Dr. Beth Davison, Professor, Department of Interdisciplinary Studies
Student and Faculty Excellence (SAFE) Fund Recipient: Spring 2023
Project: "Everybody Eats"
Dr. Davison received a Spring 2023 Student and Faculty Excellence (SAFE) grant to purchase original music composition for her film, titled "Everybody Eats." The documentary focuses on pay-what-you-can community cafés, such as Boone's F.A.R.M. Café, across the country.
Davison shared, "Original music is necessary for documentaries to be distributed at film festivals or broadcasted. Background music is often overlooked, but can play an important role in a production by helping with transitions or setting a mood."
Davison hired Adam Summey '21—a composer, arranger, and trombonist and an alumnus of Appalachian State's Hayes School of Music—to compose background music. Summey spent the spring and summer building a music library for Davison to use in the film. "Adam is a super talented musician and did a great job with music composition for this documentary," said Davison. Following their work on the project, Summey decided to attend graduate school to pursue a career in film composition.
As of January 2024, "Everybody Eats" is still in production.
Davison, Department of Communication lecturer Ryan Witt, and Department of Communication alumnus Maleek Loyd '18 filming the documentary "A Place at the Table" in Raleigh. Photo submitted.
###
About the SAFE Fund
Initially endowed by Hughlene and Bill Frank, the College of Arts and Sciences Student and Faculty Excellence (SAFE) Fund provides resources that can be used to support undergraduate, graduate and faculty experiences. The SAFE Fund provides funding for college priorities and opportunities that arise throughout the year. These unrestricted funds support student and faculty travel, publication support for faculty and student research opportunities. Learn more at: https://cas.appstate.edu/students/student-and-faculty-excellence-safe-fund.
About the Department of Interdisciplinary Studies
The Department of Interdisciplinary Studies offers graduate and undergraduate degrees in four program areas: Appalachian studies; gender, women’s and sexuality studies; global studies; and interdisciplinary studies. The department is also home to Watauga Residential College, an interdisciplinary, alternative general education program. The department promotes creative and imaginative engagement through a cross-disciplinary investigation of complex systems and problems. Learn more at https://interdisciplinary.appstate.edu.
Written by Lauren Gibbs
January 18, 2024
BOONE, N.C.
Dr. Beth Davison, professor in the Appalachian State University Department of Interdisciplinary Studies
Dr. Beth Davison, professor in the Appalachian State University Department of Interdisciplinary Studies