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App State’s Civil War Speakers Series presents Dr. David K. Thomson Nov. 11

November 6, 2024 Appalachian State University’s Department of History — with support from the College of Arts and Sciences — welcomes Dr. David K. Thomson for its 2024 Civil War Speaker Series.  Thomson will present “Bonds of War: How Civil War Financial Agents Sold the World on the Union” on Monday, Nov. 11, from 6 to 7:30 p.m. in Room 114 of Belk Library and Information Commons, located at 218 College St. in Boone. Thomson is an associate professor of history at Sacred Heart University in Fairfield, Connecticut

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Defense Stands Tall in Dramatic 28-20 Win over Old Dominion at Kidd Brewer Stadium

November 4, 2024 The main takeaways from App State Football’s dramatic 28-20 win against Old Dominion on Saturday: the Mountaineers produced plenty of big ones. App State’s defense recovered three fumbles and sealed the victory with a fourth turnover via Zyeir Gamble’s last-minute interception against the Monarchs, who led 17-7 in the second quarter but added only a chip-shot field goal the rest of the way. A fourth-and-short stop also was part of a strong defensive effort that included five sacks from the Mountaineers (4-4, 2-3 Sun Belt) in front of 34,954 fans at Kidd Brewer Stadium.

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College Students Impacted by Hurricane Will Receive Extra Scholarship Support

October 31, 2024 In response to the hardships caused by Hurricane Helene, the North Carolina State Education Assistance Authority is awarding additional financial aid to eligible students at Appalachian State University, University of North Carolina Asheville and Western Carolina University, and to eligible students from impacted counties at the other UNC institutions. North Carolina resident students with family incomes below $80,000 will receive an average of $850 in additional grant aid to help offset some of the unexpected costs from Helene’s disruption. Financial aid recipients at affected community colleges are also eligible for the one-time increase in funding.

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App State Students Dedicate 500+ Hours Toward Hurricane Helene Relief and Recovery Efforts During “Day of Service”

October 28, 2024 Nearly three weeks after Hurricane Helene hit Boone, Appalachian State University welcomed its students back to campus — and they returned with a desire to serve. On Saturday, Oct. 19, App State’s Office of Community-Engaged Leadership held its Student Day of Service – Together We Are Mountain Strong event, coordinating the volunteer work of around 175 students who collectively completed over 500 hours of community service at 15 organizations and locations across the High Country. All volunteer work directly benefited hurricane relief and recovery efforts in local communities, with students providing services in a variety of ways, from river and trail cleanups to sorting relief supplies at distribution centers.

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App State’s 14th annual Spooky Duke Rescheduled for Saturday, Nov. 16 at 9:30 a.m.

October 28, 2024 Appalachian State University’s 14th annual Spooky Duke 5K/10K Race and Costume Contest has been rescheduled for Saturday, Nov. 16. Races start on the Boone campus at 9:30 a.m. and the costume march starts at 10:30 a.m.  Spooky Duke benefits Parent to Parent Family Support Network-High Country, a nonprofit that serves families who have a premature baby, are grieving the loss of a child, or have a child with special needs. The program, housed in the Appalachian Institute for Health and Wellness, serves Alleghany, Ashe, Mitchell, Watauga, Wilkes and Yancey counties. Last year’s Spooky Duke raised a record $31,600 for the organization. Spooky Duke is a USA Track & Field certified 5K and 10K race.

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App State Rallies Late for Win in Emotional Return to The Rock with 33-26 Victory Against Georgia State on Saturday

October 28, 2024 A hardened football team reunited with its hungry fan base, eager to entertain a community with a long recovery effort ahead in the aftermath of Hurricane Helene. A rainbow can be a reminder that storms end, giving way to hope for a brighter future. As fans from a crowd of 33,783 departed Kidd Brewer Stadium following App State’s 33-26 victory against Georgia State on Saturday, an actual rainbow appeared above The Rock. Excuse the Mountaineers for maybe being a bit too eager to reconnect with their fans — head coach Shawn Clark accepted blame for the wall-climbing “Rock Hop” celebration with students on Miller Hill following App State’s first Boone touchdown in 37 days — but this was a long time coming. Both seeing an App State game in the High Country and witnessing an emotional win from the home team.

