The Appalachian Energy Summit continues toward the established 2025 goal of $2 billion in avoided energy costs for the UNC System and state agencies. Since 2002–03, the System and its partners have collectively avoided $1.75 billion in energy costs.

Construction for App State’s Conservatory for Biodiversity Education and Research — the first academic building of the university’s Innovation District — is set to begin in July. The facility, offering classroom, office, laboratory and event space, will be built to the rigorous sustainability standards of the Living Building Challenge.

Four members of the campus and local community, as well as a team from Mount Airy City Schools, are the recipients of App State’s 2023 Inclusive Excellence Awards, which recognize individuals’ active, intentional and ongoing commitment to inclusive excellence.

Each Memorial Day, App State commemorates those who died while serving in the U.S. military with a wreath laying at the Veterans Memorial on the Boone campus. Chancellor Sheri Everts selected Marine Corps veteran and assistant professor Dr. Seth Grooms to lay the wreath for this year’s observance.

App State continues to implement its sustainable purchasing initiative as part of the university’s Climate Action Plan, which guides App State’s progress toward climate neutrality. Sustainable purchasing is the practice of buying goods that mitigate negative effects on human health and the environment.

App State’s student-led Renewable Energy Initiative hosted a ribbon-cutting ceremony April 14 for the university’s new State Farm solar array, which has the capacity to collect data and provide performance updates. The 100-kilowatt array is visible from the Boone Greenway Trail.