Mountains to Know

East Tennessee State University (ETSU) is approaching its 90th birthday in the mountains of northeast Tennessee. The institution began as East Tennessee State Normal School educating teachers in October of 1911, progressed through several name changes and college status, and in 1963 became East Tennessee State University.

At the beginning of the 21st century, ETSU is a regional university with over 11,000 students enrolled in nine colleges and schools, offering more than 100 degree programs, including bachelor's, master's, educational specialist, Ed.D., Ph.D., and M.D. degrees.

Wrapped in the beauty of four distinct seasons, ETSU is a university with Mountains to Know. The campus community is proud to be a part of Tri-Cities Tennessee / Virginia - the nation's first "All-America City" region, a designation awarded by the National Civic League in 1999.

At ETSU we present teaching and learning in a diversity of programs important to success in the new millennium, while practicing those ageless arts native to our region - arts that give us identity and a sense of place. We have studies in the liberal arts and sciences, business, education, health sciences and services, and technology.

And, then we have our bluegrass, our country music, and our storytelling ...

In the southern Appalachians, music and stories - and the talent that goes with them - help define the mountain valleys of the region and the heights of higher education on this campus. East Tennessee State University features the world's only master's degree in storytelling and reading. Further, ETSU is the only university in America offering a comprehensive selection of courses relating to bluegrass and country music.

Our students, faculty, staff, and graduates can spin a tall tale ... compose a waltz or play their way through Flatt and Scruggs' lively Foggy Mountain Breakdown ... help treat people in rural health clinics ... translate for Hispanic farm workers ... teach children to read ... write books and computer programs ... prepare gourmet meals ... preserve the environment ... patent inventions ... achieve athletically ... perform dramatically ... design digitally ... start a business ... navigate Wall Street ... serve their communities, their countries, their cultures, their world ... And, still, we have Mountains to Know.