The Charlotte TV station visited App State’s Boone campus during fall 2025 move-in week to speak with students and families. The report highlights that nearly one-third of students at the Boone and Hickory campuses are first-generation college students.

Southern Living features App State’s acclaimed performing and visual arts festival, An Appalachian Summer, describing it as "one of the largest regional multi‑arts festivals in America." The article explores the festival’s history, highlights its 2025 lineup and encourages readers to visit Boone, North Carolina, for this annual celebration of the arts.

Health experts, including Dr. Laurel Wentz, an associate professor in App State’s Nutrition and Foods Program, discuss carb cycling and its potential benefits. The diet involves alternating between high- and low-carb intake days. Wentz is a registered dietitian and a board-certified specialist in sports dietetics.

The cost of homeowners insurance is soaring in the Midwest, where large outbreaks of tornadoes are becoming more common — but experts say it’s hail that is the bigger concern. Dr. David Marlett, professor in App State’s Department of Finance, Banking and Insurance, weighs in on the impact of hail on the insurance industry.

The annual Friends of the Watauga County Library celebration featured a panel discussion centered on two recently published books about Boone’s historic Junaluska neighborhood. Editors Susan Keefe, professor emerita in App State’s Department of Anthropology, and Pegge Laine spoke about their work collaborating with the community, alongside Junaluska Heritage Association members.

The Wilkes Journal-Patriot features Verenovo Energy, a North Wilkesboro-based company founded by two-time App State alumnus Brewer Logan ’15 ’20. The company plans to begin large-scale pilot production of biochar as part of its mission to create sustainable energy solutions. Logan earned both his bachelor’s and master’s degrees in cellular and molecular biology from App State in 2015 and 2020.

A recent study led by Dr. John Whitehead, professor in App State’s Department of Economics, found that recreational fishing trips in the Great Lakes generate $884 million per year. The study is based on approximately 9 million licensed anglers and survey data from nearly 20,000 people. Whitehead’s calculations were based on how much visitors were willing to pay and the estimated number of trips.

Jamie Parson, professor in App State’s Department of Finance, Banking and Insurance, shares advice on how to find affordable car insurance that provides quality coverage. In addition to being a professor at App State, Parson is the university's acting senior provost of faculty policies, development and training.

Dr. Yalçın Açıkgöz, associate professor in App State’s Department of Psychology, offers WalletHub his expert insight to make predictions about unemployment in the U.S. in 2025. Açıkgöz is part of App State’s Industrial-Organizational Psychology and Human Resource Management program.