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.

App State alumnus Mitch Purgason ’15, a clothing designer and founder of his eponymous business, designed the official blazer for award recipients at last year’s Heisman Trophy ceremony for top collegiate football players. Purgason started his business while he was a student at App State. He graduated with a bachelor’s degree in management in 2015.

App State celebrated its new chancellor, Dr. Heather Norris, at the Hickory campus on Friday, Feb. 28. The reception was attended by App State employees from the Boone and Hickory campuses, students, the president of Caldwell Community College and Technical Institute, and others from across the region.

myFutureNC honors the 2025 Champions for Attainment — a distinction awarded to individuals and organizations demonstrating outstanding dedication to expanding access, success and completion for adult learners across N.C. App State was recognized for its Aspire Appalachian program, which provides transfer students from 27 partner community colleges with a clear pathway to completing their associate and bachelor’s degrees.

Dr. Rahman Tashakkori, Lowe’s Distinguished Professor in App State’s Department of Computer Science, is featured in this NCInnovation Q&A series. Tashakkori speaks about the two-year grant he received to advance the development of the Beemon system — a unique tool for decreasing honeybee hive die-off and increasing hive production.