THIS IS LEADERSHIP. 2018-19 ROAN ANNUAL REPORT
THIS PROGRAM HAS DONE
WONDERS
FOR ME BY TURNING ME INTO SOMEONE I HAD NEVER EVEN
IMAGINED I COULD BE, A PERSON WHOSE
AMBITIONS NOW SEEM UTTERLY
INSATIABLE. – Shivam Patel '22
THIS IS LEADERSHIP. Dear Friends. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 3 Who We Are. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 4 This is Leadership Serving the Region . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 6 Changing Perceptions . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 8 Improving Health. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 10 Advocating for Change. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 12 Engaging Communities . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 14 Teaching Generations. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 16 Sharing Stories . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 18 Getting Outdoors. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 19 Gaining Perspective . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 20 Mentoring Future Leaders . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 22 Farewell and Welcome. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 24 Community Support . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 26 Financial Support . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 27 Thank You to Our Supporters . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 28
ROAN ANNUAL REPORT 2018-2019
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67 104 ROAN BY THE NUMBERS
Roan Alumni
2
Nominees for the Roan Class of 2023
20 31
Classes of Roan Scholars Selected Since the Program Began
Current Scholars
60 86
Community Leaders Serving on Roan Regional Selection and Steering Committees
Nominating High Schools in 27 Counties (Northeast TN, Southwest VA, Western NC)
DEAR FRIENDS,
ROAN STAFF
Leadership is about much more than titles, formal roles, or accolades. Effective leaders set the example. They initiate and inspire. They influence and encourage. They add value by working together to solve problems and identify opportunities to improve lives. They make our world a better place. In 2018-19, just as they have since the program’s inception, Roan Scholars and Roan Alumni again demonstrated that kind of leadership – in areas such as health care, education, business, and the non-profit sector; in ways such as volunteer service, storytelling, and mentoring. The details varied widely. The overall results were the same: Excellence and Impact.
LT. COL. (RET.) SCOTT JEFFRESS Director 423-439-7696 jeffress@etsu.edu DR. JENNIFER AXSOM ADLER Assistant Director 423-439-7677 adlerj@etsu.edu
ETSU SUPPORT STAFF
THIS IS LEADERSHIP.
DESSI FOSTER
Developing tomorrow’s leaders is the purpose of the Roan Scholars Leadership Program. Reflecting on the many ways Roan Scholars and Alumni have demonstrated leadership since our first class entered ETSU in 2000, we are excited about the Roan’s 20th anniversary in 2020.
Development Officer 423-439-5125 fosterdk@etsu.edu
Roan 2020 will be a year-long celebration to say thank you to individuals and organizations who helped establish the program, and to all who have supported it since; to recognize Roan Scholars and Alumni for the difference they are making; and to introduce new initiatives that will further strengthen the program and increase our impact in the future. Thank you for all that you do to support the Roan. We hope you will enjoy looking back with us on what has been an incredible year, and invite you to partner with us in 2020 and beyond as the Roan continues to exemplify Leadership Excellence and Lifelong Impact. With grateful appreciation, Louis H. Gump Scott Jeffress Sharon Boles Roan Founder Director Steering Committee Chair 2018-19
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THE ROAN SCHOLARS LEADERSHIP PROGRAM is the premier scholarship program at East Tennessee State University for students from across our region who have the potential, desire, and drive to lead with excellence and impact.
OUR APPROACH The Roan is much more than a traditional scholarship. It is an experience – built around challenge, inspiration, and support. Alongside a fully-funded education, Roan Scholars have access to unique out-ofthe-classroom experiences and the support of the Roan network – all so they can realize their potential to impact our world.
WHO WE ARE
EXPERIENCE TYPES
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Individual: Coaching and Mentoring, Summer of Service, Leadership Conferences, Alternative Breaks Class-Based: Leadership Learning Experiences, Class Legacy Projects, Outdoor Leadership Challenge, Roan Seminars All-Scholar: Leadership in Action series, All-Roan Meetings, Physical Vigor Weekend, Roan Impact Focus
ROAN ANNUAL REPORT 2018-2019
THE ROAN PILLARS While some things have changed since the first class of Roan Scholars entered ETSU nearly 20 years ago, the Roan Pillars have remained constant. We continue to believe that these pillars – character, intellectual curiosity, physical vigor and leadership – are vital to Scholars’ success. In 2018-19, we continued to focus on these values and incorporate them into everything we do.
INTELLECTUAL CURIOSITY • 62% OF ROAN JUNIORS AND SENIORS have traveled internationally for study abroad, service work and research • 20 U.S. CITIES VISITED by Scholars for regional and national leadership conferences, including Washington D.C.; Chattanooga; West Point, NY; and Annapolis, MD
CHARACTER • 3,000+ HOURS OF COMMUNITY SERVICE provided by Scholars • 200+ VOLUNTEERS participated in ETSU’s 1st annual Dula Day of Service, organized with the help of Roan ‘20s • 5 CITIES + 8 NONPROFITS where first-year Scholars learned about and served around issues of human trafficking, the opioid epidemic, criminal justice and prison reform, religious pluralism, and environmental conservation as part of ETSU Alternative Breaks
• 38% OF SCHOLARS PARTICIPATED in faculty-guided research on topics including depression, health care disparities, antibiotic resistance, and early childhood education • 3.75 AVERAGE CUMULATIVE GPA for all Scholars at the end of the spring 2019 semester (includes 5 Scholars with a perfect 4.0)
LEADERSHIP • 60+ STUDENT ORGANIZATIONS in which Scholars were involved, including 22 organizations where Scholars held significant leadership positions • 29% OF SCHOLARS REPRESENTED the student body as Senators in ETSU’s Student Government Association; several held key committee positions and leadership roles • 3 NEW STUDENT ORGANIZATIONS founded by, or with the help of, Roan Scholars
PHYSICAL VIGOR • 1ST TIME OUTDOOR ROCK CLIMBING for many Scholars during our annual Roan Physical Vigor Weekend • 75+ MILES RAN AND WALKED by Scholars at the Speedway in Lights 5K • 0 SUGARY BEVERAGES SERVED at Roan events, upholding the Program’s #LiveSugarfreed pledge to not provide or promote sugary beverages
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THE ROAN IMPACT FOCUS is a new initiative, started in fall 2018, in which Roan Scholars commit to learning about and making an impact around a specific issue each year.
WHY FOCUS ON JUST ONE TOPIC?
WHAT WAS THE FOCUS FOR 2018-19 AND WHY? Our focus last year was early childhood literacy. Less than half of Tennessee's 3rd and 4th graders are reading on grade level based on state tests. Children who are not reading proficiently by 3rd grade are four times less likely to graduate from high school by age 19, according to national research (Source: State of Tennessee).
SO WHAT DID WE DO? Scholars jumped into learning about early childhood literacy and working with local partners to help improve literacy in our community. • Cierra Linka ’21 wrote a children's book, "Peppy: The Easygoing Racehorse," inspired by her Summer of Service internship at Holston United Methodist Home for Children. She enlisted the help of Clara Reynolds ’22 to illustrate the book. Read more on p. 18. • Mandy Nutter ’19 returned over fall break to Mountain Mission School in Grundy, VA (where she had volunteered during summer 2018), helping students in the 4th grade reading class. Katie Barlowe ’21 volunteered in the 1st grade class at University School and Casey Bonnell ’22 served at Hospitots, located in Johnson City Medical Center.
THIS IS LEADERSHIP.
SERVING THE REGION
A focus allows conversations about impact and leadership around a common issue. Scholars participated in a series of Roan Impact Symposia that facilitated learning and collaboration.
