ETSU has received $64.4 million as an opportunity to strengthen the university’s educational experience. On April 28, ETSU was approved for substantial state funding, essential for student success.
The funds were approved and included in the 2025-2026 fiscal budget with the support of the Tennessee General Assembly and Governor Bill Lee. The allocated money will be distributed as needed.
The $64.4 million will be distributed as follows:
Brown Hall renovations will receive $53.4 million, improvements for the main campus and the ETSU-Eastman Valleybrook campus will receive $5 million, repairs and maintenance facilities will receive $3.5 million and scientific equipment for the Quillen College of Medicine will receive $3 million.
Brown Hall is the home of the School of Science, Engineering and Math. The first phase of Brown Hall’s renovation received $48 million in funding and began construction in early 2024. The first phase centered around the Department of Chemistry and the Department of Biological Sciences.
The second phase targets the Department of Physics and Astronomy by improving teaching spaces and transforming the building into a modern space for students.
Funding for the Qullien College of Medicine not only provides the college with new equipment but also supports ETSU’s mission to train rural healthcare providers where shortages occur.
The ETSU-Eastman Valleybrook Campus, located in Kingsport, is a state-of-the-art research and development facility for synthetic biology and bioindustrial manufacturing. Funding will be used to improve research, continue growth and maintain client interest.
ETSU President Brian Noland mentions in a release that it is not just about budget lines, but students’ futures. Noland, alongside his board, is excited and eager to see students’ education and future excel.
“This level of state support is a powerful statement about what is happening at ETSU. It is a recognition of our students’ potential and the impact they will have on their communities and the world. These investments—from cutting-edge labs to critical rural healthcare resources—are about more than buildings or equipment. They are about empowering the next generation of leaders and problem-solvers,” stated Noland.