Thomas Bales knows what it is like to be the first person in one’s family to go to college. He knows the uncertainties and doubts, and how it feels to wonder whether opportunities available to honors students might also be available to him.  

Bales grew up on his family’s 40-acre farm near Greeneville, Tennessee, with parents who never went to college but were supportive of his dreams. Although he went through a tough time after losing his mother at a young age to cancer, he held on to his dream of earning a college degree.  

Bales quickly recognized that he had found something special at ETSU. Support from faculty, staff, and student leaders on campus helped him overcome his struggles by taking advantage of student activities and academic offerings he once thought were out of reach.  

He quickly got “plugged in,” serving on the Student Government Association, holding leadership roles in various student organizations, and sharing his love of ETSU with future Bucs as an Expedition Leader and a Preview and Orientation Leader. As an inaugural Student Foundation Ambassador, Bales spreads the spirit of philanthropy among his ETSU peers, alumni, and donors. He also dreamed of studying abroad, and this May, he traveled to Rome to study architectural history.  

These opportunities have made such an impact on Bales that he is pivoting in a new direction for his future. Whereas the senior political science major previously intended to pursue a career in law, he now wants to work in state-level higher education policy.  

“I’ve been a recipient of scholarships that make it possible for me to attend school,” Bales said. “So, how do we make it so that more people can go to school? I want to write policy to help people. There are so many things happening across our state to improve education, and I want to be a part of that.”  

Not only that, but Bales wants to be a voice for first-generation students now. And he will do just that as the 2026-27 Student Trustee on the ETSU Board of Trustees.  

“I have always wanted to be our Student Trustee here at the institution,” Bales said. “It is a goal that I never thought was possible.”

As Student Trustee, Bales wants to ensure the student voice is always heard, seek ways to add resources for first-generation and other need-based students, and serve as the students’ voice at the state level with the Tennessee Higher Education Commission and the General Assembly.  

“Someone asked me, ‘What makes ETSU special?’ I said it’s where dreams can become reality. It has endless opportunities. It opens doors that once seemed impossible, and it gives you confidence. It truly is life-changing.”