BOONE—Dr. Brian Raichle will act as interim chair of the Appalachian State University Department of Sustainable Technology and the Built Environment beginning in July. Raichle, who had been assistant chair and professor in the department, replaces Chad Everhart.

Raichle earned his Ph.D. from N.C. State University and his B.S. from West Chester University of Pennsylvania, both in physics. Before coming to Appalachian in 2000, he held positions as visiting assistant professor of physics at Western Carolina University and as assistant professor of physics at Morehead State University.

“I’m looking forward to serving my peers and learning more about how the university functions,” said Raichle. “My goal is to advocate for the department and share our significant accomplishments and tremendous potential with the campus community and beyond.”

Raichle is both a teacher and researcher focusing primarily on renewable energy initiatives. In addition to securing numerous grants for the department, he also received the 2013 Fine and Applied Arts Outstanding Teaching Award.

“Brian is dedicated to serving the department and has established a wonderful working relationship with the faculty as assistant chair,” remarked Phyllis Kloda, dean of the College of Fine and Applied Arts. “Under his leadership, the department will continue to flourish with innovative initiatives both in the classroom and through faculty research and scholarship.”

About Sustainable Technology and the Built Environment

Appalachian’s Department of Sustainable Technology and the Built Environment features an integrated array of programs spanning the fields of sustainable design and technology. Its mission is to foster a strong and vibrant culture of inquiry, discovery and innovation that integrates theory with application, problem seeking with problem solving, local issues with global perspectives and technological progress with environmental stewardship.

The department offers bachelor’s degrees in sustainable technology and building science, and a master’s degree in technology. It is one of seven departments housed in the College of Fine and Applied Arts. To learn more, visit http://tec.appstate.edu.

About Appalachian State University

As a premier public institution, Appalachian State University prepares students to lead purposeful lives. App State is one of 17 campuses in the University of North Carolina System, with a national reputation for innovative teaching and opening access to a high-quality, cost-effective education. The university enrolls more than 21,000 students, has a low student-to-faculty ratio and offers more than 150 undergraduate and 80 graduate majors at its Boone and Hickory campuses and through App State Online. Learn more at https://www.appstate.edu.

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