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• Connor McClelland ’21 helped distribute more than 900 books to children when the Santa Train rolled into Kingsport, TN in November 2018. • 11 Roan Scholars participated in Vello, the United Way's virtual reading initiative, which (in Washington County) matches volunteers with local 2nd grade classrooms for online reading sessions. • Casey Bonnell ’22 inventoried, alphabetized, and delivered a total of 196 young adult novels from her home to an orphanage in Grainger County, TN.
ROAN ANNUAL REPORT 2018-2019
"[The pageant contestants] ended up collecting nearly 6,000 books - all because they were inspired by the Roan! I thought that was so cool. I presented the first book to the mother of a little boy who was killed in an accident. The first set of books (200+) will be donated to his elementary school in his memory. It was an amazing moment, and there was not a dry eye in the audience.” — McKenzie Templeton ’22, on how the Roan Impact Focus spread to others
• Addie Fairchild ’22 wrapped up a successful book drive at her high school, helping collect nearly 300 books that were donated to the Partnership of Ashe, in Ashe County, NC. • Katie Barlowe ’21 collected 100 pounds of books and school supplies, along with monetary donations, to send for Christmas to Victorious Children's Home in Kakamega, Kenya, where Katie completed her Roan Summer of Service in 2018. • Joe Oliver ’19, Clara Reynolds ’22, Jordan Teague ’22 and McKenzie Templeton ’22 volunteered at the annual "Boo at the Zoo" event in Gate City, VA, prior to Halloween, passing out more than 50 children's books. • The Roan was one of the founding partners in #ETSUReads, a campaign to encourage the ETSU community to support childhood literacy. Scholars shared throughout the month of March ways they were committed to literacy, including the Class of 2021 reading “Clifford Goes to Washington” while visiting the Washington Monument during spring break. • McKenzie Templeton ’22 completed her year as Miss Virginia Association of Fairs in January 2019. After the pageant’s director learned about the Roan Impact Focus’ goal to encourage early childhood literacy, she challenged all 24 contestants to bring 10 books each to distribute to various schools across Virginia. • Clara Reynolds ’22 helped with her Johnson City high school's Reading Week for K-6 students, including recruiting the Roan’s assistant director to speak to 260 students about how to read and write Egyptian hieroglyphics.
• The Roan Class of 2019 held the second annual Bucky’s Yard Sale. Community members, including President and Mrs. Noland, donated all the items that were sold. The sale raised $642.25 for the local chapter of Dolly Parton’s Imagination Library, which provides children with a book each month from birth to five years. • Roan ’19s and ’20s learned about and volunteered with the Pajama Program Reading Center during their Leadership Learning Experience to Atlanta in February 2019.
WHAT’S NEXT? During 2019-20, Scholars will study and involve themselves in the work of the community to address addiction in its many forms, including addiction to substances, food, and technology.
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CHANGING PERCEPTIONS
THIS IS LEADERSHIP.
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PROVING ALL ARE ABLE “Able” is a word with special meaning for McKenzie Templeton ’22. Her younger brother was born with Down Syndrome. While Down Syndrome is typically regarded as a disability, McKenzie focused on not only what her brother was able to do but what she and others were able to do to support and advocate for those with disabilities. This focus transformed her life. While still in high school, McKenzie founded Stand Up for Down Syndrome to raise awareness and funds for the National Down Syndrome Society (NDSS) and was the youngest-ever ambassador for the Commonwealth of Virginia for NDSS. She spoke to countless students about eradicating the use of the “r-word.” These efforts and others led to McKenzie receiving the Tennessee Governor’s Volunteer Star Award. While a first-year student at ETSU, she founded the student organization ABLE (Acceptance Begins with Loving Everyone). ABLE advocates, educates, and celebrates disability in a variety of ways – including promoting disability awareness, fundraising for local charities, and volunteering with events and organizations that provide opportunities for individuals with disabilities. ABLE has quickly become a highly visible and active organization on the ETSU campus.
ROAN ANNUAL REPORT 2018-2019
UNDERSTANDING THE DISEASE AND ADVANCING RESEARCH TO CURE ALZHEIMER’S As a development specialist at the Alzheimer’s Association in Charlotte, James Grindstaff ’17 helped coordinate the annual Walk to End Alzheimer’s where all who are impacted by Alzheimer’s – the individuals living with the disease, the caregivers, and those who have lost a loved one – connect and share their stories of heartache and hope. In fall of 2018, the Western Carolina Walk to End Alzheimer's chapter raised more than $1.6 million for Alzheimer’s research and engaged more than 10,000 participants and 1,200 teams in the walk. James shared his experience with current Scholars at a Roan Lunch-n-Learn, talking to them about how to get into the nonprofit world and what to expect while working for one. James will begin pursuing his Master of Public Administration at the University of North Carolina at Charlotte in fall 2019.
SEEING THE WORLD FROM ABOVE What if seeing the world from above allows us to better understand where we are and where we want to go? That was the question Austin Ramsey ’21 considered in a talk he delivered in September 2018 at IDEAcademy, a leadership development series hosted by ETSU’s College of Business and Technology and Eastman Chemical Company. Austin is an experienced user of two technologies – GIS mapping and dronography – that can help us view the world from a ‘big picture’ perspective and see trends and patterns that affect our thoughts and behaviors. “Sometimes the ‘big picture’ can be daunting and intimidating, but with the correct data and visualizations, we can begin to better understand problems, visualize solutions, and make faster and smarter decisions to transform our world,” shared Austin.
Austin Ramsey ’21 and McKenzie Templeton ’22 were two of three ETSU students honored on the first-ever Appalachian Highlands Twenty Under 20 list in part for their accomplishments with IDEAcademy and ABLE, respectively. The award honors students in Tennessee, North Carolina, and Virginia for their achievements in community service, entrepreneurship, leadership, and STEM activities.
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EYE HEALTH Roan Alumna Victoria Howard ’15 is improving people’s health – starting with their eyes. During externships in her final year at the Southern College of Optometry (SCO) in Memphis, Victoria spent 2018-19 learning from professionals in the field about disease management, surgery, exams, and vision therapy. “You can tell the health of a person’s body based on the health of the eye,” Victoria said. “I like that I can improve people’s quality of life by improving their vision. You can help people see better, live better, and with kids, you can help them learn better.”
IMPROVING HEALTH
She worked at Family EyeCare Center in Elizabethton in fall 2018 and at the James H. Quillen Veterans Affairs Medical Center in Johnson City in spring 2019. We were proud to see her graduate from SCO in May 2019 and welcome her back to the region as she begins practicing in Elizabethton.
MENTAL HEALTH
THIS IS LEADERSHIP.
Jordan Teague ’22 is advancing our understanding of mental illness. In a lab at the Quillen College of Medicine, she is assisting in research to develop a new kind of antidepressant that is more efficient and effective for those who suffer from depression. She and Casey Bonnell ’22 also volunteered with Remote Area Medical (RAM), a nonprofit provider of mobile clinics delivering free dental, vision, and medical care to underserved and uninsured individuals.
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ADDICTION RESEARCH Taylor Osborne ’20 began working in ETSU’s Crime Addiction Re-entry (CARE) Lab with Dr. Kelly Moore in January 2019. “We investigate psychological, behavioral, and sociocultural factors that lead individuals into the criminal justice system and contribute to poor adjustment following release from incarceration,” Taylor said. The ultimate goal of the lab is to modify evidencebased interventions for people involved in the criminal justice system and ensure these interventions are distributed and accessible.
ROAN ANNUAL REPORT 2018-2019
NUTRITIONAL HEALTH Annie Malcolm ’19 is passionate about nutrition because she understands how much it can affect someone's quality of life. After working during her undergraduate years in the Johnson City school system and at a local hospital, she is now pursuing a Master’s degree in Clinical Nutrition at ETSU and plans to work as a registered dietitian in the Veterans Affairs Healthcare System. In a culture of information overload and fad diets, she intends to bring clarity and evidence-based knowledge to those with whom she works, including advocating for improved nutrition education in schools and lobbying to influence legislators who can make positive policy changes. In fall 2018, Annie spoke about nutrition research and education at IDEAcademy, a joint ETSU and Eastman Chemical Company initiative that inspires learning through short talks from thought leaders in the world of innovation and leadership.
