An Appalachian State University student sings karaoke during WinterFest, held Thursday, Nov. 19, on App State’s Sanford Mall. As a safety precaution, microphones were cleaned between each use. Photo by Marie Freeman
BOONE, N.C. — Appalachian State University students took a break from end-of-semester classes for an outdoor WinterFest, Thursday, Nov. 19, on Sanford Mall.
On a crisp and sunny fall day, and over the course of four hours, students — wearing face coverings and physically distanced — snacked on free food, sipped hot cocoa, decorated collectible coffee mugs and participated in a variety of games, as well as karaoke and a scavenger hunt.
Appalachian State University students connected with each other and scored T-shirts at the Department of Wellness and Prevention Services tent during WinterFest, held Thursday, Nov. 19, on App State’s Sanford Mall. Photo by Marie Freeman
WinterFest was a collaboration involving many campus departments and several student organizations. The core planning team consisted of staff in App State's Department of Wellness and Prevention Services and Campus Activities.
According to App State’s Jeff Cathey, interim assistant vice chancellor for the Division of Student Affairs and director of the Department of Student Engagement and Leadership, the goal was to offer students an opportunity to celebrate the semester with in-person experiences — in a physically distanced fashion — and to send students off on a positive closing note.
“The day was a reminder of what it feels like to be a little closer to normal at App State,” he said.
Hatchet throwing — using weighted inflatable hatchets — was one of the activities available to students during Appalachian State University’s WinterFest, held Thursday, Nov. 19, on the university’s Sanford Mall. Photo by Marie Freeman
Appalachian State University’s Campus Dining provided students with snacks, including chocolate-dipped doughnuts, during the university’s WinterFest event, held Thursday, Nov. 19, on Sanford Mall. Pictured is App State junior Natilya Fletcher, of Charlotte, who helped prepare doughnuts during WinterFest. Fletcher is majoring in hospitality and tourism management with a minor in marketing. Photo by Marie Freeman
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About the Division of Student Affairs
The Division of Student Affairs at Appalachian State University is committed to the development of lifelong learners and leaders by engaging and challenging students within a culture of care and inclusion. The division consists of 16 units that offer activities and services to help students develop more fully by becoming global learners, fostering healthy relationships, appreciating diversity and different perspectives, understanding community responsibility, enhancing self-awareness, developing autonomy and living ethically. These units include the Career Development Center, Campus Activities, Office of Community-Engaged Leadership, Wellness and Prevention Services, Counseling and Psychological Services, Student Health Service, Parent and Family Services, University Housing, Student Conduct, University Recreation, Intercultural Student Affairs, Student Legal Clinic and Off-Campus Student Services, Electronic Student Services, Child Development Center, and Staff Development and Strategic Initiatives. Learn more at https://studentaffairs.appstate.edu.
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.
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