Topic: Community Engagement

Displaying 1 - 18 of 1392

From Army to App State: Jack Sullivan builds support for fellow student veterans
Nov. 3, 2025
As Appalachian State University prepares to observe Veterans Day, Student Veterans Association President Jacob “Jack” Sullivan is focused on supporting the growing community of military-affiliated students on campus.
App State’s Police Officer Development Program prepares 15 new officers for service
The sworn officers are the 8th class to complete the program’s Police Academy
Oct. 27, 2025
The eighth class of App State’s Appalachian Police Academy comprises 15 graduates who are sworn North Carolina police officers working with the App State Police Department while they complete their degrees at App State. To date, the academy has trained more than 150 sworn police officers.
App State reopens Wey Hall and debuts new Cathy P. Walling Student Art Gallery
Oct. 22, 2025
Following a $26 million renovation, App State reopened Wey Hall for classes this fall, followed by the opening of the facility’s new Cathy P. Walling Student Art Gallery in late September. The newly renovated and modernized Wey Hall provides state-of-the-art facilities, cutting-edge technology and essential resources for App State students, faculty and staff.
Ranking the 25 best college football stadiums from the Big House to Death Valley
The Athletic
Oct. 22, 2025
The Athletic has named App State’s Kidd Brewer Stadium one of the top 25 college football stadiums in the nation. Writer Chris Vannini called it an “intimate and beautiful setting in the Blue Ridge Mountains, where a deep forest begins in one end zone, an incredible sight in the fall.” He also noted that App State has sold out season tickets for four straight years and regularly fills the stands for midweek games.
126 years strong: Founders Day honors App State’s enduring legacy as a higher education leader
7 new members inducted into App State’s Bell Ringers Society
Oct. 21, 2025
App State celebrated its eighth annual Founders Day on Oct. 2 to commemorate its founders, B.B., D.D. and Lillie Shull Dougherty, and the first day of classes held at Watauga Academy in 1899. Seven new members were inducted into the university’s Bell Ringers Society as part of the day’s events.
App State Police Officer Cashae Cook earns NC’s highest award for women in law enforcement
Oct. 16, 2025
App State Police Officer Cashae Cook ’14 has been named Woman of the Year by the North Carolina Law Enforcement Women’s Association. The annual award — the state’s highest honor for women in law enforcement — recognizes Cook’s outstanding contributions and service to NCLEWA and her leadership and service in the App State Community.
App State joins FirstGen Forward Network, boosting support for first-generation students
TRIO Student Support Services receives $1.7M federal grant to continue student success programming
Oct. 13, 2025
App State is among 60 schools selected to join the national FirstGen Forward Network, with schools chosen based on their demonstrated commitment to advancing success for first-generation students. Network schools gain access to professional development opportunities, a community of practice, and tools to assess and improve their support for first-gen students.
Dr. Heather Norris installed as 8th chancellor of App State
Oct. 8, 2025
On Oct. 3, Dr. Heather H. Norris was formally installed as the eighth chancellor in App State’s 126-year history. UNC System President Peter Hans presided over the installation ceremony, which was held on the Boone campus and attended by hundreds of Mountaineers and community members, as well as state education and community leaders.
How emergency preparedness systems operated during Helene
The Appalachian
Oct. 8, 2025
App State’s student-run newspaper looks back at the emergency efforts that helped keep the campus and community safe during Hurricane Helene, and explores plans to expand communication channels for future disasters. The article features App State alumnus Tom Beam ’89, disaster relief coordinator for Baptists on Mission; alumnus David Jackson ’00, CEO of the Boone Area Chamber of Commerce; Jason Marshburn, director of Environmental Health, Safety and Emergency Management; and Megan Hayes, director of chancellor communications.
Lights Over Linville — Brown Mountain’s Enduring Mystery [faculty featured]
The Laurel of Asheville
Oct. 7, 2025
Dr. Daniel Caton, professor in App State’s Department of Physics and Astronomy, discusses the unexplained phenomenon known as the Brown Mountain Lights.
App State and regional artists channel Helene’s impact into creative works of hope and healing
Oct. 1, 2025
After Hurricane Helene, artists at App State and in the surrounding communities of Western North Carolina turned to creative expression for healing, hope and resilience. Learn about how they channeled the storm’s impact into creative works that included visual arts, music, writing and more.
App State spotlights achievements in research, scholarship and creative activities
2025 award recipients Tashakkori and Bell give keynotes at annual showcase
Sept. 28, 2025
App State’s annual Research and Creative Activity at Appalachian event, held Sept. 19, highlighted faculty research and creative endeavors and featured keynote speakers Dr. Rahman Tashakkori and Dr. Joby Bell — winners of the 2025 Chancellor’s and Provost’s Awards for Excellence in Research, Scholarship and Creative Activity.
Folk Revival After Helene [faculty and alumni featured]
Oxford American
Sept. 25, 2025
Trevor McKenzie ’10 ’12, director of App State’s Center for Appalachian Studies, speaks about the “folk revival” of traditional music communities in Western N.C. after Hurricane Helene. Also featured are App State alumni William Ritter ’17 and Leila Weinstein ’07, who both graduated with master’s degrees in Appalachian Studies.
App State advances community-driven research for recovery and resilience
Ongoing post-Helene projects examine flood forecasting models, backup energy systems, ecological impacts, private well contamination and health solutions
Sept. 19, 2025
App State research in the wake of Helene has the university joining local partners, diving into health data, surveying ecosystems and energizing transdisciplinary initiatives to armor the Western North Carolina region against future disasters.
Answering the call: How the Appalachian Medical Reserve Corps supported the Helene response
The App State organization supports rural public health and community resilience and preparedness
Sept. 17, 2025
In the wake of Hurricane Helene, more than 900 volunteers with App State’s Appalachian Medical Reserve Corps (APP MRC) assisted with recovery efforts, including staffing a 24/7 nonemergency call center to field questions and triage requests. APP MRC continues to support rural public health, resilience and preparedness in the region.
App State honors legendary coach John Weaver with plaza at Randy Marion Track and Field Facility
Sept. 16, 2025
On Sept. 5, App State dedicated the John Weaver Honors Plaza at its Randy Marion Track and Field Facility in Boone, honoring retired App State track and field head coach John Weaver ’71 ’82 for his contributions to both the university and the High Country community over nearly four decades.
Appalachian State thrives year after Hurricane Helene disruption
WCNC
Sept. 11, 2025
One year after Hurricane Helene, WCNC spoke with Chancellor Heather Norris and Chief Operating Officer and Executive Vice Chancellor J.J. Brown about the university’s recovery efforts, including volunteer work, community meals, donations and its “Mountain Strong” spirit.
App State alumni Preston Powell ’01 and Adam Scherer ’01 invest in students, Helene recovery through local business
Mountain Strong apparel sales contribute to support for App State Community
Sept. 10, 2025
App State alumni Preston Powell ’01 and Adam Scherer ’01 are leveraging their Boone business, Mountaineer Mania, to give back to their alma mater — providing T-shirts to first-year students, supporting Helene disaster relief and donating proceeds from the sale of Mountain Strong apparel to critical university needs. Together, these efforts have contributed $130,000 to the university.