In 1911, George L. Carter donated a large portion of farmland in hopes of furthering education. Little did he know that the ETSU that opened on Oct. 2, 1911 with just 29 students, would eventually become a university providing 13 doctorate programs and more than 15,000 students.On Friday, Oct. 1 ETSU will begin the yearlong celebration of its 100 year anniversary, and according to ceremony officials, the event will be ‘one of memory.’

Fred Sauceman, centennial committee chair, said that he feels ‘honored’ to be working on the 100 year celebration and is looking forward to the next year.

“We’re excited,” Sauceman said. “We’ve been planning this centennial for three years and it’s finally here.”

Sauceman said that in late 2009, a steering committee was formed to begin planning for the anniversary.

“We really started working on it primarily in fall of 2010,” Sauceman said. “We tossed theme ideas back and forth and we looked at different varieties. Partnership, promise and hope were really words that captivated what our university is about. After that, we focused on a logo and choose a logo designed by Amy Light-Karlsson.”

Sauceman believes that slecting Light-Karlsson’s design was fate, considering she is currently working on her third degree at ETSU.

“Once everything was decided,” Sauceman said, “things took off. The celebration event really came about because we knew we wanted to do something big to kick off the centennial and we also wanted it to be very public.”

During the event, guests will hear the official centennial proclamation by university President Paul Stanton, be able to munch on centennial cakes, hear several bands and be a part of the first Student Choice Awards.

“We thought the awards would be a good way to show that students really do value the services of faculty and staff,” Student Government Association President Chad Hall said. “The students selected one faculty member and staff member from each respective college and those who win will receive and award, as well as a $100 check as a gift.”

Although the event is expected to be large, organizers say they want it to remain very casual.

“It will be a very casual event,” celebration organizer Sally Lee said. “We hope it will be fun. We’re very excited about it and ready for everyone to enjoy it.”

This event is just the first of many events planned throughout the next year in celebration of the 100-year mark.

Lee said that she expects to see a large amount of student attendance at the event, and some students seem excited.

“It’s actually pretty cool to know this is the university’s 100th year,” junior Olivia Love, a radiography major, said. “This university has grown a lot over the last 100 years and I feel pretty honored to be here for this celebration. I’m looking forward to it.”

Hall’s opinion of the milestone was very similar.

“I think it’s a pivitol time for our university,” Hall said. “We’ve got more colleges than we’ve ever had and we’re growing by almost 600 students a year. I think it’s a really exciting time for our university.”

Sauceman said that the students are who will make this celebration the best.

“Seeing all the unique ways that students and organizations will have of celebrating is pretty amazing for me,” Sauceman said. “They’re not just celebrating, they’re creating history.

“The goal we have is to makes sure every person in southern Appalachia know it’s our centennial. Being a part of this, personally, is the highlight of my public relations career. The sheer honor of being able to chair this committee. I’m excited for everyone to be there and celebrate.”

The centennial opening celebration is scheduled for Friday, Oct. 1 beginning at 10 a.m. in the Mountain States Health Alliance Athletic Center and will kick off the yearlong celebration that will end on Oct. 10, 2011.

Author