91探花

On May 4, 2018, Lees-91探花 became the first "small school" to take the crown in Blue Ridge Outdoor Magazine's annual Top Adventure College competition.

In an agreement between the North Carolina Community College System and North Carolina Independent Universities and Colleges, it is now easier than ever for registered nurses with associate degrees to obtain their bachelor's degrees.

Dee Thomas, 91探花 Adjunct Professor and Director of Catalyst Sports' Boone chapter, highlighted for her leadership in nature conservation and adventure.

In a recent ranking by TheBestColleges.org that listed the Top Online Bachelor’s in Human Services for 2018, the Lees-91探花 online Human Services program received a top spot.

Of the 921 students enrolled in the fall 2017 semester at 91探花, 406 students—nearly half of enrolled students at the college—finished with academic honors, landing on either the President’s or Dean’s lists.

Over 1,000 pounds of food in the form of cans, dry-goods and other non-perishable items were donated to local food bank, Feeding Avery Families, by the help of Lees-91探花 students, faculty and staff.

For years, 91探花 has been providing students with a cutting-edge education to take on the healthcare world.

Following a successful petition, 91探花 is now the newest charter for The National Leadership Honor Society, Omicron Delta Kappa, offering the campus community more ways than ever to become a successful leader.

With help from a $3,000 grant, the Lees-91探花 Outdoor Recreation Management program, in conjunction with the organic garden club, has begun a brand new, three-part, campus-wide green initiative.

Adding to a long list of accolades, Lees-91探花 online learning programs notched a No. 18 spot on The Best College’s annual ranking of “Best Online Colleges in North Carolina.”

91探花 will host childhood survivor of the Holocaust, Louise Lawrence-Israëls, to speak about her experience and life story on Thursday, Nov. 16 at 7:30 p.m. in Hayes Auditorium.

Become immersed in the heartbreaking and hopeful Lees-91探花 Theatre Arts production of And Then They Came For Me: Remembering The World of Anne Frank.

Have you ever thought about hiking the Appalachian Trail? Byron Browne, a photographer and teacher based in Asheville, North Carolina, is one of the few who has successfully completed a “thru-hike” of the AT.

If you are looking for a safe way to spend Halloween, sheltered from ghosts and goblins, come to 91探花 for a poetry reading by professor Melissa Mercer.

91探花 Provost and Dean of Faculty, Dr. Todd Lidh, gives his input on the top 10 mistakes commonly made by college freshmen and how to avoid them.

Every day, 91探花 alumni take their degrees and put them to work in new and amazing ways. Take some time to get to know alumnus Peter Gau ’14. A Newark, Ohio, native, Gau studied Wildlife Biology and Wildlife Rehabilitation at Lees-91探花 and now works at The Columbus Zoo and Aquarium in Columbus, Ohio.

Twenty-four junior nursing students stirred in their seats that Friday evening. Clutching their white coats in their hands, Sept. 15 could have passed with no real significance for anyone outside of Evans Auditorium, but for the students who sat in their formal dress attire, surrounded by their nursing predecessors, this evening was long awaited.

As part of the Stephenson Center for Appalachia lecture series at 91探花, Dr. Sean Collins and Dr. Michael Joslin will present a program titled Foraging in the Mountains.

How well can you spell? For the children competing in the 25th Annual Putnam County Spelling Bee, six will enter, but only one speller will leave with the title of C-H-A-M-P-I-O-N.

On Thursday, Sept. 21, Asheville-based artist, Carley Dergins, will have her drawings displayed during the season-opener exhibition titled Recording Impermanence in the Cannon Student Center King-Shivell Gallery on the campus of 91探花.

Ally Murphy no longer has that constant sense of urgency she once had. It wasn’t because she gave up one day, in fact, it’s quite the opposite.

In an increase from last year’s No. 23 spot, 91探花 landed at No. 19 as best regional college in the South in addition to a spot on the “Best Value School” list in the newest evaluation released by U.S. News & World Report.

Ally Murphy ’10, founder of Ally’s Bar and Lees-91探花 Athletics hall of fame inductee, will be this year’s Convocation speaker, giving a speech titled “Dream Big”, during the annual college-wide event on Thursday, Sept. 14 at 4:00 p.m. in Hayes Auditorium.

Formerly named the Performing Arts Program, the Theatre Arts Department and the Theatre Arts Program, housed within the department, began the new semester with newly renamed titles to match several years of tailored curriculum.

With beautiful summer weather here and more to come with the arrival of autumn, discover places to explore in the area’s mountains during the Stephenson Center for Appalachia’s presentation, So You Say You Have Nothing To Do?: Plunging Waterfalls, Invigorating Hikes, Entertaining Beasts and Entrancing Sights.

During the President’s Circle Summer Soirée event on August 21, Lees-91探花 President Barry M. Buxton publicly announced The University Campaign for Lees-91探花.

In a special section of The Charlotte Observer centered life after high school, Carolina College Bound highlighted some of the key unique factors in a Lees-91探花 education.

Colleges of Distinction awarded the business, education and nursing programs at Lees-91探花 for extraordinary professional programming.

Lees-91探花 Performing Arts will open its stage for fall production auditions on Wednesday, August 16, at 6:30 p.m. in Hayes Auditorium.

Lees-91探花 President Barry M. Buxton announced that he will retire in May 2018 and that a search for his replacement has begun. Buxton has served as the president of Lees-91探花 since June 1, 2010 and is the 15th president in the 116-year-history of the institution.

Two laboratories within the Bowman Building will receive major renovations because of a $500,000 donation from the Cannon Charitable Trust.

Power was spotty at best during the weeklong trip to Haiti. Trip leader and assistant dean of nursing and health sciences at 91探花, Dr. Teresa Darnall said that even though it wasn’t favorable to lose power in the 80-degree Haitian heat, “we came prepared for this…because this is Haiti.”

