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At 8,430 meters above sea level, the high-altitude expedition team celebrates after setting up the world's highest operating automated weather station during National Geographic and Rolex's 2019 Perpetual Planet Extreme Expedition to Mount Everest. Among them is Appalachian’s Dr. Baker Perry, third from right. Learn more at www.natgeo.com/everest. Photo by Mark Fisher, National Geographic

2019: Key moments in App State’s 120th year

By Linda Coutant
Posted Dec. 23, 2019 at 11:23 p.m.

BOONE, N.C. — From the world’s tallest peak to rural communities around the corner, Appalachian State University celebrated its 120th year of educational leadership with continued excellence in teaching, scholarship and service.

And, how about those Mountaineers? App State's record-breaking athletics successes included football’s No. 20 ranking, wins over two Power 5 programs, a fourth consecutive conference championship and a fifth-straight bowl game win, as well as conference-pacing GPAs and graduation rates.

Revisit key moments in this landmark year — from Dr. Baker Perry’s research with National Geographic atop Mount Everest to install the world’s highest weather stations, to improved academic excellence at the Appalachian Academy at Middle Fork, a partnership with Habitat for Humanity, campus’s growing infrastructure and football’s winning season.

Appalachian ranks No. 1 in nation for highest number of NBPTS-certified alumni
Appalachian ranks No. 1 in nation for highest number of NBPTS-certified alumni
Jan. 9, 2019

Appalachian has topped the National Board for Professional Teaching Standard’s list of schools with the highest number of National Board Certified Teachers for the third consecutive year.

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Appalachian ties for top producer of Fulbright Scholars among master’s institutions
Appalachian ties for top producer of Fulbright Scholars among master’s institutions
Feb. 15, 2019

With four Fulbright Scholars, Appalachian ties with College of Charleston for the highest number of people receiving the prestigious honor in 2018–19, among master’s institutions.

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Appalachian and RISE sign paperwork for multiphase housing project
Appalachian and RISE sign paperwork for multiphase housing project
Feb. 15, 2019

The official signing is part of the multiphase, $191 million housing project that will replace seven residence halls.

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Appalachian’s first solar vehicle — Apperion — featured in 2019 Triangle SciTech Expo
Appalachian’s first solar vehicle — Apperion — featured in 2019 Triangle SciTech Expo
April 12, 2019

Apperion is one of more than 50 exhibits included in the expo, which showcases the state’s newest advancements in various technologies and scientific disciplines.

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App State researchers scale Mount Everest to conduct climate research as part of National Geographic expedition
App State researchers scale Mount Everest to conduct climate research as part of National Geographic expedition
June 14, 2019

Dr. Baker Perry and Dr. Anton Seimon were part of a multidisciplinary expedition that installed the world’s two highest weather stations (at 8,430 meters and 7,945 meters), examined soil samples and glacial lakes to better understand the range of life surviving on Earth’s highest peaks, and more.

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App State Police Department honored as NCPEA Law Enforcement Agency of the Year
App State Police Department honored as NCPEA Law Enforcement Agency of the Year
July 25, 2019

Appalachian State University’s Police Department was recognized as the Law Enforcement Agency of the Year by the North Carolina Police Executives Association for its Appalachian Police Officer Development Program.

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From foundation to roof — App Builds a Home takes shape during blitz build
From foundation to roof — App Builds a Home takes shape during blitz build
Sep. 26, 2019

App Builds a Home takes shape as 200-plus volunteers turn out for two days of construction. The Habitat home, built in partnership with Watauga County Habitat for Humanity, is located in Boone’s GreenWood subdivision and will be inhabited by the Barker family.

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App State celebrates Founders Day and 120 years of education leadership
App State celebrates Founders Day and 120 years of education leadership
Sep. 5, 2019

This year marked the second annual Founders Day celebration. It included dedication of Lillie Shull Dougherty’s statue, ringing of the Founders Bell and more.

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App State’s Academy at Middle Fork reports significant progress
App State’s Academy at Middle Fork reports significant progress
Sep. 10, 2019

App State announces new test scores for the Academy at Middle Fork that show significant progress over the past year.

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App State Caps Record-Setting Year By Extending Bowl Winning Streak
App State Caps Record-Setting Year By Extending Bowl Winning Streak
Appalachian State University Athletics
Dec. 22, 2019

Make it a perfect five for five by App State's quintet of fifth-year seniors. Whether the 20th-ranked Mountaineers were putting the ball in the air or scooping it off the turf, they extended their record-setting bowl streak and capped a record-setting season with a 31-17 win against UAB in the R+L Carriers New Orleans Bowl on Saturday night.

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Become a Mountaineer

Want to join the Appalachian Community as an undergraduate or graduate student? Apply today.

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What’s in App’s future?

We’re enhancing the Appalachian Experience — with a stronger physical infrastructure and five-year goals that further empower human potential. Get the full picture through a special website detailing our growth and change.

Learn more
Appalachian’s unforgettable 2018
Appalachian’s unforgettable 2018
Dec. 21, 2018

What a year! Revisit key moments that shaped this year’s Appalachian Experience.

Read the story
Favorite Appalachian stories of 2017
Favorite Appalachian stories of 2017
Dec. 20, 2017

Relive Appalachian’s great accomplishments and remarkable people of 2017 through the year’s most-read news and feature stories.

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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.

Become a Mountaineer

Want to join the Appalachian Community as an undergraduate or graduate student? Apply today.

Apply today
What’s in App’s future?

We’re enhancing the Appalachian Experience — with a stronger physical infrastructure and five-year goals that further empower human potential. Get the full picture through a special website detailing our growth and change.

Learn more
Appalachian’s unforgettable 2018
Appalachian’s unforgettable 2018
Dec. 21, 2018

What a year! Revisit key moments that shaped this year’s Appalachian Experience.

Read the story
Favorite Appalachian stories of 2017
Favorite Appalachian stories of 2017
Dec. 20, 2017

Relive Appalachian’s great accomplishments and remarkable people of 2017 through the year’s most-read news and feature stories.

Read the story

What do you think?

Share your feedback on this story.

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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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