Give to Appalachian | Appalachian Today

Photo by Robert Holmes

Muriel Rosen has been a key member of the arts scene at Appalachian State University. She and her late husband, Arnold, helped form the highly successful multi-discipline performing arts festival  An Appalachian Summer Festival, now entering its 25th year.

Their dedication to the arts, and their wise counsel to university officials when the series was being established, provided the foundation that has solidified the festival as one of the top 20 events in the Southeast and a vital component of the High Country’s tourism industry.

The couple’s love of the arts also included a desire to support young artists. The Rosens were instrumental in beginning the Appalachian Partners in Education (Appal PIE) Scholarships for students in the Hayes School of Music, sponsoring two of the seven initial scholarships. The Appal PIE program allows the school to select scholarship recipients based on music audition. The school then pairs selected students with donors, who agree to pay four years’ tuition for the students. There are 29 students currently receiving Appal PIE Scholarships.

Hayes School of Music Dean William Harbinson credits Mrs. Rosen for being among the most generous supporters of the Hayes School of Music and who is especially interested in helping students.

Read more about Muriel and Arnold Rosen’s many contributions to Appalachian and the arts in the spring 2009 issue of Appalachian Today magazine. The magazine will be mailed to donors and friends of the university in March, and will be online at www.today.appstate.edu.