Uploaded December 2025 | Updated September 2026, 1 week ago
Ted R. Hughes, a native of Carter County and ETSU graduate, was named the 2025 Distinguished Alumnus in Public Service.
Hughes graduated from Elizabethton High School before attending ETSU, where he earned a business degree as part of the class of 1959. His strong connection to the university continued throughout his career and beyond.
A pivotal moment in Hughes’ life came on his 20th birthday when he received a $5 bill from his father, who passed away days later. Hughes has kept the bill as a treasured remembrance. After his father’s death, Hughes helped raise his three sisters on the family farm in Carter County, where he still spends much of his free time and is well-known for his tomatoes.
After graduation, Hughes worked for Clinchfield Railroad and later as a business manager and treasurer at a local architectural firm before opening a package beer store in 1973. He served as president of the Johnson City Jaycees and was named Johnson City Outstanding Young Man in 1975.
Hughes always remained active with ETSU, serving two terms as president of the ETSU Alumni Association. During his tenure, Hughes helped launch the university’s alumni awards program and introduced the first honorees. On Sept. 1, 1977, Hughes joined ETSU’s Advancement and Alumni Office, where he worked for 27 years, helping launch the university’s first $1 million endowment, the Committee for 1000.
After retiring in 2004, Hughes immediately became active in the ETSU Retirement Association, serving in multiple leadership roles.
Hughes credits his family with teaching him the values of hard work and service.
“ETSU was all I ever knew,” he said.
Ted R. Hughes, a native of Carter County and ETSU graduate, was named the 2025 Distinguished Alumnus in Public Service.
Hughes graduated from Elizabethton High School before attending ETSU, where he earned a business degree as part of the class of 1959. His strong connection to the university continued throughout his career and beyond.
A pivotal moment in Hughes’ life came on his 20th birthday when he received a $5 bill from his father, who passed away days later. Hughes has kept the bill as a treasured remembrance. After his father’s death, Hughes helped raise his three sisters on the family farm in Carter County, where he still spends much of his free time and is well-known for his tomatoes.
After graduation, Hughes worked for Clinchfield Railroad and later as a business manager and treasurer at a local architectural firm before opening a package beer store in 1973. He served as president of the Johnson City Jaycees and was named Johnson City Outstanding Young Man in 1975.
Hughes always remained active with ETSU, serving two terms as president of the ETSU Alumni Association. During his tenure, Hughes helped launch the university’s alumni awards program and introduced the first honorees. On Sept. 1, 1977, Hughes joined ETSU’s Advancement and Alumni Office, where he worked for 27 years, helping launch the university’s first $1 million endowment, the Committee for 1000.
After retiring in 2004, Hughes immediately became active in the ETSU Retirement Association, serving in multiple leadership roles.
Hughes credits his family with teaching him the values of hard work and service.
“ETSU was all I ever knew,” he said.
