The East Tennessee State University Board of Trustees began the new academic year Friday, Sept. 11, with several changes and updates, including the naming of a college, the appointment of new trustees and approval of a new employment agreement for ETSU President Brian Noland.
“The start of a new academic year always brings a special energy to our campus, and this fall has been particularly exciting,” Board Chair Melissa Steagall-Jones said.
During the meeting, a significant announcement was made regarding the renaming of the College of Arts and Sciences to the Phil and Martha Bachman College of Arts and Sciences. The naming follows a $15 million gift from the Phil and Martha Bachman Foundation, one of the largest philanthropic gifts in ETSU’s history.
The semester began with ETSU welcoming its largest incoming first-year class in university history and opening its new Academic Building in the center of campus. The new academic year also brought changes to the Board of Trustees, including the appointment of Janet Ayers as vice chair and the appointment of Quillen alumnus Bert J. Smith. Thomas Bales was selected as the 2026-27 Student Trustee.
The board also approved a new employment agreement for Noland. Trustee Charles Allen was the only member to oppose the agreement. Allen said his opposition was not related to Noland’s performance but to the agreement’s automatically renewing, or “evergreen,” structure.
Noland later presented his report to the board, highlighting university initiatives, areas of concern and recent accomplishments.
Col. Daniel Bishop also addressed the board about ETSU’s military programs and their impact on the university and surrounding community. Bishop highlighted the university’s military-related programs and discussed fundraising efforts for a proposed $5 million facility that would consolidate military offices and services at ETSU.
Joe Sherlin and Heather Levesque presented an update on financial aid, including changes resulting from the federal One Big Beautiful Bill Act and changes to revenue from Tennessee’s Lottery scholarship programs.
The Board of Trustees’ next scheduled meeting is Nov. 6.