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EDITORIAL: App State makes self-serving choice to bring students back too soon

September 25, 2024 On October 9, 2024, the Interim Chancellor at Appalachian State University distributed a message which began, “Please find a joint news release shared on behalf of App State, the Town of Boone, Watauga County and the Boone Area Chamber of Commerce.” The release announced that the university would resume on-campus, in-person classes on October 16, 2024. That decision, according to the university’s own reports, invited well over 6,000 students back to Boone.

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Message from Appalachian State University Interim Chancellor Heather Norris


October 11, 2024 . Today (Friday) at 5 p.m., we will reopen the university, after being closed for more than two weeks. This is a significant event in our 125-year history, marking just how devastating the effects of Hurricane Helene have been on our community. We witnessed amazing acts of kindness and humanity during this time. Members of our community rescued others from rising and rapidly moving water. When landslides and downed trees blocked access, those who were able dug and chainsawed their way through to get others to safety. They walked, boated and rode horses and mules to deliver supplies to family, neighbors, friends and strangers.

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Help Mountaineers in Need by Giving to the App State Disaster Relief Fund

October 11, 2024 In the aftermath of Hurricane Helene, a harsh reality faces many students, faculty and staff of Appalachian State University. Some have lost everything — their homes, their vehicles, their driveways and bridges, and family heirlooms that can never be replaced. To assist community members during this difficult time, the university has established the App State Disaster Relief Fund, which is providing unrestricted funds to Mountaineers in need. Contributions to this fund are directly helping App State students, faculty and staff who have been impacted by the devastating effects of Hurricane Helene:

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App State Classes Will Resume on Wednesday Oct. 16

October 10, 2024 App State classes will resume on Wednesday Oct. 16. On Friday Oct. 11 at 5 p.m., Adverse Weather Condition 1 (Reduced Operations) will go into effect and remain in effect until further notice. Students should check their email and monitor ASULearn and course webpages. If in-person and/or remote learning is not possible, students are encouraged to reach out to their faculty or department chairs.

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App State, the Town of Boone, Watauga County and the Boone Area Chamber of Commerce: Area Leaders Focus on Recovery from Helene

October 9, 2024 BOONE, N.C. — Today marks 12 days since Hurricane Helene hit the Boone area on Sept. 27. The storm brought wind gusts in excess of 40 mph and, combined with a predecessor rain event, dumped upwards of 10 to 21 inches of rain across the county, leading to massive flooding, significant damages to homes and businesses and two deaths in Watauga County.

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App State Classes are Canceled Through 5 p.m. Friday, Oct. 11

October 4, 2024 Classes are canceled on the App State Boone and Hickory campuses and Adverse Weather Condition 3 (Closure) is in effect through 5 p.m. Friday, Oct. 11. With Fall Break, classes will resume no earlier than Oct. 16. The modality and locations will be determined based on conditions and infrastructure, and an update will be shared by Wednesday, Oct. 9. Road conditions vary and many roads in the area remain treacherous or impassible. Please limit travel and use extreme caution if you are traveling on foot or by vehicle. View Watauga County curfew information here. On the Boone Campus, Residence Halls, Central Dining Hall, Campus Markets, the Student Union, Student Health Service and the Student Recreation Center remain open and operational.

