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Historic Gilbreath Hall on the campus of East Tennessee State University in Johnson City, Tennessee. The building served as the school’s original Administration Building and its named was later changed to Gilbreath Hall in honor of the university's first president, Sidney Gilbreath, who served from 1911 to 1925.

ETSU was founded as East Tennessee State Normal School in 1911 to educate future teachers. The school’s name became East Tennessee State Teachers College in 1925 and it gained accreditation from the Southern Association of Colleges and Secondary Schools in 1927. The school’s offerings expanded and the name was changed to East Tennessee State College in 1943. Finally, the school became East Tennessee State University in 1963. ETSU now has a College of Medicine and a College of Pharmacy.

In 1909, the Tennessee Legislature authorized three normal schools for the training of white teachers (one in each grand division of the state) and an agricultural and industrial normal school for African-Americans. ETSU was the east Tennessee school. The University of Memphis (then the West Tennessee State Normal School), Middle Tennessee State University (then the Middle Tennessee State Normal School) and Tennessee State University (then the Tennessee Agricultural and Industrial State Normal School for Negroes) were the other schools.

Historic Burgin E. Dossett Hall on the campus of East Tennessee State University in Johnson City, Tennessee. Dr. Burgin E. Dossett Sr. was the third president of the school.

ETSU was founded as East Tennessee State Normal School in 1911 to educate future teachers. The school’s name became East Tennessee State Teachers College in 1925 and it gained accreditation from the Southern Association of Colleges and Secondary Schools in 1927. The school’s offerings expanded and the name was changed to East Tennessee State College in 1943. Finally, the school became East Tennessee State University in 1963. ETSU now has a College of Medicine and a College of Pharmacy.

In 1909, the Tennessee Legislature authorized three normal schools for the training of white teachers (one in each grand division of the state) and an agricultural and industrial normal school for African-Americans. ETSU was the east Tennessee school. The University of Memphis (then the West Tennessee State Normal School), Middle Tennessee State University (then the Middle Tennessee State Normal School) and Tennessee State University (then the Tennessee Agricultural and Industrial State Normal School for Negroes) were the other schools.

Historic Burgin E. Dossett Hall on the campus of East Tennessee State University in Johnson City, Tennessee. Dr. Burgin E. Dossett Sr. was the third president of the school.

ETSU was founded as East Tennessee State Normal School in 1911 to educate future teachers. The school’s name became East Tennessee State Teachers College in 1925 and it gained accreditation from the Southern Association of Colleges and Secondary Schools in 1927. The school’s offerings expanded and the name was changed to East Tennessee State College in 1943. Finally, the school became East Tennessee State University in 1963. ETSU now has a College of Medicine and a College of Pharmacy.

In 1909, the Tennessee Legislature authorized three normal schools for the training of white teachers (one in each grand division of the state) and an agricultural and industrial normal school for African-Americans. ETSU was the east Tennessee school. The University of Memphis (then the West Tennessee State Normal School), Middle Tennessee State University (then the Middle Tennessee State Normal School) and Tennessee State University (then the Tennessee Agricultural and Industrial State Normal School for Negroes) were the other schools.

Historic Burgin E. Dossett Hall on the campus of East Tennessee State University in Johnson City, Tennessee. Dr. Burgin E. Dossett Sr. was the third president of the school.

ETSU was founded as East Tennessee State Normal School in 1911 to educate future teachers. The school’s name became East Tennessee State Teachers College in 1925 and it gained accreditation from the Southern Association of Colleges and Secondary Schools in 1927. The school’s offerings expanded and the name was changed to East Tennessee State College in 1943. Finally, the school became East Tennessee State University in 1963. ETSU now has a College of Medicine and a College of Pharmacy.

In 1909, the Tennessee Legislature authorized three normal schools for the training of white teachers (one in each grand division of the state) and an agricultural and industrial normal school for African-Americans. ETSU was the east Tennessee school. The University of Memphis (then the West Tennessee State Normal School), Middle Tennessee State University (then the Middle Tennessee State Normal School) and Tennessee State University (then the Tennessee Agricultural and Industrial State Normal School for Negroes) were the other schools.

Historical marker for East Tennessee State University in Johnson City, Tennessee (Tennessee Historical Commission Marker IA 101). The plaque reads:

EAST TENNESSEE STATE UNIVERSITY

Created by the legislature in 1909, East Tennessee State Normal School was built on land given by George L. Carter. Official state flag was first raised at dedication ceremonies on October 10, 1911. The school became a teachers college in 1925, a college in 1943 and a university in 1963. The Quillen-Dishner College of Medicine opened in 1978. Original classroom building was named for first president Sidney G. Gilbreath.

