Spring 2010 - Appalachian Magazine

44 Pages·2010·6.84 MB·English

Spring 2010
Appalachian State University
Author
Stephen Dubner
The “Freak”quel
14 JUST ONe
aRMaNTi edwaRdS
This record-breaking student-athlete
gave his all for Appalachian.
SPRING 2010 | VOLUME 18 | NUMBER 1
2 ChanCellor's message
We need your support more now than ever.
4 on the mountain
Campus news and accolades.
16 the “freak”quel
Alumnus and author of "SuperFreakonomics"
speaks with Appalachian Today.
19 tom reese in memoriam
A man of diverse interests who loved
Appalachian.
20 the Value of internships
Geology students hone their skills in the field.
22 moVe more, liVe Better
Be Active – Appalachian Partnership becomes a
statewide model of success.
24 eXpressiVe arts at
appalaChian
Where art and therapy work hand and hand.
26 q&a With presiDent
harrY Williams
Delaware State's new president regards
Appalachian as a model institution.
27 the sCienCe of snoWflakes
Science and art come together in a photo essay.
30 researCh rounDup
Update on recent scholarly work by Appalachian
professors.
32 the keY of suCCess
Dreams come true in a variety of genres for ’90s
Hayes School of Music graduates.
34 alumni notes
Check out the latest news from classmates.
On the cover

Author Stephen Dubner ’84. Find out more on
page 16.
There is only one Armanti Edwards. The former quarterback led his Mountaineers to two
national championships, bested the Michigan Wolverines, and rewrote the record books
in his pursuit of gridiron excellence, while still managing to graduate from Appalachian in
fewer than four years. Edwards now looks to continue his legacy in an NFL uniform.
SPRING 2010 | VOLUME 18 | NUMBER 1
We need your support now more than ever
Is it spring yet? I ask not only because we’ve endured the snowiest winter Boone
has experienced in years, but because of the ongoing fiscal situation that has so
greatly challenged higher education during the past year
Appalachian Today is published by the Office
of University Communications in the University and a half. The Appalachian spirit, as you know, drives
Advancement Division twice annually for alumni, us onward regardless – we can wear a smile in the harsh-
faculty, staff, parents and friends of Appalachian
State University. It is funded through unrestricted est winds and we keep excelling with limited resources.
gifts to The Appalachian Fund.
However, the ongoing fiscal issues are very serious.
Send correspondence to:
Currently, funding from the state covers only 37 percent
MEGAN HAYES ’97
of Appalachian State University’s operating costs, and
Managing Editor
Appalachian Today there is no indication from state leaders this will im-
University Communications
prove. Our state leaders certainly support higher educa-
Appalachian State University
ASU Box 32153 tion, but they simply cannot give us something they do
Boone, NC 28608-2153
not have. The remaining funds must come from private
Chancellor sources. Your support is needed now more than ever to
KENNEtH E. PEAcocK maintain the quality education for which Appalachian is
Vice Chancellor for known, and to continue attracting award-winning faculty and quality students.
University Advancement
SuSAN PEttYjoHN Despite these tough times, Appalachian moved up in its ranking in the 2009-10
Executive Editor Kiplinger’s Personal Finance magazine’s rating of the top 100 best values in public
LYNN DrurY colleges and universities in the nation – from 29th to 22nd place. I am especially
Art Director proud of this accomplishment and the dedication from our faculty and staff who
roSLYN HowArD ’83
made it possible.
Contributing Designer
LEILA jAcKSoN ’00 You may ask, “Why should I support higher education?”
Senior Writer/Editor Consider its value, which can be defined in numerous ways. Prospective students
LINDA coutANt ’01 MA
clearly value an Appalachian education, as our Office of Admissions receives
Contributing Writers
KAtE cAHow ’08 MA four times as many applications for admission as there are spaces in the Fall 2010
LEILA jAcKSoN ’00 freshman class. A recent survey of 6,860 alumni, donors, key influencers, as well
toDD MELott
DAvID MENcoNI as students, prospective students and faculty and staff, revealed that 98 percent of
jANE NIcHoLSoN ’95 MA alumni and 91 percent of students would encourage their friends or family to attend
ANNA PArrISH
KrYStAL wILSoN ’07 ’09 Appalachian. This response is an amazing show of support for our university. The
same survey revealed many positive attitudes about Appalachian, one of the strongest
Photographers
LEILA jAcKSoN ’00 responses being to the statement “Appalachian is a valuable public resource.”