PHYSICAL THERAPY With plans to pursue a doctorate of physical therapy, Brianna McCoy ’20 is keenly interested in vestibular rehab, an area she learned about through her shadowing experience at Ashe Memorial Hospital in summer of 2018. “Vestibular rehab deals with patients with vertigo and balance issues and the ‘recalibration’ of their inner ear anatomy,” Brianna said. “Patients who undergo physical therapy for vertigo and balance issues often see great success, and I hope to have the opportunity to help people in this way after PT school.” When she graduates with her doctorate, she hopes to move back to Ashe County, NC and help improve the lives of people in rural Appalachia.
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THIS IS LEADERSHIP.
ADVOCATING FOR CHANGE
UNDERSTANDING A PROBLEM
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Are there barriers to legal representation that might limit access to justice? That was the question Kate Phillips ’19 sought to answer during summer 2018 through a faculty-guided research project funded by an ETSU Society
Fellowship. This new fellowship was made possible by a grant from the Charles Koch Foundation to support studies of free societies and factors that contribute to well being. Access to legal representation is “important because numerous
MAKING A PERSONAL COMMITMENT Caroline Parris ’22 exemplifies how advocating for change often begins with a personal commitment. Her first-year at ETSU “brought some new perspectives,” and she ultimately decided to stop using all single-use plastics. The decision came to Caroline fairly suddenly. “I did not realize how much plastic I was using until I accidently turned over one of my trash cans. The bag was filled with plastic products, ranging from plastic grocery bags to Styrofoam to-go boxes. That night, I decided to make a change.” Practically, Caroline found that the decision did “pose a few challenges in everyday life.” Want to bring leftovers home from a restaurant, for example? You will need to bring a container with you. But Caroline’s decision has also opened up opportunities to talk with others about the waste generated by single-use plastics, and it even influenced her decision to complete her Summer of Service at a sea turtle research and conservation facility in Costa Rica. There she witnessed how plastic pollution can dramatically impact marine wildlife.
ROAN ANNUAL REPORT 2018-2019
people are denied legal aid every day due to circumstances out of their control,” said Kate. “I wanted to identify these barriers, why they exist, and how prevalent they are in the East Tennessee region.” To understand these barriers, Kate volunteered at free legal aid clinics, spoke with participants, and analyzed her findings. She found significant barriers in our region due to financial reasons. “Pro bono legal representation is rare, which means people who cannot afford a lawyer are at a disadvantage compared to those who can when they step inside a courtroom,” said Kate. She found barriers to legal representation to be particularly prevalent among single mothers and the elderly. Her summer research “opened [her] eyes to what people in my community are dealing with on a daily basis” as well as potential areas where she can help. “This was an amazing experience and one that changed my life,” said Kate.
RAISING AWARENESS The Roan Class of 2021 believes in making the ETSU campus more sustainable. To do that, as part of their Class Legacy Project, they are creating a sustainability movement rooted in common beliefs: that the community loves this region; that we all agree we need to take care of it; and that sustainability is a universal issue. The ’21s helped coordinate ETSU’s inaugural Earth Day Fair on April 22, 2019 as a fun way of uniting community members – from across various cultures, political viewpoints, and beliefs – around sustainability and respect for the region’s natural beauty. “Our inspiration was centered on the beauty of Appalachia and our dependence on the region,” said Cierra Linka ’21. In 2018-19, Roan ’21s worked to brand their organization,
ETSU Green, and invested in building meaningful relationships with other groups on campus who were already involved with this issue. At the Earth Day Fair celebration, they debuted the ETSU Green t-shirt, which is made of 100% recycled water bottles and designed by Rubi Estrada ’21. “Our overall goal is to establish Sustainability Week (Earth Week) as an annual event at ETSU that continues long after our departure,” said Adam Rosenbalm ’21. “We believe that by doing so, we can help shift the focus on campus towards the importance of sustainability and be a part of a larger culture change that values and respects our region’s natural beauty.” The Roan Class of 2021 includes Katie Barlowe, Tiffany Cook, Larissa Copley, Rubi Estrada, Cierra Linka, Connor McClelland, Austin Ramsey and Adam Rosenbalm.
BUILDING COALITIONS Building coalitions is often essential when advocating for change. Connor McClelland ’21 deployed that strategy – both enlisting the support of fellow students and partnering with regional organizations – as he sought to build momentum for a grassroots Adjunct Action campaign on ETSU’s campus during spring 2019.
did not even know what an adjunct was. They had to inform and educate more students. To that end, Connor researched and wrote a resolution that passed the Student Government Association’s Senate almost unanimously; fellow Roan Scholars Larissa Copley ’21 and Adam Rosenbalm ’21 co-sponsored the resolution.
The Adjunct Action campaign advocated for a pay raise for adjunct instructors on campus, asking for an increase of adjunct wages from the average $600 per credit hour to $1,000 per credit hour, according to Connor.
Ultimately, their focus on coalition building grew the base of support. “We were able to garner thousands of signatures, raise awareness, and make this issue a top button priority,” Connor said. “It was positive, demonstrated a desire for change by students, faculty and community members, and gave hope to adjuncts and activists alike.”
Connor and his fellow organizers faced a significant challenge at the initial stages of the campaign: many of their peers
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SERVICE CONTINUES TO BE A SIGNIFICANT COMPONENT of the Roan development model. This year members of the Roan Class of 2022 engaged in service that exposed them to new issues, took them to new places, and challenged them to make a difference.
THIS IS LEADERSHIP.
ENGAGING COMMUNITIES
ALTERNATIVE BREAKS For the first time, all first-year Roan Scholars participated in ETSU’s Alternative Breaks, a campus-wide initiative where students spend Spring Break learning about and engaging in service related to some of the most pressing issues of our time. Casey Bonnell and Addie Fairchild were part of the ETSU team in Scott County, IN, focusing on health and harm reduction during their Alternative Breaks.
ALTERNATIVE BREAKS & SUMMER OF SERVICE LOCATIONS
Caroline Parris, Jordan Teague, and Clara Reynolds saw how human trafficking impacts people and communities when they participated in the Greenville, SC, Alternative Breaks trip.
McKenzie Templeton proved environmental conservation is not always clean, but it is rewarding. She was in New Orleans during spring break working with local partners to help shore up the area against future damage and to restore what had been lost due to previous hurricanes and storms. Shivam Patel's Alternative Breaks trip took him to Washington, D.C., to learn about religious pluralism. That experience included a group meeting with U.S. Rep. Phil Roe (TN 1st District) about community issues. Lily Edwards spent spring break in Chicago, where she learned about criminal justice and prison reform by visiting the county jail and juvenile detention center, among other sites. KEY: ALTERNATIVE BREAK SUMMER OF SERVICE
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ROAN ANNUAL REPORT 2018-2019
SUMMER OF SERVICE The Roan Summer of Service continues to be a key element of the Roan experience. All Roan Scholars spend the summer following their first year engaged in a six-week servicefocused internship, designed to reflect their own interests and passions. This year, several Scholars took on internships directly related to their Alternative Break experiences. This summer, Casey served at Jefferson Memorial Hospital in Jefferson City, TN. Addie served with the office of education and outreach at Ashe Memorial Hospital in Jefferson, NC. She helped administer the Camp Med program, which introduces high school students to the healthcare field, and also taught sessions about the opioid crisis and the importance of CPR and first aid. Caroline served at a sea turtle conservation center in Playa Junquillal, Costa Rica. She patrolled for nesting sea turtles, marked nests, helped baby sea turtles reach the ocean, and assisted with sea turtle rehabilitation. Jordan served with the Johnson City Environmental Field Office of the Tennessee
Department of Environment and Conservation. She assisted the lead biologist for the office, including with environmental testing and public outreach. Clara served at Branch House, the Sullivan County Family Justice Center in Blountville, TN, by assisting with the organization’s mission of empowering and advocating for survivors of abuse, including becoming a Certified Advocate. McKenzie served with United Way of Greater Kingsport. Her internship focused on United Way’s recent efforts to coordinate and improve community services for the homeless. Shivam served with Project Transformation Rio Texas in San Antonio, as a site leader for a camp that serves underprivileged children. Shivam first learned about Project Transformation during his Alternative Break trip. During summer 2019, Lily served at the Upper East Tennessee Regional Juvenile Detention Center in Johnson City.
