For most undergraduate students on campus, Day One of their ETSU journey begins in a College of Arts and Sciences classroom where students dive deep into courses like Freshman Comp or Probability and Statistics.
Soon, in the heart of campus, that journey will be transformed in profound ways through the long-awaited construction of a new Academic Building.
This new facility — set to open in spring 2026 — is in its final stages and sits at the site of the former Campus Center Building, which was demolished. Adjacent to the beautiful Quad outdoor space, the Academic Building features flexible classrooms, learning laboratories, student gatherings and collaboration atriums, and study spaces.
“Talk about a game changer for our undergraduate students,” remarks Dr. Joe Bidwell, Dean of Arts and Sciences at ETSU. “Not only will this building greatly enhance the learning experience of our students, but they will especially enjoy the open collaboration spaces where deeper connections with classmates can be formed.”
The 62,000 square-foot Academic Building will provide state-of-the-art instructional space for undergraduate and graduate students in the departments of Literature and Language, Mathematics and Statistics, and Communication and Performance. The project has also allowed for renovation to faculty offices and classrooms in Burleson Hall and Gilbreath Hall.
Construction of the new $62.5 million facility is supported by funding through the State of Tennessee; however, a $3.9 million private fundraising requirement must be met.
“This is an opportunity for our alumni and friends to invest in the future of our undergraduate students for many generations to come,” Bidwell said.
To learn more about making a gift toward the fundraising requirement for the Academic Building, contact Denise Asbury at asburyp@etsu.edu or 423-439-5676 or Lisa Pawley at pawley@etsu.edu or 423-439-5775.