Appalachian Connections
February 2019

Message from Chancellor Sheri Everts

Because of the dedication of our faculty and staff and the quality of our students, Appalachian is consistently lauded by U.S. News & World Report, The Princeton Review and many other national publications and guides. VIQTORY recently awarded Appalachian the 2019–20 Military Friendly® School designation, with the university earning a Gold distinction.

At Appalachian, your students benefit from innovative, interdisciplinary and integrative curriculum, and mentorship from faculty, staff and classmates. Opportunities abound for active learning, outreach and professional advancement.

The achievements of our faculty, staff and students, as well as our alumni successes, are inspiring. I always like to share recent examples of how the Appalachian Community is making a difference and contributing here on campus, in our state and around the world. These stories, published recently on our news and events website Today.appstate.edu, are great examples:

• Two interior design students from the College of Fine and Applied Arts were recently recognized by PAVE in New York City for a retail display design. 

• Ryan Gillespie ’17, of Winston-Salem, has found his niche in sustainable transportation, opening an electric bicycle sales and service shop in his hometown.

• Ben Asma and the team in the Department of Wellness and Prevention Services have established a Collegiate Recovery Community that supports continued recovery and overall holistic well-being for our students while in college. 

• Cara Hagan, assistant professor in Appalachian’s Department of Theatre and Dance, has won Best Southern States documentary at the Southern States Indie Fan Film Fest.

• Salisbury City Manager Lane Bailey ’87 ’89 is an avid volunteer, setting an example at home and in Israel, China, Denmark and Tanzania.

• Pritzker Fellow Crystal Kelly ’00 ’09 is working with members of the local community to develop early childhood programs that may serve as models nationwide. A recent assessment by Appalachian’s Wellness and Prevention Services indicated an increasing number of students have dependents and need additional support, such as child care options, to thrive at Appalachian and have a greater chance of finishing their degrees. 

There are many more examples of Mountaineer spirit and success on Today.appstate.edu, where you’ll find an array of news, features, events, profiles and Appalachian Community accomplishments. I hope you will visit this site often, and share the stories that make you proud.

Each of our students contributes to our reputation as the premier, public undergraduate institution in North Carolina. We can all be proud of our status in the world of higher education.