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App State

App State ROTC Program Honored with Army’s General Douglas MacArthur Award

April 9, 2025 The Appalachian State University Reserve Officers’ Training Corps program, known as the Mountaineer Battalion, has been awarded the U.S. Army’s General Douglas MacArthur Award, recognizing the program’s exceptional contributions to military leadership and training. A ceremony in celebration of the program’s achievement was held March 20 at App State’s Boone campus. Established in 1989, the award, conferred by the U.S. Army Cadet Command, honors the top eight ROTC programs in the country. The award highlights the success of programs in displaying Gen. MacArthur’s ideals — “Duty, Honor, Country” — and accomplishing its mission of training and commissioning second lieutenants for the U.S. Army.

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Details for April 12 Battle at The Rock Spring Game at Kidd Brewer Stadium; Admission Free

April 9, 2025 App State will host its “Battle at The Rock” spring football game on April 12 at Kidd Brewer Stadium. Admission will be free, and fans will be treated to a variety of pregame and in-game opportunities to engage with App State Football and purchase special opportunities. Kickoff is set for 1 p.m. There will be a Pregame FanFest from 10 a.m.-noon in the Jerry Moore Plaza featuring football team autographs and a DJ, as well as a Kid Zone with bounce houses and more. Junior Mountaineer Kids Club members can enter the Kid Zone free of charge. Kid Zone tickets for non-members will be $5.

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Just Announced! Billy Strings & Bryan Sutton with Royal Masat, Live at the Schaefer Center for Two Nights! September 11 and 12

April 7, 2025 Billy Strings & Bryan Sutton with Royal Masat announce two nights of performances at Appalachian State University’s Schaefer Center for the Performing Arts, September 11 and 12. These shows will be ticketed as a lottery, with ticket requests open now until April 21 at 2:00pm ET. Request tickets at billystrings.com/LATL. 2x Grammy Award-winning singer, songwriter and musicianBilly Strings joins forces with renowned guitarist Bryan Sutton to release their new collaborative album, Live at the Legion. Recorded live on April 7, 2024 at Nashville’s American Legion Post 82, the album showcases the acclaimed duo performing 20 traditional bluegrass and folk songs, including new renditions of Bob Dylan’s “Don’t Think Twice, It’s Alright,” Doc Watson’s “Way Downtown” and more.

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An Appalachian Summer Announces Lineup for 2025 Season June 28-July 26

March 27, 2025 Appalachian State University’s annual summer arts celebration, An Appalachian Summer presents its 41st season June 28-July 26 with a diverse lineup of music, dance, theatre, visual arts, and film programming. Artists spanning a variety of genres — folk and pop rock, soul and jazz, R&B and Broadway, chamber and classical, dance, film and visual arts — will be featured in multiple venues on the campus of App State. Tickets go on sale to the public Wednesday, April 16 at 10am.Discounts are available for children/students, App State faculty/staff, and local residents for select performances. For more information, visit www.appsummer.org or call the box office at 828-262-4046.

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App State to Host Lab iMPACTLY Workshop April 3 to Help Nonprofits Maximize Effectiveness

March 26, 2025 Appalachian State University’s Department of Government and Justice Studies, in collaboration with the Center for Excellence in Teaching and Learning for Student Success, will host the inaugural Lab iMPACTLY Nonprofit Workshop on Thursday, April 3, from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. in Room 201A of the Plemmons Student Union. The workshop aims to equip local nonprofits with the tools, strategies and insights needed to enhance their impact, particularly in securing and managing grants.

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Dr. Heather Hulburt Norris Named Chancellor of Appalachian State University

February 27, 2025 Dr. Heather Hulburt Norris has been named chancellor of Appalachian State University, effective March 1. University of North Carolina System President Peter Hans made the announcement upon election by the Board of Governors of the 17-campus University of North Carolina System on Feb. 27. “Dr. Norris has been a widely respected leader and scholar in the Appalachian community for more than two decades, and her service as interim chancellor since last April has been exemplary,” Hans said. “Dr. Norris has risen steadily through the ranks of academic and campus leadership, showing a deep capacity for aligning institutional incentives to student success in a way that has strengthened her university and benefitted a generation of Mountaineer graduates. “Everyone who has worked with Dr. Norris praises her ability to take on complex problems without losing sight of the university’s core mission of service,” Hans said.

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Appalachian State University’s Chancellor Search Advisory Committee to Meet Feb. 21 at 4 pm

February 20, 2025 Appalachian State University’s Chancellor Search Advisory Committee will convene via conference call at 4 p.m. on Friday, Feb. 21, 2025, to consider the qualifications, competence, performance, character, fitness, conditions of appointment, or conditions of initial employment of an individual public officer or employee or prospective public officer or employee in accordance with N.C.G.S § 143-318.11(a)(6).

