Northeast State homecoming week starts Monday

BLOUNTVILLE — Six decades of community college education in Northeast Tennessee are being celebrated throughout this week. Sixty years ago, Lyndon Johnson was president, American was in the middle of the Vietnam conflict, a new show titled "Batman" was a television hit for the ABC network, and what eventually become Northeast State Community College came into existence. Northeast State invites all alumni, students and faculty to join the 60th anniversary homecoming celebration that began Monday. The celebration brings together students, alumni, faculty, staff and the community for a week of spirited events and campus pride, according to a news release from the college. The celebration includes themed spirit days, student competitions, live entertainment and opportunities for alumni to reconnect with former classmates and faculty. Alumni are invited to share their favorite Northeast State memories on social media with the #NortheastState60 hashtag. The Spring Festival and Live Concert welcomes students and alumni to enjoy food, fun and sweet Bear merchandise 11 a.m.-3 p.m. Tuesday, April 14, at the Blountville campus adjacent to Tri-Cities Airport. Alumni and friends also enjoy a free concert by the Bluegrass, Old-Time and Roots Music bands of Johnson City-based East Tennessee State University. The Alumni and Friends Breakfast takes place 9 a.m. Friday, April 17, at the Northeast State Regional Center for Advanced Manufacturing in downtown Kingsport. Homecoming Week concludes with Alumni Night at the Theater, also on April 17. Alumni get tickets to attend the college's award-winning theater department's production of the play "Heathers: The Musical," staged at the Ballad Health Center for Performing Arts on the Blountville campus. Alumni can get tickets online at www.northeaststate.edu/boxoffice. Students are encouraged to participate in all events and show their school spirit throughout the week. Alumni and community members are invited to attend and experience firsthand the energy and growth happening across campus. Since its founding in 1966, Northeast State continues its evolution as a dynamic community college serving over 9,000 students. The college offers more than 130 academic degree and technical certificate programs at campuses in Blountville, Elizabethton, Gray and Kingsport. Northeast President Jeff McCord in an interview earlier this year said the college is looking back at its history this year but focused on the future with expanding programs and more modern facilities. For more information about the 60th anniversary and ways to get involved, contact Megan Davidson at mldavidson@NortheastState.edu, visit the 60th anniversary webpage at https://www.northeaststate.edu/60/ or follow the college on social media.