Historic cast iron drinking fountain in front of the Gilbreath Hall on the campus of East Tennessee State University in Johnson City, Tennessee.

Historic Gilbreath Hall on the campus of East Tennessee State University in Johnson City, Tennessee. The building served as the school’s original Administration Building and its named was later changed to Gilbreath Hall in honor of the university's first president, Sidney Gilbreath, who served from 1911 to 1925.

ETSU was founded as East Tennessee State Normal School in 1911 to educate future teachers. The school’s name became East Tennessee State Teachers College in 1925 and it gained accreditation from the Southern Association of Colleges and Secondary Schools in 1927. The school’s offerings expanded and the name was changed to East Tennessee State College in 1943. Finally, the school became East Tennessee State University in 1963. ETSU now has a College of Medicine and a College of Pharmacy.

In 1909, the Tennessee Legislature authorized three normal schools for the training of white teachers (one in each grand division of the state) and an agricultural and industrial normal school for African-Americans. ETSU was the east Tennessee school. The University of Memphis (then the West Tennessee State Normal School), Middle Tennessee State University (then the Middle Tennessee State Normal School) and Tennessee State University (then the Tennessee Agricultural and Industrial State Normal School for Negroes) were the other schools.

Historic Gilbreath Hall on the campus of East Tennessee State University in Johnson City, Tennessee. The building served as the school’s original Administration Building and its named was later changed to Gilbreath Hall in honor of the university's first president, Sidney Gilbreath, who served from 1911 to 1925.

ETSU was founded as East Tennessee State Normal School in 1911 to educate future teachers. The school’s name became East Tennessee State Teachers College in 1925 and it gained accreditation from the Southern Association of Colleges and Secondary Schools in 1927. The school’s offerings expanded and the name was changed to East Tennessee State College in 1943. Finally, the school became East Tennessee State University in 1963. ETSU now has a College of Medicine and a College of Pharmacy.

In 1909, the Tennessee Legislature authorized three normal schools for the training of white teachers (one in each grand division of the state) and an agricultural and industrial normal school for African-Americans. ETSU was the east Tennessee school. The University of Memphis (then the West Tennessee State Normal School), Middle Tennessee State University (then the Middle Tennessee State Normal School) and Tennessee State University (then the Tennessee Agricultural and Industrial State Normal School for Negroes) were the other schools.

Historic Gilbreath Hall on the campus of East Tennessee State University in Johnson City, Tennessee. The building served as the school’s original Administration Building and its named was later changed to Gilbreath Hall in honor of the university's first president, Sidney Gilbreath, who served from 1911 to 1925.

ETSU was founded as East Tennessee State Normal School in 1911 to educate future teachers. The school’s name became East Tennessee State Teachers College in 1925 and it gained accreditation from the Southern Association of Colleges and Secondary Schools in 1927. The school’s offerings expanded and the name was changed to East Tennessee State College in 1943. Finally, the school became East Tennessee State University in 1963. ETSU now has a College of Medicine and a College of Pharmacy.

In 1909, the Tennessee Legislature authorized three normal schools for the training of white teachers (one in each grand division of the state) and an agricultural and industrial normal school for African-Americans. ETSU was the east Tennessee school. The University of Memphis (then the West Tennessee State Normal School), Middle Tennessee State University (then the Middle Tennessee State Normal School) and Tennessee State University (then the Tennessee Agricultural and Industrial State Normal School for Negroes) were the other schools.

ETSU - D.M. Brown Hall (Science Building)

Carillon and Alumni Plaza on the campus of East Tennessee State University (ETSU) in Johnson City, Tennessee. The 48 foot tall tower was built in 2005 and features a 26-bell, two octave carillon.

ETSU was founded as East Tennessee State Normal School in 1911 to educate future teachers. The school’s name became East Tennessee State Teachers College in 1925 and it gained accreditation from the Southern Association of Colleges and Secondary Schools in 1927. The school’s offerings expanded and the name was changed to East Tennessee State College in 1943. Finally, the school became East Tennessee State University in 1963. ETSU now has a College of Medicine and a College of Pharmacy.

Historic University School building on the campus of East Tennessee State University (ETSU) in Johnson City, Tennessee. The building opened in 1928 and was originally called Alexander Hall.

