To highlight tradition and transformation on campus in this holiday season, ETSU has unveiled its 2025 limited-edition holiday ornament, featuring Roy S. Nicks Hall.
Originally serving as the Sherrod Library, Nicks Hall houses the College of Nursing, the Department of Appalachian Studies and Information Technology Studies. The building reflects the university’s growth and dedication to education.
“The ornament series has become a meaningful way to celebrate ETSU’s architectural heritage and the people who have shaped our university,” Dr. O.J. Early, director of content strategy, said in an email. “Roy S. Nicks Hall represents both transformation and continuity, a building that evolved from a library to a hub for nursing education and Appalachian scholarship.”
Each ornament is hand-painted by local artist Penny Livingston from Elizabethton, Tennessee, and Akintayo Akintobi from Johnson City, Tennessee. They are available for purchase at Bowman Jewelers at 401 W. Oakland Ave. For students and alumni, the ornament offers a way to bring ETSU home for the holidays.
“The ornament gives people a tangible piece of that connection, something they can take home and make part of their own family traditions while supporting local artists and celebrating our shared history,” Early said.
The unveiling ties into a season of celebrations on campus. ETSU’s annual Holiday Lights Celebration will return Nov. 17, with ornament displays, ice skating and festive performances. Music lovers can also attend the “Glory Shone Around” holiday concert in early December, featuring student and faculty musicians.
“The ornament is part of ETSU’s larger commitment to bringing our community together during the holidays,” Early said. “Whether it’s our Holiday Lights Celebration, the ice skating rink on the Commons or our holiday concert featuring over 250 musicians, we see the season as an opportunity to open our campus and share these traditions with the region.”
For many, the ornament is more than just a decoration. It serves as a reminder of ETSU’s story and the connection it holds with them.
