University Commons unveiled, campus comes together

Today, during the final day of ETSU’s 2021 Homecoming week, the university held a grand opening celebration for the unveiling of the newest space on campus–University Commons.

The event, held 11 a.m. to 2:30 p.m., began with the ETSU Marching Bucs parading to the center of University Commons from the Pride Walk. Guest speakers ETSU Chief Operating Officer Jeremy Ross, ETSU President Brian Noland and ETSU Assistant Vice President for Human Resources Lori Erickson detailed the work put into University Commons and expressed their joy for the Bucs to return in the fall.

“Today is symbolic on a number of fronts because it allows us to begin looking forward to a season of hope, looking forward to the fall, and all that will transpire across this campus,” said Noland. “But there are markers in this space that reflect back upon the year.”

Those markers include a plaque for Sonia King, who was a chief donor to University Commons; the Alexander Tree, which recognizes all those who fought to ensure safety during the COVID-19 pandemic and the Cameron Tree, which commemorates members of the ETSU family who lost their lives to COVID-19. The Clock 110 lists the names of the longest-serving faculty of ETSU, all having been a part of the ETSU community for at least 29 years.

The celebration included games of shuffleboard and golf on the new putting green. A caricature artist painted portraits, a photo booth snapped shots of people with props and student organizations sponsored crafts. Sodexo and Chick-fi-la provided free food, and one of ETSU’s Bluegrass bands performed live music.

The space was filled with overjoyed students, faculty and community members.

“I just want to thank this campus for all that it has done throughout this past year,” said Noland. “To not give up hope, to persevere and to look forward. I hope we never have another year like the year that just closed, and today begins turning a phrase to celebrate.”

Although University Commons is now open, it is not finished. Ross announced that an embankment slide will be installed in the hill near Stone Hall and will be named after the Noland family.

“This embankment slide symbolizes the Nolands’ desire for all to view the world not as it is but as it could be,” said Ross. “While stairs are the common way to descend a hill, Noland’s Canyon represents the need for all of us to seize moments of opportunity to experience enjoyment, excitement and relief every single day.”

More renovations will also come to the buildings alongside University Commons.

University Commons provides a new space for people to gather on campus. As the Bucs look toward coming back to campus in the fall, the University Commons celebration ushered in a welcome trend of joining together again.