Appalachian State University: College Town Living

PHOTO COURTESY APPALACHIAN STATE UNIVERSITY An early-summer view of Appalachian State’s east campus reveals grounds covered in green and blooming rhododendron.

BY ANNA OAKES

Appalachian State University — among the rankings. largest in the University of North Carolina More than 134,000 Mountaineer alumni currently system in terms of enrollment — provides reside in all 50 states and several foreign countries. both economic and quality of life benefits to area residents. AN ECONOMIC ENGINE SMALL CLASSES, BIG IMPACT 1,470 full- and part-time faculty and 1,876 full- and

Founded in 1899 as the Watauga Academy and lat- part-time staff in 2019. er becoming the Appalachian State Teachers College, The campus is an economic engine for the county, today, Appalachian State is one of the University of region and the state. An analysis by Economic ModNorth Carolina system’s largest campuses, with a fall eling Specialists International concluded that in fiscal 2020 enrollment of 20,023. year 2012-13, the $355.3 million in payroll and opera-

Its annual costs are $15,124 for in-state students, tions spending of ASU, together with its construction which includes tuition, fees, room and board and spending and the spending of its students, visitors and most textbooks. The student-to-faculty ratio is 16:1, alumni, created $1.7 billion in added state income. while the average class size is 25. The institution “This is equal to approximately 0.4 percent of the is divided into seven undergraduate colleges and a total gross state product of North Carolina and is equivgraduate school, offering more than 150 undergrad- alent to creating 28,035 new jobs,” the analysis stated. uate and graduate majors. ASU regularly places high in the U.S. News and World Report’s Best Colleges ASU is the largest employer in Watauga County, with SEE ASU ON PAGE 26

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CONTINUED FROM PAGE 24 LIFELONG LEARNING, ARTS & ENTERTAINMENT

A university offers many advantages to those living in the surrounding community, including lectures, classes, readings, forums and other educational events that are open to the public — and often free. These include the University Forum Lecture Series, Hughlene Bostian Frank Visiting Writers Series and numerous timely and informative events organized by faculty and students throughout the year.

The university also offers multiple arts and entertainment opportunities, including exhibition programs and workshops in the visual arts; a performing arts series featuring world-renowned visiting artists; theatre productions, concerts and recitals by Appalachian’s highly acclaimed Hayes School of Music and Department of Theatre & Dance; programs supporting student authors of poetry, fiction, plays and creative nonfiction; presentations and workshops by renowned authors; a popular craft enrichment series offering workshops for all ages; a nationally recognized summer arts festival; and a student-run programming series featuring an eclectic mix of artists and entertainment.

The 210,000-square-foot Belk Library and Information Commons is open to regional residents and visitors with public access computers and library cards available.

Many programs at ASU focus on community outreach, including support for families of children with special needs, arts education, swim and lifeguard classes, support for ASU employees and alumni in starting a business, the Communication Disorders Clinic, fitness testing, summer camps for children, trail upkeep and maintenance, public viewing nights at the Dark Sky Observatory and after-school programs. In addition, area nonprofits and service-focused businesses benefit from countless volunteer hours contributed by ASU students, faculty and staff.

Sports lovers will appreciate Appalachian State’s athletics programs, with 17 NCAA Division I varsity sports. They include the Mountaineer football team, which won three consecutive national championships from 2005-2007 and

PHOTO BY CHASE REYNOLDS Fan seats are installed on Oct. 1, 2020, on the balcony of the end zone facility.

since 2014 has competed in the Division I Football Bowl Subdivision, going 5-0 in bowl games. App State is recognized around the country for its game day atmosphere and scenic Kidd Brewer Stadium.

Note that many programs and activities at Appalachian State could be impacted by COVID-19 restrictions in 2020 and 2021. For more information about events at App State, visit today.appstate.edu/events.

A GROWING CAMPUS

Appalachian State provides a beautiful setting in which to study, work and visit. Its campus is nestled among the peaks of the Blue Ridge Mountains, including the prominent Howard’s Knob overlooking campus and downtown Boone. Campus members can often be spotted relaxing and recreating in Appalachian’s Durham Park, on open lawns and in hammocks between shade trees.

BY THE NUMBERS: ASU

The following information is provided by Appalachian State University.

ENROLLMENT & ALUMNI

• Total: 20,023 • Undergraduate: 18,061 • Graduate: 1,962 • In-state students: 18,496 • Out-of-state students: 1,527 • Living alumni: 134,000

BUILDINGS & CAMPUS

• 1,200 acres, with 375 developed • 30 academic buildings • 20 residence halls, housing about 5,600 students on campus • 3 main dining facilities • 11 recreational and athletic facilities

The campus encompasses 1,200 acres, with 375 acres developed, as well as 30 academic buildings, 20 residence halls, three dining facilities and 11 recreational and athletics facilities. Appalachian State is expanding its footprint with recent expansions to the old Watauga High School campus on N.C. 105 and the recently completed Leon Levine Hall of Health Sciences in Boone’s medical district. And it is revitalizing its main campus as well: a new student housing replacement project is under way, with four residential buildings to be constructed; Kidd Brewer Stadium is expanding with a new north end zone facility; a new parking deck has opened in the Stadium Lot; and a biology conservatory is slated to be the first facility in Appalachian’s new Innovation Campus atop Bodenheimer Drive.

For more information about Appalachian State, visit appstate.edu.

ACADEMICS

• Student/faculty ratio: 16 to 1 • Average class size: 25 • Colleges: 6 undergraduate colleges, 1 music school and 1 graduate school • Undergraduate and graduate majors: more than 150

ATHLETICS

• Varsity sports: 17 • Club sports: more than 20 • Intramural sports: more than 80

COSTS

Undergraduate costs, 2020-21 academic year (includes tuition and fees for 12+ credit hours, standard option meal plan, standard room and board, and most textbooks): • $15,124 in state • $29,931 out of state