Gov. Lee: ETSU a 'great institution'

Lee was impressed with the tour, which he said focused on the health science facilities on campus.

“This is a great institution,” He said. “Today, we're looking at health sciences, at chemistry, at laboratories, at biology labs–those are incredibly important for many of the disciplines that are happening here and for the future of our state.”

Lee concluded the tour in the courtyard of Brown Hall, a building dedicated to biological science, physics, astronomy and chemistry, and one that is scheduled to undergo an extensive renovation.

Aside from Brown Hall, ETSU has been making substantial improvements to campus facilities in recent years, including the completed transformation of Lamb Hall in 2023, the ongoing renovation of Burleson Hall and the construction of a new Campus Center building and a new Integrated Health Services building.

Lee stressed the importance of these projects.

“This is a beautiful campus,” Lee said. “It has needs, and we're looking at those needs and the possibilities of investing and making this an even better place for kids, and adults as well, to get an education.”

The tour of ETSU’s campus allowed Lee to peer into the past, as well as see the endless possibility of the future.

“You see the old and you see the new. You see what can be from what is, and that's exciting to me,” He said. “There's a lot of opportunity to continue the transformation here. There's been a great deal of transformation already, but that needs to continue.”