Record-setting App State quarterback Armanti Edwards, who played for the Mountaineers from 2006 to 2009, is one of 22 members elected to the 2024 College Football Hall of Fame Class. The official induction ceremony will be held Dec. 10 during the 66th National Football Foundation Annual Awards Dinner.

On this episode of Appalachian Today, University Communications’ Dave Blanks provides a quick rundown of some of the latest news stories available at today.appstate.edu. Story topics include: App State’s economic impacts on the regional and state economies during the 2021–22 fiscal year; the blooming of App State’s rare corpse flower, Mongo — its first bloom in over a decade; a $531,902 National Science Foundation grant supporting a three-year App State study on aerosols and their effects on Earth’s climate; the newest student recipient of the Jerri Kent Heltzer and Harry Heltzer Endowed Scholarship; App State’s recognition by Military Times as a 2023 “Best for Vets” school; and a significant gift donated by alumnus and Board of Trustees Vice Chair Robert Thomas “Tommy” Sofield Jr. ’76 and his family in support of App State Athletics facilities enhancements.

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App State explores the rich history behind the Appalachian region’s name and its pronunciations — a history that spans cultures, centuries and languages. Both “appa-latch-un” and “appa-lay-shun,” an alternative pronunciation, are acceptable.

On this episode of the Appalachian Today podcast, University Communications’ Dave Blanks provides a quick rundown of some of the latest news stories available at today.appstate.edu — App State’s official news and events website. Story topics include: a National Council on Aging grant awarded to App State’s Blue Cross NC Institute for Health and Human Services to improve flu and COVID-19 vaccine rates among older adults across Western N.C.; the 10 first-year students named recipients of the 2023–24 Chancellor’s Scholarship; the sixth academy class of App State’s Police Officer Development Program; the five-year anniversary of App State’s mobile earth and environmental science lab, known as the Geobago; and national publications' recognition of App State as a “best” and “top” school for 2023–24.

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The police department at App State has welcomed a second team to its K-9 unit: Officer Tylor Greene, who joined App State Police in 2016, and Officer Mitzi, a chocolate Labrador retriever with a specialization in explosives detection and tracking.

App State associate professor Dr. Zachary Farris has been named the 2023 Faculty Member of the Year by the Sun Belt Conference. The award recognizes Farris for his ability to inspire, promote and sustain the academic and athletic development of Mountaineer student-athletes.

App State’s Team Sunergy has left its mark on the solar vehicle racing world. More importantly, the team members learned valuable skills that have led them to career success. Five Team Sunergy alumni share what they are doing now.

Two App State Team Sunergy members join Chief Sustainability Officer Lee Ball in the podcast studio to share their experiences with solar vehicle racing. Nicole Sommerdorf and Patrick Laney explain how they got involved with the team, as well as the impact it has had on their personal growth and their job prospects post-graduation.

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Dr. Sharon Contreras is a lifelong advocate for ensuring all children can access a high-quality, public education. Drawing from her own childhood experiences, her tenure as a high school English teacher and her career progression, which includes being the first woman of color to lead one of New York state’s largest school districts, she is a consistent innovator in public education. On this episode, she relates some of her guiding principles and beliefs that have helped her have a powerfully positive impact on public schools across the country. Find out why every day is a great day to be an educator.