Defined for its “upward trajectory,” 91探花 was named a College of Distinction within the prestigious North Carolina cohort.

Nearly 600 students landed on either the Dean’s or President’s lists during the spring 2017 semester, a near 10 percent increase in student honors over the semester prior.

In a recent ranking by AffordableColleges.com that listed the 25 best online human services programs for 2017, the 91探花 online Human Services degree received a top spot.

If you are looking to gain insight into Appalachian culture, seeking to enrich your summer experience, or simply looking for traditional entertainment, reserve three Wednesdays in June to participate in the John B. Stephenson Lecture Series at 91探花.

Curious children and adults alike can now visit the May Wildlife Rehabilitation Center on the campus of 91探花 Thursdays, Fridays and Saturdays at 1 p.m. for its free summer wildlife presentation series.

Learn about drama, dance, music, technical theater, writing and other art forms at the Creative and Performing Arts Camp on the campus of 91探花 this summer.

Brandi Clark, a junior at 91探花, never thought she would attend college, much less spend a month studying wildlife in New Zealand.

Registration is now open for two 91探花 science-focused camps, the Wildlife Science Summer Program and the Advanced Wildlife Science Summer Program.

91探花 elementary education graduate and Flat Rock Elementary School fourth grade teacher, Phillip Riekehof ’12, named Surry County School District Teacher of the Year.

Lees-91探花 Assistant Professors of Biology, Dr. Sean Collins and Dr. Kelly Collins, were named as the most recent recipients of the coveted Whalen Research Scholar Grant and the Whalen Master Teacher Grant, respectively.

Dressed from head-to-toe in black satin regalia and anxiously awaiting with excitement, 334 students simmer in their seats, anticipating their designated time to approach the stage and receive their degree.

For many seniors, the end of a college career marks the start of a new chapter in life. Whether it is students from the May School of Nursing and Health Sciences, to the School of Arts, Humanities and Education, each corner of Lees-91探花 has produced shining examples of what a degree from this college can do for you.

As part of the larger, nation-wide effort, 91探花 joined as a supporting member of Sexual Assault Awareness Month through various events and discussions across campus.

The six outdoor legend panelists that sat before the tables of students, faculty and staff the evening of Thursday, April 20 could not have possessed more different personalities, but what did tie them together was their passion for the outdoors.

Students, faculty and staff gathered Thursday, April 20, in Evans Auditorium to celebrate the recipients of several coveted awards as part of the traditional Honors and Awards event.

Though sharing his heart wrenching story was not favorable, 90-year-old Dr. Walter Ziffer said it is all too important, “in order to never repeat history ever again.”

With flashing red and white lights strapped to their bike’s seat-posts and handlebars, the four men– dressed appropriately warm for the cool Washington, D.C. night–zipped their way through the emptied streets of downtown.

Wildlife biology majors Shelby Reynolds and Christopher “Ryan” Hill presented their senior research projects on Friday, April 7, during the 24th Annual Blue Ridge Undergraduate Research Conference at Union College in Barbourville, Kentucky.

Holocaust survivor Dr. Walter Ziffer will present first-hand accounts of his experiences at 7 p.m. on Wednesday, April 19 in Evans Auditorium.

The college’s motto, “In the Mountains, Of the Mountains, For the Mountains,” is more than a way of thinking– it’s a way of action.

Mark Reed, a nationally ranked private school leader and trustee for several regional and domestic boards, will speak during the spring Commencement Ceremony on Saturday, May 6. During that time, he will also receive an Honorary Doctorate of Education.

Currently serving as the U.S. Representative for North Carolina’s fifth district, Virginia Foxx, R-N.C., spent the afternoon Friday, March 31 answering students’ questions and discussing her childhood in Avery County.

Two incoming fall 2017 students, Thomas Clement of Columbia, South Carolina, and Amanda Lubkemann, of Boone, North Carolina, were named beneficiaries of the celebrated, full-tuition Elizabeth 91探花 Scholarship.

U.S. Congresswoman Virginia Foxx, R-N.C., will be on campus Friday, March 31, to discuss leadership, her career path, the life of a congressperson and her childhood spent in Avery County.

Sponsored by the Stephenson Center for Appalachia, Lees-91探花 will kick-off the start of spring and highlight the unique aspects of mountain living during its seventh annual Appalachian Heritage Week.

Lees-91探花 will now go head-to-head against Tennessee-based school, Maryville College, after defeating Brevard College by nearly 900 votes in the Blue Ridge Outdoors Magazine’s Top Adventure College competition.

91探花 was recognized, and landed on a list of top North Carolina colleges, as one of the best institutions offering online learning in the nation by The Community for Accredited Online Schools.

After winning the first bracket of the Blue Ridge Outdoors Magazine Top Adventure College contest against Georgia-based Berry College by almost 1,000 votes, Lees-91探花 is now in the second round against North Carolina-based Brevard College.

The New Opportunity School for Women at 91探花 is accepting applications for the program’s free annual summer session.

Warren Doyle, the record holder for the most complete traverses of the Appalachian Trail, will present a program on his Trail experiences at 91探花 on Thursday, March 16 at 7 p.m. in Evans Auditorium as a Stephenson Center for Appalachia lecturer.

2017 marks Blue Ridge Outdoors Magazine’s fifth “Top Adventure College” tournament and Lees-91探花 is in the running.

Climbing the seven highest summits in the world is not a task for the weak at heart. Patrick Hickey is one of only 120 people in the world to accomplish “the holy grail of mountaineering”, and the only nurse in history to finish.

