East Tennessee State University Bill Gatton College of Pharmacy recognized legislators at a luncheon on Friday, Aug. 14, thanking them for their continued support of the college by dedicating a classroom as “General Assembly Hall” to honor their role in securing additional state funding for the college this spring.  

Since Gatton’s founding in 2005, Northeast Tennessee’s legislative delegation has tirelessly advocated for the college, culminating in $2.5 million in state funding approved in 2023 and an additional $3.2 million in 2026. As a result of these investments by the state, in-state Pharm.D. tuition decreased by 35.9% to $24,785, saving students approximately $55,556 over the four-year program.

Among those who attended on Friday were:

- Lt. Gov. Randy McNally (pharmacist)

- State Sen. and Speaker Pro Tempore Ferrell Haile (pharmacist)

- State Sen. Rusty Crowe

- State Sen. Bobby Harshbarger (pharmacist)

- State Sen. Jessie Seal

- State Rep. John Crawford

- State Rep. Jeremy Faison

- State Rep. Tim Hicks

- State Rep. Renea Jones

Speakers included ETSU President Dr. Brian Noland; Dr. Debbie Byrd, dean of Gatton College of Pharmacy; Dr. David Stewart, associate dean of Academic Affairs and Assessment at Gatton; and Bridget Baird, ETSU’s associate vice president for Community and Government Relations.

Student pharmacists Lucas Chausse (’29), of Roan Mountain, and Haylie Hollis (’28), of Piney Flats, also spoke. Hollis is a first-generation student who came to Gatton through ETSU’s Early Admission Pathway.

After the luncheon, Haile spoke at Gatton’s White Coat Ceremony for the Class of 2030 and assisted Byrd in coating the 71 incoming student pharmacists. The iconic white coat signifies a student pharmacist’s status as a healthcare professional within a tradition of care and service. Many of the legislators from the luncheon also attended the ceremony.

“As you look at the accomplishments we have acheived over a 20-year time period, not only did we create a college that makes a difference, but we created a college that is recognized for its excellence,” said ETSU President Dr. Brian Noland. “And none of that would be possible without the support of the General Assembly.”

"We are so thankful for our Tennessee General Assembly for their ongoing support of ETSU Bill Gatton College of Pharmacy," said Byrd. “Their investment in the lives of our students directly translates into better health care outcomes across the state as more students in Tennessee can pursue pharmacy education here in Northeast Tennessee.”  

In 2023, after the first state appropriation was approved for Gatton, ETSU presented a proclamation of appreciation to Rep. Gary Hicks for his leadership and advocacy in securing the funding. A lecture hall used by first-year student pharmacists was named in honor of Hicks.

ETSU Bill Gatton College of Pharmacy is one of the university’s five health sciences colleges that comprise Tennessee’s largest public Academic Health Sciences Center. ETSU prepares future health professionals through an interprofessional model that brings together students and faculty from multiple disciplines to learn with, from and about one another.

Learn more at etsu.edu/pharmacy.