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App State names 20 inaugural Beaver Scholars committed to improving regional health care

View larger image

Appalachian’s inaugural 2019–20 Beaver Scholars with Appalachian Chancellor Sheri Everts, third from left in front row, Vickie Beaver, center, and Don Beaver ’62 ’64, third from right in front row, during the reception held for the scholars Sept. 6 in the university’s Leon Levine Hall of Health Sciences. Photo by Marie Freeman

“Thank you, scholars, for entrusting your education to Appalachian and for answering the call to strengthen health care in our state. You are already making a difference, and the Appalachian Community will be here, supporting you, always.”

Chancellor Sheri Everts

The 2019–20 Beaver Scholars
  • Jessica Bravo, a senior social work major from Conover.
  • Anthony Cangas ’19, an exercise science graduate student from Creedmoor.
  • Kali Cannon, a junior nutrition and foods major from Leicester.
  • Lexie Farr, a first-year nursing major from Granite Falls.
  • Bella Fiore, a junior health care management major from Raleigh.
  • Carson Goins, a first-year nutrition and foods major from West Stokes.
  • Kate Hoffman, a first-year nursing major from Mooresville.
  • Priscilla Holmes ’19, a nutrition graduate student from Traphill.
  • Andrea Mattox, a senior nursing major from Thomasville.
  • Alayah Nguyen, a junior exercise science major from Indian Trail.
  • Adriana Jose Soriano Nunez, a junior nursing major from Wilkesboro.
  • Sam Paquette, a first-year exercise science major from Mooresville.
  • MaKaylia Ray, a first-year communication sciences and disorders major from Hope Mills.
  • Christian Rodriguez, a first-year nursing major from Siler City.
  • Diana Sanchez, a senior exercise science major from Asheville.
  • Danielle “Dani” Shanley ’18, a speech-language pathology graduate student from Mooresville.
  • Chesnee Sheehan, a junior nursing major from Canton.
  • Cheyenne Sluder, a social work graduate student from Lexington.
  • Emma Swarts, a junior public health major from Clayton.
  • Stevin Wright, a junior health care management major from King.

View the scholars

By Audrey Gurkin
Posted Sep. 12, 2019 at 9:20 a.m.

BOONE, N.C. — This fall, 20 students in Appalachian State University’s Beaver College of Health Sciences (BCHS) started classes as Beaver Scholars, qualifying for scholarships of $10,000 per academic year. The first class of scholars for the endowed scholarship program was selected during the 2018–19 academic year.

A reception for the inaugural Beaver Scholars held Sept. 6 at the Leon Levine Hall of Health Sciences provided the scholars an opportunity to meet their donors, Don Beaver ’62 ’64 and his wife, Vickie Beaver — the couple for whom the college is named. The Beavers established the program with the goal of providing support to North Carolina students with a commitment to health care careers.

“Thank you, scholars, for entrusting your education to Appalachian and for answering the call to strengthen health care in our state. You are already making a difference, and the Appalachian Community will be here, supporting you, always.”

Chancellor Sheri Everts

In her remarks, Appalachian Chancellor Sheri Everts thanked the Beavers, stating, “Programs like Beaver Scholars create opportunities for our students to earn an exceptional Appalachian education and to make real and powerful differences in their communities and beyond. For these students, that means advancing the health and well-being of our state’s citizens by increasing the numbers of critical health care personnel in communities that need it most.”

The scholarships, endowed by the Beavers in spring 2019, are awarded to undergraduate and graduate students majoring in health-focused programs, with priority given to students who demonstrate a strong commitment to improving health care in the region. The scholarship is renewable as long as the recipient meets academic standards established by the college.

“I wouldn’t be here today if it wasn’t for Appalachian,” Don Beaver shared. “During my senior year, I took an office practice course that included an internship program at Watauga Hospital and that led me to my career in the long-term care field.”

View larger image

Lexie Farr, a first-year nursing major from Caldwell County, second from left, greets Don Beaver ’62 ’64, far right, and his wife, Vickie Beaver — the benefactors of the Beaver Scholars program — during the reception for the Beaver Scholars held Sept. 6 in Appalachian’s Leon Levine Hall of Health Sciences. Photo by Audrey Gurkin

Christian Rodriguez, a first-year nursing major, said receiving the Beaver Scholarship provided him with the opportunity to be the first member of his family to attend college.

