Fall 2008 - Appalachian Magazine

36 Pages·2008·6.21 MB·English

Appalachian
Today
Fall 2008
A Closer
Look
at Our
Evolution
Appalachian commemorates Charles Darwin’s
revolutionary theory and its cultural impact
Tending the Blue Ridge Parkway
Committing to green energy
Appalachian State University’s Magazine
Appalachia n
Coming to Appalachian!
Toda y
Volume 16 s Number 2
Appalachian Today is published by the Office of Public Af-
fairs in the University Advancement Division twice annu-
ally for alumni, faculty, staff and friends of Appalachian
State University. It is funded through unrestricted gifts to
The Appalachian Fund. Correspondence should be sent
to Linda Coutant, Editor in Chief, Appalachian Today, Of-
fice of Public Affairs, Appalachian State University, PO Box
32153, Boone, NC 28608-2153, [phone]. Ad-
dress changes should be sent to [email protected].
www.today.appstate.edu
Chancellor
Kenneth E. Peacock
Vice Chancellor for University Advancement
Susan Pettyjohn
Editor in Chief
Linda Coutant ’01 MA
Managing Editor
Kate Cahow
Designer
Roslyn Howard ’83
Photographers
Troy Tuttle ’07
Marie Freeman ’86
Class Notes
Rachel Robinson
Lindsay Parker ’04 ’06
Editorial Advisory Committee
Lynn Drury
Dolly Farrell ’06
Tracey Ford ’82 ’95
Rainer Goetz
Jodi Hartley
Holly Hirst
For a complete listing of cultural events
Anna Kuhlman
Susan Pettyjohn on campus and admission information,
Samantha Stevens visit Appalachian’s Arts Calendar
Haley Yates at www.thearts.appstate.edu.
North Carolina
Johnny Burleson
Dance Theatre
Megan Johnson
Photo by Jeff Cravotta
David Holt and Doc Watson
Appalachian State University:
www.appstate.edu
Alumni Affairs:
www.alumni.appstate.edu
Admissions:
www.admissions.appstate.edu
Athletics:
www.goasu.com Nancy
Huddleston
Office of Cultural Affairs: Packer
www.highsouth.com/oca
Human Resource Services:
www.hrs.appstate.edu
University Advancement:
www.give.appstate.edu Andy Warhol:
A Photographic Legacy
Appalachian State University is committed to providing equal
opportunity in education and employment to all applicants, students,
and employees. The university does not discriminate in access to
its educational programs and activities, or with respect to hiring or
the terms and conditions of employment, on the basis of race, color,
national origin, religion, creed, sex, gender identity and expression,
political affiliation, age, disability, veteran status, or sexual orientation.
The university actively promotes diversity among students and
employees. The Blind Boys of Alabama Carmen
57,500 copies of this document were printed at a cost of $36,743,
or 64 cents per copy.
©2008 Appalachian State University
chancellor’s column
Rising to a new level of excellence
Earlier this year I hosted a series of Chancellor’s Receptions and had the privilege of meeting
loyal alumni and friends of Appalachian State University in cities across the country. It is evident
that people hold immense pride for this institution. They also
dream big for Appalachian, and so do I. We talked about what
can make Appalachian even better for students, the region and
the world – and with our shared enthusiasm and drive, I believe
anything is possible.
This year’s freshman class is just one example of Appalachian’s
exciting momentum. More than 15,000 students applied for
admission and from that group we have selected our most
impressive incoming class yet. Their average SAT score is 1163,
42 percent had a 4.0 grade point average in high school and 13
percent come from underrepresented groups. This distinguished
admission profile is what we’ll be continuing to recruit as outlined
in Appalachian’s new strategic plan, which will be presented to the
Board of Trustees for approval in late September after months of
campus-wide input from faculty, students and administrators.
Essentially a blueprint for Appalachian’s future, the strategic plan will raise the university to a
new level of excellence. It consists of six priorities:
• Create and maintain superior curricula, programs, financial incentives and intellectual
environments to attract, educate and graduate an exceptional and diverse community of
students.
