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Sophomore Hannah Bennett participated in the Instagram takeover in November to showcase her varied experiences on campus.

“Hey everyone! My name is Hannah Bennett, I am a sophomore sociocultural anthropology major from Concord, NC. I am involved in the Watauga Residential College, Club Council, Cru, and Child Advocacy Club. I am so excited to share with you how these opportunities and others have shaped my Appalachian experience. Stay tuned!” she wrote.

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Justin Cushman is a junior commercial photography major from Wilmington. His Instagram account takeover in April with stunning photography of the area proved a huge hit.

“As an aspiring photographer who focuses primarily on landscapes, night photography is a must. Luckily, the area surrounding Boone is prime for it. Areas like the Linville Gorge have very little light pollution making it an awesome location for Milky Way photos. The first few shots are of the Milky Way and the last few are star trails,” Cushman wrote.

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Lee Koonce, a senior risk management and insurance major from Raleigh, showcased the Appalachian Student Ambassadors (sometimes referred to as AMB), Sigma Nu Fraternity and Gamma Iota Sigma.

“Do you have a passion for both Appalachian and dedicated service? Lucky for you, today marks the opening of the 2018 @appambassadors application. It’s live now on appsync until next Friday at 5pm. Joining this group has tremendously impacted my professional development, as well as given me an amazing support system. APPLY NOW for the opportunity to join a fAMBly like no other,” Koonce wrote.

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Hayley Behm ’18, communication sciences and disorders major from Orlando, Florida, took over the Instagram account in May. In addition to showcasing commencement, she shared some photos from her study abroad programs, as well as club lacrosse, Watauga County Rescue Squad and Appalachian’s Honors College.

“I had the opportunity to study abroad 3 times during my time at App,” she wrote. “The first was a backpacking and whitewater rafting trip to Peru. This trip was the most challenging but rewarding experience I’ve ever had. With many unexpected challenges, our crew had to learn to work together quickly and support each other through whitewater far bigger than expected, sickness, and tarantulas larger than your head. I loved this country so much that I am moving there for 6 months to work with children with speech issues in January if everything goes as planned!”

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In June, new student orientation was underway. Mckenna Wild, a senior elementary education major from Asheville, headed up the takeover representing the entire Student Orientation Undergraduate Leaders (SOUL) group, which assists with orientation.

“Here’s a picture of the whole crew! There are 25 of us anxiously waiting to meet and work with incoming students! Being a SOUL is hands down the best experience😊😊,” she wrote.

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Maleek Lloyd, a senior electronic media/broadcasting major from Greensboro, had an active week with the account and showcased his study abroad to China, his experiences with AppTV and some of his photography of Appalachian’s campus and the Boone area.

“As an Electronic Media/Broadcasting student, I got the chance to produce and direct a student-run news program for @watchapptv. In collaboration with @theappalachiannewspaper, we developed ‘The Appalachian Update’ to give you guys the inside scoop on what’s happening around campus,” he wrote. “The whole crew isn’t pictured but you’ll see them in the fall semester on @watchapptv!”

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In July, Kali Smith, a senior environmental economics and policy major from Connelly Springs, followed Appalachian’s Team Sunergy as they raced in the Formula Sun Grand Prix and American Solar Challenge in Omaha, Nebraska.

“The race so far has taken us to many beautiful places, and it’s hard to believe we’ve made it so far in a car we built with our hands. Last week, the car had never turned on, and today it’s driving through its 3rd state, 1200 miles into a cross country race. Only 500 miles left.”

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Kiera Massi, a junior electronic media/broadcasting major from Charlotte, gave a behind-the-scenes look at campus programming, the Watauga Humane Society and a capella group Enharmonix.

“My favorite part about living in Boone this summer is being a part of the Summer Activities Team! I, along with four other student leaders, work under Campus Activities to plan and coordinate events for students over the summer! We are also responsible for using social media, posters, videos and graphic designs to promote programs created by various departments on campus! Some of our biggest summer projects include Boonearoo, hosting Campus Activities conferences, and coordinating Welcome Weekend events such as App-Z and Party in the Union! I’ve had a great time working with such wonderful people on this team and I can’t wait to see what the rest of the summer brings!”

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Samantha Lew, junior exercise science major from Clemmons, used the takeover to feature her involvement with Multicultural Student Development and ASCEND, a program in which incoming first-year students from marginalized backgrounds and communities are invited to move onto campus early, build long-lasting friendships and develop tools for success at Appalachian.

“Today is the last day of Ascend (*tears up*), which is a supplemental orientation program targeting first time ASU students from marginalized and historically underrepresented backgrounds. Our goal is to set these students up with the resources they need to succeed here at college. I am fortunate enough to be a mentor for this program and it is hands down one of the best things I have ever been a part at App!”

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DeJon Milbourne, a senior quadruple major in finance and banking, risk management and insurance, accounting and economics from Fayetteville and president of the Student Government Association (SGA), used Instagram in September to introduce key administrators and members of his cabinet to incoming students, as well as welcome back the students to campus.

“It’s been great to have this for a week, even if I’ve only used it a few days (who knew being president would keep you busy). I look forward to a great year, and if you ever needed anything, I always got you, my Mountaineer Family,” he wrote.

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This year, women’s athletics celebrated its 50th anniversary, and various students from women’s sports took over the account in mid-September to honor all of Appalachian’s female student-athletes.

