Following a national search, Brad Boswell has been named chief compliance and ethics officer at App State, effective March 1. Boswell previously oversaw App State’s athletics compliance program and will lead the Office of Compliance and Ethics, part of the Division of Institutional Integrity.

App State has been ranked 7th in the nation by Fortune magazine in its list of “Best Master’s in Data Science" programs for 2025. The university was recognized for its Master of Science in applied data analytics program, offered by the Walker College of Business.

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: the Feb. 22 topping out ceremony for App State’s Holmes Convocation Center Parking Deck; App State’s recognition of “Best Master’s in Data Science Programs for 2024,” with Fortune magazine ranking App State No. 11 in the nation for its M.S. in applied data analytics program; App State’s second annual Mobilize the Mountains Day of Service on Feb. 24, during which dozens of student and faculty volunteers contributed over 111 hours of community service; a $100,000 donation to App State from the Mebane Foundation to fund the expansion of reading assistance services for K–3 students in Watauga and Catawba counties; App State professor Joseph Bathanti’s induction into the N.C. Literary Hall of Fame; and Keith Werner’s appointment as App State chief information officer, effective March 18.

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App State leadership and distinguished guests attended a topping out ceremony — a centuries-old tradition — on Feb. 22 for the Holmes Convocation Center Parking Deck, hosted by New Atlantic Contracting.

For nearly 50 years, the App State Gospel Choir has been uplifting the campus community through song in the Black religious tradition. According to alumni, the choir is a vehicle for cultural expression and a welcoming family that provides a sense of home.

The Mebane Charitable Foundation has donated $100,000 to App State to expand reading assistance services for K–3 students in Watauga and Catawba counties.

Keith Werner has been named chief information officer at App State, effective March 18. Werner comes to App State from the University of North Carolina System Office, where he currently holds the position of vice president of information technology (IT) strategy and cybersecurity.

Matthew Makdad, P.E., has been named general manager of Appalachian State University’s New River Light and Power, effective Feb. 1. Makdad had previously served as the utility’s engineering supervisor since 2017.