• Provide resources to enable all faculty members to perform quality research and
creative activities, and enhance resources in successive, focus areas of strength to enable
Appalachian to make sustained and major contributions in those fields.
• Allocate resources, develop support services and promote a collegial culture to attract,
develop and retain an exceptional and diverse faculty and staff.
• Apply our intellectual, academic, cultural and research resources to promote sustainable
economic growth, prosperity, and quality of life throughout this region and state.
• Develop and implement a comprehensive plan to protect and enhance our distinctive
historical, geographical and cultural identity associated with our location in the
Appalachian mountains.
• Practice sound management of institutional resources to continue to be a best value for
students.
Within these key priorities, I see Appalachian further emphasizing sustainable development
and renewable energy, and other central areas such as graduate education and the health
sciences.
I am pleased the North Carolina General Assembly granted Appalachian full funding for
enrollment growth. Additionally, toward our commitment to the health sciences, the General
Assembly has allocated $4.2 million in planning money for a health sciences building to be
constructed across from Watauga Medical Center, part of the Appalachian Regional Healthcare
System. Join me in thanking our legislators and Appalachian Regional Healthcare System for
their support and shared vision in this endeavor.
This is an exciting time at Appalachian. In addition to the pending approval of our strategic
plan, plans are underway for a comprehensive fundraising campaign that will support our
dreams and take Appalachian to new heights. Together, we can make it all happen.
With Mountaineer Pride,
Kenneth E. Peacock
Chancellor
Appalachian
Today
Fall 2008
features
A Road Most Traveled . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .7
The Blue Ridge Parkway has been a recreational escape for generations
of Appalachian students. Now, students connect with the parkway through
academic and service-learning opportunities.
Charles Darwin at 200 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 12
His theory of natural selection is perhaps the most comprehensive scientific theory ever
proposed. Select Appalachian faculty members explain why it still matters.
University College. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 16
This new design for academic inquiry and success will benefit students
from their first year until they graduate.
departments
On Campus . . . . . . . . . . . .4
College of Arts and Sciences . . 17
Walker College of Business. . . 18
Reich College of Education . . . 19
College of Fine and
Applied Arts . . . . . . . . . . . 20
Cratis D. Williams
Graduate School . . . . . . . . 21
Hayes School of Music . . . . . 22
Belk Library and Information
Commons . . . . . . . . . . . . 23
Alumni News . . . . . . . . . . 24
On the cover…
This skeleton of Archaeopteryx, the world’s oldest known bird, is approximately 150 million years old and was
discovered just one year after Charles Darwin published “On the Origin of Species.” It is one of the best-known
transitional fossils – sometimes referred to as “missing links.” It has the flight feathers of a bird combined with the
skeleton of a dinosaur, which helped scientists recognize the evolutionary transition from dinosaurs to birds. A cast
of Archaeopteryx is on display in Appalachian’s McKinney Geology Teaching Museum.
4 Appalachian Today Fall 2008
A new season, a new look
Amid construction of Appalachian State University’s new athletics complex, a record crowd of 30,718 roars as the
three-time national champions enter the field for a home opener against Jacksonville University. Appalachian won
56-7. The new complex under construction behind the west-side stands will support student-athletes in all sports
with new locker rooms, a study hall and strength and conditioning facilities. To be completed in 2009, the complex
will also house athletics offices, club seating and stadium suites. The stadium was enhanced this summer with the
addition of 4,400 seats on the east side and new restrooms and concession stands.
Appalachian Today Fall 2008 5
“
on campus
Quotes to Ponder

“I do not think that any of the qualities you need
for success are gender based. The qualities are
persistence, integrity and skill.”
–JOAN H. ZImmERmAN, president and CEO of the Charlotte-based Southern Shows
Inc., during the spring 2008 Harlan E. Boyles Distinguished CEO Lecture.
“I hope your college experience has given you a
◗ A PASSION FOR RADIO: Naming WASU’s new studio
healthy skepticism of the way the world works, enough in honor of Wayne Sumner ’75 ensures his love for
broadcasting will be remembered at Appalachian.
to be able to imagine and engage in possibilities
WASU’s new studio named
that put people before profit, and qualitative above
for Boone businessman
quantitative values.”