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THIS IS LEADERSHIP.
TEACHING GENERATIONS
SPECIAL EDUCATION
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Mollie Rutledge ’14 is a special education teacher at Abingdon High School in Washington County, VA. Her students are 15-21-years-old and have severe-profound disabilities and complex medical needs. Mollie believes deeply in her students, however, and delights in helping them demonstrate all that they can accomplish. To date, Mollie's proudest moment in the classroom was helping a 15-year-old student take her first independent steps. Mollie, who spoke about at this year’s Distinguished President’s Trust Dinner about her experiences in the classroom, encouraged the audience to remember, “Every kid can learn, just not the same way or on the same day.”
EARLY MATH Logan Carmody ’20 is studying to become a math teacher. “I have been blessed to have many great teachers who empowered and encouraged me. I’m excited to not only show my students the beauty of mathematics but also to help develop their character and have a part in guiding the future leaders of our world,” she said. During summer 2019, Logan completed faculty-guided research for her math thesis. “Early math, just like early childhood literacy, is so important in the cognitive development and social ability of a child,” she said. Her research examines the relationship between spatial ability and patterning skills in preschool students, with a focus on the role of gender.
ROAN ANNUAL REPORT 2018-2019
"I’m excited to not only show my students the beauty of mathematics but also to help develop their character and have a part in guiding the future leaders of our world." Logan Carmody ’20
MOUNTAIN MISSION SCHOOL
HOSPITOTS Inspired by the Roan Impact Focus, Casey Bonnell ’22 volunteered more than 70 hours reading to and caring for children at Hospitots during 2018-19. Hospitots is a childcare center co-located with Johnson City Medical Center. As an aspiring physician, Casey was able to serve the community by helping with early childhood literacy and gain professional development experience in proximity to a medical setting.
After visiting Mountain Mission School (MMS) in Grundy, VA during the Roan Appalachian Trek in the spring of 2018, Mandy Nutter ’19 was inspired to return during the summer and volunteer with MMS, which is a “home, church and school to more than 200 kids in need.” Having graduated in May 2019 with a degree in Biology, Mandy is currently teaching middle school science and math and a leadership course at MMS while she applies to medical school.
PARENTING Sometimes teaching does not come in a formal classroom setting but is instead accomplished in the daily life of a family. Sabrina Prosser ’10 is a stayat-home mom to three children. She says she applies lessons from the Roan in teaching her children to lead. “Instilling leadership qualities in my children is one of my greatest
priorities,” Sabrina said. “My goal is to teach them to be thinkers who know how to find information and implement it independently. My husband and I encourage our kids to embrace challenges and exhaust all options before coming to us with issues. Within our household, we teach them that respect is earned and not to be taken
for granted. Our children are "Army brats" and have learned to be adaptable and make the best of all situations. This quality draws other people to them. During my time as a Roan Scholar, resiliency and adaptability were two skills that I really worked to develop and have implemented those qualities into my household as a mom.”
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YOU’RE WELCOME, MAMA Heather Cook ’04 published her first book in fall 2018. “You’re Welcome, Mama” helps readers – through Heather’s own trials and celebrations as a working mom – explore how to be good to themselves.
THIS IS LEADERSHIP.
SHARING STORIES
“My daughter, Piper, was the catalyst for the book,” Heather said. “Raising her with my husband gave me a desire to share with all young mamas in the world things I learned the hard way. This book was about sharing how they have permission to not always get it right, to take care of themselves, and to laugh along the way.”
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LESSONS FROM AN UNLIKELY RACEHORSE During her Roan Summer of Service working as an equine specialist at Holston United Methodist Home for Children, Cierra Linka ’21 grew incredibly fond of a horse named Peppy. “He wasn’t the fastest one, and most of the time the kids didn’t want to ride him,” Cierra said. “But he always stopped to smell the roses and could really surprise you sometimes. I learned a lot about people because of Peppy.” Cierra, taking her love of Peppy and learning more about the need for early childhood literacy through the Roan Impact Focus, wrote a children’s book in fall 2018 titled, “Peppy: The Easy-Going Racehorse.” With the Roan’s help and her own fundraising tenacity, Cierra raised more than $2,500 to print 600 copies of Peppy in spring 2019. Cierra partnered with Clara Reynolds ’22, who provided the beautiful illustrations for Cierra’s inspiring story. The book’s release was celebrated in May 2019 with a free Peppy Party for children in Carter County, TN, and it will continue to be distributed to children throughout the region. “This effort was the most collaborative project I have ever been involved in, both inside and outside the Roan Program,” Cierra said. “Thanks to the Roan Impact Focus, we were able to empower young readers with stories of affirmation and success. Through this book, we are actively advocating for early childhood literacy and making a visible impact.”
ROAN ANNUAL REPORT 2018-2019
DISCOVERING YOUR PASSION Larissa Copley ’21 works for ETSU’s Outdoor Adventure Program, which is responsible for running the Indoor Climbing Wall, the Basler Team Challenge and Aerial Adventure Course, Program Trips, and the Buc Bikes Program. Since starting with Outdoor Adventure, Larissa has earned several certifications - including CPR, First Aid, and AED certified by the American Red Cross; Level 1 Certification by the ACCT (Association for Challenge Course Technology) to run the ETSU Challenge Course; WFA (Wilderness First Aid) certified based on standards of the National Outdoor Leadership School; and a PCIA (Professional Climbing Instructors Association)-Climbing Wall Instructor Certification for teaching climbing in an indoor or other artificial rock-climbing setting.
“I think my interest in being outside comes from the confidence I found the first time I was really thrown into the outdoors on the Roan Outdoor Leadership Challenge,” Larissa said. “Since coming to college, I have also developed a greater appreciation for the environment. Going outside gives me the opportunity to appreciate the planet’s natural beauty and challenge myself all at once. What more could I ask for?”
THRU-HIKING THE APPALACHIAN TRAIL After traveling and studying abroad in India and Europe as an undergraduate, Roan Alumnus Brad Fisher ’16 yearned to live a full life outside of daily routines. While three years in New York City after graduation taught him a great deal and were professionally rewarding, they also reinforced his desire for a full, active lifestyle. This inspired him to hike all 2,184 miles of the Appalachian Trail in summer 2019. "Knowing that my time is downright limited, never stopping, and always running out creates an urgency to accomplish life goals and express love now, not later," Brad said. "In my mind, time is our most valuable and most scarce commodity, and how we choose to use it ultimately defines how we feel about our lives. ... This leads me to the Appalachian Trail, the first major instance in which I'll begin to live out the life approach of using my career as a means to justify travel and adventure, break up the routine, and make the most of my time." He began his trek April 12 in Georgia, bound for the trail's end in Maine. On his way, Brad stopped at Carver's Gap on Roan Mountain, where Roan staff and Roan Alumnus Michael Stallard ’15 met him with trail snacks. He also
passed by his hometown of Gaitlinburg during the hike, where his passion for the outdoors grew, in part, from backpacking adventures with his father in the Great Smoky Mountains National Park.
