East Tennessee State University is a state-supported, coeducational institution and one of the principal campuses governed by the Tennessee Board of Regents.  Founded in 1911, ETSU has an enrollment of approximately 12,000 students and offers two-year, four-year, and graduate programs of study through nine colleges and schools.  The main campus is located in Johnson City.  ETSU also has centers in Kingsport, Bristol, Greeneville and Elizabethton.

     Johnson City, Kingsport and Bristol are part of the Tri-Cities Tennessee/Virginia region, the nation's 82nd largest Metropolitan Statistical Area, with a population exceeding 450,000.  The region, located in the Southern Appalachians, offers scenic beauty, a moderate climate, and abundant recreational opportunities, including boating, skiing, white-water rafting, fishing, jogging and hiking.  Northeast Tennessee is also home to many historical sites and national events, including the National Storytelling Festival in Jonesborough.  The region boasts richness and diversity in its arts and culture, offering theater, museums, cultural centers and musical performances ranging from symphony concerts to bluegrass festivals -- all within a short drive from the main campus.