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App State Reports Record Spring 2025 Enrollment of 20,291 Students, Strong Retention Rate Despite Helene Impacts

February 19, 2025 Months after Hurricane Helene disrupted the fall semester, Appalachian State University announced a 2.2% increase in spring 2025 enrollment numbers compared with spring 2024 — a milestone achievement that University of North Carolina System leaders credit to an “all-hands effort” from faculty and staff, as well as state leaders. The census day enrollment of 20,291 students represents a record spring enrollment at App State. In addition, the retention of first-year students from the fall to spring semester is 94.4%, a five-year high.

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Old-Time Fiddler’s Convention Returns to Appalachian State University This Weekend

February 7, 2025  The Old-Time Fiddler’s Convention returns to Appalachian State University in Boone this weekend and promises to be a fun-filled, foot-stompin’ good time for all involved. Now in its 17th year, the main event will be held on Saturday, Feb. 8, at Plemmons Student Union from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. A large crowd is expected to attend again this year, including instrumentalists, vocalists and fans of traditional mountain music for which our area is known. A square dance will serve as the official “kick-off” on the evening prior, Friday, Feb. 7, from 5-7 p.m., in the student union solarium. Saturday’s line-up will feature various competitions for adults and youth, including mandolin, guitar, banjo, fiddle, string band and dance, and held in the Summit Trail Solarium. By Sherrie Norris

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App State to Host Free Aging Academy Events in Boone, Hickory

February 3, 2025 Appalachian State University is hosting free community Aging Academy events on its Boone and Hickory campuses this winter and spring. Each event features expert speakers who will address relevant topics for aging adults. The academy is part of the Aging Well program presented by the Appalachian Institute for Health and Wellness (AIHW). “Taking care of our physical, mental and emotional health is essential for healthy aging,” said Mary Sheryl Horine, AIHW outreach and education director. “The Aging Academy offers educational resources on topics related to health and well-being as we grow older, and it provides a wonderful opportunity to connect with others in the community who have a shared interest in health.”

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The Schaefer Center Presents Series Opens Spring Season with Ballet Hispánico’s CARMEN.maquia

January 23, 2025. The Schaefer Center Presents (SCP) performing arts series, presented by Appalachian State University’s Office of Arts Engagement and Cultural Resources, welcomes acclaimed Latino dance company Ballet Hispánico in CARMEN.maquia, a revolutionary fusion of art and dance, Feb. 8 at 7:30pm at the Schaefer Center for the Performing Arts. Tickets are $45 Tier 1, $35 Tier 2, $25 Tier 3, $15 children/students; 10% off all tiers for App State faculty/staff.Enter Code BOGO at checkout for a Buy One Get One free offer on all tickets.Buy 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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Appalachian State University’s Fifth and Former Chancellor, Frank Borkowski, Dies at 88

January 22, 2025 Francis T. Borkowski, who served as Appalachian State University’s Chancellor from 1993-2003, died Sunday, January 19, at his home in Valle Crucis following a period of declining health. Better known as Frank, Borkowski was a man of great insight with varied talents, skills and interests. He will long be remembered as an innovative leader who, in one short decade, led ASU through one of its most advanced growth spurts in the school’s history. According to his obituary, compliments of Austin and Barnes Funeral Service, Borkowski’s move from the University of South Florida to ASU offered him “an opportunity to take the reins of an ascendant college while relocating closer to family in the Carolinas.”  By Sherrie Norris `

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Turchin Center Announces Fizzy First Friday Celebration February 7, from 5-8pm

January 22, 2025. The staff at the Turchin Center for the Visual Arts invites the community to Fizzy First Friday on Friday, February 7, from 5-8pm. This exciting evening of art, community, and celebration is free and open to all. Brave the winter weather and come inside where it’s cozy! Cultural Resources. “We’re thrilled to celebrate these remarkable exhibitions and to offer our community an inspiring and fun evening of art and connection.” Don’t miss this opportunity to explore contemporary art, engage with artists, and celebrate the creative spirit that makes our community thrive. We look forward to seeing you there!

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Registration is Open for Girls on the Run of the High Country for Spring Season Starting Feb. 10

January 21, 2025. Registration is now open for Girls on the Run (GOTR) of the High Country — a program for girls in third through fifth grades to develop social, emotional and physical skills to successfully navigate life experiences. Registration is also open for the GOTR Heart & Sole middle school program for girls in sixth through eighth grades. Each program is made possible through Appalachian State University’s Appalachian Institute for Health and Wellness. The GOTR spring season will begin the week of Feb. 10. Over the course of 10 weeks, the programs combine physical activity, social-emotional learning and community impact projects. Through dynamic lessons, team-building and fun running games, girls build confidence and important life skills.

