Welcome. As I look out of my office window I see trees barely beginning to bud, robins, and some very brave daffodils. I am somewhat afraid to say that I am hopeful that Spring is truly here to stay. That’s the good news! The bad news is that some of our biggest snows have occurred in late March and early April.

Please join me in welcoming Traci Royster as she begins her duties as the Director of Parent and Family Services. Her enthusiasm, energy, and expertise will surely be an asset to our program.

Think Spring!

Best,
Susie

What's Been Going On

Bicycle Helmets

Remind your student that a helmet must be worn when riding a bicycle on campus or in Boone. The City of Boone has a $50 fine for persons not wearing helmets.

Royster Named Director of Parent and Family Services

Traci Royster has been named director of Parent and Family Services at Appalachian. Royster will be responsible for developing, implementing and administering Appalachian’s comprehensive efforts to serve the parents and families of its students. She begins her duties at the end of March. [more]

Welcome Class of 2013

Appalachian continues to attract some of the best and brightest students. Applications from perspective students are on pace with last year’s record number, with nearly 14,000 students applying for admission to Appalachian as of early February. Among accepted students so far, the average SAT is 1200 and the average GPA is 4.06. Appalachian anticipates the class of 2013 to have 2775 members.

Points of Pride

• Winning Gold for “Goldfish” - Allie E. McCain, a senior electronic media/broadcasting major, placed first in the audio division of the 2009 Broadcast Education Association’s National Festival of Media Arts. She took first place in the audio PSA/Promo/Commercial category with her 60-second radio commercial titled “Goldfish.” This is the third year that an Appalachian student has received one of the top three awards in one of the festival’s production categories.
• Juicy Winners - Four industrial design majors won the Juicy Ideas Entrepreneurial/Environmental Contest sponsored by Google in 2008 for their bicycle made from plastic drink bottles. The contest asked college students to create something useful from a throw-away item. The students were Justin Henry, Spencer Price, Ryan Klinger, all juniors, and senior Andrew Drake.
  
• Building Science Excellence - Eleven students from Appalachian’s building science program competed at the National Association of Home Builders’ (NAHB) residential construction management competition held Jan. 19 in Las Vegas, Nevada. The students received the Rookie of the Year Award and placed fourth in the competition against 37 of the top universities in the country, including Michigan State, Arizona State, Georgia Tech, Iowa State, Penn State, Purdue, University of Florida and Louisiana State.
  

Renewable Energy Initiative

Appalachian’s Renewable Energy Initiative is a student fee-supported program to support renewable energy projects on campus to help offset the university’s dependence on fossil fuels and serve as outreach and education to students about the benefits of renewable energy. Projects have included installation of a solar panel near Raley Hall and solar thermal water heating system in Plemmons Student Union, as well as the use of biodiesel fuel in university service vehicles and AppalCart public transportation system. This year, work is underway to install a wind turbine at the Broyhill Inn and Conference Center.

Pedal Power

The Boone Bicycle Initiative – a community-based organization started by Appalachian students – is helping improve air quality and lessen traffic surrounding the university and the Town of Boone by renting bicycles to the public. About 50 students and community members participate in the rental program, which began in 2007 with a $10,000 grant from the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency’s People, Prosperity and the Planet Student Design Competition for Sustainability. So far, the Boone Bicycle Initiative’s rental program has offset about 3,600 pounds of carbon dioxide according to the national Energy Information Administration.

Appalachian Today -- Campus News, Events and Features

Stay in touch with what's happening today at Appalachian - www.today.appstate.edu.

Career Development Center - Calling All Parents!

Are your sons and daughters taking full advantage of the programs offered by the Career Development Center? Probably not! The Career Center at Appalachian offers numerous programs to prepare and introduce juniors and seniors to hiring employers in the job market every semester.

Even in these tough economic times, there are still companies hiring and jobs to be had. However, we’ve noticed an alarming trend, despite all of our marketing efforts to students; i.e. web sites, flyers, emails, classroom presentations, etc.; students are turning out in surprisingly low numbers to meet with recruiters at career fairs, on-campus interviews, employer information sessions etc.

WE NEED YOUR HELP! Please encourage your student to take advantage of the FREE career assistance that our office has to offer. We want employers to continue to believe in our reputation that Appalachian graduates the best and the brightest and that this is one of the best places to recruit top employees. For a complete list of all of the career programs and events that we provide to our students visit www.careers.appstate.edu and click on events.

Thanks for your help!
Marjorie Ellis, Director
Career Development Center

Tip from the Dean of Students

With Spring Break but a memory, the next seven weeks are going to be very busy academically and socially. Use that “extra” ear that you developed when he/she was little to listen for any issues such as Spring Fever, not enough time, erratic time schedules, and/or relationship issues. Offer TLC as needed!

Checklist

• What will your student be doing this summer?
• Has your student met with an academic advisor yet to plan classes for Fall, 2009?
• Does your student know when he/she registers for classes?
• Does your student have housing for Fall, 2009?

Contact for Future Information/Ideas

Susie L. Greene
Dean of Students
(828) 262-2060
greenesl@appstate.edu

Rita K. Wells
Executive Assistant
(828) 262-2060
wellsrk@appstate.edu