Topic: Community Engagement

Displaying 1 - 18 of 1365

Rock garden and lab expanded at App State after Helene cleanup
Now featuring 4 new boulders, the garden remains a key teaching tool for students
July 1, 2025
App State’s Fred Webb Jr. Outdoor Geology Lab, also known as the “Rock Garden” — a resource for geology students, researchers and K–12 school groups — has been fully restored after the damage it sustained from Hurricane Helene. The garden now features more than 50 boulders, including several new specimens.
Appalachian Energy Summit exceeds 2025 goal with $2.37 billion in statewide avoided energy costs
App State realizes over $90 million in avoided utility savings
June 30, 2025
At App State’s 14th annual Appalachian Energy Summit, N.C. State Energy Office representatives announced that, since 2002–03, the UNC System and its partners have collectively avoided $2.37 billion in energy costs, exceeding the 2025 goal of $2 billion.
App State New River Light and Power communications specialist receives national recognition
June 24, 2025
Mariana Greene, public communication specialist for App State’s NRLP, received the American Public Power Association’s 2025 Robert E. Roundtree Rising Star Award on June 10. The annual award honors an individual who has worked in public power for five years or less and is recognized by their peers for exemplary leadership and promise.
App State researchers uncover hidden history at Fort Defiance
June 23, 2025
Ground-penetrating radar and App State interdisciplinary detective work have revealed 105 graves of enslaved people at Fort Defiance, adding new layers of history to the Lenoir-area landmark and confirming generations of family stories.
App State awarded $367,088 National Science Foundation grant for telescope upgrades at Dark Sky Observatory
The research facility provides faculty, students with state-of-the-art tools
June 6, 2025
A $367,088 National Science Foundation grant is funding major upgrades to the 32-inch telescope at App State’s Dark Sky Observatory. The upgrades will provide faculty and student researchers with an enhanced view, and a deeper understanding, of the cosmos.
App State nutrition students empower Watauga’s young athletes to use food as fuel for athletic performance
43 middle school student-athletes from 6 schools participated
June 5, 2025
Over 40 local middle school student-athletes took part in App State’s Fuel Your Game Watauga program this spring, learning how proper nutrition can boost athletic performance. App State nutrition graduate students engaged the students in discussions on food groups and shared nutritional facts.
App State’s New River Light and Power awards scholarships to 7 Watauga County students
June 4, 2025
Appalachian State University’s New River Light and Power (NRLP) has named the 2025 recipients of two NRLP scholarship programs that support students pursuing higher education and careers in the energy industry. The seven awardees are all Watauga High School graduates.
App State awarded $2.3M to advance innovation in NC agriculture
The AI-enhanced robotic microscope will streamline parasite analysis in livestock, poultry
May 27, 2025
App State researcher Dr. Zachary Russell and his team have received a $2.3 million NCInnovation grant to develop an AI-enhanced robotic microscope that will streamline parasite analysis in livestock and poultry — helping to strengthen NC’s billion-dollar agriculture industry.
App State nursing program receives $1 million commitment from Bedford Falls Foundation
May 21, 2025
The Bedford Falls Foundation has committed $1million in support of App State’s Bachelor of Science in nursing program — specifically student scholarships and student success initiatives. More than 40 App State nursing students will benefit from this scholarship support.
Library celebrates the Junaluska Heritage Association [faculty featured]
Watauga Democrat
May 21, 2025
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.
N.C. Governor Josh Stein to address graduates at App State commencement
May 1, 2025
The office of Gov. Josh Stein announced that he would deliver remarks at three Western North Carolina commencement ceremonies this May, including Appalachian State University's College of Arts and Sciences ceremony at 5 p.m. on Friday, May 9.
App State students help restore national wildlife refuge as part of Alternative Service Experience
April 28, 2025
Over spring break, 10 App State students traveled to Cape Romain National Wildlife Refuge in South Carolina, where they performed volunteer work as part of an Alternative Service Experience. ASE provides students the opportunity to take part in service, learning and community engagement during breaks from school.
12th annual iBackAPP Day of Giving draws over 3,100 App State supporters worldwide
Raised funds to support nearly 300 university programs
April 14, 2025
During the 12th annual iBackAPP Day of Giving, App State celebrated contributions from more than 3,100 donors spanning 45 states and six countries. Their gifts support numerous programs and initiatives across the university, elevating the App State Experience for students, faculty and staff.
College Student Leaders Championed Democracy in 2024
Forbes
April 9, 2025
The ALL IN Campus Democracy Challenge recognized 232 students nationwide on the 2025 Student Voting Honor Roll for promoting nonpartisan civic engagement and increasing college voter participation in the 2024 election. Forbes highlights several of these students, including App State junior Hunter Messick, a political science major from Durham.
Appalachian Dance Ensemble marks half-century with over 500 original creative works, 5,700 participants
April 4, 2025
Since its inception in 1975, the Appalachian Dance Ensemble at App State has premiered over 500 original works — involving more than 5,700 students, faculty, guest artists and community members. Learn about the ensemble’s history and the people who have shaped it over the years.
App State-based research alliance awarded $7.2M to launch Rural Talent Lab in 5 states
The Alliance for Research on Regional Colleges project aims to advance higher education, workforce development in rural communities
March 26, 2025
Supported by a $7.2 million grant from Ascendium Education Group, the Alliance for Research on Regional Colleges, housed at App State, will work to advance higher education and workforce development in rural communities over the next four years as part of its Rural Talent Lab project.
App State lab school pilots innovative teaching model to support teacher retention and student success
March 21, 2025
At the App State Academy at Middle Fork, instead of a single teacher handling all responsibilities for one classroom for one grade, a collaborative team of academy educators supports student learning across two combined grade levels.
Over 350 cybersecurity professionals, educators and students convene at App State Cyber Summit
March 19, 2025
More than 350 people — including cybersecurity professionals from 12 states — took part in App State’s fourth annual Cyber Summit, held Feb. 21 at the Boone campus. The event was hosted by the Walker College of Business’ Department of Computer Information Systems.