Topic: Sustainability

Displaying 1 - 18 of 712

App State researchers partner to strengthen Western NC resilience 2 years post-Helene
Community-informed projects span energy resilience, data coordination, community health and the arts
Sept. 30, 2026
Two years after Hurricane Helene, App State faculty and staff continue leading research to help build long-term resilience for communities across Western North Carolina. Spanning energy systems, data coordination, community health and the arts, these projects aim to deliver real solutions to problems surfaced and made worse by the storm.
Duncan Hall reopens at App State after $32 million transformation
The renovated facility features modern offices, technologically advanced classrooms and STEM labs
Sept. 30, 2026
App State has reopened Duncan Hall on the Boone campus following the facility’s nearly $32 million renovation, introducing new STEM labs, technically advanced classrooms and modern collaborative spaces for the fall semester. The major infrastructure milestone sets the stage for upcoming campus master planning initiatives.
Second life, stronger start: App State and E2D provide 200 refurbished laptops to first-year students
Sept. 11, 2026
On Aug. 27, App State and nonprofit refurbisher E2D (Eliminate the Digital Divide) distributed 200 new laptops to first-year, first-generation App State students across the Boone, Hickory and online campuses. Since 2022, App State ITS has donated nearly 3,000 devices to E2D, with over 1,100 refurbished and given out in Watauga County.
App State Team Sunergy earns historic victory in cross-country solar racing challenge
The team claimed its second first-place finish since 2021 and earned this year’s Practicality Award
Aug. 11, 2026
App State’s Team Sunergy followed a second-place finish at the Electrek Formula Sun Grand Prix with a historic performance at the 2026 Electrek American Solar Challenge, becoming the only team to earn two first-place finishes in the competition’s multi-occupant vehicle category. The team drove nearly 1,830 miles in its new solar car, Autumn, and received the Practicality Award.
Buttery, sweet and orange: This milk alternative has deep North Carolina roots [faculty featured]
The News & Observer
July 7, 2026
Dr. Brett Taubman, professor in App State’s Department of Chemistry and Fermentation Sciences, discusses his Rootsii project to turn surplus North Carolina sweetpotatoes into plant-based milk products. The research is backed by a $1.82 million grant.
App State’s Team Sunergy unveils Autumn — its next-gen solar racing vehicle
July 6, 2026
Team Sunergy revealed a lighter, more aerodynamic solar racing vehicle ahead of two key international competitions to take place this summer — the Formula Sun Grand Prix and American Solar Challenge. The July 10 unveiling, held on the Boone campus, gave the public an opportunity to see the new vehicle and interact with the team.
$2.27 billion in statewide energy savings reported at App State’s Appalachian Energy Summit
App State utility savings surpass $100 million since 2002–03
June 18, 2026
At App State’s 2026 Appalachian Energy Summit, state officials announced the UNC System and its partners have avoided $2.27 billion in energy costs since 2002. App State’s portion of these savings was $81.1 million, and the university reduced its energy use per square foot by 51%, surpassing the state’s 2025 goal of 40% for a second consecutive year.
From the field to the fridge: $1.82M NCInnovation grant supports sweetpotato startup at App State
The Rootsii project will turn surplus crops into plant-based foods, opening a new market for NC farmers
May 15, 2026
App State researchers Dr. Brett Taubman and Daniel Parker have secured a $1.82 million NCInnovation grant to turn surplus NC sweetpotatoes into a plant-based milk product line — the first of its kind in the world. Their Rootsii startup tackles agricultural waste while providing 1,800 hours of hands-on research for student innovators.
Precision and purpose: App State industrial design team builds next-generation prosthetics
April 14, 2026
A team of App State industrial design students, led by Department of Applied Design faculty Jimena Vergara-Sanz and Dr. Garner Dewy, is taking a human-centered approach to innovation. Using 3D printing technology, the team is working to design and develop next-generation prosthetic hands that are both accessible and customizable for users.
Empowering resilience: App State graduate student creates disaster-ready drinking water system
Bradley Del Vecchio’s design earned him 1st place in App State’s 3MT Competition
April 8, 2026
Leveraging his renewable energy technology studies, App State graduate student Bradley Del Vecchio developed a solar-powered system to provide clean drinking water during natural disasters. Witnessing the devastation of Hurricane Helene inspired his award-winning design, which can produce up to 100 gallons of drinking water per day.
The Search for Vertical Grasslands [alumni featured]
Blue Ridge Outdoors
March 4, 2026
The adventure magazine features App State alumna Laura Boggess ’13, a climber-scientist who explores “vertical grasslands” to discover unique plant communities with the potential to boost ecological health in the Southeast. Boggess has studied cliff science since her time as a graduate student at App State, where she earned her master’s degree in biology in 2013.
12 App State students to study Asian markets as 2026 Holland Fellows
The 30-year-old international business fellowship will take students to Cambodia, Hong Kong and Vietnam
Feb. 12, 2026
Twelve App State students have been selected to participate in the university’s William R. Holland International Business Fellowship program, which, for the past 30 years, has provided exceptional opportunities to study the Asian business landscape. This year’s fellows will travel to Cambodia, Hong Kong and Vietnam.
In 2025, App State celebrates its 8th chancellor amid record enrollment, research growth and campus advancements
Dec. 19, 2025
App State reflects on its 126th year in higher education — one marked by new leadership under Chancellor Heather Norris, as well as record enrollment, upgrades to campus infrastructure, advances in research and innovation, a continued focus on regional resilience, campus and community arts engagement, and student-athlete success.
Walker College of Business celebrates global and sustainability champions at annual luncheon
Oct. 21, 2025
Outstanding App State students, faculty and staff were honored for advancing global engagement and sustainable business at the Walker College of Business’ annual Global Good Conference.
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.
A podium finish and Teamwork Award are the latest wins for App State’s student-led solar vehicle team
Team Sunergy shifts gears to building its most advanced solar vehicle yet
July 14, 2025
App State’s student-powered solar vehicle team, Team Sunergy, has secured yet another podium finish to add to its consistent wins in the annual Electrek Formula Sun Grand Prix. This year, the team earned second place in its class and the event’s Teamwork Award. Team Sunergy is working to launch its next-generation solar vehicle.
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 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.