For Immediate Release
ETSU announces Ethan S. Bain Environmental Health Foundation Scholarship
Nassau, Bahamas, June 29, 2020—A new endowed scholarship in memory of East Tennessee State University alumnus and Bahamian environmentalist Ethan S. Bain was recently established to assist students from The Bahamas and the Caribbean to pursue studies in the field of environmental health at ETSU’s College of Public Health.
Local non-profit group Ethan S. Bain Environmental Health Foundation worked closely with ETSU to establish the scholarship for undergraduate students who are dedicated to carrying on Bain’s commitment to the fields of environmental health and public health.
“Ethan was a true nationalist and an environmentalist at heart. He cared deeply about the cleanliness of the environment in the Bahamas and took great pride in his work in the field of environmental health. Ethan often spoke about seeing Bahamians further their education and excel in the field,” said Jacqueline Bain, ETSU alumna and the founder of the Ethan S. Bain Environmental Health Foundation.
“This partnership to provide scholarship opportunities for students from the Caribbean to study environmental health sciences is a significant part of continuing my husband’s legacy. We are encouraging students from the region, and particularly those from his native Bahamas, to take advantage of this opportunity to expand their knowledge and have a positive impact on their communities for years to come.”
Mrs. Bain is also appealing to the Ministry of Education and other entities to form partnerships with the Foundation to strengthen the scholarship for the benefit of future recipients in memory of the work started by her husband.
Born in Nassau, Bahamas, in 1946, Ethan Samuel Bain began his professional career in the area of preventative health care services after completing studies at West Indies School of Public Health in Kingston, Jamaica. He went on to earn a Bachelor of Science in Environmental Health from ETSU in 1980. Later, he completed a graduate degree from Florida International University.
He served as deputy director of Environmental Health and manager of Environmental Services at Bahamas Public Hospitals Authority before venturing into entrepreneurship. A pioneer in the field of waste management, Bain was one of the founding members of Bahamas Waste Management Ltd. and later went on to establish his own company, Solid Waste Management Ltd., before his death in August 2005.
As an environmentalist, Ethan Bain was an active member of the Bahamas National Trust and helped to orchestrate cleanup campaigns throughout Grand Bahama and New Providence.
“I am extremely proud of this endowment scholarship, both because it memorializes the life work of one of our esteemed alumni, and also because, by supporting young students who are following in his footsteps, it will help protect the environment for our Caribbean neighbors,” said Dr. Randy Wykoff, dean of the ETSU College of Public Health.
A pioneer in environmental health education, ETSU’s College of Public Health celebrated the 50th year of the accreditation of its undergraduate curriculum in environmental health in 2019. ETSU’s Bachelor of Science in Environmental Health was the first undergraduate program of its kind to receive accreditation by the National Environmental Health Science & Protection Accreditation Council (EHAC).
Ethan Bain is one of the program’s distinguished alumni who have made a significant impact in the field.
“Ethan’s work and legacy continue to inspire environmental health programs throughout the world,” said Dr. Kurt Maier, professor and chair of ETSU’s Department of Environmental Health. “This endowed scholarship will continue that work. We look forward to collaborating with the Bain Foundation to explore opportunities that can contribute to improving the health of people throughout the Bahamas, the Caribbean and the world.”
The first Ethan S. Bain Environmental Health Foundation Scholarship will be available in March 2021. Criteria and information about how to apply are available at https://www.etsu.edu/cph/student-life/financial/phscholarships.php. For more information about the Ethan S. Bain Environmental Health Foundation visit www.ethansbain.org.
# # #