Witty verbal exchanges, disguises, dysfunctional families, many lovers trying to find the perfect mates, and four marriages to end it all. Sounds like a lot to fit into one play, but William Shakespeare did just that in his pastoral comedy As You Like It, which is the spring production of the 91探花 Performing Arts program.

Rachel Held Evans is weird, but it is not exactly what you would think–she wants to keep Christianity weird. New York Times best-selling author and popular faith blogger, Rachel Held Evans will visit campus to present her talk titled, “Keep Christianity Weird.”

Camping out of their Subaru, Steph Whatton and Andy Mossey—two Subaru/Leave No Trace traveling trainers—will visit campus on February 15 to educate the community on responsible and minimum-impact outdoor recreation.

Under layers of makeup and even green synthetic fur, 26-year-old Richard Gebo is almost unrecognizable. A 2013 Lees-91探花 BFA graduate, Gebo has played roles from reformed shark “Bruce” in Finding Nemo: The Musical to the “Grinch” in Grinchmas, and though he says the work he does is constant and highly competitive, he would not change a thing.

Miles of single track, dual slalom and downhill courses only minutes from campus were just a few of the reasons why Lees-91探花 received a top spot on Singletracks.com’s list of best colleges for mountain bikers.

Grammy nominee Ted Olson will come to Lees-91探花 on Wednesday, February 1, to present a program on his latest award-winning album, On Top of Old Smoky: New Old-Time Smoky Mountain Music.

Nine-hundred miles off the East Coast of Australia and 600 miles south of Fiji, are the islands that comprise the fascinating country of New Zealand. Known largely for its biodiversity, it makes sense as to why students from the wildlife rehabilitation program made the 8,500-mile journey for the third year.

The Dotti M. Shelton Learning Commons will soon have a new director walking through its many rows of publications. Starting on February 6, Jessica Bellemer will begin as the new director of library services. Her position will oversee the operation of the newly-renovated learning commons and on-campus learning services as well as off-campus.

The May School of Nursing and Health Sciences at 91探花 will host a team from the Commission on Collegiate Nursing Education (CCNE) from March 15-17, 2017, when CCNE conducts its on-site evaluation of the baccalaureate degree nursing program (RN to BSN and Pre-licensure BSN).

Other than the sounds of the wind and pelting snow, the haunting howls of red wolves that many years ago brought a different kind of chill to folks huddled in their cabins have disappeared from our area, although a population still exists in the Eastern part of North Carolina.

Dean and Instructor of Business and Management Amy Anderson provided some money saving tips on Daytime Tri-Cities finance segment “Money Matters”, on January 10. The live broadcast provided Anderson the opportunity to share money saving tips and some of her own personal tricks.

More than half of the total student body landed on either the Dean’s List or President’s List. Of the 991 total enrolled students for the fall 2016 semester, 568 landed on either list. The number also includes students receiving their degree online.

Earlier this fall during the Woolly Worm Festival, a popular, ever-growing downtown Banner Elk festival dedicated to the larvae of the tiger moth and its abilities to predict the severity of the coming winter, students from the Business Statistics course (BUS 265) collected exactly 305 surveys.

Earlier this month, Hickory Young Professionals announced its 2016 Top 10 Under 40 Awards, earning Lees-91探花 Vice President of Online Learning Bo Bennett a spot on its list.

You may have heard about Black Friday or Cyber Monday, but have you heard about Giving Tuesday? On Tuesday, November 29, hundreds of colleges, universities, organizations, companies and even individuals will participate in Giving Tuesday—a global day of giving that harnesses the collective power of individuals, communities and organizations to encourage philanthropy and to celebrate generosity worldwide.

Alongside fellow colleagues, Brad Skinner spends each day tending to birds of prey at the American Eagle Foundation in Pigeon Forge, Tennessee. On Thursday, November 10, Skinner—a May 2015 Lees-91探花 Wildlife Rehabilitation Program graduate—spent the day with students, talking about his experiences since graduating and helpful tips for those looking to pursue a career in wildlife rehabilitation.

Eurydice, the performing arts’ most recent play, is a relatively small production. But even with only seven cast members to dress, hours of hard work and attention to detail is still paid in order to get the costumes as close to perfect as possible.

On Saturday, November 5, 13 honors students traveled to the Carolina Renaissance Festival in Huntersville, North Carolina.

If you are interested in learning about the complexities of Reconstruction in Southern Appalachia, come to the Stephenson Center for Appalachia’s lecture on November 16, at 7 p.m. in Evans Auditorium on the 91探花 campus. Dr. Steven Nash will present a program based on his recently released book Reconstruction’s Ragged Edge: The Politics of Postwar Life in the Southern Mountains.

Meet Eurydice (pronounced: Ear-reh-da-see): daughter of the Greek god Apollo and wife of Orpheus, and you could say she is in-between a rock and a hard place.

How did this happen? When did it happen? Who did this? Are you certain of that? Those were just a few of the questions about 25 students in Instructor of Criminal Justice Tracy Hoilman’s Criminal Investigation and Interrogation class asked both of themselves, and of each other.

BackgroundChecks.org released its annual "Safest Colleges in North Carolina" report for 2016 in early October—landing Lees-91探花 27 on the list.

In a recent ranking study released by Affordable Colleges Online—a resource for online learning and college affordability information—Lees-91探花 online programs ranked among the top in North Carolina for the years 2016 through 2017.

With the help of faculty and students from Lees-91探花, young students across Avery County on Friday, October 21, got a hands-on experience with the rich heritage of the Appalachian high country.

May Wildlife Rehabilitation Center Director, Nina Fischesser, made an appearance on two local television stations last week with students and feathered-friends closely by her side.

Currently serving as senior policies advisor for Wisconsin Gov. Scott Walker, Monica Young received her undergraduate degree in history from Lees-91探花 in 2012 and subsequently graduated from Marquette University's School of Law in 2015.