“Hey, Mountaineer fans! This week App State Athletics @appstatesports is taking over the @appstate account to celebrate 50 years of women’s intercollegiate sports at App State. Join us all week long as we follow all of our women’s sports for an inside look at what it’s like to be a Mountaineer student-athlete! 👏⛰”

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Clay Fleming, a senior communication major from Coats, showed followers all about his involvement with Appalachian and the Community Together (ACT), Alternative Service Experience and the trip his leadership class took to the nation’s capital.

“As we leave Washington D.C., we are reflecting on the purpose of us going to this great city. D.C. is filled with leaders, trailblazers and dreamers. Each individual in the city had to start their dream somewhere and it took years of hard work to make it where they are now. Everyone at Appalachian can relate to this as we are currently working to make our goals a reality. We are all working hard to be leaders when we move past Appalachian. However, we must remember everyone that has helped us get there and appreciate them for their contributions. Being a Mountaineer makes us all connected, and we must maintain a willingness to aid in the growth and expansion of our fellow Mountaineers. Through supporting each other, we can ensure our own success as well as the success of the peers and leaders that inspire us each day.”

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2018 through the eyes of Appalachian students

The university’s Instagram social media account lets students show life as a Mountaineer

Story by Chris Grulke and Linda Coutant
Photos curated by Alyssa Rodriguez '20
Posted Dec. 28, 2018 at 2:45 p.m.

BOONE, N.C. — Student perspectives on what it is like to be a Mountaineer drive Appalachian State University’s account on Instagram — a social media platform for sharing photos and short videos.

This photo gallery reflects some of 2018’s most memorable posts related to why students love Appalachian.

Be the next student on Instagram
Be the next student on Instagram

Are you a student who has something exciting to share with the Appalachian Community? We want to hear your story!

Apply online

How Appalachian’s Instagram takeover works

One student is selected to run Appalachian’s Instagram account for the entire week, from Monday morning until Sunday night. Students must apply and are selected based on their level of involvement on campus.

The posts show a broad range of student experiences from among Appalachian’s 17,381 undergraduates — their different hometowns, ages, academic majors, and various interests and activities — so prospective students can see how they, too, might fit in.

“The idea is that prospective students are able to scroll down Appalachian’s Instagram page and think, ‘That’s me. I want to be involved in those same ways as a student at App.’ It’s about showcasing the Appalachian Experience from the students’ perspectives,” said junior Chase Newmyer, a supply chain management and computer information systems double major and an intern with University Communications.

Be the next student on Instagram
Be the next student on Instagram

Are you a student who has something exciting to share with the Appalachian Community? We want to hear your story!

Apply online

More on student life from students:

AppX podcast
AppX podcast

Thinking about joining the Appalachian State University student body? On AppX, our students share what life at App is really like. You’ll get the best advice on everything from where to live and what to eat to how to be prepared for the unpredictable Boone weather. Listen, learn and laugh along.

Learn more
Masters Matter
Masters Matter

Considering graduate school? Master's degrees really do matter at Appalachian State University! Get an inside peek into the graduate experience at App from our master's level students themselves. Learn why the master's degree programs at Appalachian stand out from those of other universities.

Learn more
Dave by the Bell
Dave by the Bell

University Communication’s own Dave Blanks wanders the earth over in search of answers to all of life’s questions ... great and small. OK, so he mainly stays on Appalachian State University’s campus ... he still wanders though ... and he definitely wonders as he wanders. Listen for silly asides and revolutionary revelations. Priceless.

Learn more
Appalachian on social media

See the list of official accounts representing university programs, departments and administrative units.

See the list

About Appalachian State University

As the premier public undergraduate institution in the Southeast, Appalachian State University prepares students to lead purposeful lives as global citizens who understand and engage their responsibilities in creating a sustainable future for all. The Appalachian Experience promotes a spirit of inclusion that brings people together in inspiring ways to acquire and create knowledge, to grow holistically, to act with passion and determination, and to embrace diversity and difference. Located in the Blue Ridge Mountains, Appalachian is one of 17 campuses in the University of North Carolina System. Appalachian enrolls nearly 21,000 students, has a low student-to-faculty ratio and offers more than 150 undergraduate and graduate majors.

What do you think?

Share your feedback on this story.

Be the next student on Instagram
Be the next student on Instagram

Are you a student who has something exciting to share with the Appalachian Community? We want to hear your story!

Apply online
Appalachian on social media

See the list of official accounts representing university programs, departments and administrative units.

See the list

What do you think?

Share your feedback on this story.

Share

Topics

  • Arts and Humanities
  • Community Engagement
  • Students

What do you think?

Share your feedback on this story.

Archives

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

The migration of materials from other sites is still incomplete, so if you cannot find what you're looking for here, please refer to the following sources:

  • Additional feature stories may be found at Appalachian Magazine
  • Podcasts may be found at Appalachian Magazine
  • Photo galleries and videos published prior to Jan. 1, 2015 may be found at Appalachian Magazine
  • A university-wide Google Calendar may be found at Events at Appalachian

What do you think?

Share your feedback on this story.

Share

Topics

  • Arts and Humanities
  • Community Engagement
  • Students

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Archives

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

The migration of materials from other sites is still incomplete, so if you cannot find what you're looking for here, please refer to the following sources:

  • Additional feature stories may be found at Appalachian Magazine
  • Podcasts may be found at Appalachian Magazine
  • Photo galleries and videos published prior to Jan. 1, 2015 may be found at Appalachian Magazine
  • A university-wide Google Calendar may be found at Events at Appalachian
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