ROAN ANNUAL REPORT 2018-2019
THIS IS LEADERSHIP.
During summer 2019 she worked for Boy Scouts of America at Camp Buck Toms teaching mountain biking and rock climbing to scouts. In fall 2019, she will join the ETSU EcoNuts and work with the Department of Sustainability.
GETTING OUTDOORS
She also serves on the Campus Sustainability Fee Committee and helps allocate Green Fee money designated to making ETSU's campus more sustainable.
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With support from the Roan, Scholars share how EXPERIENCING THE WORLD FROM A DIFFERENT PLACE helped them gain new perspectives.
A SEMESTER ABROAD
“One of the most intriguing experiences was living with a host family and interacting with them daily,” Taylor said. “I learned about cultural differences and met locals with whom I could practice my Spanish. I was most surprised at the high quantity of people who speak a second language. Many people often speak three, and sometimes four, languages. Speaking multiple languages has various benefits and has been an inspiration for my Spanish studies."
THIS IS LEADERSHIP.
GAINING PERSPECTIVE
Sydney Ross ‘20 and Taylor Osborne ’20 both studied abroad in fall 2018. Sydney studied in Rennes, in the northwestern region of Brittany, France, at the University Sciences Po, where she focused her studies on French language and politics, while Taylor studied at the University of Deusto in Bilbao, Spain, where she lived with a host family, experienced traditional Spanish cuisine, and practiced her Spanish.
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“Every year, students come from all over the world to study at this top-notch political science program,” said Sydney of Sciences Po. “The courses include European Union Studies, Modern Political Radicalism, Public Sphere & Media Analysis, French Politics, and the Rennes Metropolis Facing Globalization. These courses are fantastic because they are engaging and beneficial to students from various backgrounds, from international affairs to economics.”
ROAN ANNUAL REPORT 2018-2019
LEADERSHIP LEARNING EXPERIENCES Leadership Learning Experiences continue to be a way that the Roan Program helps Scholars develop a new perspective – offering them the opportunity to learn from new people, places, and ideas. The Roan Classes of 2019 and 2020 traveled to Atlanta, GA, in February 2019. Scholars took a behind-the-scenes tour of CNN and had a small group discussion with journalists, toured the Centers for Disease Control & Prevention (CDC), learned about how technology can drive innovation at the Accenture Innovation Hub, and volunteered at the Pajama Program Reading Center. Scholars also visited important civil rights sites, including the National Center for Civil and Human Rights and the Martin Luther King Jr. National Park. Several ETSU alumni living in the Atlanta area joined Scholars for dinner one night, along with another special guest: Mr. Louis Gump, who had helped facilitate portions of the trip and whose presence was a high point for Logan Carmody ’19. “My favorite part of this trip was getting to know (Roan Founder) Mr. Gump's son. Just like his father, he was invested in us and understanding the things that make us who we are. It was great to learn about him and develop a relationship with another member of our extended Roan family,” said Logan.
In March 2019, the Roan Class of 2021 continued the tradition of Roan sophomores traveling to Washington, D.C. over spring break. Scholars met with U.S. Senators Lamar Alexander and Marsha Blackburn on 'Tennessee Tuesday'; toured the U.S. Capitol and observed the U.S. House of Representatives in session; had dinner with ETSU alumni at Meiwah, a local restaurant owned by ETSU alumnus Larry La ‘84; attended a workshop at the George Washington Leadership Institute and engaged in discussions at the Aspen Institute; visited the Library of Congress, the Pentagon, and Arlington National Cemetery; and had a very special tour of the ‘Outbreak’ exhibit at the Smithsonian’s National Museum of Natural History, led by the infectious disease expert who conceived of the exhibit. Tiffany Cook ’21, who had never before visited Washington, D.C., reflected on her experience, “Thanks to the contributions of generous Roan supporters and donors, I have had a very eye-opening experience of the history and complexity of our nation's governmental system.” The Roan also extends special thanks to the Mooneyhan Family Foundation, a long-time Roan supporter whose generous financial support made possible this most recent Washington, D.C. Leadership Learning Experience.
ROAN ANNUAL REPORT 2018-2019
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DR. SEAN FOX: "TAUGHT ME EVERYTHING I KNOW" using any mistakes made as an opportunity to teach us and challenge us to be better researchers. Through the Honors-in-Discipline program, I was required to complete a senior thesis based on data collected from student research. Because of this, Dr. Fox was my mentor for both my research as well as for my thesis. Research has been a highlight of my undergraduate career and I have Dr. Fox to thank for that.” What would you say to other students who are wondering how to get a mentor or whether it is worth it?
Seth Jewett ’20 attributes his passion for research to the exceptional mentorship of Dr. Sean Fox, a faculty member and laboratory coordinator in ETSU’s College of Public Health. “I started doing research with Dr. Fox as a freshman. Even though I was completely out of my element, he took me on in his laboratory and taught me everything I know about research. He is forgiving;
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“Finding a mentor is invaluable for an undergraduate. For me, there were a lot of uncertainties that came with starting college, so finding a mentor who can help with that early on saved me from accumulating unneeded stress. From my experience, the faculty and staff at ETSU are incredibly willing to be helpful--so ask questions! Even if that person doesn't know the answer, they'll probably know who does.”
DR. MELISSA SCHRIFT: "UNLIKE ANY OTHER PROFESSOR" As Hunter Wike ’18 looks back on his ETSU experience, one of the important themes that stands out is the encouragement and support of faculty and staff members – particularly Dr. Melissa Schrift, a pre-health outreach coordinator and professor of Sociology &
THIS IS LEADERSHIP.
MENTORING FUTURE LEADERS
The GROWTH AND DEVELOPMENT of Roan Scholars depends so much upon the leadership of others – especially those who mentor and guide Scholars. Current Scholars and Roan Alumni reflect upon the powerful role played by mentors, and we highlight the impact of two long-standing mentors who have been with the Roan since its beginning.
Anthropology in the College of Arts and Sciences. “My initial connection to Dr. Schrift was because I saw Michael Stallard ’15 get a culture and health minor at ETSU. I was really interested in getting that minor as well, so I met with Dr. Schrift to discuss the requirements. I eventually took three classes of hers during my four years at ETSU, and every single class was extremely important for my growth. She was so thorough with her students, making sure we were prepared after undergrad and had a passion for showing she cared. She met with me to discuss my personal statement, helped me through multiple drafts of it, and made me aware of experiences that were helpful for my med school application, including Medical Horizons. She is unlike any other professor at ETSU. At times when I thought I wouldn’t succeed, I thought back to how encouraging Dr. Schrift was to me, believing in me, and being a positive person in the community. I know she believes in me wholeheartedly, and it has been very reassuring to me going through this process (of applying to medical school). She really cares about helping students achieve their dreams.” Hunter started at ETSU's Quillen College of Medicine in July 2019.
ROAN ANNUAL REPORT 2018-2019
DR. JOSH REID: "ENHANCED MY LIFE" Before her first-year classes even began, Larissa Copley ’21 visited Sherrod Library during the Roan’s new Scholar orientation and learned about the concept of a growth mindset from Dr. Josh Reid, assistant professor of Literature and Language at ETSU. Upon hearing about growth mindset and the ways it encourages students to see themselves as capable of learning and able to recover from setbacks, she sought out Dr. Reid for more resources. He gladly provided them, along with many more conversations and additional guidance. “Even though he was never my instructor, I never felt disregarded,” Larissa said. “Dr. Reid is the type of instructor students stay enrolled in school to meet.” Following on this initial conversation, the Roan invited Dr. Reid back the following year to lead a special growth mindset workshop during new Scholar orientation. In the classroom, Dr. Reid is a hallmark of many students’ ETSU experience, including Zachary Warren ’20. “Dr. Reid is the most influential professor I have had the honor of taking a class from,” Zachary said. “I took his course for Bible as Literature and received no usable credit for it but I still count that as my most useful course in college. He is an amazing listener, a truly passionate teacher, and a scholar who very visibly cares about his course material and the advancement of his students. I stayed many days after class just to talk with him and understand how he thought about different issues. I cannot say enough good things about Dr. Reid and how his course enhanced my life both academically and holistically.”
