible one time only, as either an undergraduate, graduate, pharmacy, or medical student.
- Eligible students will have a GPA at the time of application which reflects academic excellence, as well as personal achievements which demonstrate and support the mission and values of East Tennessee State University.
To apply, students must submit a completed application by the deadline.
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SELECTION
Selection Criteria
From the applicants, the Selection Committee will choose no more than 12-15 students to be invited for an interview. The Committee will select no more than 11 students to be recognized during any one academic year (2-4 graduate and professional students and 6-8 undergraduate students) for induction into The 1911 Society.
Selections will not be based on GPA exclusively, but will be based on multiple criteria. The criteria listed below should be representative of activities and engagement outside the classroom or academic program requirements.
- Academic engagement
- Community service activities
- Student activities and organizations
- Paid or unpaid work
- Publications and/or presentations
- Honors, awards, and recognitions
- Demonstrated leadership
- Study abroad, internships, externships, and/or clinicals
- Personal narratives on application
Selection Committee
The Selection Committee will be composed of the following representatives:
- President of Faculty Senate (or designee)
- Designee from Student Life and Enrollment
- Faculty designee from Graduate Council
- Faculty designee from Quillen College of Medicine or Gatton College of Pharmacy
- Vice President for Equity and Inclusion (or designee)
- Faculty Athletics Representative
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APPLICATION INFORMATION
Students should provide the information requested below as one MS Word document or a PDF file emailed to the Office of the Provost at provost@etsu.edu.
A complete application consists of one packet with the four (4) parts listed below.
I: Personal Information
- Name.
- E#.
- Email.
- Alternate Email.
- Phone number.
- Current Address.
- Permanent Address.
- Major and minor, if applicable.
- Undergraduate, Graduate, Pharmacy, or Medical Student.
- Copy of Class Schedule
- Bio (150 words max, see previous winners for an example) highlighting your accomplishments as an undergraduate, graduate, pharmacy, or medical student. If you are selected for the 1911 Society, you may revise this bio for a press release.
II: Academic Engagement
Use the downloadable table to provide a list of Academic Activities; Service; Student Organizations; Paid or Unpaid Work; Publications and/or Presentations; Honors, Awards, and Recognitions.
Download Table(add/delete rows as needed; if a section does not apply, please leave blank or delete)
III: Essay
Essay (maximum of 750 words) explaining how your experience(s) at ETSU embodies the mission of the institution to improve the quality of life of the people of the region and reflects the tenets of 1911 Society.
IV: References
Reference letters are not needed. Please provide the name and number of two references who can attest to your academic involvement at ETSU. One should be a faculty member who taught you in your current academic program.
2024 Applications must be submitted no later than 11:59 pm on Monday, October 21st, to the Office of the Provost provost@etsu.edu.
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INDUCTEE RECOGNITION
Inductee Recognition
Students selected for induction into The 1911 Society will receive a medallion to wear with their regalia. New inductees will be identified during the Commencement program.
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PAST MEMBERS
Class of 2024 Inductees:
Elayna Chavis
Elayna Chavis of Hickory, North Carolina, completed her undergraduate degree in health sciences in May 2023 and is graduating with a master's degree in public health with a concentration in epidemiology. At ETSU, Chavis served with Volunteer ETSU, Alpha Epsilon Delta, Quillen College of Medicine and the Office of Leadership and Civic Engagement. In the Department of Anthropology and Sociology, she studied the impact of COVID-19 on international students on campus.
Ahauve Orusa
Ahauve Orusa of Clarksville, Tennessee, is a fourth-year medical and public health student in ETSU's Quillen College of Medicine and College of Public Health who engaged in community service initiatives, including yoga and aftercare programs for children, alongside her academic pursuits. She contributed to a CDC COVID study and presented her research at the Tennessee Public Health Association Conference.
Bryce Sutton
Bryce Sutton of Cumberland Gap, Tennessee, obtained his Doctor of Pharmacy and Master of Business Administration degrees concurrently. Throughout his academic journey, Sutton demonstrated strong leadership by spearheading donation drives and immunization clinics, representing ETSU nationally in pharmacy competitions, and now aims to serve Southern Appalachia as an independent community pharmacy owner.
Janika Raynes
Janika Raynes of Nashville, Tennessee, is an MD candidate from the Quillen College of Medicine. During her time at Quillen, she served in multiple leadership roles, assisted rural communities locally and globally through volunteer organizations, and was awarded prestigious medical scholarships. She pursued research projects with the Departments of Pediatric Surgery, Internal Medicine, Pathology, and OB/GYN. She will complete her residency training in OB/GYN at ETSU.
Cooper Reaves
Cooper Reaves, a Johnson City native, graduated from ETSU with a bachelor's degree in media and communication, engaging in campus life as a tour guide, Preview/Orientation leader and member of student alumni and marketing councils. He also held leadership roles in the Public Relations Society of America-Tri Cities, the City of Johnson City Growth Management Plan Advisory Committee and the Blue Plum Organization. Cooper now serves as the Director of Marketing & Communications for the Johnson City Chamber of Commerce.
Levi Jones
Levi Jones of Soddy Daisy, Tennessee, is graduating with a B.S. in political science, alongside double minors in communication studies and theatre. Levi founded the College Democrats at ETSU and served as National Council Chair for the College Democrats of America and as the Head Delegate of ETSU’s Tennessee Intercollegiate State Legislature (TSIL) delegation.
Brooke Patterson
Brooke Patterson of Lenoir City, Tennessee is graduating with a B.S. in political science. Patterson was elected as the Alpha Delta Pi President, during which she earned chapter of the year awards, the highest national award, and the highest individual honor. She has served in all three branches of the Student Government Association, with her most recent role as the SGA Executive Vice President.
Caleb Vaughn
Caleb Vaughn of Kingsport, Tennessee, is graduating with a B.S. in political science and a B.A. in Theatre (Acting Concentration), both through the Honors program. He has been involved with the Preview and Orientation Leader Organization, Expedition Leaders, Pre-Law Society, Mock Trial, New Student and Family Programs, various theatre productions, ETSU Ambassadors, and is a member of Omicron Delta Kappa. He plans to further his education in law school upon graduation.
Lexi Vance
Alexis "Lexi" Vance of Burnsville, North Carolina, is graduating with a BBA with a major in Marketing and a minor in Digital Marketing. She has served as Vice President of Chapter Unity on the Panhellenic Executive Council and as Vice President of Events and Programming and Executive Vice President for the Gamma Delta chapter of Kappa Delta sorority. She also founded and reinstated Phi Beta Lambda and the American Marketing Association, as well as interned with a U.S. Senator.
Kaci Rae Bartley
Kaci Rae Bartley of Bean Station, Tennessee, is graduating with a B.S. in rehabilitative health sciences and a minor in communicative disorders. As an undergraduate, Bartley has served as a Preview and Orientation Leader (POLO), Buccaneer Involvement Guide (BIG), member of the ETSU Dance Team and a nurse aide at the Crumley House Brain Injury Rehabilitation Center.
Sally Chikomb
Sally Chikomb of Kingsport, Tennessee, is majoring in Health Science with a minor in Global Health and Development. A Roan Scholar, she has interned with Branch House Family Justice Center, participated in the Quillen College of Medicine & Ballad Health Medical Horizons program, served as an Expedition Leader, is currently participating in EQUIP, and is an active member of Kappa Delta Sorority, Omicron Delta Kappa and Alpha Epsilon Delta.