MArIE FrEEMAN ’86
troY tuttLE ’07 For the community, “valuable public resource” can be seen in our academic pro-
Web Design grams that address societal needs, such as our new four-year, pre-licensure nursing
PEtE MoNtALDI ’89 program that begins this summer. It joins an RN-to-BSN completion program. Both
are part of Appalachian’s new College of Health Sciences and Allied Professions,
Address changes should be sent to:
[email protected] which will position Appalachian as the premier university for outstanding academic
preparation of health and allied professionals in Western North Carolina.
Appalachian State University is committed to
equality of educational opportunity and does
The value of connecting faculty expertise with real-world applications is evidenced
not discriminate against applicants, students or
employees on the basis of race, color, national by Dr. David Nieman’s recent work with NASCAR pit crew members, assessing their
origin, religion, sex, age, disabling condition
physical fitness and recommending how they can improve their speed and agility. Dr.
or sexual orientation. Appalachian also actively
promotes diversity among students and Gary Walker exemplifies quality mentorship by having received the Conference of
employees.
Southern Graduate Schools’ 2010 Award for Faculty Excellence in Mentoring Gradu-
102,204 copies of this document were printed at ate Students. Dr. Jennifer Snodgrass in the Hayes School of Music demonstrates the
a cost of $49,488, or 48 cents per copy. value of innovative teaching with her Tablet PC in the classroom project, which has
brought the university significant financial contributions from Microsoft.
©2010 Appalachian State University
In closing, I want to add that the continuation of quality education at Appalachian
in recent years would not have been possible without UNC System President Erskine
Bowles, who announced in February that he will step down at the end of 2010. His
leadership has helped the 16 constituent institutions operate better and more ef-
ficiently, and has protected North Carolina’s reputation as having one of the best
public university systems in the nation. His leader-
ship will be missed, yet I look forward to what future
@ opportunities a new leader will bring.
As you reflect on your Appalachian experience,
Keep up to date:
its influence on your life and career, please know I
am grateful for your ongoing support of this great
www.today.appstate.edu
university.
With Appalachian pride,
kenneth e. peacock
Chancellor
2 Appalachian Today Spring 2010
APPALACHIAN CALENDAR
Through June 5 April 15 – 17 April 23 – 25
Syntax: \‘sin,-,taks,\ Installation Spring Alumni
Turchin Center for the Celebration Weekend
Visual Arts
for the Various events held
(Merrill Shatzman, Zapotec #1,
Silkscreen, 12" x 13", 2007) 2010 Rosen around campus,
www.tcva.org Spring Alumni Banquet
828-262-3017 Sculpture and reception
Competition & www.alumni.appstate.edu
828-262-2038
Through June 5 Exhibition
Artist Presentations April 15, 7 p.m.,
7th Annual May 8 – 9
Turchin Visual Arts Lecture Hall
Appalachian www.tcva.org Commencement
Mountain 828-262-3017 Ceremonies
Photography
Holmes Convocation
April 17
Competition Center:
Turchin Center for the Visual Arts Spring Open House May 8
www.tcva.org 9 a.m., Reich College of Education
For prospective
828-262-3017 12:30 p.m., Cratis D. Williams
students and families,
Graduate School
9 a.m. – noon,
4:30 p.m., Walker College of
April 15 Holmes Center
Business
www.openhouse.appstate.edu
Author Rita Ciresi 828-262-2120 May 9
9 a.m., College of Fine and
Hughlene Bostian Frank
Applied Arts
Visiting Writers Series April 21 – 25
4 p.m., University College &
7:30 p.m.,
College of Arts and Sciences
Plemmons Student “Metamorphoses”
Union, Table Rock Room Broyhill Music Center:
7 p.m.,
www.thearts.appstate.edu Valborg Theatre May 9
with 2 p.m. matinee, 1 p.m., Hayes School of Music
April 25 www.registrar.appstate.edu
www.theatre.appstate.edu
828-262-3063
July 1 – 30
Lar Lubovitch Amy Sedaris Golden Dragon Acrobats
An Appalachian
Summer Festival
Amy Sedaris, the Eastern
Philharmonic Orchestra, Lar
Lubovitch Dance, Patti LuPone,
Broyhill Chamber Ensemble,
Golden Dragon Acrobats, Ralph
Stanley and Cherryholmes, Blood
Sweat and Tears, plus a dynamic
film series, visual arts exhibitions,
lectures, educational events,
arts workshops and much, much
more!