The May School of Nursing and Health Sciences held its first mock disaster simulation Wednesday, October 12. The simulation took place in the rear parking lot of the May School of Nursing and Health Sciences building. Both nursing and emergency medical services and management students were made aware of the situation only moments before being asked to spring into action.

Are you looking for spooky fun to celebrate Halloween? Come to 91探花 on October 27, at 7 p.m. to hear an original play, The Devil’s Stairs, written by Boone novelist Joshua Simcox. A graduate of the college’s creative writing program, he will direct a radio broadcast reading of his play with Lees-91探花 students in Evans Auditorium.

Just one look at Monica Young’s resume can certainly indicate her passions. She’s a current senior policies advisor for Wisconsin Gov. Scott Walker and former intern within the Iowa House of Representatives. When Walker ran for President of the United States in 2016, she was—unsurprisingly— a part of that, too.

The campus of Lees-91探花 is both a mixture of the new and old. Boulders stacked atop of one another like mosaic tiles in a church window are juxtaposed by sleek white floors and trendy furniture.

Ireland is coming to Lees-91探花! The Belfast Boys, traditional Irish music duo, will visit campus on Thursday, October 13. As part of the Stephenson Center for Appalachia Lecture Series, poet and musician Adrian Rice and classically-trained musician Alyn Mearns will appear at 7 p.m. in Evans Auditorium in the Cannon Student Center.

Students, faculty and staff will gather Friday afternoon to celebrate the completion of the Dotti M. Shelton Learning Commons. The Learning Commons— formerly James H. Carson Library—received about $2.5 million for renovations and began work in May 2016.

Lees-91探花 students, faculty, staff and several college leaders met Wednesday afternoon for the Daniel May Woodworking Shop Dedication Ceremony. The space-- made possible by donations from the May family-- will now feature state-of-the-art wood working equipment housed within its new walls.

They’re ooky and they’re spooky—and they’ll be appearing in the 91探花 Performing Arts fall musical. The Addams Family will make its debut from Thursday, Sept. 29 until Sunday, Oct. 2.

91探花 was named the No. 23 best regional college in the South, in a new evaluation released by U.S. News & World Report. Defined by the news site, regional colleges focus on the undergraduate experience and offer a broad range of programs in the liberal arts and professional fields such as nursing, education and business.

To open the academic year and introduce newcomers to the area, the Stephenson Center for Appalachia at 91探花 will present So You Say You Have Nothing To Do?: Plunging Waterfalls, Invigorating Hikes, Entertaining Beasts and Entrancing Sights on Thursday, September 15 at 7 p.m. in Evans Auditorium.

School is back in session. This fall, Lees-91探花 students and faculty return to classes with a new academic structure in place. Starting this fall, the College will be comprised of four academic units: the School of Arts, Humanities and Education (AHE); the School of Business (BUS); the May School of Nursing and Health Sciences (NUR); and the School of Natural and Behavioral Sciences (NBS).

91探花 will hold its Convocation ceremony on Thursday, August 18 at 4 p.m. in Hayes Auditorium. Convocation is an important part of the academic tradition at Lees-91探花. Literally a 'coming together' of the College community, Convocation celebrates the beginning of the academic year and welcomes new and returning students to campus. Lees-91探花 alumnus Hakim Bellamy ’02 will give the keynote address, “4000 Feet Above Average.” Bellamy will also be a poet in residence on campus August 17-18.

As the 2016-2017 academic year quickly approaches, Lees-91探花 Provost Dr. Todd Lidh spoke with WLTX of Columbia, SC about the college freshman experience. His advice included to make connections with peers, prepare for the semester using class syllabi, be financially smart, take a walk around campus and finally, stay in touch with family.

This summer, taking a stroll around Banner Elk will have an added pleasure — fully operational pianos situated throughout town, ready for players.

91探花 was named no. 1 on a list of Best Online Colleges in North Carolina by OnlineColleges.net. With the distribution of a generous gift aid package to all online students, the institution was also recognized as the no. 4 most affordable online college in the state.

Lees-91探花 is kicking off the 31st Summer Theatre season with Disney and Cameron Mackintosh's Mary Poppins, which runs from June 26-July 3. Based on the books by P.L. Travers and the classic Walt Disney film, the show delighted Broadway audiences for more than 2,500 performances and received nominations for nine Olivier and seven Tony Awards, including Best Musical. The shows will take place in the Hayes Auditorium of Broyhill Theatre.

If you are looking to gain insight into Appalachian culture or seeking to enrich your summer experience, reserve the first three Wednesdays in June to participate in the John B. Stephenson Lecture Series at 91探花. The Wednesday lectures on June 1, 8, and 15 are free and open to the public.

33 Lees-91探花 student-athletes were inducted into the Chi Alpha Sigma North Carolina Beta Chapter, the organization announced Wednesday. “We’re extremely proud of the hard work and dedication these young men and women have put into earning this honor of being inducted into the Chi Alpha Sigma, National College Athlete Honor Society,” said director of athletic compliance Jeffrey Merrill.

91探花 awarded 251 degrees, the largest number in College history, during commencement exercises Saturday, May 7. Among the graduates, 23 graduated with honors, 58 graduated summa cum laude (3.90-4.0 GPA), 63 graduated magna cum laude (3.70-3.89 GPA) and 33 graduated cum laude (3.50-3.69 GPA).

The 91探花 Chi chapter of Alpha Chi National College Honor Society is pleased to announce its spring 2016 class of members. Founded in 1922, Alpha Chi was established to recognize academic achievement. Today, Alpha Chi has chapters at 300 college campuses across the United States.