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Turchin Center Celebrates October First Friday Art Crawl with Exclusive Tours, Mountaineer Meet-Up and Buskers Fest

September 25, 2024 The Turchin Center for the Visual Arts is excited to invite the community to a special evening during the October First Friday Art Crawl on Friday, October 4th to be held from 5-8PM. This free event will offer an unforgettable blend of art, community, art activities and live entertainment. At 6PM, join members of our curatorial team and exhibiting artists for an exclusive guided tour of the exciting new installations along the Arts Corridor. Explore the latest additions to the corridor with insights from the artists themselves who will guide you through each piece, offering a deeper understanding of the sculpture and artists behind the work.

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Registration is Open for App State’s 14th Annual Spooky Duke 5K/10K Race and Costume Contest

September 20, 2024 Registration is open for Appalachian State University’s 14th annual Spooky Duke 5K/10K Race and Costume Contest. The event will be held on the Boone campus Saturday, Oct. 19.  Spooky Duke benefits Parent to Parent Family Support Network-High Country, a nonprofit that serves families who have a premature baby, are grieving the loss of a child, or have a child with special needs. The program, housed in the Appalachian Institute for Health and Wellness, serves Alleghany, Ashe, Mitchell, Watauga, Wilkes and Yancey counties. Last year’s Spooky Duke raised a record $31,600 for the organization.

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App State to launch Fall 2024 Aging Academy Speaker Series on Sept. 20

September 20, 2024 The Appalachian Institute for Health and Wellness (App Well) will kick off its annual Aging Academy Speaker Series on Friday, Sept. 20, at 3 p.m. in Levine Hall of Health Sciences room 103. Dr. Li Li, a leading researcher in exercise science and human movement from Georgia Southern University, will present “The Impact of Physical Activity on Longevity,” with a focus on how movement can enhance longevity and overall health. A reception with complimentary refreshments will begin at 2 p.m. in the Levine Hall of Health Sciences Lewis Atrium, located at 1179 State Farm Road in Boone. The event is free and on-site parking is available. To register, call 828-262-7690

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5 Watauga High Graduates Awarded App State’s New River Light and Power Scholarship

September 18, 2024 Five first-year Mountaineer students — all graduates of Watauga High School — have been named recipients of Appalachian State University’s New River Light and Power (NRLP) Scholarship for the 2024–25 academic year. Established in 1988, the scholarship provides funding to Watauga County students pursuing higher education at App State and is a key part of App State’s founding mission to increase access to higher education.

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App State’s High Country Humanities Presents ‘Folk Music as an Expression of Culture’

September 17, 2024 Appalachian State University’s High Country Humanities — with support from North Carolina Humanities — will present “Folk Music as an Expression of Culture: Talks with Acoustic Demonstrations” on Sunday, Sept. 22, from 2:45–4 p.m. at Valle Crucis Community Park’s Herrick Pavilion and Stage, located at 2892 Broadstone Road in Banner Elk. The event is free and open to the public. Join App State Hayes School of Music faculty members for folk music demonstrations, and listen and learn to identify the defining characteristics of folk genres. Dr. Laurie Semmes will speak about the bandura, the national instrument of Ukraine, and Mark Freed will present on Appalachian folk music. Following these presentations, Dr. Jacob Kopcienski will lead an audience question-and-answer session.

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Inspired Rally Gives App State Dramatic Road Win at ECU 21-19

September 16, 2024 App State Football’s third straight win against East Carolina required a first-half rally and plenty of fourth-quarter resolve. Traveling for their first FBS-vs.-FBS matchup against the Pirates in Dowdy-Ficklen Stadium, after a 2021 win in Charlotte and 2023 victory in Boone, the Mountaineers prevailed 21-19 on Saturday despite falling behind 16-0 in the opening 10 minutes with a big crowd of 46,117 on hand for the in-state showdown. Joey Aguilar threw for a career-high 424 yards and two touchdowns, including a 36-yard, go-ahead score to Makai Jackson late in the third quarter. Jackson finished with 86 yards, compared to 129 on seven catches from Kaedin Robinson and 108 on five receptions from Christan Horn.

