Around this time of year when the color starts to change in the trees, we pay attention. Most of us watch the leaves turn in real time. Others work to skip ahead, to predict when exactly we’ll see our fall colors, how vividly, and how long. One such person is Dr. Howard Neufeld, a professor of biology at Appalachian State University. Better known by the public as the Fall Color Guy, he monitors the weather, temperature, and color activity here in the mountains, and makes predictions accordingly.

Cuba is no longer the Americas’ lonely outpost of communism. The Caribbean island has become a nation of entrepreneurship, democratic aspiration, even pro-Americanism, according to Dr. Joseph J. Gonzalez, associate professor in Appalachian’s Department of Interdisciplinary Studies.

Online shopping giant Amazon revealed a carbon footprint Thursday that rivals that of a small country and vowed to reduce the damage to the planet by cutting its use of fossil fuels. "Its greenhouse gas emissions are about 85% of the emissions of Switzerland or Denmark," said Gregg Marland, a professor at the Research Institute for Environment, Energy and Economics at Appalachian State University.

Before you head out leaf-peeping this fall, know what colors to expect at 22 of our favorite mountain spots in Western North Carolina. Among the experts that contributed to this guide is Dr. Howard S. Neufeld, a professor in the Appalachian State University Department of Biology.

During the past five to six years, faculty and students at Appalachian State University have researched and developed different technologies to help local farmers extend their crop’s growing season. The research project — named Nexus — is located at the Watauga County Landfill and is used as a biomass and renewable energy testing location.

Appalachian State University’s second annual Founders Day was celebrated on Sept. 5 with the dedication of the Lillie Shull Dougherty statue, the ringing of the Founder’s Bell and a panel discussion featuring a former chancellor and former interim chancellor of Appalachian State University.

The campus and local community celebrated Appalachian State University’s 120-year legacy of educational leadership with the second annual Founders Day celebration Sept. 5. The day included dedication of the Lillie Shull Dougherty statue, the ringing of the Founders Bell, a panel discussion with past leaders, and research by faculty, staff and students.

This could be the year when the Western North Carolina mountains get their “traditional” fabulous fall foliage, according to local leaf color prognosticators. Dr. Howard Neufeld, professor of plant eco-physiology at Appalachian State University said many people rate a “good” fall season based on the vibrancy of the reds – the black gums, red oaks, sourwoods, red maples.

The American Chemical Society Division of Chemical Health and Safety has announced Appalachian State University’s Samuella B. Sigmann as the recipient of its 2019 Howard Fawcett Chemical Health and Safety Award. The award recognizes outstanding leadership and service in the field of chemical health and safety.