BOONE—Nick Rudisill, assistant director of general education at Appalachian State University, has received the Rennie W. Brantz Award for Outstanding Teaching in Freshman Seminar.

The award is named for Brantz, who was director of Freshman Seminar for 14 years. It is presented annually to a Freshman Seminar instructor who demonstrates exemplary teaching and has made an impact on student lives in the Freshman Seminar classroom. [more]

BOONE—The best way to study geology is in the field, but it’s not always possible to take students to the various rock formations found in the region.

Thanks to Appalachian State University geology graduates and others, the university has an outdoor geology laboratory with 32 rock specimens dating between 1.2 billion and 300 million years old. [more]

BOONE—Belk Library and Information Commons at Appalachian State University has received a set of reference materials to aid in preserving, organizing and developing its special collections. [more]

BOONE—Joseph Gonzalez, an adjunct assistant professor at Appalachian State University, has received the Wayne D. Duncan Appalachian State University Faculty Enrichment and Teaching Fellowship. [more]

BOONE—Mark Vogel, a professor of English at Appalachian State University, has received a UNC Board of Governors Award for Excellence in Teaching.

Vogel and recipients from 16 other institutions in the UNC System will be recognized during a luncheon to be held May 9 in conjunction with the board’s meeting. In addition, Vogel will be recognized at Appalachian’s convocation ceremony Sept. 4. [more]

BOONE—Franco Majok, director of Village Help for Sudan Inc., will present his personal story as a Sudanese refugee May 1 at 6:30 p.m. in Appalachian State University’s Valborg Theatre. Admission is free. [more]

Appalachian State University seniors Toni Hamby of Boone and Katie High of Hickory are the winning writers in the Dr. David Ball Career Development Essay Award.

The award was co-sponsored by Appalachian’s Career Development Center and Dr. Kathryn W. Copley. It honors the late David Ball, who was director of the center for 24 years until his retirement in 2006. [more]

BOONE—The Division of Continuing Education at Appalachian State University has been reorganized as the Division of Educational Outreach and Summer Programs, according to Stan Aeschleman, executive vice chancellor and provost.

Tom Fisher, who has served as interim director of continuing education at Appalachian since April 2007, has been named executive director of the newly reorganized division effective immediately. [more]

BOONE—The Furniture Foundation of High Point has provided $24,000 to Appalachian State University to fund eight $3,000 scholarships in the Department of Technology. [more]