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 Student Affairs at App State
Student Affairs at App State supports student success and well-being by fostering a culture of care, inclusion and engagement. Its mission is to develop lifelong learners and dynamic leaders through meaningful experiences that challenge and support students. Grounded in a commitment to care, engage and transform, Student Affairs creates a student-centered environment that encourages resilience, leadership, service and global learning. Student Affairs encompasses the following units: Campus Activities, Case Management, the Child Development Center, Community-Engaged Leadership, Counseling and Psychological Services, Office of the Dean of Students, New Mountaineer and Family Engagement, Off-Campus Student Services, Plemmons Student Union, Student Conduct, M.S. Shook Student Health Service, Student Legal Services, Student Veteran Services, University Recreation, and Wellness and Prevention Services. Learn more at https://studentaffairs.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, cost-effective education. 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.
