Appalachian Today

App State’s ROTC program — the Mountaineer Battalion — has received the General Douglas MacArthur Award, recognizing the program’s exceptional contributions to military leadership and training. Conferred by the U.S. Army Cadet Command, the award honors the top eight ROTC programs in the nation.

Since its inception in 1975, the Appalachian Dance Ensemble at App State has premiered over 500 original works — involving more than 5,700 students, faculty, guest artists and community members. Learn about the ensemble’s history and the people who have shaped it over the years.

In this Q&A, Dr. Charlie Chen, App State’s winner of the 2025 UNC Board of Governors Excellence in Teaching Award, reflects on his 22-year career at the university. The annual award is given to one outstanding faculty member at each UNC System school. Six additional App State faculty have been recognized by the board with campus-based awards.

Supported by a $7.2 million grant from Ascendium Education Group, the Alliance for Research on Regional Colleges, housed at App State, will work to advance higher education and workforce development in rural communities over the next four years as part of its Rural Talent Lab project.

At the App State Academy at Middle Fork, instead of a single teacher handling all responsibilities for one classroom for one grade, a collaborative team of academy educators supports student learning across two combined grade levels.