Contact: Kristn Clark Fry/kb
February 25, 2009
NOTE: See http://photolab.etsu.edu/images/RoanScholars09/ for photos of the four new ETSU Roan
Scholars. For interviews on the Roan Scholars Leadership Program, contact Kristina Bullock,
program director, at (423) 439-7677, or Louis H. Gump, president of Impact Management and
program founder, at (423) 282-3933.
New ETSU Roan Scholars chosen for ‘Class of 2009’
JOHNSON CITY – East Tennessee State University officials have announced the newest members of
the Roan Scholars Leadership Program. The outstanding high school seniors selected for the Roan Scholars
Class of 2009 participated in a rigorous interview process with 55 other exceptional nominees.
Louis H. Gump, a Johnson City businessman and entrepreneur, modeled the ETSU Roan Scholars after
the Morehead-Cain Scholars Program at the University of North Carolina-Chapel Hill, where he was a
Morehead Scholar. Selection criteria are demonstrated leadership, character, intellectual curiosity and physical
vigor. Gump’s vision was for ETSU to attract and retain some of the region’s most promising young leaders
through this concept.
The Roan Scholar awards are based on performance and merit as noted in nominations submitted by the
students’ high school principals. Candidates undergo personal interviews by panels of regional community
leaders before being selected to participate as Scholars. The scholarship portion of the Roan Scholars
Leadership Program includes full tuition, room and board, and a book allowance. In addition, the Higher
Education Division of Dell Computer Corp. provides a new laptop computer and printer to each incoming
Scholar. Outside of the classroom, Roan Scholars participate in numerous activities with area leaders to broaden
their horizons and enhance their leadership skills.
“Congratulations to our newest Roan Scholars and their families,” Gump said. “They join our
accomplished current and previous Scholars in representing the highest level of leadership and character traits.
My sincere thanks and appreciation go to all area high schools and community members who have made the
Roan Scholars Leadership Program such a visible and vital component of East Tennessee State University. It is
truly gratifying to know that, over the decade since its founding, our Roan Program has attracted individuals
who might not otherwise have attended ETSU.”
The Roan Scholars Program admitted its first four students in the fall of 2000 and now boasts 37
leaders-in-training. With the forthcoming May commencement ceremony, 20 of these Scholars will have
graduated from ETSU, most having gone on to further their education through graduate and professional
schools.
ETSU President Dr. Paul E. Stanton Jr. said, “The ETSU Roan Scholars are shining examples of the
vision and purpose of this university. And, it is important to note that this is not ‘just’ a full scholarship, but an
entire leadership development initiative. Selection to the program is only the beginning for these exceptional
students who will actively participate in four years of planned leadership opportunities.”
The following students will begin their ETSU classes at the end of August after a full week of
challenging and stimulating leadership learning experiences, both on and off campus, that are designed to
improve self-confidence, emphasize teamwork and forge a bond among individual Roan Scholars:
Emily Kate Eisenhower – Cocke County High School -- Her parents are Wilber McKinley (Kenny) and
Debbie Eisenhower of Newport, and she is the first Roan Scholar from Cocke County High School. Her
leadership posit ions and honors include varsity captain of the cheerleading team, president of the Key Club,
vice president of the Beta Club, chair of Cocke County’s Youth Relay for Life, as well as multiple positions in
the marching and concert bands. She was the school’s Red Regiment Drum Major, Miss Cocke County High
School (4.0 GPA), and served as 2008 Volunteer Girls State Representative and 2008 Teen Board Presentee.
Eisenhower plans to major in biology at ETSU and ultimately become an optometrist. When not involved in
school, she spends her time volunteering and enjoys tennis, swimming, reading and church activities.
Cheyna Linzie Haas – North Greene High School -- The daughter of Thomas and Jody Haas of
Chuckey has served in leadership positions in the Spanish and Science clubs, Student Council, yearbook staff,
“Character Counts” and Mock Trial, and was a member of the tennis team, as well as co-captain and All-Star on
the cheerleading squad. Haas is an active member of the National Honor Society and Future Business Leaders
of America. In the community, she has participated in an abundance of activities, including March of Dimes,
Operation Christmas Child, Student Food Drive, Ronald McDonald drink can tab drive, peer tutoring and Good
Samaritan. Her honors include success in regional and state business law competitions, National Honor Roll,
Tennessee Scholar, as well as biology and Spanish awards. Regarding her career aspirations, she wrote,
“Science is my best subject and passion. I am interested in all aspects of DNA and the possibilities it holds for
the future of medicine.”
Craig Woods Mitcham – Dobyns-Bennett High School – The son of Kevin and Laura Anne Mitcham
of Kingsport combines his academic and athletic gifts as a student whose honors include National Honor
Society, TN/VA Scholar, All-Conference and All-Region First Team Soccer 2008, and (voted) Class of 2009
Male Best All Around. His leadership positions include captain of the varsity high school and ETSF soccer
teams, member of the school football team, as well as four-year Student Council representative. Mitcham’s
service involvement includes mission trips to Johns Island, S.C., and Honduras in Central America, and
working as a church volunteer, youth music leader, participant in Young Life, as well as children’s basketball
and soccer coach. He states, “My primary goal is to choose a path where I can make a difference, and the
career I choose one day will involve service.”
Shianne Grace Murray – Mitchell High School, N.C. -- Her parents are Jason and Syna Murray of
Bakersville, N.C., and she is the fourth ETSU Roan Scholar selected from North Carolina. Her leadership
positions include National Honor Society, Student Council, HOSA, Key Club, SAT Prep Club, and Drama and
Spanish clubs. Murray’s honors encompass Academic All Conference, Academic Letter Award, and recipient of
the President’s Award for Educational Achievement. In the community, her service involvement ranges from
the regional hospital and health centers to tutoring and church activities. Her school guidance counselor and
science teacher describe her as “a person who steps up and makes things happen; she inspires her fellow
classmates to reach higher levels of academic performance.” When asked about her most significant activity as
a student, Murray describes her hard work in preparing and launching the first regional Women’s Health
Awareness program. She plans to go into the medical field upon graduation.
In addition to Gump and Stanton, the Roan Scholars Steering Committee is comprised of ETSU
Provost and Vice President for Academic Affairs Dr. Bert C. Bach; Dr. R. Michael Browder, member of
the ETSU Foundation, past president of the ETSU Alumni Association, and CEO, Bristol Tennessee
Essential Services; Kristina Bullock, director of the Roan Scholars Leadership Program; Claudia Byrd,
Speedway Children’s Charities; Jeff Byrd, member of the ETSU Foundation and president and general
manager, Bristol Motor Speedway; John M. Jones Jr., editor, The Greeneville Sun; Tom Krieger, secretary
of the ETSU Foundation Board and retired president, Fleming Foods; Ken Maness, ETSU Foundation
member, Kingsport; Sam LaPorte, attorney, LaPorte & Norris, Elizabethton; Courtney Mauzy, business
entrepreneur and community leader, Little Switzerland, N.C.; Dennis Powell, past chair of the ETSU
Foundation and owner of Dennis Powell Body Shop; James W. Reel, ETSU Foundation member, past
president of the ETSU Alumni Association, and retired CEO, Jonesborough; and Dr. Brenda White Wright,
ETSU Foundation member, ETSU alumna, diversity consultant, and retired executive director, Kingsport
Girls Inc.
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Emily Eisenhower
Cheyna Haas
Craig Mitcham
Shianne Murray