On Thursday, Aug. 21, a frustrated ETSU senior stuck his fist through the inner glass door of the Financial Aid Office, according to a Public Safety police report.
John Goodwin was upset after speaking with Financial Aid, the report states. As he exited the office, he struck the wooden Entrance/Exit door. He then struck the inner glass door with his fist as he was leaving the building, cutting his right forearm.
Goodwin wrapped his injured forearm in a towel until Emergency Medical Services arrived.
Public Safety Patrolman Mike Shelhorse responded to the panic alarm that was triggered after the incident, the report says.
“He got upset, something to do with financial aid,” said Lt. Mike Orr. “He stormed out, was mad at himself and took it out on the door window. He said he was just pushing on it, but a couple of witnesses said he hit it. He ran his fist through the window.”
Witnesses said that he punched through the window, but Goodwin said he leaned on the window and it broke, Orr said.
The incident prompted heightened security at the financial aid office, Orr said. Now an officer is posted at the Financial Aid Office during office hours.
“We’re keeping officers over there for the time being, just as a presence, and hopefully that will keep people’s tempers under control,” Orr said. “There’s some problems with the new system, and it’s sort of slow, and these people have to be patient. Financial Aid is doing the best that it can do, and people need to be patient with the new system.
“Hopefully we won’t have any more incidents.”
Goodwin was charged with misdemeanor vandalism on Aug. 26. His court date is Sept. 9.

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