ETSU Honors Distinguished Alumni Purkey

College of Public Health alumnus David Purkey received the 2018 Award of Honor, presented by the East Tennessee State University National Alumni Association at its annual banquet.

Commissioner Purkey graduated from East Tennessee State University in 1981 with a bachelors degree in Public Health and interned with the State Division of Emergency Medical Services. In addition to receiving an MPH, Commissioner Purkey also trained as an Emergency Medical Technician, a certification he continues to hold some 37 years later. Among many other positions, commissioner Purkey has served as a Tennessee State Trooper, Hamblen County Mayor, and Tennessees Homeland Security Advisor.

Purkey was tapped by Governor Haslam to be Commissioner of the Department of Safety and Homeland Security on September 1, 2016. Governor Haslam commented, “He is well-qualified to lead this department, and he is passionate about serving our state and its citizens.”

Randy Wykoff, Dean of the College of Public Health, stated, "Commissioner Purkey's career in public service has been long and distinguished. We are especially honored that he returned to East Tennessee State University in the spring of 2017 to share his expertise during a Leading Voices in Public Health lecture. We appreciate his service to our college, our region and the State. He truly deserves this exceptional recognition." Commissioner Purkey’s Leading Voices lecture can be seen at: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=LT6n15QyqD4