College of Arts and Sciences at Appalachian State University

Two Government & Justice Studies at Appalachian State University students have been named 2026 DeJoy‑Woś Scholars!

Ethan Blanchard (Criminal Justice) and Simona Capatina (Political Science) are two of just nine students who have received full scholarships to spend the summer in Washington, DC, completing internships and academic coursework through George Mason University.

Read more: https://bit.ly/4a46kQZ

Junior geography major Charlie Getz is helping fuel the national hacky‑sack resurgence with his hand‑stitched footbag business, Charlie Bag.

Read the full story by John Le - Queen City News: https://www.qcnews.com/faces-of-the-carolinas/hacky-sack-comeback-boone-mans-business-is-a-sign-the-game-is-alive-and-kickin

The summer edition of As the Crow Flies — the open-access expansion of Appalachian Journal — is out now!

This edition features peer-reviewed scholarship, poetry, and creative nonfiction, as well as reviews of work in conversation about the Appalachian region.

🔗: https://cas.appstate.edu/news/summer-2026-edition-crow-flies-now-available

Mark Byrd ’92 ’94 ’15, alumnus of the history and social studies education program, was posthumously inducted into the Reich College of Education’s Rhododendron Society on June 5.

Byrd began his career teaching at North Wilkes High School and later served in roles that shaped the district at every level — assistant principal, principal, assistant superintendent, and ultimately superintendent of Wilkes County Schools. His dedication to students and educators earned statewide recognition throughout his career.

Known for his humility, kindness, and commitment to service, Byrd led with integrity and compassion. His legacy of educational excellence and genuine care for others continues to inspire all who knew him.

Congratulations to all of this year’s inductees, and thank you to our colleagues in RCOE for celebrating outstanding educators.

Read more: https://rcoe.appstate.edu/news/four-alumni-inducted-reich-college-education-rhododendron-society

Celebrating outstanding Mountaineers!

The Reich College of Education proudly welcomed four exceptional alumni into the Rhododendron Society — the college’s highest honor recognizing exemplary service to education and community.

Please join us in congratulating:
Mark Byrd ’92 ’94 ’15 (posthumously)
Barbara Daye ’59 ’61 ’86
Dr. Jesse Pratt ’95 ’01 ’07
Rodney Workman ’04 ’05

These distinguished educators have dedicated their careers to making a difference for students and communities, continuing App State’s tradition of excellence.

Click the link in the comments to read more!

The Foster Grandparent Program has touched countless classrooms across Northwestern North Carolina, and Tammy Taylor has been at the heart of that work for three decades.

We’re celebrating her leadership, her service to older adult volunteers, and her continued advocacy at the national level through the AmeriCorps Seniors Professional Network.

Read more: https://bit.ly/42x4PGQ

AppState Fermentation Sciences is turning agricultural waste into opportunity. 🍠

Backed by a $1.82 million NCInnovation grant, Dr. Brett Taubman and Daniel Parker are transforming surplus North Carolina sweetpotatoes into a first-of-its-kind, plant-based milk. The initiative — Rootsii — also provides undergraduate researchers with hands-on experience in developing a new agricultural product line.

Read Bret Yager’s story for Appalachian Today: https://today.appstate.edu/2026/05/15/rootsii

📸: Chase Reynolds

Dr. Rahman Tashakkori, Lowe’s Distinguished Professor in the Appalachian State University Department of Computer Science, was honored with the W.H. Plemmons Leadership Medallion — one of the university’s highest recognitions for leadership that enriches student life and advances education.

Since joining App State in 2000, Tashakkori has built a legacy of interdisciplinary research, innovative teaching, and student mentorship, guiding more than 220 undergraduate and graduate students. He has authored nearly 70 publications, presented at conferences around the world, and led programs that provide scholarships to more than 30 high‑achieving STEM students.

His leadership extends beyond the classroom. Tashakkori and his research team recently earned an NCInnovation grant of more than $640,000 to support commercializing parts of the BeeMon Hive Monitoring System, a project designed to reduce honeybee die‑off and increase hive production.

As one nominator wrote, “Dr. Tashakkori has poured his time, energy, skills, and commitment into service for Appalachian State University...impacting, every day, the lives of our students throughout his entire 26‑year career.”

Read more: https://today.appstate.edu/2026/04/30/awards-distinction

We're pleased to welcome Dr. Denise Edwards‑Forde as our new Travel Coordinator!

With advanced degrees in business and education and more than 16 years of administrative experience, Edwards‑Forde brings a rich background in education and leadership to her new role in the CAS Dean's Office.

Read more: https://bit.ly/4vhb5yS

We’re celebrating two outstanding College of Arts and Sciences graduates recognized as finalists for App State’s Student Teacher of the Year: Emerson Phillips and Ethan Venable.

Emerson — a history/social studies education graduate and former CAS Corps ambassador — and Ethan — an English education graduate now pursuing his accelerated master’s — have each demonstrated exceptional commitment to their students, their disciplines, and the teaching profession.

Join us in congratulating these remarkable new educators, and read their full stories in the Reich College of Education at Appalachian State University's feature: https://bit.ly/4tO13nr