When Appalachian’s WASU FM radio
–mATTHEW BOUCHARD ’08, an anthropology and Spanish major, to his peers during the
station began broadcasting in 1972, Wayne
College of Arts and Sciences’ 2008 spring commencement.
Sumner ’75 was one of the first people to go
“on air.”
App climbs to No. 9 in U.S. News & World Report The Board of Trustees recently approved
naming WASU’s new studio in honor of
Appalachian rose one point to No. 9 in South, also in a tie with the Sumner, who is president of Jackson Sumner
the “Best Universities-Master’s in the South” College of Charleston. & Associates, an insurance underwriting firm
category in U.S. News & World Report’s 2009 Appalachian also is in Boone.
America’s Best Colleges Guide. Appalachian included in the magazine’s “Over the years radio has been a passion
tied with the College of Charleston for the first-year experiences and of mine, and my business degree from
ninth-place ranking. learning communities listing Appalachian helped me to fulfill a dream of
The university also climbed to fourth in the “Programs to Look For” category. owning my own radio station when I bought
place in the magazine’s category of top public “Appalachian continues to rise to new WBAG in Burlington in 1993,” Sumner said.
master-degree granting universities in the levels of excellence,” said Chancellor Kenneth The Wayne L. Sumner Radio Studio will be
E. Peacock. “It’s no secret that Appalachian located on the first floor of the Department
nuMBers offers top academic programs, has a highly of Communication’s George G. Beasley
qualified faculty and staff, and provides Broadcasting Complex, projected to open in
the mentorship and support that helps our 2010 at the corner of Rivers and Depot streets.
$506 students make a difference in the state, nation

million and world. It is always gratifying to see our
Appalachian’s total dollar impact on the work recognized.”
High Country’s regional economy, fiscal
year 2006-07.
◗ WINNINg NEWSPAPER STAFF:
$97 For the 15th time in 17 years, The Appalachian
million student newspaper was deemed “All American,”
Student spending for off-campus the top ranking conferred by the Associated
Collegiate Press (ACP) in its annual member
housing, food, entertainment, recreation
critique. The paper received marks of
and transportation.
distinction for coverage and content, writing
and editing, photos, art and graphics, and layout
$7.8 and design. The newspaper’s staff during 2007-

million 08 included, from left, Chris Zaluski ’08, Editor
Spending of visitors attending campus in Chief Clair Baxter ’08, millie Tolleson ’08, and
athletic and cultural events. Jon LaFontaine.
Source: Appalachian State University Economic
and Tax Revenue Impact FY 2006, a report pro-
vided by the Center for Economic Research and
Policy Analysis, Walker College of Business. View
the full report at www.news.appstate.edu/misc/
economic-and-tax-revenue-impacts-2008.pdf
6 Appalachian Today Fall 2008
on campus
Faculty and Staff Kudos Appalachian joins N.C.
Karl Campbell (History) received the Research Campus
2007 North Caroliniana Book Award for
“Sam Ervin: Last of the Founding Fa- Appalachian will have a presence on the
thers,” presented by the North Carolini- N.C. Research Campus in Kannapolis, a 350-
ana Society. Rendering of north elevation (King Street/Hamby Alley) acre campus devoted to research in the fields
of human health and nutrition.
Construction site cleared
David Considine (Curriculum and Instruc-
David Nieman, a professor in Appalachian’s
tion) received the 2008 Cable’s Leaders
in Learning Award, recognizing him as for new education building Department of Health, Leisure and Exercise
one of the nation’s most innovative edu- Science, is establishing a laboratory on
cators. Charter Communications and Construction of the new Reich College of the campus that is expected to be fully
Cable in the Classroom present the award annually. Education building progressed this summer operational this fall.
with the demolition of existing buildings on
The N.C. Research Campus (NCRC) is the
Carter Hammett-mcgarry (general
the site near Howard and College streets and
Education) has been named president- brainchild of David H. Murdock, owner of
the firming of architectural plans.
elect of the Association of Deans and Castle & Cooke Inc. and Dole Food Company
Directors of University Colleges for The new five-story, 123,000 square-foot Inc. It will house state-of-the-art laboratory
2009-10. building will expand faculty and staff office space and more than 100 biotechnology
space, classrooms, clinic and lab space, and companies, infusing the region’s economy with
monica Pombo (Communication)
include instructional space for specialized high-tech job opportunities.
received the Dwight L. Freshley
activities and an open student commons.