www.appsummer.org
800-841-ARTS
For a complete listing of events on campus, visit www.today.appstate.edu
www.today.appstate.edu 3
ON THE MOUNTAIN Student union goes solar
a new solar thermal water heating system
installed on the roof of plemmons student
union is expected to save appalachian
International Notes n appalachian ranks second among
$10,000 to $12,000 a year in energy costs.
the top 40 master-degree granting
n appalachian received a three-year, institutions for the number of students the system is the latest project on cam-
$300,000 grant to assist mexico’s fun- participating in a short-term study pus funded by students’ $5 per semester
dación universidad de las américas abroad program in 2007-08, according renewable energy initiative fee. manu-
puebla (fuDlap) develop its educa- to the latest institute of international factured and installed by sunqest inc. of
tional programs related to renewable en- education’s open Doors report on newton, the system will heat water used in
ergy. the project is funded by the u.s. international educational exchange. the building, reducing dependency on the
agency for international Development/ that year, 558 appalachian students university’s steam system.
mexico through higher education for
studied in countries such as Costa rica,
Development’s ties program.
france, germany, China, south africa, AFI celebrates 30 years of
ireland, greece, new Zealand, Vietnam, sustaining families
student kudo Jamaica and mexico.
in 2010, appalachian family innovations
celebrates 30 years of service to children
and families of Western north Carolina.
e
n
azi a part of appalachian’s institute for
g
ma health and human services, afi is an
e
urc umbrella of child welfare and family service
o
S programming.
e
cl
Cy “from its inception afi’s mission has
en, been to preserve and strengthen families in
all
Chris C atinm aerse sat roufg tghlee ss ttaot ep raonvdid nea qtiuoanl itthy aste rsvoimcees-,”
urtesy of s2a0i0d8 C. arl Lanier ’83 ’91, afi’s director since
o
os c according to lanier, afi accomplishes
ot its mission through a variety of family
h
P
services, a training division, and expertise
in the development and implementation of
successful model programs.
“for 30 years we’ve been doing the re-
search to develop, implement and replicate
successful programming,” said lanier, a
long-time veteran of child and family ser-
vices who has worked with afi for 18 years.
Hugh Owings went above and beyond the requirements for a class project when he de-
signed and built his Speed XS Press, a XS650 chopper. Owings and his bike were featured in “By sharing this information with as-
the January 2010 edition of Cycle Source magazine. sociations across the country and beyond
america’s borders, afi’s impact can be far-
Student’s project attracts fans in cycle industry reaching,” lanier said.
hugh owings’ passion for working with his hands, especially on all things internally com- afi services and programs include:
bustible with two or more wheels, has won him rave reviews in the cycle industry. n Catawba Valley healthy families, provid-
a self-proclaimed gear head, owings is a senior industrial design major. his recent class ing in-home education for first-time,
project, an Xs650 chopper he designed and built from the ground up, was featured in the at-risk parents.
January 2010 issue of Cycle source magazine. it also received coverage on industry Web sites n home remedies, providing in-home ser-
and blogs, and got attention from fellow gear heads around the world. vices to families who are at risk for having
“While i was building the bike i posted a thread on the Web site pirate4x4.com. i thought their children removed.
i might get a few hits locally, but then i started getting e-mails from places like australia and n professional parenting and adoption
the netherlands,” owings said. “people love what i’ve got because i did things they’ve never plus, serving foster and adoptive families
seen.” across Western north Carolina.
Cycle source owner and editor Chris Callen wrote of owings’ diligence and innovation, n afi’s training division, which provides
“this cat’s a real trip, man. not only did he teach himself nearly every aspect of fabrication, training for professionals in the child
machining and welding to do this project, he even makes most of the tools he uses.” welfare system, child residential programs
kern maass, program coordinator for appalachian’s industrial design program, describes and the court system.
owings as “an appalachian success story whose success is an outcome of hard work and Learn more at www.familyinnovations.org
dedication.”
“the fact that multiple publications have highlighted hugh’s amazing Xs650 chopper is a
testament to that,” he said.
Follow us at:
owings has enjoyed the attention, but takes it all in with a bit of wit and humble pride.
“it doesn’t matter to me if i work with motorcycles, cars or furniture, as long as i’m chal- twitter.com/
lenged and having fun,” he said. “i’ve always known i wouldn’t end up sitting behind a desk
appstate
with clean fingernails.”