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Ailey II Kicks off the Fall Season of The Schaefer Center Presents Series on October 4th

September 13, 2024 The Schaefer Center Presents (SCP) performing arts series, presented by Appalachian State University’s Office of Arts Engagement and Cultural Resources, welcomes acclaimed modern dance company AILEY II: The Next Generation of Dance on Oct. 4 at 7:30pm. The company, known as the younger version of Alvin Ailey American Dance Theater, celebrates 50 years of creativity, artistry and choreography at the Schaefer Center for the Performing Arts to open the SCP fall season. Tickets range from $25-$45, with $15 tickets available for all students.Purchase tickets at TheSchaeferCenter.org, in person at the Schaefer Center box office (733 Rivers Street), or by calling 828-262-4046.

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Registration Opens for App State’s Home School Physical Education Program; Deadline Sept. 16

September 12, 2024 Registration has opened for the 2024–2025 academic year for the Appalachian State University Home School Physical Education (PE) program. Sponsored by the Department of Recreation Management and Physical Education at App State, the Home School Physical Education program is led by Dr. Brooke Towner, an assistant professor of Physical Education and a certified physical education teacher. Parents may register homeschooled children ages 5 to 12 to participate in the physical activity program, which offers 50-minute sessions twice a week during the fall and spring semesters at Varsity Gym on App State’s Boone campus.

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Appalachian State University Chancellor Search Advisory Committee Meeting Sept. 13

September 11, 2024 Appalachian State University’s Chancellor Search Advisory Committee will convene virtually at 9 a.m. on Friday, September 13, 2024. The meeting will be livestreamed from the Leon Levine Hall Board Room on the campus of Appalachian State University in Boone, North Carolina, and available for the public to watch at chancellor.appstate.edu/search .

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App State Marks its 125th Year with Strong Enrollment of 21,570 Students in Fall 2024

September 10, 2024 Appalachian State University marks its 125th year by enrolling 21,570 Mountaineer students in fall 2024, a 1.5% increase over last fall. “Our steady growth is supported by intentionally managed enrollment at the Boone campus and significant growth in both the Hickory campus and App State Online student populations,” App State Interim Chancellor Heather Norris announced.

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App State Mountaineers Fall on Road to No. 22 Clemson 66-20

September 9, 2024 Clemson made a bounce-back statement against an App State team known for its power-conference upsets and scares, as the Mountaineers had no answer for the 22nd-ranked Tigers in the early going of a 66-20 loss in Memorial Stadium on Saturday night. Before Saturday, App State’s last eight games against power-conference opponents had all been decided by seven points or less, with the Mountaineers going 3-5 in that stretch. They are now 3-3 in their last six games against ranked opponents.

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Holmes Drive Parking Deck Now Open on App State’s Boone Campus

September 5, 2024 App State’s Holmes Convocation Center Parking Deck offers 600 parking stalls, increasing the number of Boone campus parking spaces available for faculty, staff and students by 460 from the former surface lot on which it stands. The primary use for the new deck is for faculty, staff and student parking, with event parking as needed. App State university has the flexibility to offer visitor parking in select lots as needed upon demand. The additional parking also supports events at the App State’s Holmes Center as well as the 30,000-seat Kidd Brewer multipurpose stadium that is about a half-mile away.

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App State Awarded $35 Million Grant to Expand GEAR UP College Access Program 

September 5, 2024 The U.S. Department of Education has awarded a seven-year, $35 million GEAR UP (Gaining Early Awareness and Readiness for Undergraduate Programs) grant to Appalachian State University’s College Access Partnerships in the Reich College of Education. The award represents the largest single grant ever awarded to the university. GEAR UP is a federally funded college access program designed to increase the number of students who are prepared to enter and succeed in postsecondary education immediately after high school. Through a wide range of research-based services to students, families and teachers, the GEAR UP NC Appalachian Partnership aims to improve college-going mindsets, high school graduation rates and postsecondary enrollment rates.

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