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App State cuts ribbon on first Connect NC Bond-funded project

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Cutting the ribbon at the Leon Levine Hall of Health Sciences are, from left, Appalachian Provost and Executive Vice Chancellor Darrell Kruger; Student Government Association President DeJon Milbourne; Appalachian Regional Healthcare System CEO Chuck Mantooth; Dr. Marie Huff, dean of the Beaver College of Health Sciences; Tom Lawrence, executive director of the Leon Levine Foundation; University of North Carolina President Margaret Spellings; Appalachian State University Chancellor Dr. Sheri Everts; N.C. House Rep. Nelson Dollar; University of North Carolina Board of Governors member C. Philip Byers; Vickie Beaver; Don Beaver; and Appalachian State University Board of Trustees Chair James M. Barnes. Photo by Marie Freeman

By Elisabeth Wall
Posted Sep. 21, 2018 at 7:32 p.m.

BOONE, N.C. — Appalachian State University cut the ribbon on the Connect NC Bond’s first completed project on Friday, Sept. 21. The Leon Levine Hall of Health Sciences building was completed on time and on budget. Levine Hall is Appalachian’s newest and largest academic building to date, and its design facilitates innovative and collaborative learning for thousands of students.

The five-story, 203,000-square-foot Levine Hall was the first project funded by the Connect NC Bond, a bond approved by the citizens of North Carolina in 2016 by a 2-to-1 margin.

University of North Carolina President Margaret Spellings, who attended the ceremony, said, “I know Appalachian State and all of those who study in Levine Hall will continue paying back North Carolinian voters with their impact and accomplishments for years to come.”

“When voters approved this project in 2016, they entrusted Appalachian with a significant responsibility,” Chancellor Sheri Everts said. “We are so pleased to be able to rise to this challenge by facilitating a response to the critical health care needs in the rural areas of our state.”

The facility will enable Appalachian to graduate more professionals in health sciences, one of the identified critical workforce areas for North Carolina.

The 1 p.m. ceremony included tours, speeches, music and refreshments for the more than 350 people in attendance.

In addition to Spellings and Everts, the roster of speakers included Executive Director of the Levine Foundation Tom Lawrence, University of North Carolina Board of Governors member C. Philip Byers ’85, N.C. House Rep. Nelson Dollar ’83 ’85, Student Government Association President DeJon Milbourne, who is a senior accounting major from Fayetteville, and Appalachian Provost and Executive Vice Chancellor Darrell Kruger.

The Leon Levine Foundation made a $5 million donation for the building and furnishings. In his remarks, Lawrence said the building was “so much more than bricks and mortar… Entire communities have needs that can go unmet simply because they call the remote mountains of Appalachia home. Of these needs, we know health care is one of the most critical.”

Appalachian’s leadership, he continued, had the vision to “build a state-of-the-art teaching and research facility focused on first-class health care. The Levine Hall of Health Sciences will serve as space for bright, energized students to convene during their time at ASU ... as they help create a responsive, clinical and community approach to rural health care.”

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Chancellor Sheri Everts told the crowd gathered for the official opening of the Levine Hall of Health Sciences, “Here, in this beautiful space, we are preparing well-educated and highly qualified professionals to improve the physical, emotional and social health of the citizens of our state.” Photo by Chase Reynolds

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(L-R) President and Director of the Levine Foundation Board of Directors Larry Polsky, Dale Polsky, Vickie Beaver and Don Beaver at the opening reception, Thursday, Sept. 20. Photo by Marie Freeman

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At a celebratory reception in the grand lobby of the Levine Hall of Health Sciences on Thursday, Sept. 20, Chancellor Sheri Everts, center, embraces Student Government Association (SGA) President DeJon Milbourne, left, and SGA Vice President Brigitte Kelly. Photo by Marie Freeman

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Executive director of the Levine Foundation, Tom Lawrence, addresses the crowd at the Levine Hall of Health Sciences ribbon-cutting on Friday, Sept. 21. Photo by Marie Freeman

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In the audience at the ribbon-cutting, pictured from right, are James M. Barnes ’84, chair of the Appalachian Board of Trustees; Don Beaver ’62 ’64; Vickie Beaver; and Appalachian Regional Healthcare System President Chuck Mantooth ’90.

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SGA President and senior DeJon Milbourne, of Fayetteville, addresses the crowd. Photo by Marie Freeman

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Past president of Alumni Council, Stephanie Billings ’92, visits during the ribbon-cutting at Levine Hall. Photo by Chase Reynolds

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Kathleen Rayman, chair of the Department of Nursing in the Beaver College of Health Sciences, visits with friends at the Levine Hall ribbon-cutting. Photo by Chase Reynolds

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Pat Rodgers, president of Rodgers Builders Inc., center in foreground at the ribbon-cutting. Her company was contracted to build Levine Hall. Photo by Chase Reynolds

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N.C. House Rep. Nelson Dollar addresses the crowd during the ribbon-cutting at Levine Hall. Photo by Chase Reynolds

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Dr. Dana Brackney, assistant professor in the Department of Nursing, speaks to Dr. Melba Spooner, dean of the Reich College of Education, center, and University of North Carolina President Margaret Spellings. Photo by Chase Reynolds

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University of North Carolina President Margaret Spellings addresses a crowd of around 350 at the Friday, Sept. 21, ribbon-cutting for the Levine Hall of Health Sciences at Appalachian State University. Photo by Marie Freeman

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Visitors stop in front of a plaque recognizing donors Don and Vickie Beaver. Photo by Chase Reynolds

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Don and Vickie Beaver with Chase Cross of Denton, center, president of student Yosef Club at Appalachian. Photo by Chase Reynolds

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About the Levine Hall of Health Sciences

The facility will house five of the six departments in the Beaver College of Health Sciences (BCHS) as well as the Wake Forest Physician Assistant Program and the Blue Cross Blue Shield of NC Institute for Health and Human Services. The state-of-the-art facility allows for interdisciplinary and cross-disciplinary collaboration and research in a location that facilitates a continued partnership with the Appalachian Regional Healthcare System.