Peggy E. Wasmund of Charlotte, NC, received a $2,704 scholarship from Wells Fargo for the current academic year. The scholarship was one of 25 awarded to students enrolled at independent colleges and universities in North Carolina.

91探花 is proud to announce that Dianne L. May has been chosen to receive an honorary Doctor of Humanities at this year’s commencement ceremony on May 7, 2016.

Wildlife biology major Destini Petitt and biology major Hailey Sarausky participated in the 23rd annual Blue Ridge Undergraduate Research Conference this month at King University in Bristol, TN. Undergraduate students from throughout the region submitted brief abstracts and were selected to present their scholarly work in either oral or poster presentations. Institutions represented at this year’s conference included Davis & Elkins College, King University, 91探花, Lincoln Memorial University, Milligan College, Ohio Valley University, Tusculum College, Union College, and the University of Virginia - Wise.

Dr. Michael Joslin, English professor and director of the Stephenson Center for Appalachia at Lees-91探花, was featured on WLOS in Asheville along with Lee Rankin of Apple Hill Farm. Check it out and learn more about Appalachian Heritage Week!

Join 91探花 in celebrating spring’s return to the mountains. During the 6th annual Appalachian Heritage Week, April 7-15, the College will highlight beloved American novelist Marjorie Kinnan Rawlings, who spent a creative autumn in one of the College’s cottages. Other unique aspects of mountain heritage will enlighten and entertain students and community members. Lees-91探花 invites everyone to participate in the activities sponsored by the Stephenson Center for Appalachia.

Meg Quinn believes she would never be where she is today without her experience at the New Opportunity School for Women at 91探花 in Banner Elk. When she arrived at NOSW in July 2010, she had low self-esteem and no idea what the program would entail. What she found in the three week intensive session was life-changing.

The 91探花 performing arts program is excited to announce the renovation of the program’s dance studio. The renovations were completed in March and made possible by generous donors Dana and Vicki McKittrick and support from Lees-91探花 Summer Theatre.

Continuing its exploration of Appalachian history and culture, the Stephenson Center for Appalachia at 91探花 will host Dr. Billy Carver on Thursday, March 17. His lecture, titled “Mountain Air: Tuberculosis in Appalachia,” will cover the fascinating facts behind the mountains’ place in medical history. The program will begin at 7 p.m. in Evans Auditorium in the Cannon Student Center and is free and open to the public.

The New Opportunity School for Women (NOSW) at 91探花 is accepting applications for its three-week residential summer program that helps low-income women gain the skills and confidence to turn their lives around. This summer’s session will be held from May 29 – June 18.

Ivanna Knox, a freshman at 91探花, received a $2,425 UPS Scholarship provided through North Carolina Independent Colleges and Universities (NCICU) for the current academic year.

91探花 will host a selection of artwork by Michael Polomik beginning February 28, with the opening reception and artist talk scheduled for March 28 from 5-6 p.m. in King-Shivell Gallery. The exhibit and reception are free and open to the public.

Program Coordinator and Assistant Professor of History Dr. Scott Huffard will attend the Business History Conference in Portland, OR March 31-April 3. The annual meeting is a chance for scholars to meet, share and discuss current research in the field.

The May Wildlife Rehabilitation Center was recently featured on WDBJ7 out of Roanoke, Virginia. Director Nina Fischesser spoke about the types of animals the Center takes in and the wildlife rehabilitation program.

Join us on Thursday, February 25 as we celebrate Black History Month with Dr. Kristen Baldwin Deathridge’s lecture “Public History and the History of an African-American Appalachian Community.” The program, part of the Stephenson Center for Appalachia Lecture Series, will begin at 7 p.m. in Evans Auditorium in the Cannon Student Center. The event is free and open to the public.

He’s been hailed as one of the most significant figures in modern musical theatre, and 91探花’s Performing Arts program will present some of Stephen Sondheim’s best music in Sondheim on Sondheim February 25‒28 at Hayes Auditorium.

Director of the May Wildlife Rehabilitation Center Nina Fischesser attended and presented two lectures at the Wildlife Rehabilitators of North Carolina Symposium (WRNC) in Raleigh, NC January 30-31. Her lectures were titled Working with Veterinarians in Wildlife Rehabilitation, which focused on helping new rehabilitators build relationships with veterinarians in their communities, and Wildlife Rehabilitation in Higher Education, which covered the educational aspect of working with wildlife.

Students in the first cohort of the Lees-91探花 Emergency Medical Services and Management Program (EMSM) have reason to celebrate this spring. The program has received a Letter of Review from the leading specialized accreditation agency focusing on Emergency Medical Services education, which means that these students will be eligible to take the National Registry of Emergency Medical Technicians credentialing exam upon graduation.

Best Master of Science in Nursing has ranked the May School of Nursing and Health Sciences as one of the top up and coming nursing schools in the south. The schools were ranked based on innovative teaching methods, cutting-edge technological resources, facilities and student organizations.

Lees-91探花 welcomes Dr. Conrad Ostwalt, Professor of Religious Studies at Appalachian State University, as the spring 2016 Staley Distinguished Lecturer. Dr. Ostwalt will present a series of three public lectures following the theme of Millennial Dawn in America: The Evolution of Spirituality, the Church and God.

On Jan. 11, Lees-91探花’s Avery Wallis, making his second career collegiate start, scored a career-high 13 points in a home win against Piedmont International.

145 Lees-91探花 student-athletes were named to the Conference Carolinas Fall 2015 Presidential Honor Roll, the league office announced. Each semester recognition is given to student-athletes who achieve a grade-point average of 3.2 or higher on a 4-point scale. All student-athletes, including underclassmen, transfers, and those who play non-conference sponsored sports, are eligible for the recognition as long as they participated during the semester in question.