Outstanding Young Educator Award from “When we learned about the capabilities at
It will face King Street, and have a side
the Southern States Communication Appalachian, and specifically Dr. Nieman’s lab,
Association based on end-of-year orientation toward the College Street parking Mr. Murdock was excited to include them as
student evaluations and teaching philosophy. deck and First Baptist Church. a first-tier partner at the campus,” said Clyde
“It’s been exciting to watch the shape Higgs, vice president for business development
Chilton Rogers (Appalachian Regional
and function of the building emerge, and to at NCRC.
Development Institute) has been recog-
nized by the N.C. Rural Center’s Institute see faculty and staff take ownership in the Appalachian is one of seven UNÇ
for Rural Entrepreneurship for “Leader- fine-tuning of the design,” said RCOE Dean institutions to participate in Murdock’s
ship in Creating an Emerging Entrepre- Charles Duke. “The environment of this new venture. The others are UNC-Chapel Hill,
neurship Region in Rural North Carolina.” space will be so much better for all of us and
UNC Greensboro, UNC Charlotte, N.C. State,
our endeavors in the college.”
Dennis Scanlin (Technology) received the N.C. A&T, and N.C. Central.
Small Wind Advocate of the Year Award Construction should begin next spring.
for the Southeast from the U.S. Depart-
ment of Energy’s Wind Powering Ameri-
ca program.
mark Vogel (English) received a UNC
Board of governors Award for Excellence
in Teaching.

Angie Norris, Chris Earp and Ed gaither (Printing and
Publications) won awards from the Printing Indus-
tries of the Carolinas for design and production of a
staff newsletter, writing center brochure and univer-
sity letterhead.
Patrick Setzer, Ann Kiefert (both of University Com-
munications) and micki Early (retired, academic ad-
vising and orientation), were recognized for their
work on First Connections, Appalachian’s admissions
enrollment guide. It received a grand Award from
CASE, the Council for the Advancement and Support
of Education.
Troy Tuttle (University Communications) was recog- ◗ CYCLING MOUNTAINEERS CLAIM TRIPLE CROWN: For the first time in school his-
nized by CASE with a grand Award for his photograph tory, Appalachian’s cycling team claimed the Atlantic Coast Cycling Conference Division II “Triple Crown”
“Tricks are for kids,” and an Award of Excellence for by winning championships in its three categories: mountain, cyclocross and road racing. Having won
his photo series “Seven girls-Seven Dreams.” the 2008 ACCC Road Championship this spring, Appalachian now has three consecutive ACCC Division II
championships in road season and five overall. This year, Appalachian will host several ACCC races, in-
cluding the ACCC conference championships.
Appalachian Today Fall 2008 7
on campus
Hickory center expands
economic opportunity
Through the N.C. Center for
Engineering Technologies in Hickory,
Appalachian is providing advanced
training and educational opportuni-
ties for the region’s citizens.
“We’ve been in discussion with
regional business and industry leaders
to identify the kinds of knowledge
skills and abilities they want their
workers to have, to match those needs
with an appropriate baccalaureate
program, and to identify a university
to deliver it,” said Sid Connor, special
Among Appalachian’s green initiatives is the REI-funded photovoltaic system installed near Raley Hall. It is ca-
assistant to the provost and director of pable of generating enough electricity annually to power an energy-efficient home.
the center.
Appalachian commits to ‘green’ energy plan
As the fiscal agent and lead partner
of the initiative, Appalachian has
helped establish working relationships This past Earth Day, Appalachian joined • A wind turbine for student and faculty
with Western Carolina University, more than 500 universities, colleges and research is being installed near the Broyhill
UNC Charlotte, Central Piedmont community colleges in pledging to implement a Inn and Conference Center. It will generate
Community College, Catawba Valley comprehensive plan to reduce greenhouse gas enough electricity to power 10-15 homes
Community College and Caldwell emissions 80 percent by the year 2050. each year.
