Appalachian Today | Oct. 2, 2023

A quick rundown of some of the stories you’ll find at today.appstate.edu

 

 

 

Transcript:

This is Appalachian Today, a bimonthly rundown of some of the stories you’ll find online at today.appstate.edu. From Anne Belk Hall on Appalachian’s Boone Campus, I’m Dave Blanks.

The National Council on Aging has awarded a $481,378 grant to App State’s Blue Cross NC Institute for Health and Human Services.

In partnership with High Country Community Health, the institute will hold flu and COVID-19 vaccine clinics this fall at senior centers, libraries and other locations throughout 10 Western NC Counties. The rate of COVID vaccine participation in these counties has dropped from an initial average of 79% down to 32% for COVID boosters. Also less than half of the region’s older adult population received a flu vaccine the previous year, according to the grant application.

The Blue Cross NC Institute for Health and Human Services is part of App State’s Beaver College of Health Sciences, providing clinical services, community outreach, training programs and research opportunities related to holistic health and well-being. A team of faculty, staff, students and recent graduates from App State are participating in the grant program. Clinics are going on now through November.

 

Ten first-year students were selected as this year's recipients of Appalachian State University's Chancellor’s Scholarship —This marks the 39th anniversary of the Chancellor’s Scholars Program.

Chancellor’s Scholars have demonstrated exceptional academic performance, ambitious academic goals, leadership, service and creativity. During their time at App State, the scholars serve as leaders both within App State’s Honors College and across campus.

The four-year program of study covers full institutional costs (tuition, fees, room and board, and book rental). Additionally, Chancellor’s Scholars are provided with numerous classroom and experiential research opportunities, as well as academic mentoring in a living-learning community and study abroad opportunities.

 

Since its inception six years ago, Appalachian State University’s Appalachian Police Academy has trained 120 sworn police officers, including 24 graduates who were celebrated on Aug. 26 at Rosen Concert Hall.

The ceremony — which is the culmination of App State’s Appalachian Police Officer Development Program (APDP) — included awards of distinction, two class speakers and remarks from Director of Public Safety and Chief of Police Andy Stephenson. Following the presentation of certificates and awards, graduates were sworn in on stage as North Carolina police officers. Many were pinned with their badges by family members.

This year’s graduating class was made up of 11 female and 13 male recruits, with ages ranging from 20 to 44. Though most academy recruits are criminal justice majors, full-time students pursuing any academic major are eligible for the program. 

Some of the other majors and programs represented in the academy’s Class of 2023 include psychology, sociology, political science, social work, communication, accounting, recreation management and public administration.

 

This fall, Appalachian State University has once again rolled out its Geobago recreational vehicle to bring hands-on science activities to K–12 students in Western North Carolina and beyond. The mobile classroom, which celebrates its five-year anniversary this September, is one of the many community outreach programs provided by the Department of Geological and Environmental Sciences (GES).

App State’s Geogago gives students at Title I schools in low income communities a hands-on science experience in a mock lab.The vehicle is staffed by GES department faculty and students. It’s equipped with electrical outlets, water sources, environmental science probes, computer technology and microscopes.

Since its launch in 2018, the Geobago has visited numerous schools across the state and makes regular appearances at field day events, career day events, festivals an