ETSU was founded as East Tennessee State Normal School in 1911 to educate future teachers. The school’s name became East Tennessee State Teachers College in 1925 and it gained accreditation from the Southern Association of Colleges and Secondary Schools in 1927. The school’s offerings expanded and the name was changed to East Tennessee State College in 1943. Finally, the school became East Tennessee State University in 1963. ETSU now has a College of Medicine and a College of Pharmacy.

In 1909, the Tennessee Legislature authorized three normal schools for the training of white teachers (one in each grand division of the state) and an agricultural and industrial normal school for African-Americans. ETSU was the east Tennessee school. The University of Memphis (then the West Tennessee State Normal School), Middle Tennessee State University (then the Middle Tennessee State Normal School) and Tennessee State University (then the Tennessee Agricultural and Industrial State Normal School for Negroes) were the other schools.

Historic University School building on the campus of East Tennessee State University (ETSU) in Johnson City, Tennessee. The building opened in 1928 and was originally called Alexander Hall.

ETSU was founded as East Tennessee State Normal School in 1911 to educate future teachers. The school’s name became East Tennessee State Teachers College in 1925 and it gained accreditation from the Southern Association of Colleges and Secondary Schools in 1927. The school’s offerings expanded and the name was changed to East Tennessee State College in 1943. Finally, the school became East Tennessee State University in 1963. ETSU now has a College of Medicine and a College of Pharmacy.

In 1909, the Tennessee Legislature authorized three normal schools for the training of white teachers (one in each grand division of the state) and an agricultural and industrial normal school for African-Americans. ETSU was the east Tennessee school. The University of Memphis (then the West Tennessee State Normal School), Middle Tennessee State University (then the Middle Tennessee State Normal School) and Tennessee State University (then the Tennessee Agricultural and Industrial State Normal School for Negroes) were the other schools.

Historic University School building on the campus of East Tennessee State University (ETSU) in Johnson City, Tennessee. The building opened in 1928 and was originally called Alexander Hall.

ETSU was founded as East Tennessee State Normal School in 1911 to educate future teachers. The school’s name became East Tennessee State Teachers College in 1925 and it gained accreditation from the Southern Association of Colleges and Secondary Schools in 1927. The school’s offerings expanded and the name was changed to East Tennessee State College in 1943. Finally, the school became East Tennessee State University in 1963. ETSU now has a College of Medicine and a College of Pharmacy.

In 1909, the Tennessee Legislature authorized three normal schools for the training of white teachers (one in each grand division of the state) and an agricultural and industrial normal school for African-Americans. ETSU was the east Tennessee school. The University of Memphis (then the West Tennessee State Normal School), Middle Tennessee State University (then the Middle Tennessee State Normal School) and Tennessee State University (then the Tennessee Agricultural and Industrial State Normal School for Negroes) were the other schools.

ETSU - D.M. Brown Hall (Science Building)

Historic University School building on the campus of East Tennessee State University (ETSU) in Johnson City, Tennessee. The building opened in 1928 and was originally called Alexander Hall.

ETSU was founded as East Tennessee State Normal School in 1911 to educate future teachers. The school’s name became East Tennessee State Teachers College in 1925 and it gained accreditation from the Southern Association of Colleges and Secondary Schools in 1927. The school’s offerings expanded and the name was changed to East Tennessee State College in 1943. Finally, the school became East Tennessee State University in 1963. ETSU now has a College of Medicine and a College of Pharmacy.

In 1909, the Tennessee Legislature authorized three normal schools for the training of white teachers (one in each grand division of the state) and an agricultural and industrial normal school for African-Americans. ETSU was the east Tennessee school. The University of Memphis (then the West Tennessee State Normal School), Middle Tennessee State University (then the Middle Tennessee State Normal School) and Tennessee State University (then the Tennessee Agricultural and Industrial State Normal School for Negroes) were the other schools.

On March 5, 1963, Tennessee Governor Frank G. Clement (seated) signed the bill giving East Tennessee State College university status and changing its' name to East Tennessee State University. ETSU President Burgin E. Dossett is seen standing on the far right. Supporter and newspaper publisher Carl A. Jones stands immediately behind the governor.

In the spring of 1961, a fire destroyed the building housing the Pan-Hellenic program on campus.

On January 6, 1961, Dr. Sidney G. Gilbreath, first president of ETSU (then in 1911 known as East Tennessee State Normal School) passed away.