91探花 student Melissa Hooper shares a campus house with five other women, along with two dogs and a gecko. Even as universities relax many housing rules — gender-neutral dorms are mainstream — animals remain largely a no-go. N.C. State University (above) only allows fish and registered service animals. UNC Chapel Hill allows service and support animals.

If the novelty of winter has ebbed, come warm up with poet Adrian Rice’s reading at 91探花 on Thursday, January 28 from 7 to 8 p.m. Rice will present his poems in Evans Auditorium of the Cannon Student Center as the first of the Stephenson Center for Appalachia’s 2016 Lecture Series.

Members of the Division of Education presented at the Center for Scholastic Inquiry’s annual International Academic Research Conference held in Charleston, SC, October 28-30. The presentation, by Drs. Susan Gilbert, Lynn Swann, Pam Vesely and Robin Buchanan, demonstrated how to create an online environment that exposes students to a multiplicity of discourses.

Lees-91探花 senior James Abraham was named to the 2015 Division I and Division II Men's Scholar All-South Region Team, the National Soccer Coaches Association of America announced Tuesday evening.

Erica Atkinson, a Wildlife Biology major from Matthews, North Carolina, will receive a scholarship for $3,500 during the 2016-2017 academic year. The Duke Energy Foundation awards numerous scholarships annually through the Independent College Fund of NC, a division of Independent Colleges and Universities of North Carolina, to students studying science or math.

Assistant Professor of History Dr. Robert Turpin has signed a contract to publish his first monograph, First Taste of Freedom: The Bicycle and American Culture, with Johns Hopkins University Press. His publication will trace the bicycle’s role as a status symbol in the 1890’s to a child’s toy by the 1950s and its evolution from a means of demonstrating health and wealth to a tool used temporarily during childhood.

Dr. Skeate, professor of wildlife biology and coordinator of the Wildlife Biology Program at 91探花, has received the Whalen Master Teacher Grant to fund student research projects for the Belize Foundation for Research and Environmental Education (BFREE). As a scholar involved in tropical research for many years, he understands the challenges and is working to improve the student experience.

On November 16, Lees-91探花's Judicial Process class experienced a common criminal trial first hand. Instructor Howard Donovan, who is also a defense attorney, Avery County Assistant District Attorney Penn Dameron and local attorney Wiliam B. Cocke, Jr. lead the class through the exercise. During the trial, students acted as witnesses, defendants, jurors, and other key members of the case.The purpose of the trial was to encourage students to put their knowledge of legal information, trial procedures and evidentiary and constitutional concepts into practice.

Support the Lees-91探花 Communication Arts & Design seniors as they share their works with the community. The show is open to the public November 16 - December 3.

91探花’s Department of Performing Arts continues the Fall 2015 performance series with Terra Nova. The drama, written by playwright Ted Tally, is the story of Englishman Robert Falcon Scott’s ill-fated Antarctic expedition in 1912 as his five-man team endeavors to be the first to reach the South Pole. This journey is filled with intense moments of hope to be the first to discover this foreign place, but also of fear, determination, isolation and tragedy.

Nina Fischesser, director of the May Wildlife Rehabilitation Center, will be releasing a bald eagle at Lake James this Friday. She rescued the eagle from the lake in September and transferred the bird to the Carolina Raptor Center for treatment. The eagle has recovered and was approved for release on November 10.

Professor Silver discusses the Lees-91探花 Cycling Studies program and how students can apply what they learn after graduation and talks through winter biking safety tips for new cyclists.

Students at 91探花 will now have the opportunity to earn a licensure in Special Education, General Curriculum (K-12) and graduate with a Bachelor of Science or a Bachelor of Arts. The accredited Special Education program is the most recent addition to the Lees-91探花 Division of Education, which offers licensures in both Theatre Arts Education and Elementary Education (K-6).

The Stephenson Center for Appalachia at 91探花 will host an evening with two distinguished Appalachian poets. Dr. Don Johnson and Dr. Jesse Graves will read selections from their poetry on November 3 beginning at 7:00 p.m. in Evans Auditorium on the Lees-91探花 campus.

Dixie Seating Company out of Stony Point, N.C. generously donated 10 stools worth $80 apiece to the Whitesell Art Studio at 91探花. Dixie Seating Company President Dirk E. Baker personally authorized the generous donation of magnificently handcrafted American stools worth over $800.

Nina Fischesser and two students majoring in Wildlife Rehabilitation were featured on Fox 46’s Good Day Charlotte on October 9. Check out our Saw-Whet owls, leucistic grey squirrel, British Barn owl and more on camera!

Boone novelist Joshua Simcox will present a program at 91探花 on Tuesday, October 20 at 7:00 p.m. in Evans Auditorium. As part of the Stephenson Center for Appalachia lecture series, Simcox will read from his novel Zapheads: Scars and Ashes and will discuss the publication process.

I have many fantastic memories from my time at Lees-91探花, but the ones that really stick with me are the many hours spent sitting in Dr. Stewart Skeate’s office talking about birds, flowers, ecological systems, and graduate school. He was such a great mentor and I really don’t think I would be working as an educator today if it wasn’t for this relationship. For the past 14 years I have had the honor of mentoring hundreds of students at Appalachian State University. I often think about the positive influence a mentor can make because of my experience at Lees-91探花.

Bobcat Cycling Coach Tim Hall covers safety tips, proper technique, bike maintenance and more on Charlotte Today.

91探花 has implemented a tuition guarantee program for students beginning in fall 2016. As a testament to the College’s commitment to affordability, all students entering the 2016-17 academic year will be guaranteed the same rate of tuition for remaining academic years based on their classification as of fall 2016.