KATHY FEAGINS, JOAN VANEATON: STAR MENTORS It is the rare Roan nominee who does not know the smiling faces of Kathy Feagins and Joan VanEaton. Kathy directs ETSU’s Scholarship Office; Joan worked in the Enrollment Office until her retirement in summer 2019. For the past two decades, they have also been a steady, calming presence during Roan regional interviews and on finalist day. Both also support students who are not selected for the Roan by pointing them toward other scholarship opportunities on campus and helping them start on the right foot at ETSU. “Being a part of the regional and final interviews for the Roan Scholars Leadership Program means that I get to meet some of the best and brightest students in the region. They are always nervous, excited and eager to be part of the program. I am impressed by their academic and athletic achievements
and by the amount of their involvement in school activities and community service. I usually learn something new and spend a great deal of the day laughing along with them. As I tell them each and every time, they are exactly the kind of students we want at ETSU, and I know that in a few years they will make our school and our community a better place.” – Kathy Feagins “There are not enough words to describe what all happens in the months between students being nominated by their schools to the time of the announcement of final names. We get to see their hopeful faces, listen to their dreams, try to help them be prepared for the interview process, and watch them realize the great future they have ahead of them. From Mr. Gump with his big heart and vision and Dr. Dishner (first Roan director), whose heart is just as big, I have watched this program grow with new ideas and now we have added the opportunity for international travel. Some of the students never thought they would go past the mountains of East Tennessee, much less across the ocean. Mr. Jeffress and Dr. Adler have helped these dreams come true. The Roan Program has not only assisted these students with their dreams but has also fulfilled many dreams that they did not even know they had. It is amazing to watch.” – Joan VanEaton
ROAN ANNUAL REPORT 2018-2019
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CONGRATULATIONS TO THE ROAN CLASS OF 2019! ANNIE MALCOLM
Nutrition
FAREWELL AND WELCOME
Hometown: Bluff City, TN
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Highlights: Passionate about nutrition, Annie has presented on the topic at numerous student research events and IDEAcademy. She was the president of the Student Dietetic Association, is involved with the Tri-Cities Academy of Dietetics, and was recognized during her senior year with the Faculty Award for Outstanding Student in Nutrition. Immediate Plans: After a summer in which she worked in Eastman Chemical Company’s Microbiology Lab and competed in the Miss Tennessee Volunteer Pageant (platform: “Nutrition as Science”), in fall 2019 she begins the Master's in Clinical Nutrition program at ETSU.
MORGAN MUNSEY BOVEN
Immediate Plans: Since graduating in December 2018, Morgan has worked as a systems analyst at Eastman Chemical Company in Kingsport, TN. She was married in June 2019.
MANDY NUTTER
Biology
Hometown: Kingsport, TN Highlights: Mandy was named 2019 Outstanding Sorority Woman of the Year, after also serving as president of Alpha Delta Pi and Rotaract Club and being named Homecoming Queen in 2018. She joined the ETSU Chapter of Timmy Global Health, volunteered at Holston Valley Medical Center, and completed an internship with Ballad Health. Immediate Plans: Mandy is teaching middle school science and math at Mountain Mission School in Grundy, Virginia, during a gap year in which she is applying to medical school.
JOE OLIVER
Computing
Health Sciences
Hometown: Church Hill, TN Highlights: Having learned about coding in high school, Morgan spent much of her college career developing ways to involve girls in computing. Using her platform as Miss Historic Jonesborough 2017 and Miss Johnson City 2018, she developed iGIT, Involving Girls in Tech, to teach young girls in middle school about computing and how computing can be a career. She presented her work at IDEAcademy.
Hometown: Elizabethton, TN Highlights: Joe has dedicated nearly five years to research in the Quillen College of Medicine’s Department of Biomedical Science, testing a method of repairing nerve damage in the nasal cavity. He was president and founder of the Undergraduate Research Club, a recipient of a 2018 Student-Faculty
RETURNING ROAN SCHOLARS CLASS OF 2020
CLASS OF 2021
CLASS OF 2022
Logan Carmody Seth Jewett Brianna McCoy Taylor Osborne Sydney Ross Braden Trent Zachary Warren
Katie Barlowe Tiffany Cook Larissa Copley Rubi Estrada Cierra Linka Connor McClelland Austin Ramsey Adam Rosenbalm
Casey Bonnell Lily Edwards Addie Fairchild Caroline Parris Shivam Patel Clara Reynolds Jordan Teague McKenzie Templeton
ROAN ANNUAL REPORT 2018-2019
Collaborative Grant, a participant in Medical Horizons, and an enthusiastic volunteer with Boo at the Zoo in Gate City, VA. He also traveled to Recife, Brazil, conducting research and shadowing physicians. Immediate Plans: Joe is working in a lab tech position at the Quillen College of Medicine while he applies to medical school.
KATE PHILLIPS
Marketing
Hometown: Clyde, NC Highlights: A summa cum laude graduate, Kate was an ETSU Presidential Ambassador, volunteered monthly at the Washington County free legal clinic, and studied abroad in Belgium. She also interned at Eastman Chemical Company and with the law firm Hunter, Smith & Davis, LLP; and was awarded a research grant to study the barriers to equal access to justice in East Tennessee. Immediate Plans: Kate is working as a corporate strategic analyst for Eastman Chemical Company.
TAYLOR WILSON
Biology
Hometown: Bristol, TN Highlights: Taylor served as president of ETSU’s chapter of TIMMY Global Health where she helped lead the organization’s first online fundraiser to support its medical service program in Ecuador. She also interned at Johnston Memorial Hospital’s Regional Cancer Center, served as a senator on ETSU’s Student Government Association, and helped to re-found an ETSU chapter of Model United Nations. Immediate Plans: Taylor is taking a gap year before medical school and pursuing a Graduate Certificate in Global Health at ETSU.
WELCOME TO THE ROAN CLASS OF 2023 OLIVIA BOSTIC
Abingdon High School Hometown: Abingdon, VA High School Highlights: Olivia serves her community and provides emergency care as an Emergency Medical Technician, leads her peers as the Virginia 4H State President, and has shown her aptitude for Spanish by earning the Virginia Board of Education’s Seal of Biliteracy. She also is a four-time state presentation champion for Virginia 4H. How do others describe her? “She is a young leader who never leaves anything ‘half-done.’ She is willing to work with others and empower her peers to make the world a better place to live.”
HAYLIE DAVENPORT
Grainger High School Hometown: Bean Station, TN High School Highlights: Haylie has been class president for the past four years; Family, Career and Community Leaders of America (FCCLA) president; Health Council director and DECA president. She was heavily involved in JROTC where she held multiple leadership positions. She is also a Sunday school teacher at her church, partners with local businesses to reduce food waste, and has a passion for the National Parks, aspiring to work with the National Park Foundation one day. What do others say about her? “Haylie genuinely desires to uplift and encourage anyone who is around her … She wants to excel, but she values working hard to help others around her be successful as well.”
REBECCA FRAZIER
Tuscola High School Hometown: Clyde, NC High School Highlights: Rebecca, upon learning of a new community center for women and children experiencing homelessness, coordinated a hygiene item drive, collecting hundreds of items. She serves as the youth representative on her
church’s Women’s Ministry team, advocating for regular outreach to residential treatment facilities for people with mental health diagnoses, and also plays varsity softball and basketball. What do others say about her? “Rebecca’s heart is for the disenfranchised and marginalized, and her advocacy as a servant leader is inspiring.”
