EAS SITY T TENNESSEE STATE UNIVER Virtual Commencement Ceremony May 9, 2020 2 | COMMENCEMENT MAY 2020 Saturday, May 9, 2020 | 10 a.m. etsu.edu/Classof2020 Virtual Commencement Program Introduction The Star-Spangled Banner . Francis Scott Key Mark Shelton, Vocal Performance Major Board of Trustees Welcome . Cristopher Santana Student Trustee Presiding . Dr . Wilsie S . Bishop Senior Vice President for Academics and Interim Provost Special Commencement Message . The Honorable Bill Lee Tennessee’s 50th Governor President’s Remarks . President Brian Noland Special Commencement Message . Ms . Dolly Parton Light of a Clear Blue Morning . Dolly Parton/arr . Craig Hella Johnson ETSU Chorale College Dean’s Remarks . Dr . Gordon K . Anderson, Dr . William Block, Dr . Debbie Byrd, Dr . Dennis Depew, Dr . Sharon McGee, Dr . Wendy M . Nehring, Dr . Rick Osborn, Dr . Don Samples, Dr. Janna Scarborough, Dr. Randy Wykoff Messages from Faculty and Staff Presentation of Doctoral Candidates . Dr . Wilsie S . Bishop Conferring of Doctoral Degrees . President Brian Noland Presentation of Master’s Candidates . Dr . Wilsie S . Bishop Conferring of Master’s Degrees . President Brian Noland Presentation of Baccalaureate Candidates . Dr . Wilsie S . Bishop Conferring of Baccalaureate Degrees . President Brian Noland Closing Remarks . President Brian Noland Alma Mater . ETSU Chorale Recessional EAST TENNESSEE STATE UNIVERSITY | 3 Saturday, May 9, 2020 | Noon etsu.edu/Classof2020 Virtual Commencement Program (Modified for WJHL Broadcast) Introduction The Star-Spangled Banner . Francis Scott Key Mark Shelton, Vocal Performance Major Board of Trustees Welcome . Cristopher Santana Student Trustee Presiding . Dr . Wilsie S . Bishop Senior Vice President for Academics and Interim Provost Special Commencement Message . The Honorable Bill Lee Tennessee’s 50th Governor President’s Remarks . President Brian Noland Special Commencement Message . Ms . Dolly Parton Light of a Clear Blue Morning . Dolly Parton/arr . Craig Hella Johnson ETSU Chorale School of Graduate Studies Dean’s Remarks . Dr . Sharon McGee Presentation of Doctoral Candidates* . Dr . Wilsie S . Bishop Conferring of Doctoral Degrees . President Brian Noland Presentation of Master’s Candidates* . Dr . Wilsie S . Bishop Conferring of Master’s Degrees . President Brian Noland College Dean’s Remarks . Dr . Gordon K . Anderson, Dr . William Block, Dr . Debbie Byrd, Dr . Dennis Depew, Dr . Wendy M . Nehring, Dr . Rick Osborn, Dr. Don Samples, Dr. Janna Scarborough, Dr. Randy Wykoff Presentation of Baccalaureate Candidates* . Dr . Wilsie S . Bishop Conferring of Baccalaureate Degrees . President Brian Noland Closing Remarks . President Brian Noland * Candidates will be announced by college in the following order: Arts and Sciences, Business and Technology, Clemmer, Clinical and Rehabilitative Health Sciences, Continuing Studies and Academic Outreach, and Public Health. Biomedical Sciences and Global Sports Leadership will be announced with doctoral candidates. Pharmacy Studies will be announced with baccalaureate candidates. 4 | COMMENCEMENT MAY 2020 President Dr. Brian Noland East Tennessee State University Dear graduates, Today represents a milestone event in your life, for it is the culmination of your hard work and dedication over the past several years . It also represents the beginning of a new journey in your life . Whether that journey leads you back to campus to further your education, or into the workforce to put your skills to the test, it has been enhanced by your experience at ETSU . Today, I encourage you to take a moment to reflect upon the experiences that brought you to this commencement ceremony. Undoubtedly, your own efforts have helped propel you onto this stage. The efforts and support of your family and loved ones, many of whom are with us today to celebrate your success, also played a key role in making today’s celebration possible . In all of the excitement that is graduation day, please do not forget to tell those individuals “thank you” for all that they have done and continue to do to support your endeavors . I also encourage you to show your appreciation to the faculty and staff who helped you achieve your degree. We are proud of your accomplishments and look forward to hearing where your footprints lead in the coming years . Be sure to stay connected with ETSU and our National Alumni Association . Additionally, I hope that you can return to campus to take in a performance, attend Homecoming or just walk through our beautiful grounds . Finally, as you realize this dream of a college degree, I ask that you always share with others the importance of higher education . It is through the power of higher education that we can make the biggest difference in our own lives, our