Dula Day
Launched in 2019 in honor of the late Dr. Chris Dula, a well-known and beloved faculty
member, the inaugural Dula Day of Service was created in tribute to Dula's dedication
to the university and his passion for community service. In its first year, the Dula
Day of Service offered students, faculty, staff, and community members the opportunity
to give back to the region through direct, hands-on service. This annual ETSU tradition,
now known simply as "Dula Day," has expanded to include not only opportunities for
service and volunteerism, but music, celebration, and education in the heart of ETSU's
campus.
Dula Day: Saturday, April 20, 2024
Morning Service Projects | 8:00AM - 12:00PM (Note: Pre-registration is required and spots are limited.)
Join members of the ETSU community in giving back to organizations working to address hunger, homelessness, and housing throughout the Appalachian Highlands. Volunteers will receive a t-shirt to wear during the day's service and be treated to a light breakfast before heading out to their assigned non-profit sites. Following service, volunteers will return to main campus just in time to join in on the Dula Day Celebration!
Dula Day Celebration | 12:00PM - 2:30PM
In addition to serving, join us at Borchuck Plaza on ETSU's main campus for live outdoor music, connections, food trucks, and opportunity to hear from some of the non-profit organizations serving our region. The Dula Day Celebration is free and open to the public. Morning service is not required to attend the Celebration.
A Legacy of Impact: Dr. Chris Dula
Dr. Chris Dula, a beloved Psychology Professor at ETSU from 2004 to 2019, left an enduring impact. Not only did he excel in academia, winning awards like the Distinguished Faculty Award in Teaching, but he also contributed to the community as a musician with Kryss Dula and Friends. Before his illness, he penned a memoir, "Experiments in Life: One Man’s Transformation from Privilege to Pathetic, Penitent to Professor," aiming to inspire and support charities. As written in the 2018 Proclamation for The Dr. Chris Dula Day of Service by ETSU Board of Trustees, “Dr. Dula will always be known as a scholar who nobly embodies the entire mission of ETSU, from teaching to research, to public events.” ‘Dula Day’ continues his legacy, emphasizing service, giving, and love for all.
Dula Day would not be possible without the continued support and partnership with the Dula family, the ETSU Student Government Association, the ETSU Office of Leadership & Civic Engagement, and Volunteer ETSU.