Boone, NC – Appalachian State University is celebrating a vibrant Fall Family Weekend, welcoming student families and supporters to experience campus life amidst crisp autumn weather. The weekend follows a thrilling App State Football victory, securing a 34–31 overtime win against previously undefeated James Madison University on Thursday evening. This significant Sun Belt Conference victory unfolded before an energized home crowd at Kidd Brewer Stadium.
Families visiting during the weekend have numerous opportunities to engage with the university community, including discovering learning opportunities, attending Mountaineer sporting events, participating in family games, sharing meals in campus dining halls, and exploring Boone and the surrounding area.
The university also marked the close of National Transfer Student Week, highlighting the substantial contributions of transfer students to App State. This fall, the university enrolled 5,553 transfer students, marking the largest transfer student population in the school's history. These students now represent 29% of the undergraduate population, bringing valuable experiences, perspectives, and goals that enrich academic and campus life. Appalachian State University has received national recognition for its support for transfer students, acknowledging the efforts that make transfer student programs and services possible.
In line with October's Cybersecurity Awareness Month, the university encouraged participation in the Cyber Bowl, a friendly competition among North Carolina universities designed to test cybersecurity knowledge and promote safer online practices. App State is currently in second place in this competition, with each completed quiz earning a point for the university. Through the Walker College of Business, the Department of Computer Information Systems offers cybersecurity programs that prepare graduates for careers in this growing field by combining technical knowledge, business applications, and practical experience.
Preparing students for meaningful careers remains a core mission, as evidenced by the recent Health Sciences Career Fair. Hosted by the Career Development Center and Beaver College of Health Sciences, this event connected students and alumni with healthcare employers. Participants explored various opportunities, including internships, employment prospects, and pathways into the health sciences field. The Career Development Center routinely hosts career fairs, networking, and recruitment events throughout the academic year for students across all majors, aiming to help them build professional connections and prepare for life after graduation.
The university’s engagement with the arts and therapeutic practices also saw activity this week. Following their APPlause! Series performance, visiting artists Dan + Claudia Zanes with Tyree Austin spent time with health sciences and music students. They explored the role of music in clinical care, therapeutic settings, and audience engagement. Claudia Zanes, a board-certified music therapist, shared insights into how music can be adapted for therapeutic purposes, offering undergraduate and graduate music therapy students a firsthand look at applications beyond the classroom.
The spirit of artistic exploration extends to emerging visual artists on campus. The Foundations Program Exhibition, which opened on October 19 in Smith Gallery, showcases student work developed during the foundational stages of their artistic education. A reception for the exhibition is scheduled for October 28, providing another opportunity to view the featured student work.
Looking ahead in athletics, the App State Men’s and Women’s Basketball teams are preparing to begin their regular-season play on November 2. The university expressed excitement for the upcoming season for both teams.
The collective people, purpose, and traditions filling App State’s classrooms, galleries, and athletic venues are described as defining the university.
