Appalachian Today

Documentary photographer and App State alumnus Jesse Barber ’22 ’24 has played a key role in media efforts to cover the stories of Western North Carolina mountain communities after the devastation caused by Hurricane Helene. Barber drove over 1,000 miles in three days to visit communities impacted by the storm.

App State student-athletes extended their 3.0 GPA streak to 25 consecutive semesters as of fall 2024. All 17 athletic programs finished the fall with both a semester GPA and cumulative GPA above 3.0. Combined, all student-athletes achieved the highest semester GPA since fall 2020 and the highest cumulative GPA since spring 2021.

Dr. Michael Gangloff and his team work to monitor the populations and habitats of the eastern hellbender, which was proposed for inclusion on the endangered species list in late 2024. The team’s efforts are part of nearly 20 years of research aimed at protecting N.C.’s giant salamanders.

App State has been recognized on a national scale for its efforts to provide a safe and inclusive campus dining experience for all. The university is ranked among the nation’s top 10 Food Allergy-Friendly Colleges according to Spokin, a food allergy app and lifestyle platform.

A $641,951 NCInnovation grant awarded to App State’s Dr. Rahman Tashakkori and his research team will support the commercialization of four components of the team’s Beemon Hive Monitoring System — an innovative tool designed to decrease honeybee hive die-off and increase hive production.