News


	Computer science student to travel to Russia with language scholarship Computer science major, Brian Clee, received a U.S. Department of State Critical Language Scholarship to study Russian. Clee will spend the summer in Kazan in the Republic of Tartarstan, Russia, in a language immersion program. Clee will live with a host family and study with 14 other students during the 10 week program. He is the second Appalachian student selected to study in Russia, following Elizabeth Thomas in 2012. The scholarship is competitive and only 32 applicants receive awards. The CLS program covers all expenses related to the experience, including airfare, housing, meals, and visa fees. Clee started taking Russian at Appalachian as a freshman. His interest in Russian literature and classical music stirred a passion for the language. He also sees a common ground between his interests in Russian and computer science, saying, "In my application essay, I wrote about ideas I have for merging computer science and the Russian language, which I think helped me receive this scholarship." Russian language professor Dr. Irina Barclay said, "Brian is an excellent student... This experience will allow him to further develop his Russian language skills." More information about the CLS program is available here. The full article on Clee and the scholarship is available here.
	Physics professor receives Durham Freshman Advocate Award Dr. Jennifer Burris, professor in the Department of Physics and Astronomy, received the 2013 Harvey R. Durham Freshman Advocate Award. Burris teaches First Year Seminar courses as well as physics courses for non-majors. The award includes $1000, a plaque and a university medallion that will be presented at convocation in September. It was established to recognize a full-time university employee who has contributed significantly to improving the freshman experience on campus. Burris received numerous nominations from students who benefitted from her support and mentoring. One nominator said, "When I first got into her class my second semester of my freshman year I was truly hating college... Dr. Jennifer Burris changed all of that." Burris said, "I am very satisfied when I can help a freshman navigate the uncertainty of college... I believe that a large part of my job is to help students be successful, not only in my course, but in their college career and beyond." The Harvey R. Durham Freshman Advocate Award was established by Susan and Harvey Durham. Mr. Durham served as Appalachian's chief academic officer for 24 years and was acting chancellor from May 2003-July 2004. The full article is available here.
	Senior awarded Subaru Minority Student Scholarship Reynaldo Ignacio, senior undergraduate student double majoring in geology and biology, received a $1500 scholarship from the Subaru Minority Student Scholarship Program. The award is the result of a partnership between Subaru and the Geological Association of America (GSA). In addition to the monetary award, the scholarship provides free registration to the GSA Annual Meeting and membership to the GSA for one year. Ignacio will be recognized at the 2013 Annual Meeting in Denver, Colorado. In a recommendation for candidacy, Dr. Cynthia Liutkus-Pierce, associate professor in the Department of Geology, said, "We wish to encourage such a motivated student, and feel that his grades and enthusiasm make him an exceptional candidate for this award." The award aims to encourage minority students to continue studies in the geosciences as a possible degree choice. Appalachian has had three students receive the award since it was established in 2008.
	Geography majors chosen for competitive summer research program Undergraduate geography majors Gordon Buckingham and Peter Nasuti were selected to attend the competitive Research Experiences for Undergraduates (REU) summer program. Buckingham and Nasuti will specifically participate in the Geospatial Research and Mapping REU program at California State University Long Beach and O'ahu, Hawaii, this summer. Nasuti said, "The REU program provides excellent research opportunities for undergraduates... Gordon and I will use geospatial technologies and GIS software to study vegetation, hydrology, and archaeology in Hawaii." The REU programs provide experiences that prepare students for graduate school. Senior geography major Emily Morris attended two REU programs and believes her experience helped her acceptance into the graduate program at the University of Oregon's Department of Geography. The National Science Foundation funds the REU program. REU programs seek to enhance student participation in disciplinary, interdisciplinary or educational research. It aims to collect a diverse group of talented students and help propel them into careers in science and engineering. The full article is available here.
	Appalachian recognized for being a "green college" Appalachian State University was recognized by the Princeton Review as one of the nation's most environmentally responsible "green colleges" in "The Princeton Review's Guide to 322 Green Colleges." It is the fourth edition of the guidebook and the third time Appalachian has been recognized. The guidebook was created in partnership with the Center for Green Schools at the U.S. Green Building Council. Crystal Simmons from Appalachian's Office of Sustainability said, "Sixty-one percent of parents who use The Princeton Review look at sustainability as a key factor when helping their child choose where to go to school." Schools were selected based on responses to an inventory about an institution's sustainability-related policies, practices, and programs. Schools were ranked on a scale ranging from 60 (lowest) to 99 (highest). Appalachian scored 98. Jim Dees, a data specialist for Appalachian's Office of Sustainability, believes the high ranking is related to many factors, including: student sustainability, appropriate technology and sustainable development programs, sixteen renewable energy installations, and over 70 percent of departments offering courses that are sustainability-related or focused. Dees said, "Sustainability comes first at Appalachian. This ranking helps to show others across the nation just how engrained and important sustainability is to our campus." The full article is available here.