4 Appalachian Today Spring 2010
faculty kudos
DR. BARBARA BONHAM,
Department of Leadership and
Educational Studies/National Center
for Developmental Education, was
selected as a Council on Learning
Assistance and Developmental
Earth-friendly gowns Education Fellow for her national
influence, distinguished professional achievements
last December, appalachian grads be- and lifetime contributions to the profession of
gan wearing a different kind of graduation developmental education.
gown – one made from wood fiber. the
earth-friendly gown looks like the polyester DR. FRANk BORkOWSkI, former
gown worn by previous graduates, but its chancellor and retired Hayes
School of Music faculty member,
fibers come from renewable, managed
was awarded the Zygmunt Gloger
forests. the gown and its plastic packaging
Prize and Medal from the Stopka
will decompose in a landfill in a reason-
Literary Society in Poland for his
ably short period of time, according to contributions to popularizing the
the manufacturers, yet last as long as any Polish music tradition in the United States.
other garment when stored under normal
conditions. DR. HUNTER R. BOyLAN,
Department of Leadership and
Educational Studies/National
Center for Developmental
Education, was honored by the
@ Association for the Tutoring
Profession with a scholarship in
his name in recognition of his contributions to
research. The Hunter R. Boylan Tutoring Research
Want more news?
in Developmental Education Scholarship is given
annually.
www.today.appstate.edu
DR. JOHN CRAFT, Department
of Technology, was elected
president of the Graphics Division
for the Association of Technology,
Management and Applied
Appalachian praised again Administrative news
Engineering (ATMAE).
by Kiplinger’s, U.S. News
Dr. Joseph Gonzalez became the new
and World Report coordinator of the first Year seminar
DR. WILLIAM G. “BILL”
program in January, replacing Dr. lynn
appalachian climbed from 29th to HARBINSON, Hayes School of
moss sanders who returned to teaching in Music, received the Orpheus
22nd place in kiplinger’s personal finance
the Department of english. gonzalez was Award from Phi Mu Alpha
magazine’s 2009-10 rankings of the top 100
a visiting assistant professor in university Sinfonia for significant and lasting
values in public colleges and universities in
College, and had served as director of the contributions to the cause of
the nation. living learning Center and a faculty mem- music in America.
“Despite widespread state government ber in the Department of interdisciplinary
JERRy MOORE, athletics, was
budget cuts and shrinking endowments, studies from 2003-07.
named the 2009 Liberty Mutual
this year’s top 100 public schools continue
Jean Roberts has been named executive Coach of the Year for the NCAA
to deliver strong academics at reasonable
director of the learning assistance pro- Division I Football Championship
prices,” said Janet Bodnar, editor of kip- gram (lap), replacing Joy Clawson who Subdivision.
linger’s.
retired in December after 30 years of ser-
appalachian’s in-state costs were listed vice to the university. roberts has worked
by the magazine at just over $11,500. at appalachian for 25 years, many of those DR. NINA-JO MOORE,
in u.s. news & World report’s 2010 in the academic advising Center, and Department of Communication,
america’s Best Colleges guide, appala- most recently in lap’s academic services received the John Shields award
chian tied for the no. 8 spot with mercer for student-athletes unit. from Pi Kappa Delta (PKD)
National Honor Society for her
university in the “Best universities-mas- in January, Dr. Fred Whitt assumed his
dedication and commitment to the
ter’s in the south” category. appalachian duties as founding dean of the new Col-
organization’s mission.
rose to third place in the magazine’s lege of health sciences and allied profes-
rankings for the top public master-degree sions. he comes from georgia southern DR. ROy SIDLE, Department
granting universities in the south, and was university where he was dean of the Col- of Geology and director of the
once again included in the magazine’s lege of health and human sciences. (See environmental science program, was
“academic programs to look for” listing story on page 11). elected a Fellow of the American
and in the “first-Year experience” and Geophysical Union (AGU). Only 0.1
Dr. Jeff Ramsdell has been appointed percent of the AGU membership is
“learning Communities” categories.
director of the appalachian energy Cen- eligible to receive this honor.
