2008 Woodie Awards
Vote Absentee
Stanton to stay through centennial
Holly Blair
Issue date: 1/28/08 Section: News
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Dr. Paul Stanton has served as president of ETSU for 12 years. There has been some buzz circulating that he would be retiring in the later part of 2007.
The Faculty Senate, representing the faculty at ETSU, expressed their wishes for Stanton to stay.
"I was honored and humbled by the Senate's request and full support for me to stay," said Stanton. "There was a lot to consider - health, family, my wife in particular, who was very supportive."
Stanton began his presidency in 1997 after teaching vascular surgery in the College of Medicine.
"I didn't come here to be an administrator," he said. "I came here to teach, but I would not change a thing. I have been very privileged to work here. I've enjoyed my time here very much."
Stanton has agreed to continue his role as president.
For the last 12 years, ETSU has seen improvements in facilities and departments. ETSU is the fastest growing public college in Tennessee.
"I knew our campus would grow through campus enrollment if we developed programs students wanted," he said.
With the architectural expansion of the campus, enrollment rising, and many programs expanding and developing, ETSU is a bustling place to be.
"This is a team approach," said Stanton. "I hire the very best people I can find, give them an overview of our mission and vision, wind them up and get them on their way. I'm not a micromanager. No one person can do it. It takes a whole team."
The College of Pharmacy is the first in the country to be privatized in a public college and is funded through tuition and donor money.
The school and Stanton had to convince the legislature and the governor to privatize the program.
When asked by the governor if the program would work Stanton responded, "I guarantee you it will work."
Two days later the program request was granted.
Tara Hanson is a student in her first semester in the College of Pharmacy.
"It is a great program. I'm so glad that this degree is offered here. I knew when I started school that this is what I wanted to do, I just didn't know then that I would be able to get my degree at ETSU," she said. "I can really appreciate the hard work that went into getting the program here."