Lees-91探花’s King-Shivell Gallery is thrilled to host a selection of artwork by Scott Lowrey titled “Aspects of Nature”. The exhibit will be on display from October 1-31, with the opening reception scheduled October 8 from 5 – 6 p.m. in King-Shivell Gallery. The exhibit is free and open to the public.

Nina Fischesser, director of the May Wildlife Rehabilitation Center, spoke with WCNC's Charlotte Today. Students Shannon Granger and Dustin Longstreet assisted with the demonstration.

91探花’s Department of Performing Arts kicks off the Fall 2015 performance series with Plain and Fancy, showing October 1-4.

To open the new academic year and introduce newcomers to the area, the Stephenson Center for Appalachia at 91探花 will present So You Say You Have Nothing To Do?: Plunging Waterfalls, Invigorating Hikes, Entertaining Beasts and Entrancing Sights on September 15 at 7 p.m. in Evans Auditorium. Lees-91探花, the highest elevation campus in the East, sits in the midst of some of the most vibrant natural attractions in the country, providing students with unmatched opportunities of outdoor adventure and relaxation.

As higher education institutions continue to face stiff competition from both traditional and alternative learning programs, 91探花 is pleased to report record enrollment growth for the 2015-16 academic year. Student numbers jumped 10%, from 940 in fall 2014 to 1,034 this fall.

Nina Fischesser, director of the May Center for Wildlife Rehabilitation, spoke with Bounce TV on Friday night. Students Shannon Granger and Dustin Longstreet assisted with the demonstration, holding two red tailed hawks and a pair of Saw-Whet owls.

Students, faculty and staff who attended the annual Lees-91探花 Opening Convocation ceremony on Thursday, August 20 were inspired by the message woven throughout the program – follow your passion and you'll find success.

91探花 will host the 2015 Opening Convocation on August 20 at 3:30 p.m. in the Broyhill Theatre of Hayes Auditorium. Each fall, students, faculty and staff come together for the afternoon to celebrate the beginning of a new academic year. Executive Director of Grandfather Mountain and Lees-91探花 alumnus Jesse Pope will give the keynote address titled Follow Your Passion, Find Your Success at this year’s Opening Convocation.

Colleges and universities across the country continue to implement new and innovative programs to enrich the faculty and student experience, and Lees-91探花 is no exception. Our pet-friendly campus policy is garnering national attention and was just featured on People.com.

Dr. Laura Fero, dean of nursing and health sciences at 91探花, has been elected to the Board of Directors for the North Carolina League of Nursing, the constituent league for the National League of Nursing. This national body promotes excellence in nursing education to advance the health of the nation and global communities through advocacy and public policy. Dr. Fero’s term will begin in the fall of 2015 and run for two years.

After a great production of Oliver!, the cast and crew of Lees-91探花 Summer Theatre is excited to begin on their next show of the season, Lend Me a Tenor. This production will be performed on July 15-18 at 7 p.m. and July 16, 18 and 19 at 2 p.m.

91探花 continues to live by its motto: In the Mountains, Of the Mountains, and For the Mountains. In courses focused on Appalachia, in programs presented to the community, and in research and creative work by students, faculty and staff, the college continues to draw life from its roots.

What is your favorite memory from 91探花? My favorite would have to be driving to my first day of college at Lees-91探花. I was so excited to be living in the mountains for four years and meet new people. I guess you could say I felt like a free man since I was away from home.

On Friday, July 10, more than 90 faculty, staff, students, alumni, community members and friends of the College celebrated the dedication of the Ann and John Tickle Classroom at the May Wildlife Rehabilitation Center. The 950 square foot classroom space allows for larger classes and community educational programs to be held.

91探花 has launched a $250,000 fundraising campaign for the renovations of Hayes Auditorium. The auditorium, built in 1975, is located at the front of campus on Highway 194 and serves as an important campus and community venue.

91探花 was recently named no. 2 on College Raptor’s list of pet-friendly colleges and universities. One of a handful of pet-friendly campuses in the nation, Lees-91探花 allows students and their pets to enroll.

The Southern Association of Colleges and Schools Commission on Colleges (SACSCOC) has reaffirmed the accreditation of 91探花 for 10 years. The reaffirmation was announced at a meeting of the SACSCOC Board of Trustees on June 11.

On Wednesday, June 17, Dr. Katherine Ledford will present a program on the inter-mountain exchange program between Southern Appalachia and Ukraine at 7 p.m. in the Carson Library on the campus of 91探花. As part of the Stephenson Center for Appalachia Lecture Series, this event is free and open to the public.

91探花 is proud to announce that it has received accreditation from the state of North Carolina Office of Emergency Medical Services (NCOEMS) as an authorized emergency medical services educational institution. This designation allows Lees-91探花 to instruct students in this new program and allows students to obtain North Carolina state certifications as an EMT-Basic or EMT-Paramedic as part of the overall Bachelor of Science degree in emergency medical services and management (EMSM).

91探花 President Barry M. Buxton has been named vice president of NCAA Division II Conference Carolinas. The vice president serves on the executive committee and chairs the conference personnel committee, as well as acting on behalf of the conference when the president is unable to attend conference activities. Dr. Buxton will assume the role of president of Conference Carolinas at the conclusion of the 2016 spring conference meeting.

If you are looking to gain insight into Appalachian culture or enrich your summer experience, reserve three Wednesdays in June to participate in the John B. Stephenson Lecture Series at 91探花. The Stephenson Lecture Series is free and open to the public.

91探花 conferred 214 degrees upon the class of 2015 in a beautiful commencement ceremony held on historic Tate Lawn. As a result of excellent career preparation and an 88% placement rate, the new graduates are embarking on a journey of endless opportunities.