“This is a big step forward for my family,” he shared. “This scholarship allows me to meet new friends and to expand my networking opportunities, and ultimately to achieve my goal of becoming a nurse. I’m very excited to be able to meet the Beavers and personally thank them for their support.”

“Thank you, scholars, for entrusting your education to Appalachian and for answering the call to strengthen health care in our state,” Everts said. “You are already making a difference, and the Appalachian Community will be here, supporting you, always.”

View larger image

Lexie Farr, a first-year nursing major from Caldwell County, second from left, greets Don Beaver ’62 ’64, far right, and his wife, Vickie Beaver — the benefactors of the Beaver Scholars program — during the reception for the Beaver Scholars held Sept. 6 in Appalachian’s Leon Levine Hall of Health Sciences. Photo by Audrey Gurkin

To learn more about the Beaver Scholars program and how to apply, visit https://healthsciences.appstate.edu/students/scholarships.

The 2019–20 Beaver Scholars
  • Jessica Bravo, a senior social work major from Conover.
  • Anthony Cangas ’19, an exercise science graduate student from Creedmoor.
  • Kali Cannon, a junior nutrition and foods major from Leicester.
  • Lexie Farr, a first-year nursing major from Granite Falls.
  • Bella Fiore, a junior health care management major from Raleigh.
  • Carson Goins, a first-year nutrition and foods major from West Stokes.
  • Kate Hoffman, a first-year nursing major from Mooresville.
  • Priscilla Holmes ’19, a nutrition graduate student from Traphill.
  • Andrea Mattox, a senior nursing major from Thomasville.
  • Alayah Nguyen, a junior exercise science major from Indian Trail.
  • Adriana Jose Soriano Nunez, a junior nursing major from Wilkesboro.
  • Sam Paquette, a first-year exercise science major from Mooresville.
  • MaKaylia Ray, a first-year communication sciences and disorders major from Hope Mills.
  • Christian Rodriguez, a first-year nursing major from Siler City.
  • Diana Sanchez, a senior exercise science major from Asheville.
  • Danielle “Dani” Shanley ’18, a speech-language pathology graduate student from Mooresville.
  • Chesnee Sheehan, a junior nursing major from Canton.
  • Cheyenne Sluder, a social work graduate student from Lexington.
  • Emma Swarts, a junior public health major from Clayton.
  • Stevin Wright, a junior health care management major from King.

View the scholars

What do you think?

Share your feedback on this story.

Appalachian’s Beaver Scholars program aims to improve health care in region and beyond
Appalachian’s Beaver Scholars program aims to improve health care in region and beyond
Feb. 1, 2019

Beginning fall 2019, the program will provide support to 20 North Carolina students in Appalachian’s Beaver College of Health Sciences who have made a commitment to health care careers.

Read the story

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.

“Thank you, scholars, for entrusting your education to Appalachian and for answering the call to strengthen health care in our state. You are already making a difference, and the Appalachian Community will be here, supporting you, always.”

Chancellor Sheri Everts

The 2019–20 Beaver Scholars
  • Jessica Bravo, a senior social work major from Conover.
  • Anthony Cangas ’19, an exercise science graduate student from Creedmoor.
  • Kali Cannon, a junior nutrition and foods major from Leicester.
  • Lexie Farr, a first-year nursing major from Granite Falls.
  • Bella Fiore, a junior health care management major from Raleigh.
  • Carson Goins, a first-year nutrition and foods major from West Stokes.
  • Kate Hoffman, a first-year nursing major from Mooresville.
  • Priscilla Holmes ’19, a nutrition graduate student from Traphill.
  • Andrea Mattox, a senior nursing major from Thomasville.
  • Alayah Nguyen, a junior exercise science major from Indian Trail.
  • Adriana Jose Soriano Nunez, a junior nursing major from Wilkesboro.
  • Sam Paquette, a first-year exercise science major from Mooresville.
  • MaKaylia Ray, a first-year communication sciences and disorders major from Hope Mills.
  • Christian Rodriguez, a first-year nursing major from Siler City.
  • Diana Sanchez, a senior exercise science major from Asheville.
  • Danielle “Dani” Shanley ’18, a speech-language pathology graduate student from Mooresville.
  • Chesnee Sheehan, a junior nursing major from Canton.
  • Cheyenne Sluder, a social work graduate student from Lexington.
  • Emma Swarts, a junior public health major from Clayton.
  • Stevin Wright, a junior health care management major from King.

View the scholars

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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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Archives

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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