ETSU’s Bluegrass program has gained a new scholarship in honor of its founder, Jack Tottle.
“The donor is a long time supporter of Appalachian services and studies; Lonette Seaton,” said Karen Sullivan, Director of Development, University-Wide.
Seaton has generated many scholarships for various universities around the region.
“She’s from the Maryville area, and she just has a love for the culture, the region, the music she grew up hearing, and she’s very proud of the department,” continued Sullivan.
Tottle founded the Bluegrass, Old-Time and Roots Music Studies program in 1982, making it the first program of its kind at a four-year university. Tottle retired as director of the program in 2007.
“The Bluegrass program started out in the general music department,” said Sullivan.
The program is now housed in the Department of Appalachian Studies.
“There’s just a difference in the focus. The Bluegrass program, Appalachian studies and services, is very much about the region,” continued Sullivan.
The program boasts recent graduate Amythyst Kiah, who Rolling Stone describes as “one of Americana’s great up-and-coming secrets.” Kiah is now touring internationally with her band.
“I did represent the Bluegrass program as their development officer, at one point in time,” said Sullivan. “I learned a lot.”
Eligibility for the scholarship requires a new incoming or transfer student who is either majoring or minoring in the Bluegrass program, and who excels as a musician and shows scholarly potential.
Sullivan encourages every student at ETSU to apply in the scholarship portal.
“It might take five minutes of your life,” said Sullivan.
“That just puts you in the queue. Maybe you don’t get anything, but if you don’t apply, you know you won’t.”
