The Appalachian
TheAppalachianOnline.com
Appalachian adopts family of N.Y. fireman by MEGHAN FRICK
9
App student dies in Charlotte hospital by HANK SHELL News Editor
by ANNE BUIE Intern News Reporter
Appalachian State University student Elizabeth “Liz” Hoffman died Sept. 7 at Carolinas Medical Center. Hoffman was a 19-year-old sophomore Hoffman psychology major from Mecklenburg county. “Liz was an awesome person,” said Jessica C. Coggins, junior public relations major and resident assistant for Hoffman in Bowie Hall. “She was always working hard to help her community.” Hoffman graduated from Concord High School in 2009 with honors. She was active in the French Club throughout her high school career. Hoffman made Dean’s list her freshman year at Appalachian and served as a Residence Hall representative for Belk Hall in 2010 and Bowie Hall in 2011. “She was very, very sweet,” said Rachel M. Daniel, freshmen technical photography major and a resident on Hoffman’s floor. “She liked people and was very friendly.” A memorial book for Liz will be available for signing on the first floor of the Plemmons Student Union beginning Sept 12. A floral arrangement, photos and additional information will also be on the table. The book will be sent to Hoffman’s family. Please make donations in Hoffman’s name to the Almost Home Dachshund Rescue Society, PO Box 9671, Greensboro, N.C. 27429-9671, to Princeton’s Meow Kitty Rescue, c/o Vanessa Ames, 1557 Shepherd St. Kannapolis N.C. 28083 or to The Hoffman Healthcare Fund at Suntrust Bank, 31 Union St. N., Concord N.C. 28025. Condolences and memories may be left at wilkinsonfuneralhome.com.
Tuesday, September 13, 2011
Vol. 86 No. 05
Students share reflections on 10year anniversary by MICHAEL BRAGG
Associate Editor, Editorial Content
Lifestyles Editor
It all started with a letter. After 9/11, Appalachian State University was looking for a way to help – “trying to figure out what to do,” said Jenny Koehn, associate director of Student Programs. Former Dean of Students Barbara Daye decided the university could best help by connecting with one family affected by the tragedy. The university had recently been featured in Time, and Daye still had a contact at the magazine. Through that contact, Appalachian first connected with the Miller family – Laurie Miller and her daughters, Elizabeth, Rachel and Katie, then six, five and three. The four had just lost their husband and father, Doug Miller, a Staten Island fireman who died in the World Trade Center. “We just started with a letter,” Koehn said. “We wrote a letter and said, ‘We don’t know what this could look like, we have no idea, but if you’re willing to sign up, maybe we can send some love and support your way.” Miller agreed, and over the years the relationship developed. “We didn’t even know what we were asking, really,” Koehn said. “We just wanted to connect.” One of the first communications the Millers received was a video tape full of greetings and good wishes from the student union staff, Koehn said. “We went around with a video camera and had a bunch of people saying, ‘Hi, Rachel, Katie and Elizabeth. We love you and we’re thinking about you’…we showed them all the candy in Cascades,” Koehn said. These days, the university sends the Millers cards, flowers, Christmas packages, and “just because” packages – the most recent was an Appalachian-themed cornhole set. The Millers also receive plenty of Appalachian apparel. “This family is the best-dressed
One decade ago, loved ones died, tension grew, safety was uncertain and a nation came together in one of its darkest hours. Sept. 11, 2001 is a surreal memory for everyone who can recall it. The day is especially memorable for Appalachian State University students who lived in New York City at the time, had a parent serving in the armed forces or were on site responding.
see Family, page 4
The day that changed the world only miles away Sophomore interdisciplinary studies major Danielle M. Giangrasso is a Long Island native. She said she was in her fourth grade classroom when the planes hit the World Trade Center. “I remember watching the planes hit and I actually didn’t know if it was a video program we were watching or if it was actually happening,” she said. Giangrasso said reality kicked in when she learned the attack was in New York City her father was at work there. Giangrasso’s father put in his paperwork to leave his office across the street from the twin towers Sept. 10 and was working in a different part of the city on 9/11, she said. Giangrasso said she recalls security tightening up after 9/11, but this was the norm for her generation. “I think being a fourth grader, you’re pretty malleable at that age and we were raised in the generation of post 9/11,” she said. Despite the horrific events that took place in New York, Giangrasso said she just looks through the tragic events as best she can. “I don’t really think that everything happens for a reason, I think everything j u s t see Reflect, page 4
University’s Provost pick gets to work by HANK SHELL News Editor
Lori Gonzalez began her tenure as provost and executive vice chancellor at Appalachian State University Monday. As provost, Gonzalez is the second highest-ranking university official and plays an important role in all decisions regarding the university. Gonzalez is also the chief academic officer, which means all colleges and institutions within the university report to her. “I think it was clear from the commentary we got after the on-campus visits that people were very comfortable with Dr. Gonzalez,” said Edelma D. Huntley, dean of research and graduate studies and chair of the provost search committee. “They were excited about what she said and many of them believed that she understands what Appalachian is and what Appalachian stands for.” Huntley said the university sought a person “who had actually come up through the ranks” with experience in both faculty and administrative positions, as well as “someone
Adam Jennings | The Appalachian
Appalachian State University’s new provost, Lori Gonzalez, began work this monday. The provost said she has been interested in working at Appalachian for a while, and is excited for the opportunity.
who felt right for Appalachian.” “We are a unique campus and not just anybody would fit in, not because they’re not qualified, but because this place feels so much like a family,” she said. Gonzalez came to Appalachian from the University of Kentucky, where she had served since 1991 in both faculty and administrative positions, before becoming dean of the College of Health Sciences in 2005. “I had said a number of years ago … if there
was ever a position open at Appalachian I’d sure like to look at it, and that was probably even before I was a dean … so it has always been an institution that I’ve known of and I’ve known about the quality of, but I didn’t quite know all the wonderful things that I found out during my search,” Gonzalez said. Gonzalez said the “spirit of community” at Appalachian, as well as the number of interdisciplinary degrees and highly qualified faculty attracted her to the university. “It’s kind of this pocket
of excellence that we knew by reputation, but once you start digging you find out that it’s even more than you thought,” she said. Gonzalez will work on helping Appalachian achieve the goals set forth in its strategic plan, among other things. She said the need to expand research and the health sciences was brought to her attention as well. Gonzalez said she remains an optimist in the face of budget cuts. “Everywhere is having budget cuts and I think it’s just a matter of how you face them,” she said. “It shouldn’t be a demoralizing thing. It’s just the national context right now.” Gonzalez succeeds Lorin Baumhover, who came out of retirement to serve as interim provost from July 2010 to September 2011. “I think she’s ready to go, ready to serve,” Baumhover said of Gonzalez. “I think she’ll do a fine job.” Baumhover said he will help Gonzalez transition to her new position over the next few months, after which he plans to return to retirement.