SAM GARCIA
Dobyns-Bennett High School Hometown: Kingsport, TN
High School Highlights: Sam, born in Venezuela, recently organized a drive to send needed supplies, including food, medicine and toiletries, to that country. He is a varsity soccer player, having played all four years and earning an award for ‘most improved.’ Passionate about chemistry and not one to shy away from the most difficult classes offered, he hopes to become a pharmacist.
TAYLOR SHANKS
Unaka High School Hometown: Elizabethton,TN High School Highlights: An aspiring teacher, Taylor is vice president of the Family, Career and Community Leaders of America, represented the City of Elizabethton at the Knoxville Teen Board, and has played varsity softball for four years – helping to lead her team to the state playoffs. What do others say about her? “She is very optimistic when she steps out to start a new challenge.”
NELYA STYNKA
Martin L. Nesbitt Discovery Academy Hometown: Asheville, NC
KEIANDRA HARPER
High School Highlights: Nelya is a first-generation college student and a member of the National Honors Society with an interest in STEM. Her family is Moldovan; after traveling to Moldova last summer with her church youth group, she also sponsored families in that country with earnings from her multiple part-time jobs.
Hometown: Morristown, TN
What do others say about her? “Nelya Stynka is unstoppable … I have never seen a student so committed to creating a different future for herself.”
What do others say about him? “This young man, who is willing to roll up his sleeves and work alongside others, is an example of one who understands commitment and leadership.”
Morristown-Hamblen High School East
High School Highlights: KeiAndra is captain of her school’s varsity volleyball team, plays on the basketball and softball teams, and was a Volunteer Girls State attendee. With her passion for communications, she also led her HOSAFuture Health Professionals Community Awareness team to second place in the state conference. What do others say about her? “Whether she is on the court, on the softball field, or in the classroom, she is a person who is noticed for showing courage in standing up for her beliefs, for displaying her competitive nature, or for making choices that benefit those around her.”
CARTER WILSON
Ashe County High School Hometown: Fleetwood, NC High School Highlights: Carter is a champion banjo player and track and field athlete, specializing in shot put and discus. He has helped organize Ashe Project Graduation for each of the past six years. With future aspirations in the cybersecurity field, Carter has spent three summers at the Broyhill Leadership Conference where he learned about different leadership styles and how he can best help a team. What do others say about him? “Carter is a caring and compassionate person … a leader who will emphasize the ‘we’ of the group rather than focusing on (him)self.”
ROAN ANNUAL REPORT 2018-2019
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The Roan Scholars Leadership Program is EMPOWERED BY THE SUPPORT OF COMMUNITY LEADERS who serve on the Steering Committee and the Regional Selection Committee. These committees provide strategic direction, help in the selection process, and engage with scholars and alumni.
COMMUNITY SUPPORT
Steering Committee Transitions: Melissa Steagall-Jones assumed the role of Steering Committee Chair on July 1, 2019; Sharon Boles remains on the Committee as Immediate Past Chair.
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We are exceedingly grateful for Sharon’s long-standing support of and service to the Roan Program – especially during her time as Committee Chair. Additionally, we offer our deepest thanks to Dr. Paul Stanton, who rotated off the Committee at the conclusion of academic year 2018-19. Dr. Stanton brought a unique and invaluable perspective, having been a strong advocate – and ETSU’s president – when the program was established. We thank each of these individuals for their exceptional leadership and support of the program.
“I am continually impressed and inspired by the Scholars … My heart is full knowing these students are creating positive change in our community and beyond.” – Claudia Byrd
ROAN ANNUAL REPORT 2018-2019
ROAN STEERING COMMITTEE, 2018-19 Sharon Boles, Chair Dr. Heather Cook ’04 Josh Culbert ’10 Anne Darden Louie Gump, Founder Mark Kinser
Alan Levine Dr. Brian Noland Dr. Joe Sherlin Dr. Paul Stanton Melissa Steagall-Jones John D. “Spike” Tickle, II
REGIONAL SELECTION COMMITTEE, 2018-19 P.B. Bachman Dr. Philip Benfield ’06 Ben Berry Jim Bolton Tara Burns Claudia Byrd Bob Cantler Dr. Daryl Carter Jose Castillo Grace Collins ’12 Jasen Eige Gwen Ellis Dr. Susan Epps Dr. Cerrone Foster Scott Galpin Dr. Allen Gorman Heath Guinn Kathy Hall Leighton Hart Doris Hensley Dr. McKenzie Highsmith Lucas Hitechew ’14 Brittany Hollingsworth ’05 Dr. Amy Johnson
Katie Jones ’11 Julie Keeton ’04 Lester Lattany Tammy Latture Laura Levine Allison Lowe ’08 Deborah Lowery Dr. Henry McCarthy Abraham McIntyre Matt Overby Landon Owen Kevin Peters Kelly Price Dr. Josh Reid Lynn Richardson Scott Robertson Erin Shores ’07 Josh Smith Harrison Wexler Lea Anne Wiles Dr. David Wood Cynthia Woodmansee Ginny Wright Dr. Subhashini Vashisth
2018-19 SUPPORT
as of June 30, 2019
the Roan during 2018-19; a 45% INCREASE from 2017-18
98 DONORS supported the Roan on ETSU’s first-ever Day of Giving – the most of any unit on campus
"The impact of those in this program who choose daily to invest in me could never adequately be measured, and the true nature of my thankfulness could never be articulated. I am moved each day by this, and I hope that my actions always reflect my desire to pay that kindness forward and make a difference in the world around me.” — Adam Rosenbalm ’21
$209K INTEREST INCOME from a total endowment value of $5.8M
$133K in gifts received from individuals
86.4% of each individual donor dollar in 2018-19
DIRECTLY SUPPORTED ROAN EXPERIENCES AND FINANCIAL AWARDS
ETSU CONTINUES TO MAXIMIZE THE IMPACT
of individual donations by supporting Roan administrative costs
THE ROAN NEEDS YOU The Roan continues to rely primarily on private funding from individuals and organizations that choose to invest in leadership. Financial support remains vital to fund (1) the scholarships that allow students to attend ETSU; (2) the unique out-of-the classroom experiences that challenge and inspire Roan Scholars as they grow and develop as leaders; and (3) special engagement initiatives that benefit campus and the community. Your gifts make a difference – not just for our students but for the region and points beyond. Join us to help future Scholars live out the Roan motto of "Leadership Excellence, Lifelong Impact." Together, we can continue to change lives – and change our world. Support the Roan today at: roanscholars.org/make-a-gift ROAN ANNUAL REPORT 2018-2019
FINANCIAL SUPPORT
293 GIFTS MADE to
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THANK YOU TO OUR GENEROUS SUPPORTERS The Roan Program is a community investment in leadership. We extend our deepest gratitude to all the individuals and organizations (including ETSU) who help us empower the next generation of leaders. Thank you to these generous donors who supported the Roan during this past fiscal year (July 1, 2018 – June 30, 2019).
