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Today’s Email Announcements

Republican Women to Meet April 27

The Watauga County Republican Women’s Club (WCRWC) will have its next monthly meeting onWednesday, April 27th at the Sagebrush Steakhouse in Boone, NC. The meeting will begin at noon. All interested in furthering the Republican cause in The High Country are welcome to attend and are invited to join. Call 828-295-9020 for more information. The WCRWC meets the last Wednesday of each month.

ASU and CCC&TI Establish Transition Program for Communication Sciences Program

An articulation agreement between Appalachian State University and Caldwell Community College and Technical Institute (CCC&TI) was signed March 30 to provide students with the opportunity to smoothly transition from CCC&TI’s two-year Speech Language Pathology Assistant Program (SLPA) to Appalachian’s four-year degree program in Communication Sciences and Disorders (CSD).

The SLPA program at CCC&TI has been graduating students for more than 10 years. After graduation, students can join the workforce as a speech language pathology assistant or continue their education. Only seven colleges in North Carolina offer the Bachelor of Science degree in Communication Sciences and Disorders. Many students who graduate from CCC&TI decide to enroll at Appalachian.

This articulation agreement will make a seamless transition for students who want to continue their education in speech pathology, as they will know exactly which courses will transfer to Appalachian and which will not. This information will help map out their academic plan much earlier and will help them better plan for their future, according to Jane Rex, director of Appalachian’s Office of Transfer Services.

Dr. Louise Keegan, program director of Appalachian’s CSD program, stated that the articulation agreement will encourage highly qualified and enthusiastic SLPA graduates from CCC&TI to continue their education in a four-year program with opportunity to pursue graduate studies in speech language pathology.

“These students with their practical experience will bring a wealth of hands-on knowledge to undergraduate classes at Appalachian, and their diverse perspectives will enhance the educational experiences of those students who have not yet had such encounters. Furthermore, this program will benefit education in the state as both institutions work collaboratively to improve educational experiences for students pursuing these healthcare professions,” Keegan said.

Mark Poarch, executive vice president of CCC&TI, stated, “This is an exciting day for both institutions but especially for students who will now have another avenue for continuing their education. I am extremely proud of the long-standing relationship between CCC&TI and ASU. This articulation agreement is another example of these two institutions working collaboratively to create opportunities for students.”

CCC&TI TRIO/SSS Program Honors Students

Caldwell Community College and Technical Institute recently held its annual TRIO Student Support Services (SSS) Awards Celebration at the J.E. Broyhill Civic Center in Lenoir. Students, college officials and community supporters gathered for a reception to pay tribute to the program’s students.

TRIO/SSS provides opportunities to CCC&TI students for academic development, assistance with basic college requirements and motivation toward the successful completion of post-secondary education.

A total of 46 TRIO/SSS students, representing both CCC&TI campuses, will graduate this spring. Another five will either transfer to a 4-year institution or graduate from CCC&TI this summer. As part of the ceremony, students were presented white cords to designate their affiliation with the college’s TRIO program as they march at graduation.

Other awards presented to students included Academic Recognition, Academic Excellence, Outstanding Personal Growth, Outstanding Persistence, Outstanding Participation and Service and recognition of TRIO/SSS tutors.

Also honored were Jordan Zuzolo, a senior at South Caldwell High School and Kiley Mendosa, a senior at West Caldwell High School, both winners of the 2016 G. Lewis Bernhardt Fellow award. This year marks the 14th annual award of the endowed G. Lewis Bernhardt Scholarship, which is reserved for TRIO/ETS graduating seniors who plan to study at CCC&TI.

As is tradition at the annual event, a TRIO/SSS student shared her “TRIO First-Generation College Statement.” Rheannon Joseph, who is currently completing her Paralegal Technology Associate Degree, shared how much TRIO has meant to her.

“TRIO has been a big part of my college experience,” Joseph said. “TRIO staff have often been my sounding board … I can always count on my TRIO family.”

For more information on TRIO programs at CCC&TI, call 828-726-2727 or visit www.cccti.edu/trio.

Boone Business Expo Set for May 12 at the Mall

This is your opportunity to register early and get your booth for our upcoming Business Expo.  As an exhibitor last year we would like to extend you the opportunity to register first this year. We will give priority placement in the order registered if possible.

This is a show, tell and sell show!  Don’t forget if you want to sell your products and services in the mall you must first get approval from Mall Management.  You can contact Meredith Golden atboonemallmeredith@gmail.com or at 264-7286.

We are expecting a sell out once again so REGISTER EARLY!  Please let us know when registering if you need electric.  You can register on our website at

http://boonechamber.chambermaster.com/events/details/business-expo-2016-05-12-2016-4120

Program Partners get a FREE BOOTH!!

Don’t let this opportunity pass you by.  Please feel free to contact us with any questions or concerns.

World History and Economics Conference to Feature Dr. James Robinson April 16

Dr. James Robinson, leading specialist in development economics and economic history at the Harris School of Public Policy at the University of Chicago, will be the keynote speaker at the 11th Annual Appalachian Spring Conference in World History and Economics: Institutions and Development, to be held at Appalachian State University April 15-17.

Robinson will address “Living with Leviathan” beginning at 9 a.m.April 16 in 116 Anne Belk Hall.  The public is invited; however, registration for the conference is required. For more information, visit http://history.appstate.edu/appalachian-spring-conference

Robinson’s main research interests are in comparative economic and political development with a particular interest in Latin America and Sub-Saharan Africa. He is currently conducting research in the Democratic Republic of the Congo, Sierra Leone, Haiti and in Colombia where he has taught for many years during the summer at the University of the Andes in Bogotá. He has written and co-authored numerous books and articles, including the widely acclaimed “Economic Origins of Dictatorship and Democracy.” Recent articles include “Institutions, Human Capital and Development” in the Annual Reviews of Economics, and “Chiefs: Economic Development and Elite Control of Civil Society in Sierra Leone” in the Journal of Political Economy.

In addition, the conference will feature two roundtable discussions on the history of Cuba and speculation on the country’s future economy with an emphasis on the recent diplomatic events between Cuba and the U.S.

The first panel, titled “December 17, 2014: The U.S.-Cuban Rapprochement in a Historical Perspective,” will be chaired by Dr. Joseph Gonzalez on Friday, April 15, from 4:30-6 p.m.

in 1012 Peacock Hall. It will focus on Cuba’s economic history within a global perspective, especially its diplomatic relationship with the U.S.

The second panel, “Cuba 2026: The Futures of Cuba,” will be on Saturday, April 16, from 2:304 p.m. in 116 Anne Belk Hall. Dr. Jeffrey Bortz will serve as chair and the discussion will focus on speculation about Cuba’s economic future in light of the recent reparation of the relationship between the country and the U.S.

Both round table panels will feature the following scholars:

  • Dr. Oscar Zanetti, professor emeritus, University of Havana and noted economic historian of Cuba
  • Dr. Servando Valdés Sánchez, professor and researcher, Institute of Cuban History, Havana, Cuba
  • Dr. Louis A. Pérez, Jr., J. Carlyle Sitterson Professor of History, University of North Carolina, Chapel Hill
  • Dr. Joseph J. Gonzalez, assistant professor, Interdisciplinary and Global Studies programs, Appalachian’s Department of Cultural, Gender, and Global Studies
  • Dr. Renee Scherlen, professor and curriculum coordinator for Appalachian’s Department of Government and Justice Studies
  • Dr. Jeffrey Bortz, professor of history at Appalachian