Community College to support
Chancellor Kenneth E. Peacock signed the • The Sustainability Council, comprised of
academic programming. Degree
American College and University Presidents faculty, staff and student representatives,
programs are designed for students
Climate Commitment, which outlines specific is writing a plan to reduce the university’s
who have associate of applied science
strategies these institutions must meet to greenhouse gas emissions.
degrees.
achieve climate neutrality. • A new degree program in environmental
Classes began at the center
“I can’t think of a more appropriate day science joins existing programs such as
last January with coursework in
to sign this agreement than on Earth Day,” appropriate technology, building science,
engineering technology delivered by
Peacock said. “It took a while to get to this sustainable development, the Appalachian
Western Carolina. Appalachian will
point, but Appalachian has been careful to Energy Center, and the Western North
offer a program in building science
make sure we can fulfill the requirements in the Carolina Renewable Energy Initiative.
next spring.
document.” • Student-led organizations such as the
Read more On Campus news Appalachian already has implemented three Renewable Energy Initiative(REI),
at www.today.appstate.edu of seven actions to reduce campus greenhouse Sustainable Energy Society and the
gases outlined in the Collaborative Biodiesel Project sponsor
commitment: numerous educational workshops and
• Adoption of an energy- alternative-energy initiatives.
efficient appliance • Belk Library and Information Commons was
purchasing policy. recently recognized by two leading library
• Access to public magazines – American Libraries and Library
transportation Journal – for its green architecture.
for faculty, staff, • The Energy Center’s CommunityTIES –
students and visitors Trash Into Energy Savings – Project received
through AppalCart, $134,673 this year from the Golden LEAF
Appalachian’s biodiesel- Foundation and Z. Smith Reynolds to
powered fleet. promote using landfill gas as an economic
• Participation in the development engine in local communities.
The sustainable development program’s teaching and research farm
has a new tractor thanks to Boone Kubota and the College of Arts and Waste Minimization • Researchers are partnering with Catawba
Sciences. Pictured from left are Boone Kubota employees Shannon Tolbert component of the County to test biodiesel crops near the
and Denny Norris, sustainable development director Chuck Smith, farm national RecycleMania county’s landfill to determine which crops
manager Brooke Cuttino, and associate professor competition. produce the best oils in the local climate.
Christoff den Biggelaar.
Appalachian’s Read the full American College and
commitment to grow University Presidents Climate Commitment at
and sustain “green” programs and initiatives www.presidentsclimatecommitment.org/html/
extends far beyond this agreement: commitment.php
8 Appalachian Today Fall 2008
A RoAd
Most
tRAveled
like good neighbors, Appalachian and the
Blue Ridge Parkway take care of one another
By Linda Coutant
Appalachian commits to ‘green’ energy plan
It’s a long distance between Las Vegas and Vale, N.C., but teachers from both locales met
this summer on the Blue Ridge Parkway. Julie Candland excitedly snapped photographs for her
third-graders back home in Nevada who have never seen the parkway’s lush greenery and majestic
views. She hopes images of a contrasting landscape will enliven her geography lessons and inspire
students’ writing exercises.
Social studies teacher Rene Porch ’79 used to consider the parkway an escape from college
homework, but now it’s a perfect metaphor for social change when discussing “roads to civilization”
– like the ancient Silk Road and the modern-day Internet – with her students at West Lincoln High
School.
What brought the teachers together was a weeklong National Endowment for the Humanities
institute hosted by Appalachian State University called “Not Just a Scenic Road: The Blue Ridge
Parkway and Its History.” Candland and Porch were among 75 school teachers participating in the
institute, which was offered twice in July, to learn from Appalachian faculty and other experts what
the roadway can teach about the environment, Franklin D. Roosevelt’s New Deal and social issues
both old and new. Besides visiting popular tourist spots, the K-12 teachers learned about the park-
way’s historical, social and recreational significance and designed lesson plans around topics such
Appalachian Today Fall 2008 9
10 Appalachian Today Fall 2008