Appalachian Today

App State marks its 125th year with strong enrollment

Boone campus population held steady for 5th consecutive year as Hickory campus and online enrollment continue growth

Sep. 6, 2024

App State marks its 125th year by enrolling 21,570 students in fall 2024, a 1.5% increase over last fall. The steady growth is supported by intentionally managed enrollment at the Boone campus and significant growth in both the Hickory campus and online student populations.

5 Watauga High graduates awarded App State’s New River Light and Power Scholarship
Sep. 13, 2024
Five first-year App State students, all graduates of Watauga High School, have been named the 2024–25 recipients of App State’s New River Light and Power Scholarship. Established in 1988, the scholarship supports Watauga County students pursuing higher education at App State.
App State’s Dr. Maggie Sugg awarded over $1.5 million to study climate disasters and youth mental health
Sep. 10, 2024
Dr. Maggie Sugg, associate professor and honors director in App State’s Department of Geography and Planning, has been awarded two grants totaling over $1.5 million to continue her research on how climate disasters impact youth mental health.
App State awarded $35 million grant to expand GEAR UP college access program
Largest grant in university history will provide college and career services to thousands of middle and high school students
Sep. 3, 2024
The U.S. Department of Education has awarded a seven-year, $35 million grant to App State’s College Access Partnerships to expand its GEAR UP program for middle school and high school students. The award represents the largest single grant ever awarded to the university.
New Transfer Guides help NC community college students pursue 4-year degrees
App State continues strong support for transfer students, expands Aspire Appalachian program
Aug. 22, 2024
The path for community college students and graduates to transfer to one of NC’s 16 public universities has been made easier. Nearly 1,400 new Transfer Guides provide advisors and students with key information on admissions, course equivalencies and academic programs.
App State students settle into Boone campus residence halls for fall 2024
Aug. 16, 2024
On Aug. 13, new and returning Mountaineer students began moving into their Boone campus residence halls, in preparation for the first day of fall 2024 classes at App State on Monday, Aug. 19. By Aug. 18, more than 6,000 students will have settled into their App State homes.
App State honors Dr. Gail Donaldson, Dr. Cathy Marcum with inaugural Departmental Leadership Awards
Aug. 15, 2024
App State has honored Dr. Gail Donaldson and Dr. Cathy Marcum with Departmental Leadership Awards for their exemplary contributions to App State’s academic community. Chair Donaldson received the Distinguished Leadership Award, and Chair Marcum received the Emerging Leader Award.

At App State’s Camp Jean Rankin, youth practice speech skills in fun, interactive settings

Aug. 29, 2024

Ten adolescents and teens from across the Southeast and Midwest attended App State’s second annual Camp Jean Rankin this summer, which provides unique opportunities for youth who stutter to learn fluency and self-empowerment skills and to enjoy High Country activities.

Events

Sep
20
Appalachian Symphony Band/Appalachian Wind Ensemble: LIFT-OFF!
Hayes School of Music
Friday, Sept. 20, 2024
8 - 9:30 p.m.
In the first concert of the season, the bands - conducted by Dr. John Ross and Dr. Jason Gardner - present music including Symphony No. 3 by Vittorio Giannini and LIFT-OFF! by App State faculty composer Dr. Roger Zare. Zare’s piece was written when NASA was returning the Space Shuttle to flight in 2005 and is a celebration of human space exploration. The concert features solos by App State faculty Dr. Brady Spitz (marimba) and Dr. Jimmy Stokes (trumpet).
Sep
22
Folk Music as an Expression of Culture: Talks with Acoustic Demonstrations
High Country Humanities
Sunday, Sept. 22, 2024
2:45 - 4 p.m.
Join App State faculty members for folk music demonstrations and listen and learn to identify the defining characteristics of folk genres. Dr. Laurie Semmes will speak about the bandura, the national instrument of Ukraine, and Mark Freed will present on Appalachian folk music. Following these presentations, Dr. Jacob Kopcienski will lead an audience question-and-answer session. Free and open to the public.
Sep
22
National Hispanic Heritage Month Concert
Hayes School of Music
Sunday, Sept. 22, 2024
4 p.m.
The Hayes School of Music is celebrating National Hispanic Heritage Month, which celebrates the history and culture of Hispanic and Latino Americans. National Hispanic Heritage Month began as a week-long commemoration in 1968 during the presidency of Lyndon Johnson and later expanded to a month when it was signed into law by President Ronald Reagan in 1988. We continue to celebrate the rich musical heritage of the broader Spanish speaking world — Spain, Mexico, the Caribbean, and Central and South America.
Sep
24
Common Reading Program Keynote Address: An Evening with Author Hope Jahren
Common Reading Program
Tuesday, Sept. 24, 2024
7 p.m.
The Common Reading Program is delighted to offer “The Story of More: How We Got to Climate Change and Where to Go from Here,” from acclaimed scientist and author Hope Jahren, as the university’s common reading book for the 2024-2025 academic year. In “The Story of More,” Jahren uses her signature engaging, accessible and sensible style to expand awareness and understanding of the causes and challenges of the climate crisis.
Sep
26
Founders Day 2024
Celebrating 125 years
Thursday, Sept. 26, 2024
A tradition celebrated each fall to honor App State’s founders and the first day of classes in 1899.
Oct
21
↓
→
27
Homecoming 2024
Oct. 21 - 27, 2024
Make your plans to be in the High Country for Homecoming 2024. The fun lasts all week long and culminates with the App State football game on Saturday, October 26. Break out your black and gold — there will be events for all Mountaineers!

View more events

News & Features

View more news and features

In the News

The Solar-Car Competition That Has EV Recruiters Buzzing
The Wall Street Journal
Rational Choice Theory [faculty featured]
MoneyGeek
Celebrating Eric Foxx's 35 Years at WBIR [alumni featured]
WBIR
Creating Community for Vets at Rural Colleges [faculty featured]
Inside Higher Ed
App State is in the game
Watauga Democrat
Federal infrastructure funding is fueling a push to remove dams and restore river habitat [faculty featured]
Associated Press

View more in the news

Research & Arts

View more research and arts

Awards & Honors

View more awards and honors

Webcams

View more webcams

Speakers Bureau

Are you interested in engaging a member of Appalachian's faculty or staff for a news media interview or a speaking engagement? Find speakers bureau members’ biographies, list of topics they can discuss, links to their research and more.

Search the database

App State partners with 27 NC community colleges to expand Aspire Appalachian program

Aspire is a seamless pathway for transfer students to complete their degrees at App State

July 30, 2024

In support of transfer student success, App State has expanded its Aspire Appalachian program, securing new and renewed partnerships with 27 NC community colleges. Aspire provides a streamlined path for students at partner community colleges to complete their bachelor's degrees at App State.

University Communications
ASU Box 32153
Boone, NC 28608
828-262-6156
ucomm@appstate.edu

Abouts

Disclaimer | EO Policy | Accessibility | Website manager: montaldipa (beltmr) .. | Website Feedback

Featured stories

Featured stories and events