	English major wins 2013-2014 Truman Capote Scholarship Competition Junior English major, Stephanie Estep, received the 2013-2014 Truman Capote Literary Trust Scholarship for Creative Writing. Her entries were "Broken" and "Sleepover." Dr. Sandra Ballard, editor of the Appalachian Journal, judged the competition and said, "The story 'Sleepover' is poignant and memorable... The writer did a fine job of creating intriguing, empathetic portrayals." Devan Francis, a sophomore English major, was runner up for her entries "The Healing Place" and "Black Diamond." The competition alternates between poetry and creative prose. The $3,125 scholarship was established in 1995 with a gift from the Truman Capote Library Literary Trust. Gifts from the trust have totaled $75,000 since the creation of the scholarship. Ballard said, "These writers—and all of the finalists—show impressive skill as storytellers." The full article is available here.
	Appalachian alumnus receives Award for Excellence in General Education Teaching Jason Mitchell, adjunct instructor of composition in the Department of English, is the 2013 recipient of the Faculty Award for Excellence in General Education Teaching. The $1,000 award is given to a non-tenure track faculty member and can be used to enhance the faculty member's teaching, scholarship, or creative activity. Mitchell, a former high school teacher, received his master's degree in English from Appalachian State University. Dr. Kim Gunter, director of the composition program, said, "Jason manages to foster a student-centered classroom that is rigorous, pedagogically sound, and, well, for lack of a better word, fun." Mitchell said, "While I take pleasure in ushering my students through the process of intellectual exploration, I take perhaps even greater pleasure in knowing that both the composition and general education programs empower faculty in much the same way." Mitchell teaches first and second year composition courses and works with graduate teaching assistants. The full article is available here.
	Geology professor receives Duncan Faculty Enrichment and Teaching Fellowship Dr. Sarah Carmichael, assistant professor in the Department of Geology and part of the Appalachian Studies faculty, was awarded the Wayne D. Duncan Faculty Enrichment and Teaching Fellowship for Excellence in Teaching in General Education. Carmichael teaches the course "The History of Coal: from the Pennsylvania to the Present" with Tom Hansell. Hansell is an assistant professor in the Appalachian Studies program and the co-director of University Documentary Film Services. Carmichael also teaches introductory and advanced geology courses. Fellow professor in the Department of Geology, Cynthia Liutkus- Pierce, said, "Carmichael and Hansell have developed various innovative and engaging techniques to bring the course material to students." The $1,800 fellowship is presented by the University College and the general education program. It recognizes innovative and successful teaching in Appalachian's General Education program. The award can be used to enhance the faculty member's teaching, scholarship, or creative activity. Mr. Wayne Duncan is a past Chairman of the Appalachian State University Board of Trustees and current Chair of the ASU Foundation Board of Directors. The full article is available here.
	Student research recognized at recent event The 16th Annual Celebration of Student Research and Creative Endeavors showcased the research of 150 Appalachian graduate and undergraduate students on April 18. Fourteen students were granted awards for their presentations and research. The event consisted of oral and poster presentations throughout the day. The students represented 25 academic disciplines and a variety of departments. Over 80 faculty members mentored students with research. The College of Arts and Sciences awards the Outstanding Research in Computation and Visualization Award to highlight distinguished research in scientific computing. The award was presented to undergraduate and graduate winners at the event. The undergraduate award was given to junior statistics major Maureen O' Donnell and senior physics major Eitan Lees for their project on North Carolina voting patterns. Lees and O'Donnell worked with Dr. Alan Arnholt from the Department of Mathematical Sciences. The graduate award was given to geography student Maya Hutchins for her work on power plant carbon dioxide databases. Hutchins worked with Dr. Christopher Badurek in the Department of Geography and Planning. Other awards presented included Top Posters and the Sigma Xi award, given by The Scientific Research Society. The Celebration of Student Research and Creative Endeavors is sponsored by the Office of Student Research. The full article is available here.
	University of Chicago professor to give talk on evolution University of Chicago professor, Dr. Jerry A. Coyne, will give a talk on May 2 at Appalachian State University titled "Why evolution is true and why Americans deny it." It will begin at 7 p.m. in the Blue Ridge Ballroom of Plemmons Student Union. The event is free and open to the public. Coyne is a professor of ecology and evolution at the University of Chicago. He is also a member of the Committee on Genetics and the Committee on Evolutionary Biology. Coyne has published over 100 scientific papers, articles, book reviews and columns. He is the author of the book Why Evolution is True and is a frequent contributor to several periodicals including "The New Republic." He was elected to the American Academy of Arts and Sciences in 2007. The talk is sponsored by the External Grants Program of the University Forum Committee and departments of biology, geology, and philosophy and religion. More information is available here.