“During these challenging economic ter. he is a professor in the Department of
times for all of us in higher education, technology. DR. GARy WALkER, Department
these recognitions clearly demonstrate of Biology, received the Conference
Dr. Bob Ellison has been named direc-
that the faculty and staff at appalachian of Southern Graduate Schools’ 2010
tor of mary s. shook student health Award for Faculty Excellence in
are committed to quality in our academic
service. he has been a staff physician at Mentoring Graduate Students.
programs,” said Chancellor kenneth e.
the university since 2007.
peacock.
www.today.appstate.edu 5
6 Appalachian Today Spring 2010
snapshot
WIND MACHINE: The student-led Renewable Energy Initiative has
installed the largest wind turbine in North Carolina adjacent to the
Broyhill Inn and Conference Center. Paid for primarily with student funds
and in partnership with the campus utility, New River Light & Power, this
community-scale, 100-kilowatt turbine feeds enough electricity directly to
the grid to power 15 homes. At 153 feet tall, it harkens back to Boone’s
past, when in the 1970s, the then-largest wind turbine in the world sat
atop Howard's Knob overlooking the town. Aside from producing clean
energy, the turbine serves as an educational monument for the community,
as Appalachian continues to perform vital research on the efficacy of wind-
energy production in the mountains of western North Carolina.
Photo by Marie Freeman, University Photographer
www.today.appstate.edu 7
ON THE MOUNTAIN Social work master's program
receives accreditation
the Department of social Work’s master
student kudos ASU Foundation appoints of social work (msW) degree program has
received full accreditation from the Council
new members to its board
on social Work education, the field’s nation-
Thomas E. “Ted” Chandler Jr. ’82 of al accrediting agency.
Burlington, Livian L. Jones ’87 of Wilming-
the accreditation process began four
ton and Jeffrey A. Shepard of hilton head,
years ago. the program enrolled its first stu-
s.C., have been elected to four-year terms
dents in January 2007.
on the appalachian state university foun-
appalachian’s msW offers concentrations
dation inc.’s board of directors.
in either individuals and families, or com-
other new appointees are David C.
munities and organizations. it was designed
Whilden of asheville, who represents appa-
based on the region’s needs in hospitals,
lachian’s parents association, and Jeannine
mental health settings, criminal justice sys-
Underdown Collins ’79 ’81 of Boone, chair
tems, non-profit agencies and schools. grad-
of appalachian’s board of trustees.
uates are also prepared to work as licensed
Ryan Laster Connor Magill Chandler is president and Ceo of clinical social workers, supervisors or admin-
Chandler Concrete Company. Jones is vice istrators in all of these settings.
president of John s. Clark Company, llC.
there is a growing need for msW gradu-
shepard is the former president and Ceo
ates in expanding fields such as health and
of footstar. Whilden is senior trust officer
gerontology, as well as in leadership posi-
of Boys arnold & Company. Collins is pres-
tions, according to department faculty. an es-
ident of underdown and associates inc.
timated 90 percent of directors of social ser-
the board of directors helps ensure that vices are expected to retire in the next 15
contributions made to the university create years.
the best learning environment for students.
,
27 167 The number of
fans who follow
Dan Starbuck Jon Wood Appalachian and its
Alumni Association
Students win national
on Facebook, as of
media arts awards March 1.
four appalachian students and
an alumnus won awards at the 2010
Broadcasting education association
festival of media arts, including “audio
Best of festival.” this is the fourth
consecutive year appalachian has won
Bea national awards.
the festival sponsored eight student
competitions this year, receiving 690
submissions. appalachian’s winning
pieces were class projects in instructor
steve smith’s audio production ii course.
they are:
Audio Best of Festival
Dan starbuck, documentary “the
namesake of Boone, north Carolina”
Educational Audio (Documentary)
1st place, Dan starbuck, “the namesake
of Boone, north Carolina”
2nd place, Jon Wood, “Zebulan Baird
Vance: north Carolina’s War governor”
Audio PSA / Commercial Category
1st place, ryan laster, “a goo gone Day”
2nd place, Danny kaufmann ’09,
Going Up
“goldilocks and the three Coffeehouses”
Honorable Mention, Connor magill, the steel frame of appalachian’s new college of education building gives shape
“pirates of the a&W” to new opportunities. scheduled to open in 2011, the five-story facility will greatly
Sports Audio Program Category enhance the reich College of education’s ability to prepare future teachers – with
2nd place, Dan starbuck, “appalachian greater on-site collaboration with area public schools, high-tech classrooms, im-
state university national mountain Bike proved space for faculty and student interaction and more. the facility is located
Champions” across from Belk library and information Commons at the corner of College and
howard streets.
8 Appalachian Today Spring 2010