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22nd Appalachian Mountain Photography Announces Finalists; Exhibition Opens Feb. 7

January 16, 2025. The Turchin Center for the Visual Arts (TCVA) is excited to announce the finalists for this year’s upcoming 22nd Appalachian Mountain Photography Competition (AMPC) exhibition. With over 500 images submitted by 76 artists, jurors selected 47 photographs to embody the theme “Making Kin: Belonging & Longing in Appalachia”. The 22nd AMPC exhibition will open Friday, February 7, 2025 with a public reception that evening. People’s Choice voting will take place in-person in the gallery, and the winner will be announced at the private Awards Reception on March 22.

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2024 — App State’s 125th Year Was Marked by Resilience, Progress and Opportunity

January 15, 2025. With the close of 2024, Appalachian State University reflects on a year of remarkable growth and achievements — one defined by Mountaineer resilience, innovation and versatility. Milestones from the university’s 125th anniversary year include new pathways to expand education access, record support for research funding, the continued improvement of campus facilities and recovery from Hurricane Helene — a historic natural disaster. The university remained committed to its founding mission of expanding access to higher education, developing new pathways for students to receive a high-quality App State education that paves the way for higher wages and greater opportunities.

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Parent to Parent Family Support Network Launches Survey for Families with Specialized Health Care Needs after Hurricane Helene

December 26, 2024 Appalachian State University’s Parent to Parent Family Support Network (P2P-FSN), a program of the Appalachian Institute for Health and Wellness, is taking action to connect families of children with special health care needs who were impacted by Hurricane Helene with resources to assist with their unique challenges. The survey focuses on identifying urgent requirements, including access to shelter, medical care, special education services and mental health support. The data collected will enable P2P-FSN to prioritize needs and deliver the most effective guidance to families in need. “Our goal is to ensure that families with children who have special health care needs are connected to resources to receive the support they need to recover and rebuild after a disaster,” said Mary Sheryl Horine, director of outreach and education for the Appalachian Institute for Health and Wellness.

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Hellbender Heroes: App State Team Continues Nearly 20 Years of Research to Help Protect NC’s Giant Salamanders

December 20, 2024 Slithering in the rocky streams and rivers of the eastern United States is a rare species of giant salamanders known as hellbenders. Dr. Michael Gangloff, professor in Appalachian State University’s Department of Biology, has been researching the amphibians for nearly two decades. Recently, his lab assisted a team tasked with transferring the giant salamanders from the now removed Shull’s Mill Dam on the Watauga River to a newly restored habitat downstream. “Our goal was to move the hellbenders out of harm’s way before the dam was removed,” said Gangloff, “but it’s also an attempt to see that if we move them into a new habitat where there aren’t as many of these animals, if they will establish populations there.”

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Perseverance Pays Off: Over 1,500 App State Graduates Achieve Degrees This Fall

December 18, 2024 Appalachian State University celebrated graduates’ achievements during Fall 2024 Commencement ceremonies on Dec. 13, marking the culmination of their academic journeys amid such challenges as a global pandemic and a natural disaster. Over 1,500 students applied to graduate this fall, including 1,373 undergraduate students from seven colleges and schools and 191 graduate students and nine doctoral candidates from the Williams School of Graduate Studies. Recordings of the three commencement ceremonies are available on App State’s commencement website.

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App State’s Fall Commencement Ceremonies are on Friday, December 13

December 9, 2024 Appalachian State University will recognize fall 2024 graduates during commencement ceremonies on Friday, Dec. 13. Ceremonies will take place at 9 a.m., 1 p.m. and 5 p.m. in the Holmes Convocation Center on App State’s Boone campus. During the events, graduates will walk across the stage in Holmes Convocation Center and be professionally photographed receiving their diploma covers.

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Dowell Loggains Will be the New Head Coach for App State Football

December 8, 2024 A respected offensive play-caller at both the NFL and college levels, Dowell Loggains has been chosen as the next head coach of App State Football, Director of Athletics Doug Gillin announced Saturday. Loggains (pronounced LOG-ans), 44, is the 23rd head football coach in program history. His five-year contract, which runs through the 2029 season, was approved Saturday afternoon by Interim Chancellor Heather Norris and the Appalachian State University Board of Trustees. Most recently the offensive coordinator and quarterbacks coach for the top-15 ranked South Carolina Gamecocks, Loggains will be formally introduced Monday during a noon press conference at Kidd Brewer Stadium’s Grandview Ballroom that is open to the public and will also be streamed live on App State Football’s YouTube, Facebook and X pages.

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Shawn Clark Released as App State Head Football Coach After Five Season at the Helm of the Mountaineers’ Program


December 2, 2024 . App State Director of Athletics Doug Gillin announced Monday that football head coach Shawn Clark has been released from his contract following his fifth full season at the helm of the Mountaineers’ program. “I want to thank Shawn for all he has done for the App State football program,” Gillin said. “Shawn is a true Mountaineer. He has given his heart and soul to his alma mater. He has navigated numerous challenges in his tenure and done so with class and integrity. This was a difficult decision, but after an evaluation of the program, we decided to make the change now.

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