*Dr. Jennifer Axsom Adler and Warren Adler Jeff and Beth Anderson *Andrew Johnson Bank Anonymous *Katie Barlowe ’21 + LCDR Allen ’05 and Julie Barnett (5+) + Dr. Philip J. Benfield ’06 Sally Gump Berryman (5+) Sharon and J. Rolland Boles (5+) *Casey Bonnell ’22 Chelsea Booher ’14 (5) *Morgan Munsey Boven ’19 Branded Inc. Tara and Matthew Burns
+ Dr Heather J. Cook ’04 (10+)
COL(Ret) Patrick J. Gagan
*Larissa Copley ’21
Dr. Linda R. and Al Garceau
Barbara A. and J. Mitch Cox
Dr. Patton M. Giles, Jr. and Regina Giles
*Jim and Mikki Culbert (P ’10) Joshua ’10 and Casey Culbert (5+) Anne and Steve Darden Ben and Ashley Daugherty East Tennessee Foundation (5+) Ronald G. Edmond *Elizabeth L. Edwards ’22 Edwards Ragan & Associates, LLC James H. Epps, IV *Dr. Susan B. Epps *Iris Rubi Romero Estrada ’21 David C. Evans (5+)
Lynn P. Brannon
*Addison B. Fairchild ’22
William H. and Sandy Brown
*Paige and Chad Fairchild (P ’22)
Dr. Bonnie L. Burchett (15+)
*Nathaniel J. Farnor ’18
Dr. Cynthia Burnley and Robert Riser
Dr. Kristin T. Farr ’04
C. L. Butler Len and Mary Ann Cadwallader John and Gail Campbell *Lisa and William Carmody (P ’20) *Logan Carmody ’20 *Mary B. Cavin Michael T. and Nancy Christian + Grace McCord Collins ’12 and Sean Collins ’12 Harriet Cone 28
Lori and Al Fatherree (5+) Kathryn L. Feagins *Robert and Jennifer Feathers Carol G. Ferguson *Jeff Fleming Avery Fly Max Fly Reid D. Fly *Dessi K. Foster Dr. Aya Fukuda ’06 (5+)
ROAN ANNUAL REPORT 2018-2019
Joanne W. Gilmer Maddie Gilmer ’16 Keely R. Goodwin ’06 (5+) + James Grindstaff ’17 Louis H. and Lucy Gump (10+) Louis K. Gump Warren M. Gump Mikki Glover Hale ’05 (5+) *Kathy and Duke Hall Dr. Erika Herrera ’14 (5) Erick and Ellen Herrin + Lucas C. Hitechew ’14 (5) *Caitlyn Holt + Victoria A. Howard ’15 Liz Hughes Bobby and Jean Hurt (5+) LTC (Ret) Scott Jeffress (5) Seth Jewett ’20 *Dr. Amy D. Johnson + Katharine E. Jones ’11 Dr. David K. Kalwinsky Julie Harless Keeton ’04 Linda J. Keller (10+) *Mark and Lindy Kinser *Jennifer Kline
Dr. Hal and Terri Knight (15+)
Jennifer J. Penley (10+)
Ann and John Tickle
*Michael Laposky
Kevin R. Peters
*Alan and Laura Levine
*Kathryn E. Phillips ’19
*Lisa Tickle and John D. “Spike” Tickle, II
*Cierra Linka ’21
*Ralph R. Phillips
+ Allison Lowe ’08
+ Sabrina ’10 and Chad Prosser (5+)
+ Sierra W. Lowe ’16
*Donald R. Raber
Janie and Ted Lyon
Daniel D. Ragan
*Lisa and Tim Lyon
*Austin S. Ramsey ’21
*Renee C. Lyons
*Melissa and Christopher Ramsey (P ’21)
Frederick B. Warren (5+)
Drs. Joshua and Erin Reid
*Zachary C. Warren ’20
Renaissance Charitable Foundation
Lewis P. Wexler Sr. and Lynda Wexler
Mahoney’s Outfitters *Annie Malcolm ’19 Taylor A. Martin ’17 Barbara and Andrew Massimilla *Dr. Sean D. McAlister *Beth and Randy McCamey (P ’15) Meghan M. McCarthy *Connor McClelland ’21 *Brianna McCoy ’20 Dr. Richard and Vicki McGowan (15) Mooneyhan Family Foundation (15)
*Braden Trent ’20 *Malissa and David Trent (P ’20) *Mitchell G. and Dr. Dawn Tuell + Millie Robinson Tyree ’17 Dr. Carroll P. and Michelle M. Vance Joan C. VanEaton
*Clara G. Reynolds ’22 Brittany L. Robbins ’09 *Scott and Valerie Robertson *Adam T. Rosenbalm ’21 *J. Todd and Heather Ross (P ’20) Phillip ’09 and Liz Ross (5+)
Dr. Brenda White-Wright and Charles Wright Dr. Benjamin J. Whitt ’07 (5+) Samuel Hunter Wike ’18 William Austin Wike ’16 *Lea Anne and Dr. David Wiles
*Sydney Ross ’20
+ Caroline ’07 and Jason Williams
Lottie and Eric Ryans
*Katherine B. Williams
Jon S. See Drs. Joe and Erin Sherlin (5)
Dr. Susan Gentry Williams and Judge Scott Williams
Jim Sledge
*Carmen and Jim Wilson (P ’16, ’23)
*Ashley and Shane Smith
*Jackie and Jeffrey Wilson (P ’19)
Dr. Roy and Ann Nicks
Donna and Norris Sneed (5+)
*Patrick and Jeanne Wilson
Dr. Brian and Donna Noland
Linda J. Spence
*Taylor C. Wilson ’19
*Bruce W. Nutter (P ’19)
Dr. Allan D. Spritzer (10)
*Cynthia and David Woodmansee
Mandy L. Nutter ’19
Dr Paul E. Stanton Jr. and Nancy Stanton
+ Alicyn R. York ’15 (5)
Marc and Pin-Chia Murphy Dr. Wendy M Nehring *Angela R. Netherland-McBride and Michael McBride
Claire Oldham and George E. “Skip” Oldham, III *Joe Oliver ’19 *Taylor Osborne ’20 *Caroline J. Parris ’22 *Courtney and Chad Parris (P’ 22) *Shivam G. Patel ’22 Matthew T. Pencarinha ’14 (5)
Robin M. and Robert York (P ’15)
Melissa Steagall-Jones and Jeff Jones *Janet Bernice Stork Drs. William and Mary Kay Sullivan Nita and Rab Summers *McKenzie Templeton ’22 Eva and Daryl Thompson
’XX Roan Alumni and current Scholars (P ’XX) Roan Parent + Roan Partner (special Alumni designation) * Denotes 1st-time donor in 2018-19 (X) Denotes 5 / 10 / 15 or more consecutive years of giving
East Tennessee State University is accredited by the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools Commission on Colleges to award baccalaureate, master’s, education specialist, and doctoral degrees. Contact the Commission on Colleges at 1866 Southern Lane, Decatur, Georgia 30033-4097, telephone 404-679-4500, or http://www.sacscoc.org, for questions about the accreditation of East Tennessee State University. East Tennessee State University does not discriminate against students, employees, or applicants for admission or employment on the basis of race, color, religion, creed, national origin, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity/expression, disability, age, status as a protected veteran, genetic information, or any other legally protected class with respect to all employment, programs and activities sponsored by ETSU. The following person has been designated to handle inquiries regarding non-discrimination policies: Special Assistant to the President for Equity and Diversity/Affirmative Action Director, 206 Dossett Hall, 439-4211. ETSU’s policy on non-discrimination can be found at: https://www.etsu.edu/humanres/relations/ppp04.php. ETSU-ROAN-0004-18 750.
ROAN ANNUAL REPORT 2018-2019
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NONPROFIT ORG
PO Box 70304 Johnson City, TN 37614-1701
ROAN SCHOLARS. THIS IS LEADERSHIP.
LEAD WITH US.
VOLUNTEER The Roan Scholars Leadership Program relies on a network of community supporters who share their talents, expertise, and time with Scholars. Learn more about volunteer opportunities by contacting us at roanscholars@etsu.edu.
INVEST Make a gift online at roanscholars.org/give, or contact Dessi Foster (fosterdk@etsu.edu; 423-439-5125).
JOIN THE CONVERSATION roanscholars@etsu.edu roanscholars.org @roanscholars
“From the bottom of my heart, I feel indebted to the entire Roan program and everyone who has had a part in my experience as a college student. I will do my best to repay this debt by practicing impactful leadership, encouraging future leaders, and supporting the program for years to come.” —Mandy Nutter ’19
