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8 aspiring health care professionals named App State Beaver Scholars for 2021–22

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Seven of the eight Beaver College of Health Sciences students admitted to Appalachian State University’s Beaver Scholars program for 2021–22. The scholarship — established in 2019 by App State alumnus Don Beaver ’62 ’64 and his wife, Vickie Beaver, the couple for whom the college is named — provides support to North Carolina students with a commitment to health care careers. Pictured, from left to right, are Freddy Luviano ’21, Stacey Thornton, Sophia Mendieta, Valerie Farfan, Courtney Greene, Adrienne Luceri ’21 and Kammy Kasher. Not pictured is Jonathan Farrior. Photo by Audrey Gurkin

“Programs like Beaver Scholars prepare our students to advance 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.”

App State Chancellor Sheri Everts

“As Beaver Scholars, these students enjoy opportunities to serve as leaders while networking with community partners.”

Beaver College of Health Sciences Dean Marie Huff

By Jessica Stump
Posted Nov. 10, 2021 at 10:45 a.m.

BOONE, N.C. — Appalachian State University named eight Beaver College of Health Sciences (BCHS) students as Beaver Scholars for the 2021–22 academic year. The scholarship — established in 2019 by App State alumnus Don Beaver ’62 ’64 and his wife, Vickie Beaver, the couple for whom the college is named — provides support to North Carolina students with a commitment to health care careers.

“Programs like Beaver Scholars prepare our students to advance 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.”

App State Chancellor Sheri Everts

“Don and Vickie’s generosity and vision have opened the doors to health care education for these exceptional scholars,” App State Chancellor Sheri Everts said. “Programs like Beaver Scholars prepare our students to advance 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 2021–22 scholars:

  • Stacy Thornton, of Chapel Hill.
  • Jonathan Farrior, of Rose Hill.
  • Courtney Greene, of Purlear.
  • Kammy Kasher, of Charlotte.
  • Valerie Farfan, of Charlotte.
  • Sophia Mendieta, of Charlotte.
  • Adrienne Luceri ’21, of Mooresville.
  • Freddy Luviano ’21, of Statesville.

“As Beaver Scholars, these students enjoy opportunities to serve as leaders while networking with community partners.”

Beaver College of Health Sciences Dean Marie Huff

These aspiring health care professionals qualify for scholarships of $10,000 per academic year. The scholarship is renewable as long as students meet academic standards established by the college.

Scholarships 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.

“As Beaver Scholars, these students enjoy opportunities to serve as leaders while networking with community partners,” said BCHS Dean Marie Huff. “They participate in college advisory board meetings and recruiting activities, serve as student speakers at donor/community events and mentor incoming students.”

This year’s scholars said the program's financial support has allowed them to focus on academic success and achieving their career goals.

Among the reasons the scholars chose to attend App State: the university’s “extremely kind and helpful” faculty and staff, its “beautiful campus and welcoming atmosphere” and its “pride in sustainability and inclusiveness.”

About the scholars

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Stacy Thornton, of Chapel Hill, is one of eight Appalachian State University students admitted to the university’s Beaver Scholars program for 2021–22. Photo by Audrey Gurkin

Stacy Thornton

Thornton, a first-year Honors College student from Chapel Hill, is majoring in communication sciences and disorders with a minor in American Sign Language.

Thornton said the opportunity for interprofessional collaboration offered by the Beaver Scholars program will allow her to better achieve her goal of becoming a speech-language pathologist.

As a graduate of East Chapel Hill High School, Thornton participated in community service through local organizations. She was also active in her school’s music program, serving as co-president of an all-female a cappella group, an all-female chamber choir and a mixed chamber choir.

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Jonathan Farrior, of Rose Hill, is one of eight Appalachian State University students admitted to the university’s Beaver Scholars program for 2021–22. Photo by Audrey Gurkin

Jonathan Farrior

Farrior, of Rose Hill, is a graduate student in App State’s nutrition program with a concentration in dietetics.

A first-generation college student, Farrior said his Beaver Scholars program support has provided him with “immediate confidence and encouragement to keep pushing onward.”

As part of a service-learning project for his degree, Farrior is volunteering at Boone’s Hunger and Health Coalition — an opportunity that has provided him with firsthand exposure to a population whose health is negatively impacted from financial insecurity.

“I’ve been fortunate to interact with these patients, offering them nutrition services that stand to benefit their health and management of disease states. The direct interaction is invaluable for my growth and progress toward being a practitioner,” he said.

For his graduate research project, Farrior will use geographic information systems to map all known locations of maternal health resources in North Carolina, he said, and complete a statistical analysis to determine gaps of coverage, or “hot spots” of inaccessibility.

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Courtney Greene, of Purlear, is one of eight Appalachian State University students admitted to the university’s Beaver Scholars program for 2021–22. Photo by Audrey Gurkin

Courtney Greene

Greene, of Purlear, is a first-year student majoring in communication sciences and disorders with a minor in American Sign Language (ASL).

As a Beaver Scholar, Greene is excited to meet and learn from new people, she said. “I will have experience networking with dedicated health care professionals, which will help me tremendously as an audiologist,” she added.

At App State, Greene is involved with the ASL Club and Child Advocacy Club, the latter of which helps support local foster care organizations and the Children’s Council of Watauga County. “I am able to give back to the community while also taking part in activities that I enjoy,” she said.

