Appalachian Today

At its fourth annual Awards of Distinction ceremony, App State honored 29 students, faculty and staff for their exemplary contributions to the success of the university and its community members — through leadership, teaching, service and more. The event was held April 28 on the Boone campus.

App State has been named a Family Forward NC Certified Employer by the North Carolina Early Childhood Foundation’s Family Forward NC initiative. The certification recognizes NC employers offering policies and practices that support the health and well-being of working families and children.

Since its launch in fall 2023, App State’s early literacy field experience program has served nearly 500 K–3 students with reading support across Watauga and Catawba counties. The program has also supported nearly 460 App State teacher candidates, who have gained hands-on experience working alongside their literacy professors in local schools.

A team of App State industrial design students, led by Department of Applied Design faculty Jimena Vergara-Sanz and Dr. Garner Dewy, is taking a human-centered approach to innovation. Using 3D printing technology, the team is working to design and develop next-generation prosthetic hands that are both accessible and customizable for users.

Professor Dr. Anthony Wilson — a two-time App State alumnus — leverages decades of industry experience to bridge the gap between the classroom and the runway, mentoring App State’s next generation of designers. Learn how he inspires his students to make a positive impact through their creative work.