East Tennessee State University is a public research university founded in 1911 in Johnson City, in the heart of the Southern Appalachian Highlands. Serving approximately 13,000 students, ETSU is known for its strong programs in medicine, pharmacy, public health, nursing, and the arts — the Quillen College of Medicine is a particular point of pride. The Buccaneers compete in the Southern Conference (SoCon). ETSU's mountain setting, strong sense of Appalachian heritage, and close ties to the region's health-care community give it a distinctive character among Tennessee's public universities.
