East Tennessee State University celebrated the 10th anniversary of its ETSU at Sevierville instructional site on Thursday, recognizing a decade of partnership, student success and regional impact while looking ahead to the next chapter of educational opportunities in Sevier County.
Community leaders, elected officials, faculty, staff, students and university partners gathered to commemorate the milestone and celebrate the site's role in providing accessible bachelor's degree programs that prepare graduates for careers in fields critical to the region's workforce.
“This celebration today, marking 10 years of East Tennessee State University’s presence in Sevierville and Sevier County, is symbolic of what can be accomplished when government, business, and higher education work together,” said ETSU President Dr. Brian Noland. “In the words of founding President Sidney G. Gilbreath, our original mission was to improve the quality of life for the people of this region and beyond. ETSU at Sevierville is doing just that.”
The ETSU at Sevierville site welcomed students in fall 2016 and has since become a regional hub for upper-division undergraduate and graduate education. Located in the heart of Sevier County, the site offers programs in business, education, nursing, psychology, human services, radiologic science and other high-demand fields, allowing students to complete an ETSU degree closer to home.
One of the center's most significant partnerships has been with the Sevier County Partners in Progress scholarship program, which has provided scholarships to 174 ETSU students totaling nearly $800,000, helping make a four-year degree more affordable for residents.
“Because of this site, students can pursue bachelor’s and graduate-level education without uprooting their lives,” said Dr. Kimberly D. McCorkle, provost and senior vice president for Academic Affairs. “They can continue working in their communities, raising their families, and contributing to the local economy while earning a degree. That is a powerful example of what regional higher education can achieve.”
University leaders also highlighted ETSU’s future in Sevierville, including the recent completion of a strategic planning process and the expansion of academic offerings. Beginning this fall, the site will offer a Bachelor of Business Administration in Hospitality and Tourism Management, preparing students for careers in one of Tennessee's largest industries while leveraging the site's location in the Smoky Mountains.
The anniversary celebration also recognized the many community partners, faculty and leaders whose collaboration has shaped the site's first decade, including Dean Emeritus Dr. Rick Osborn, whose leadership helped establish ETSU's presence in Sevier County.
