Appalachian Today

App State research at Fort Defiance pinpointed the footprint of the Revolutionary War-era structure and answered lingering questions that will help historians create an augmented reality rendering of the site.

Since opening last summer, App State’s Robotics Lab has expanded its research activities and student involvement, giving student researchers opportunities to explore how robots can learn, adapt and collaborate with humans in dynamic environments. The lab combines research in robotics, artificial intelligence and machine learning while also emphasizing experiential learning.

This summer, App State student researchers and Lumbee citizens worked side by side in Robeson County to unearth artifacts and assist in documenting ancient history. Led by Dr. Seth Grooms, the initiative’s ongoing tribal partnership with the Lumbee Tribal Historic Preservation Office continues as the students analyze their findings in App State archaeological lab facilities.

During an Oct. 12 event at the Hickory campus, App State recognized five community partners for helping the university expand clinical services, strengthen rural healthcare outreach and launch a new Doctor of Nursing Practice program in the Catawba Valley. The partners are Catawba Valley Health System, UNC Health Blue Ridge, UNC Health Caldwell, and the Caldwell Memorial Hospital and Golden LEAF foundations.

To mark the 40th year of App State’s Martin and Doris Rosen Outdoor Sculpture Competition and Exhibition, the Rosen siblings have made two significant gifts to the university that continue their late parents’ legacy of supporting the visual arts at App State: “Braid,” for the university’s permanent sculpture collection, and an experiential learning award supporting faculty and staff artists.