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Kammy Kasher, of Charlotte, is one of eight Appalachian State University students admitted to the university’s Beaver Scholars program for 2021–22. Photo by Audrey Gurkin

Kammy Kasher

Kasher, of Charlotte, is a first-year student majoring in public health with a minor in global studies.

Support through App State’s Beaver Scholars program allows her to focus on academic success — and the impact she can have as a future health care worker, she said.

Kasher is a senator for App State’s Student Government Association (SGA), serving on SGA’s Rules Committee and Diversity and Inclusion Committee. She is also an Honors College student and a member of App State’s CURE club, a nonprofit Christian organization. Additionally, she serves as a delegate for the Association of Student Governments.

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Valerie Farfan, of Charlotte, is one of eight Appalachian State University students admitted to the university’s Beaver Scholars program for 2021–22. Photo by Audrey Gurkin

Valerie Farfan

Farfan, of Charlotte, is a first-year student majoring in nursing. She said the Beaver Scholars program has “opened the doors to so many opportunities, resources and connections” that she may not have been able to access otherwise.

The education she receives through the scholarship’s support will allow her to make a positive impact on the community in which she lives — and throughout the world — as a future health care worker, she said.

During her time at Forestview High School in Gastonia, Farfan was involved in several health organizations, as well as Beta Club, Student Council, National Honor Society and Gaston County Commissioners’ School of Excellence.

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Sophia Mendieta, of Charlotte, is one of eight Appalachian State University students admitted to the university’s Beaver Scholars program for 2021–22. Photo by Audrey Gurkin

Sophia Mendieta

Mendieta, of Charlotte, is a first-year Honors College student majoring in nutrition and foods with a concentration in dietetics.

“This scholarship has made earning a college degree a reality for me,” Mendieta said. “I am able to pursue the career of my dreams and to live out my calling as a registered dietitian.”

Mendieta graduated from the Covenant Day School in Matthews, where, as president of its diversity committee, called UNITE, she represented the school’s marginalized and culturally diverse student populations at student council meetings and planned diversity events. Additionally, she developed a nutrition curriculum called THRIVE designed for students in second to fifth grades and was a cheerleader.

She is also a 2021–22 recipient of App State’s Diversity Scholars Program Scholarship.

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Adrienne Luceri ’21, of Mooresville, is one of eight Appalachian State University students admitted to the university’s Beaver Scholars program for 2021–22. Photo by Audrey Gurkin

Adrienne Luceri ’21

Luceri, of Mooresville, is a graduate student in App State’s speech-language pathology program and aspires to become a bilingual speech-language pathologist.

She said the support of the Beaver Scholars program allows her to continue to make connections throughout the Boone community and to push for more inclusive means of care and service for all.

“I believe that everyone has a right and deserves access to adequate health care, and I want to ensure that my future clients are receiving culturally and linguistically appropriate services that will best meet their needs,” she said.

During her time as an App State undergraduate, Luceri volunteered at App State’s Women’s Center and was a member of the university’s National Student Speech Language Hearing Association chapter during her senior year. She also participated in a study abroad in Granada, Spain, where she was able to practice her Spanish language skills.

Luceri graduated from the university in spring 2021, earning her Bachelor of Science in communication sciences and disorders.

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View larger image

Freddy Luviano, of Statesville, is one of eight Appalachian State University students admitted to the university’s Beaver Scholars program for 2021–22. Photo by Audrey Gurkin

Freddy Luviano ’21

Luviano, of Statesville, is a graduate student in App State’s Master of Social Work program, with a concentration in individuals and families. He earned his Bachelor of Social Work from the university in 2021.

During his undergraduate career, Luviano took part in the TRIO Student Support Services (SSS) program at App State, which provides comprehensive services that support first-generation and/or low-income students throughout their academic careers.

He now serves as a mentor for SSS students. “Being able to give back to the program that gave me so much is so amazing — it is a feeling like no other,” he said.

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Learn more about App State’s Beaver Scholars program and how to apply.

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Beaver College of Health Sciences Scholarships
Beaver College of Health Sciences Scholarships

There are a number of College and University scholarships available for currently enrolled students and incoming students. Through the establishment of scholarships and endowments, generous donors support the efforts of students in the Beaver College of Health Sciences.

Learn more
App State names 20 inaugural Beaver Scholars committed to improving regional health care
App State names 20 inaugural Beaver Scholars committed to improving regional health care
Sep. 12, 2019

The Beaver Scholars program, established by Don Beaver ’62 ’64 and his wife, Vickie Beaver, supports North Carolina students who demonstrate a strong commitment to improving health care in Appalachia.

Read the 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.

“Programs like Beaver Scholars prepare our students to advance 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.”

App State Chancellor Sheri Everts

“As Beaver Scholars, these students enjoy opportunities to serve as leaders while networking with community partners.”

Beaver College of Health Sciences Dean Marie Huff

Beaver College of Health Sciences Scholarships
Beaver College of Health Sciences Scholarships

There are a number of College and University scholarships available for currently enrolled students and incoming students. Through the establishment of scholarships and endowments, generous donors support the efforts of students in the Beaver College of Health Sciences.

Learn more
App State names 20 inaugural Beaver Scholars committed to improving regional health care
App State names 20 inaugural Beaver Scholars committed to improving regional health care
Sep. 12, 2019

The Beaver Scholars program, established by Don Beaver ’62 ’64 and his wife, Vickie Beaver, supports North Carolina students who demonstrate a strong commitment to improving health care in Appalachia.

Read the 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

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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:

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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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