The university was established as the Tennessee Agricultural & Industrial State Normal School for Negroes in 1912.[9][10] Its dedication was held on January 16, 1913.[9] It changed its name to Tennessee Agricultural & Industrial State Normal College in 1925.[9] Two years later, in 1927, it became known as Tennessee Agricultural & Industrial State College.[9]

East Tennessee State University is an accredited four-year institution located in the foothills of the Appalachian Highlands that is dedicated to improving the quality of life of others.  ETSU offers undergraduate and graduate programs in the arts and sciences; business and technology; education; medicine; nursing; public health; pharmacy; clinical and rehabilitative health sciences; and continuing studies.  The Bucs’ 17 men’s and women’s teams are part of the Southern Conference.