communities, and the world . Congratulations on this outstanding accomplishment . Godspeed and go Bucs! Brian Noland 5 | COMMENCEMENT MAY 2020 SPECIAL GUEST The Honorable Bill Lee Governor of Tennessee Bill Lee is a seventh-generation Tennessean and the 50th Governor of Tennessee . He was raised in Franklin, where he still resides today with his wife, Maria, on his family’s farm . He’s the proud father of four adult children (Jessica, twin sons Jacob and Caleb, and Sarah Kate) and has eight grandchildren . After attending Williamson County Schools, Governor Lee attended Auburn University, where he studied Mechanical Engineering . After graduation, he returned home to Franklin to join the family business his grandfather started in 1944, a comprehensive mechanical construction service company . He became president of Lee Company in 1992 . Now, Governor Lee is focused on several priorities, including good jobs, great schools, and safe neighborhoods so we can keep Tennessee moving in the right direction . During his first year in office, Governor Lee passed a series of legislative initiatives to strengthen career and technical training, expand school choice, pursue criminal justice reform, improve public safety, and sharpen the effectiveness of government. His administration is also focused on the accelerated transformation of rural Tennessee . Under his leadership, Tennessee was named the number one best fiscally managed state in the country, the best business climate in the U .S ., number one in the nation for advanced industry job growth and the best state for small business growth . In the past year, the state has garnered 108 project commitments to create 16,500 jobs and $3 .6 billion in capital investments, with Mitsubishi, FedEx-Logistics, JNJ, Pilot .com, Hyosung, Amazon, Smile Direct, Icee, and dozens of other companies choosing to invest in Tennessee’s business-friendly environment . The governor and first lady are people of strong faith. They are active in Grace Chapel Church and in numerous faith-based ministries, which have taken them all over the world to serve people in need, including to Africa, Haiti, Central America, and the Middle East . EAST TENNESSEE STATE UNIVERSITY | 6 SPECIAL GUEST Singer, Songwriter, Multi-Instrumentalist, Record Producer, Ms. Dolly Parton Actress, Author, Businesswoman, and Humanitarian Dolly Parton’s life and career together make a rags-to-rhinestones story which began on January 19, 1946. Born the fourth child of 12, Dolly grew up in Locust Ridge, nestled against the Great Smoky Mountains. Music runs deep in the Parton family and while many played important parts in Dolly’s success, she credits Uncle Bill Owens for helping her get started in the music business. From taking the stage of “The Cas Walker Farm and Home Hour” in Knoxville, Tennessee, to landing a spot on “The Porter Wagoner Show,” Dolly’s talent soon catapulted her to super-stardom. Her songs have captured the hearts of generations. Her electric smile has brightened the lives of millions. Her trademark style is recognized across the globe. Today, Dolly is one of an elite group of individuals to receive at least one nomination from all four major annual American entertainment award organizations; Emmy, GRAMMY, Oscar, and Tony. In 2004, the U.S. Library of Congress gave her the distinguished Living Legend Award. Of everything Dolly has achieved, she remains humble and grounded in faith and family. From her “Coat of Many Colors” to her wigs of many styles, no dream was ever too big and no mountain ever too high for the little country girl who turned the world into her stage. From singing barefoot on the front porch of her Tennessee Mountain Home to commanding the stage in six-inch heels, Dolly Parton is a larger-than-life living legend with a heart as big as her dreams. 7 | COMMENCEMENT MAY 2020 The Platform Party Dr. Brian Noland, President Dr. Wilsie S. Bishop, Senior Vice President for Academics and Interim Provost Dr. Gordon K. Anderson, Dean, College of Arts and Sciences Dr. Dennis Depew, Dean, College of Business and Technology Dr. Janna Scarborough, Interim Dean, Clemmer College Dr. Don Samples, Dean, College of Clinical and Rehabilitative Health Sciences Dr. Rick Osborn, Dean, School of Continuing Studies and Academic Outreach Dr. Sharon McGee, Dean, School of Graduate Studies Dr. William Block, Dean, Quillen College of Medicine Dr. Wendy M. Nehring, Dean, College of Nursing Dr. Debbie Byrd, Dean, Bill Gatton College of Pharmacy Dr. Randy Wykoff, Dean, College of Public Health Dr. Christopher Keller, Dean, Honors College Mr. David P. Atkins, Dean, University Libraries Dr. B.J. King, Chief Financial Officer Dr. Joe Sherlin, Vice President for Student Life and Enrollment Dr. Keith Johnson, Vice President