When he was Interim President in 1991-92, Dr. Bert Bach said it. His successor, Dr. Roy Nicks, said it. I have said it since taking office almost four years ago, and even before, in my roles at the College of Medicine. In true Appalachian spirit, we have succeeded in many areas recently through taking out on our own, acting independently, and calling on our neighbors for help. And, in true Appalachian spirit, our neighbors have sacrificed of themselves for the health and well-being of East Tennessee State University.
Bad times bring out strong character.
Bad times call for resourcefulness and ingenuity, creativity, vision. When resources weren't available internally, you have gone outside for help, to form partnerships, and it is through these relationships that ETSU is still able to move forward. Achievement amid adversity, indeed. Redoubling our efforts in research support has been not only a boon to our faculty and to the reputation of ETSU but also a necessity as the state continues to abrogate its responsibility to fund our institutions adequately. Today I also announce for the first time publicly that ETSU is in a new class.