SPRING/SUMMER 2011
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VOLUME 19
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NUMBER 1
Appalachian Today is published by the Office of University Communications in the University Advancement Division twice annually for alumni, faculty, staff, parents and friends of Appalachian State University. It is funded through unrestricted gifts to The Appalachian Fund.
A ‘model’ institution for sustainability Even before our students were chosen to compete in the U.S. Department of Energy Solar Decathlon 2011, leaders at the Appalachian Regional Commission (ARC) were eyeing Appalachian as a best practice institution for sustainability. This spring, the ARC released its “Green Schools and Sustainability in Appalachia” report. In it, the federal economic development agency recognized Appalachian’s 30-plus years in preparing students to work in the green industry – calling us “a model” for other schools seeking to enter the fields of energyfocused green technology.
Chancellor Kenneth E. Peacock Vice Chancellor for University Advancement Susan Pettyjohn Executive Editor Hank foreman ’95 MA Managing Editors MEGAN HAYES ’97 jeff lowRance Art Director Roslyn Howard ’83 Contributing Designers LEILA JACKSON ’00 Sarah McBryde ’97 ’09 Senior Writer/Editor Linda Coutant ’01 MA Contributing Writers Kate Cahow ’08 MA Jane nicholson ’95 MA LEILA JACKSON ’00 jessica lance jULIANNE OLSON Photographers Marie Freeman ’86 Troy Tuttle ’07 Web Design Pete Montaldi ’89 Send correspondence to: Managing Editor Appalachian Today University Communications Appalachian State University ASU Box 32153 Boone, NC 28608-2153 Address changes should be sent to: marsham@appstate.edu Appalachian State University is committed to equality of educational opportunity and does not discriminate against applicants, students or employees on the basis of race, color, national origin, religion, sex, age, disabling condition or sexual orientation. Appalachian also actively promotes diversity among students and employees. 28,000 copies of this document were printed at a cost of $24,237, or 86 cents per copy. ©2011 Appalachian State University
Research by the ARC indicates energy efficiency investments could create 77,000 net new jobs in the Appalachia region by 2030 and another 70,000 new jobs in renewable energy. Appalachian was one of six case studies in the 13-state region that illustrates “how educational institutions in Appalachia provide both critical leadership and training to meet the needs of emerging industry and help communities develop markets and generate demand for green products and services.” I am proud of Appalachian’s long-standing commitment to environmental stewardship. I am also excited about its future in the ever-growing sustainability industry. In this issue of Appalachian Today, I hope you enjoy reading about Appalachian’s relationship with the environment – through academic programs, research, activism and a collective sense of personal responsibility. The Appalachian Family has long been united in its love of the North Carolina mountains and its desire to protect them. You can learn more about what we do in relation to sustainability through the website, www.sustainability.appstate.edu. Our sustainability activities are just one point of pride. As you will read in this magazine, Appalachian has many more, including continued praise by Kiplinger’s Personal Finance magazine, U.S. News and World Report and Princeton Review. In addition, we recently began discussions about how Appalachian’s College of Health Sciences can partner and collaborate with the Wake Forest University School of Medicine. We anticipate having a memorandum of understanding between us in the near future. These external measures of quality recognize us for what we take for granted as the basic characteristics of an Appalachian education – quality teaching; close, personal attention from faculty; opportunities for undergraduate research; and value and affordability. What concerns me is that our strong foundation is at risk due to North Carolina’s ongoing budget crisis. Reduced funding from the state could jeopardize the quality of Appalachian through a reduced workforce, larger classes and increased tuition. These times are both exhilarating and extremely challenging. In his classic novel “A Tale of Two Cities,” Charles Dickens wrote, “It was the best of times, it was the worst of times.” Are we facing a tale of two Appalachians? I hope not. It is my intention that there remain one Appalachian – the high-quality university that guides and supports its students, offers rewarding opportunities for personal and professional growth, and prepares innovative graduates for a fresh, renewed economy. With Appalachian pride,
Kenneth E. Peacock Chancellor
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Appalachian Today Spring/Summer 2011