Nearly 3,500 students are enrolled in the college, which offers 10 undergraduate degree programs and six graduate degree programs. Courses of study are organized into six departments: Communication Sciences and Disorders; Health and Exercise Science; Nursing; Nutrition and Health Care Management; Recreation Management and Physical Education; and Social Work.

With 33 classrooms and 27 laboratories, key features of the building include:

  • High-tech classrooms and laboratories designed for collaboration and problem-based learning.
  • Information commons and gallery.
  • Student leadership and success center.

Classrooms are designed for flexibility, with moveable seating and touch-screen and interactive technology. Spaces allow for lectures and working groups, face-to-face collaboration with instructors and students in the classroom, or long-distance communication with health care practitioners in medical or practitioner environments nearby or across the globe.

Among the 27 laboratories are:

  • A Public Health Lab, which allows for the study of major health concerns, with an emphasis on rural and high-risk populations.
  • Autonomic and Sleep Studies Lab.
  • Vascular Biology Lab outfitted with equipment to study the human vasculature, beat-to-beat blood pressure control and how the brain modulates heart rate.
  • Thermal and Micro-circulation Lab for investigating factors affecting human temperature regulations and blood flow responses.
  • Environmental Chamber used to test the effects of specified environmental conditions on physiological responses, performance and clothing.
  • Food Systems and Quality Foods Lab.
  • Nursing Simulation Lab.
  • Athletic Training Lab.

Touching hundreds of lives

In her remarks at a reception in Levine Hall on Thursday evening, BCHS Dean Marie Huff said, “Many of our graduates will build on what they have learned here today … They will be addressing public health concerns and solving global problems. They will be promoting sustainable health as they advocate for healthy food and clean air and water for our citizens. They will touch hundreds and hundreds of lives in positive ways.”

Provost and Executive Vice Chancellor Dr. Darrell Kruger quoted architect and educator Frank Lloyd Wright, who said, “The space within becomes the reality of the building.” Kruger continued, saying, “This space and what is within it is vibrant with the excitement of faculty and students who want to teach and learn in innovative ways to improve the health and well-being of others.” He thanked the citizens and leadership of Watauga County and the Town of Boone for their support and faculty and staff who have been part of the team effort in the project.

In his remarks, Milbourne said, “I want to talk about the impact this has on students and to express my thanks.” When he first visited the building, he recounted, “I said, ‘Wow. This building looks phenomenal.’ On behalf of all of the 2,500 students who are already [learning] here … when you think about their experience at Appalachian and then how they are being prepared to go into the community … it is really amazing.”

Byers and Dollar, who is the chair of the appropriations committee in the North Carolina House of Representatives, both acknowledged the importance of the support of the citizens of North Carolina who passed the Connect NC Bond.

Byers said, “This building symbolizes an important step in the future of this state,” and praised the North Carolina General Assembly and Dollar for his leadership with the Connect NC Bond.

Dollar recognized the leadership and vision of Chancellor Everts, as well as Appalachian’s former Chancellor, Dr. Kenneth E. Peacock, and spoke to the importance the college will play in providing health care professionals all across the state. He acknowledged those who are dealing with the aftermath of Hurricane Florence and the need for more medical care as made clear by the impacts of the storm.

The BCHS opened in 2010 and was named in 2015 for Donald C. Beaver ’62 ’64, of Conover, an alumnus and recognized pioneer in the health care industry. Beaver and his wife, Vickie, joined the chancellor and others on the dais.

About the Beaver College of Health Sciences

Appalachian State University’s Beaver College of Health Sciences (BCHS), opened in 2010, is transforming the health and quality of life for the communities it serves through interprofessional collaboration and innovation in teaching, scholarship, service and clinical outreach. The college enrolls more than 3,600 students and offers 10 undergraduate degree programs, nine graduate degree programs and four certificates across six departments: Nursing, Nutrition and Health Care Management, Public Health and Exercise Science, Recreation Management and Physical Education, Rehabilitation Sciences, and Social Work. The college’s academic programs are located in the Holmes Convocation Center on App State’s main campus and the Levine Hall of Health Sciences, a state-of-the-art, 203,000-square-foot facility that is the cornerstone of Boone’s Wellness District. In addition, the college supports the Appalachian Institute for Health and Wellness and has collaborative partnerships with the Wake Forest University School of Medicine’s Physician Assistant Program, UNC Health Appalachian and numerous other health agencies. Learn more at https://healthsciences.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, affordable education for all. 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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Appalachian Today is an online publication of Appalachian State University. This website consolidates university news, feature stories, events, photo galleries, videos and podcasts.

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Appalachian Today is an online publication of Appalachian State University. This website consolidates university news, feature stories, events, photo galleries, videos and podcasts.

If you cannot find what you're looking for here, please refer to the following sources:

  • Podcasts may be found at Appalachian State University Podcasts
  • Stories and press releases published prior to Jan. 1, 2015 may be found in University Communications Records at the Special Collections Research Center.
  • A university-wide Google Calendar may be found at Events at Appalachian
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