On Sept. 29, ETSU Votes and the Office of Leadership and Civic Engagement held ETSU’s second Naturalization Ceremony since 2018, continuing the legacy of ETSU being the only college in East Tennessee to hold such a notable event. Administered by the Honorable J. Ronnie Greer, U.S. District Judge for the Eastern District of Tennessee, 95 individuals performed their oath, shared their stories, and officially opened a new door in their lives as U.S. citizens. The ceremony was held in Auditorium 101 in the D.P. Culp Student Center from 10-11:30 a.m. with open doors for the public to share their support.

Coordinator Leadership and Civic Engagement Nathaniel Farnor advises the ETSU Votes Initiative which helps students get informed on elected officials and the basics of government legibility. This initiative led ETSU to be the first college campus to hold a naturalization ceremony in East Tennessee where they swore 100 individuals to become American citizens. Five years later, after global unforeseen circumstances such as COVID-19, they were able to hold it again.

“It’s one of those moments, regardless of political background, regardless of beliefs, these people are going to get the right to vote, they are going to get all the rights that come with U.S. citizenship, and to be able to participate and witness that, I think, is not political.” Farnor said.

Returning once again this year since the prior ceremony, ETSU Alumni Judge Greer directed the pledging of oath as well as hosted a morning of fond moments and laughter alongside Courtroom Deputy Kathy Hopson, ETSU Student Representative Carissa Hopson, Provost and Senior Vice President for Academic Affairs, Kimberly McCorkle and U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services, Corena J. McCormack. Members of Congress as well as the ETSU ROTC Color Guard were also present to perform the changing of the flags and witness the life-changing ceremony for many.

Citizen takes the microphone to tell his journey of coming to America. (Kellsie Hicks/East Tennessean).

Supporting the new community, Greer encouraged all 95 new citizens to take the microphone and share their name, origin and journey to initiate a moment of reflection on the past and what opportunities are to come in their future. The crowd was diverse with 38 different nationalities being represented from all over the globe. Most participants started their journey of citizenship over a decade ago, and in their given time, they expressed excitement to be able to vote, grow their families and open new doors as American citizens.

“We don’t realize how much power and how much responsibility comes with being a citizen of this country,” Farnor said in response to the ceremony. “Because of that, we also don’t always recognize how difficult it is to earn that if you are not born with it.”

In their short speeches, newly pledged citizens mentioned the time and money that went into the process of earning citizenship, and they expressed joy that the day they have waited for has arrived and that it is being held at ETSU where many participants attend school in addition to partaking in the citizenship process.

“Our mission and goal as an office is to build life-long active citizens,” Farnor said. “We want you to have the tools, the resources, the knowledge, the skills to take whatever it is you believe in and care about and do something with it.”

The ceremony ended with each participant taking their oath on stage and being handed their certificate, and as they exited the auditorium, they were welcomed with goodie bags and snacks to commemorate their achievements. Surrounded by family, friends and community, the 2023 ETSU Naturalization Ceremony made history in East Tennessee for another year.

 

Author