In the Media

A recent viral Facebook post claims that mushroom DNA is closer to humans than plants. Experts, including John Walker, professor in App State's Department of Biology, confirm that this is true. In this article, Walker highlights the major overlapping characteristics shared by fungi and animals that plants do not have.

Two years after the world’s highest altitude weather station atop Mount Everest was destroyed, a team of Sherpa and scientists risked their lives to replace it with a new and improved one. Dr. Baker Perry, professor in App State’s Department of Geography and Planning, was a co-leader of the project, helping to spearhead the construction of a redesigned weather station that could withstand the extreme weather conditions on top of the mountain. The project was part of National Geographic and Rolex’s Return to Everest Expedition in May 2022.

App State made the list of colleges with the most recipients of Fulbright scholarships for the 2022-23 academic year, and is one of three top producers among master's institutions of both Fulbright Scholars and Students. Chrissie Faupel, App State's executive director for international education and development, explains ways that the university assists Fulbright applicants.

App State's Department of Theatre and Dance was selected to perform its production of “The Moors” at the 55th annual regional Kennedy Center American College Theater Festival. App State is one of only four programs in the Southeastern U.S. chosen to participate.

Dr. David Nieman, professor in App State’s Department of Biology, explains how eating almonds can help athletes boost metabolism and reduce inflammation after a workout. Nieman is the director of App State’s Human Performance Lab at the North Carolina Research Campus in Kannapolis.

Upon reflection on his career, alumnus Rocky Brooks '12, who recently retired as director of marketing and public relations at Caldwell UNC Health Care following years in radio, noted that his decision to go back to college at age 50 and finish a degree in electronic media and broadcasting at App State "changed my life entirely and opened the door to many opportunities."

Don Phipps, superintendent of Caldwell County Schools, was named the 2023 A. Craig Phillips North Carolina Superintendent of the Year. Phipps graduated from App State with a master’s degree in school psychology in 1992, and a doctorate in educational leadership in 1997.

Tonya Williams, a 1993 graduate of App State's communication sciences and disorders program, was selected as the 2022-2023 principal of the year for Cabarrus County Schools. Williams is the principal of Concord Middle School.

Research by several partners, including Dr. Anton Seimon, research assistant professor in App State's Department of Geography and Planning, employed environmental DNA (eDNA) in mapping the biodiversity of the top 14,700 feet of Mount Everest. The team identified DNA from organisms belonging to 187 taxonomic orders, which constitutes 16.3% of the total known orders.