Emmy Award Winning Actor Timothy Busfield, an ETSU alum, is scheduled to speak at this year’s spring commencement.

Busfield attended ETSU, which impacted and started his career as an actor and director. Busfield played baseball during his time here but switched to theatre as he became more involved and passionate about it. He mentions how his instructor Harold Bud Frank was the reason he got into acting when he had a one-on-one theatre class with him.

“I went to Bud Frank and I said ‘I do not have any process for acting and I need a process.’ I took a one-on-one class with him and it was a phenomenal experience for me,” stated Busfield.

Busfield has produced many hit shows that are seen today such as “This Is Us,” “The Fosters,” “The Night Shift” and many more. His hard work and dedication are acknowledged by many, which is one of the many reasons he was picked to speak amongst the graduates.

Provost McCorkle mentions how Busfield had sent a message for the spring 202o commencement that was unfortunately not in-person. Now he has the chance to speak in front of graduates. McCorkle says that she is excited to listen to his message.

Photo of Timothy Busfield. (Contributed/freep.com)

“This year we are pleased to welcome him in person to our celebration for the class of 2024. He is a great supporter of the arts, and I look forward to the inspiring message he will deliver to our graduates,” stated McCorkle.

Busfield mentions that ETSU gave him an understanding of craft, which is something that he plans on touching base on. There are not any specifics yet in his speech, but a message he wants to get across is that college is about the experience and what you make of it.

“In this day and age, nothing comes easy and that perspiration is better than inspiration. If you’re going into any kind of work world, you are going to have to learn how to be good at it,” stated Busfield.

The spring 2024 commencement ceremony will be held on Saturday, May 4, in the Ballad Health Athletic Center. For more information regarding commencement, visit etsu.edu/commencement.

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