BOONE, N.C. — Welcome events, classes, free popsicles and a few inches of rain. Fall semester at Appalachian State University kicked off Monday with a flurry of memorable activities.
Welcome to App events began Aug. 9 during move-in week and continued through the first week of classes to provide new and continuing students a chance to connect with one another and learn about opportunities on campus.
“With classes underway, it's been a busy and exciting week at App State,” said Chancellor Sheri Everts. “Classrooms, the Student Union, the library and Sanford Mall are filled with students, and the energy on campus is high.”
On the way to their first classes on Monday, students were treated to popsicles by members of the Appalachian Police Department (APD). “It put a huge smile on everyone’s face,” said Cashae Cook, APD’s diversity, inclusion and community engagement officer. “I think everyone on Sanford Mall had a popsicle.”
Students’ enthusiasm carried over into the classroom, said Heather Custer, a senior lecturer in App State’s Department of English. “It is really awesome to be in front of students again. There is a different energy when we’re together in the same physical space,” she said.
Custer acknowledged a difference in the perspectives of incoming students this fall. “This is a group who spent most of their senior year in high school online. I’m eager to get the students writing and interacting with one another,” she said.
Peyton Teer, a senior majoring in psychology, said he felt like a new student. When he transferred to App State last year, he took most of his classes online. “It’s definitely better being on campus,” he said, “I feel like I can engage more when learning in an in-person setting.”
Even the effects of Tropical Depression Fred, which brought flash flooding to the area, did not dampen spirits. Rowen Todd, a first-year recreation management major, and Boone native, said the bridge in his backyard was covered with water, “which has happened only twice in my lifetime,” but that he was “absolutely prepared” with an umbrella and rain jacket.
On campus, Rankin Science Building and Edwin Duncan Hall experienced some flooding Tuesday evening. The environmental services staff from App State’s Facilities Operations worked overnight to mop, clean and restore the buildings prior to classes the next morning.
As a new student, Todd said the university’s welcome events — including Black and Gold Traditions held at Kidd Brewer Stadium and the late-night pancake breakfast sponsored by Campus Activities — helped him connect. Todd also attended the Club Expo on Sunday and signed up to join a couple of clubs.
App State students have more than 400 clubs and organizations with which to be involved — with offerings that include sports, diversity and academic opportunities.
App State’s Team Sunergy is one such student-driven operation. Team members had plenty to celebrate on their recent return to Boone after winning first place in the 2021 American Solar Challenge.
Early Thursday, Team Sunergy rolled App State’s Cruiser Class car, ROSE, into place in front of the B.B. Dougherty Administration Building on the App State campus. In a brief ceremony, Chancellor Sheri Everts congratulated the team members as they presented her with trophies won at the 2021 American Solar Challenge as well as the Formula Sun Grand Prix.
Complete with an APD escort, team driver Reid Kerr, a senior majoring in sustainable technology, took ROSE for a victory lap down Hardin, King, Depot and Rivers streets — sharing the campus celebration with the community.
Catch the excitement of the new semester in this photo gallery.
Heather Custer, a senior lecturer in Appalachian State University’s Department of English, welcomes students on the first day of class. Photo by Chase Reynolds
Cashae Cook, the Appalachian Police Department’s diversity, inclusion and community engagement officer, far left in foreground, passes out popsicles to students on Sanford Mall during the first day of classes at Appalachian State University. Photo by Chase Reynolds
Incoming students were greeted by Appalachian State University Chancellor Sheri Everts during the Black and Gold Traditions event held at Kidd Brewer Stadium Friday, Aug. 13. Students had the opportunity to learn the university’s fight song and other Mountaineer traditions. Photo by Chase Reynolds
During the first week of fall 2021 semester classes, Appalachian State University Chancellor Sheri Everts, center, led a brief ceremony to congratulate the university’s Team Sunergy as they presented her with trophies won at the 2021 American Solar Challenge and Formula Sun Grand Prix. Everts signed the team’s Cruiser Class car, ROSE, and announced plans for hosting the team at a ring ceremony — a first and considerable honor for the nine-year-old, student-managed team. Photo by Chase Reynolds
Complete with an Appalachian Police Department escort, team driver Reid Kerr took Team Sunergy’s Cruiser Class car, ROSE, for a victory lap down Hardin, King, Depot and Rivers streets. Kerr, a senior sustainable technology major from Greensboro, joined Team Sunergy’s mechanical team in 2018. Jessica Navarro-Luviano, of Mocksville, a senior sustainable technology major and Team Sunergy’s co-mechanical director, rode shotgun. Photo by Chase Reynolds
Makaley Caudle, left, and Ethan Parrish found a place to hang their hammock on Sanford Mall during the first week of fall 2021 classes at Appalachian State University. Caudle is a first-year political science major and Parrish, a first-year student, has yet to declare a major. Photo by Chase Reynolds
Tayo Olofintuyi, a first-year computer science major, makes music on Sanford Mall during the first week of classes at Appalachian State University. Photo by Chase Reynolds
Nevaeh Knox, a first-year finance and banking major from Charlotte, left in foreground, moves into Appalachian State University’s Newland Hall, assisted by her family. In total, 6,200 students moved into App State’s on-campus residence halls during the fall 2021 move-in week. Photo by Chase Reynolds
Peyton Teer, a senior majoring in psychology, transferred to Appalachian State University last year, when many classes were held online due to the COVID-19 pandemic. He said he feels like a “new student” this year and is looking forward to learning in an in-person setting. Photo by Chase Reynolds
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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.
