Funded through the generosity of ETSU alumna Barbara Murphy Brooks, the guest speaker for the 2007 Women Making History Lecture is Dr. Wilsie S. Bishop, ETSU vice president for health affairs and university chief operating officer.
Entitled “Moving Forward With Confidence,” the Bishop lecture is scheduled for Thursday, Nov. 1, at 5 p.m. Location is the B. Carroll Reece Museum, Main Gallery.
ETSU’s first woman to hold the position of vice president, Bishop was named vice president for administration and university chief operating officer (UCOO) in January 2005.
With the impending departure of Vice President for Health Affairs Dr. Ronald Franks in June 2007, ETSU President Paul Stanton announced changes in the institution’s administrative structure.
On June 1, 2007, Bishop assumed the post of vice president for health affairs while retaining her position and duties as university chief operating officer.
“Dr. Bishop’s superb experience in all areas of administration, and, in particular, her strengths within the health sciences arena, makes her the ideal choice for this vital post in a rapidly evolving division here at ETSU,” Stanton said.
Bishop has been formally recognized – for “countless hours of valuable service, distinguished leadership, commitment and dedication” – by the Commission on Colleges of the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools (SACS), the required accrediting body for ETSU and more than 790 colleges and universities in 11 Southern states and in Latin America.
She is presently serving a three-year term in the 77-member elected body that represents member institutions within the Commission on Colleges.
She holds B.S.N. and M.S.N. degrees from Virginia Commonwealth University and graduated from the University of Southern California with graduate degrees in education and public administration as well as the doctor of public administration.
Serving in numerous state, regional and national professional organizations, Bishop serves or has served as a members of the Tennessee Women’s Economic Council, Tennessee Educational Council for Health Sciences Professions, Southern Association of Allied Health Deans at Academic Health Centers (chair, 2003-05) and the American Association for Higher Education.
Also, she is widely involved in the regional community, as well, serving at various times on the Sullivan County Health Council, Johnson City Chamber of Commerce Health Services Task Force, Appalachian Health Care Conferences steering committee, Tri-City Airport Area Rotary Club, Appalachian Girl Scouts Council and Appalachian Chapter of the National Foundation of the March of Dimes.
For additional information regarding the Bishop lecture, call the Women’s Resource Center at 423-439-7847. The primary contact is Harriet Masters. and you can e-mail her at masterh@etsu.edu.

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