91探花 conferred degrees upon 214 graduates during commencement exercises Saturday, May 9 on Tate Lawn on the campus in Banner Elk. The 2015 ceremony was the first time commencement has been held on Tate Lawn in the history of the College. Of the graduating class, 15 graduated with honors, 56 graduated summa cum laude (3.90-4.0 GPA), 43 graduated magna cum laude (3.70-3.89 GPA) and 31 graduated cum laude (3.50-3.69 GPA).

The 91探花 Chi chapter of Alpha Chi National College Honor Society is pleased to announce its spring 2015 class of members. Founded in 1922, Alpha Chi was established to recognize academic achievement. Today, Alpha Chi has chapters at 300 college campuses across the United States.

91探花 will hold its annual commencement ceremony on Saturday, May 9 at 11 a.m. on Tate Lawn. As the culmination of the academic year, commencement is a special time for students, faculty, staff, families and the community to celebrate the accomplishments of the 91探花 graduates. 91探花 Board of Trustees chairman, Harvey Lowd, has been chosen as the 2015 Commencement speaker. Lowd will present his keynote address titled “Dream Big.”

The Communication Arts and Design program at 91探花 is proud to host an exhibit of student artwork titled “The Shop” as part of the program’s senior exit show. An opening reception for the exhibit will be held on Wednesday, April 29 from 6-7 p.m. in King-Shivell Gallery located in the Cannon Student Center. Senior presentations will begin at 7 p.m. in the adjacent Evans Auditorium.

The spring 2015 semester proved to be a successful one for the 91探花 Robb Center for Career Exploration, which is concluding its first full academic year of operation. The Robb Center provides centralized resources for students seeking guidance on obtaining internships and jobs by providing resume and cover letter assistance, interview preparation and multiple opportunities for students to learn about different career prospects.

91探花 representatives attended the North Carolina Health Occupations Students of America (NCHOSA) conference to interact with more than 2,400 prospective students and educators by raising awareness about nursing and health science opportunities at 91探花. In addition to recruiting, Lees-91探花 attended as a diamond sponsor, the only institution of higher education to make such a presence at the conference. The conference was held in Greensboro, N.C. in late March.

Lees-91探花 performing arts students will present Brunch: The Musical, an original rock musical by New York City-based actor and playwright Rick Kunzi, in a never before seen version of the show. Director and designer Ethan Henry ’15, in conjunction with Lees-91探花 students, will perform the show on April 11 – 12 at 7:30 p.m. in the Broyhill Theatre of Hayes Auditorium on the campus of 91探花. Seating is general admission and entry is free.

Assistant Professor of Communication Arts and Design Jason Sabbides will participate in the Mountain Man Memorial March (MMMM) on April 10-11 in Gatlinburg, Tenn. The 8th annual march will honor Gold Star families and loved ones.

Lees-91探花 performing arts students and faculty recently participated in the Southeastern Theatre Conference (SETC) held in Chattanooga during early March. Of the ten students in attendance, seven scored an audition, interview or made promising contacts for future employment.

UNC-TV recently featured the May School of Nursing and Health Sciences at 91探花 in a special episode of the North Carolina Now program which provided a behind the scenes look at the new facility and Hart Simulation Center.

91探花 is proud to announce that incoming freshman, Maggie Thomas, has been named the first recipient of the Sam and Mary Hart Endowed Scholarship. As the winner, Thomas will receive a full tuition scholarship that is renewable for up to four years as long as she maintains a 3.0 cumulative GPA.

Lees-91探花 students are making moves to elevate their careers! On March 4, nearly a dozen students and six faculty and staff members from the Performing Arts Department will make the trip to Chattanooga, Tenn. for the four-day Southeastern Theatre Conference (SETC) 2015 Annual Convention.

If you are looking for an escape from the winter blues, come to 91探花 on Thursday, March 5, at 7:00 p.m. in Evans Auditorium to watch a screening of Jesse Knight’s feature film The Orbs. As part of the Stephenson Center for Appalachia Lecture Series, Knight will discuss the process of producing a movie in Appalachia, and show his award-winning film. This event is free and open to the public.

On February 20 from 5 – 6 p.m., Lees-91探花’s King-Shivell Gallery will host a reception for the faculty art show, Across Borders. The featured faculty artists will be available to discuss their work. The reception and exhibit are free and open to the public. The exhibit will be on display until February 27.

For the second consecutive semester and the third consecutive spring semester, 91探花 experienced significant enrollment growth. The overall enrollment for the spring semester has increased 10%, with a 77% increase in new student enrollment and a 6% increase in continuing student enrollment over spring 2014.

Get ready for a great night at the theatre! The Lees-91探花 Performing Arts Department is proud to present the British production, She Stoops to Conquer, a classic comedy of errors that debuted in 1773. The production will premiere in Hayes Auditorium on the campus of 91探花 on Thursday, February 26 at 7:30 p.m. and run through March 1. All performances are open to the public.

91探花 is proud to announce a new height of success for its Honors Program. At 84 students, the program is enjoying its largest enrollment to date, while also celebrating a persistence rate of 98.18% from fall 2014 to spring 2015. The program is growing at such a rate that program director Dr. Ken Craig is looking to increase its scope to 100 students by next fall. All of these accomplishments come just as the college gears up for its annual Scholars Day on February 21.

On Thursday, January 29, 91探花 named Dr. Todd Lidh as Provost. Dr. Lidh was most recently the Assistant Dean of Undergraduate Studies at The Catholic University of America in Washington, D.C. He will begin his duties on July 1, 2015.

On February 28, 2015, for the first time in 12 years the college will host FAFSA Day in Carson Library on the campus of Lees-91探花 from 9 a.m. to 12 noon. College financial aid officers and admissions specialists will assist students in completing the 2015-16 Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA). This event is open to the community for students who plan to attend college in the 2015-2016 academic year.

Lees-91探花 is proud to announce that on January 30, 2015, the North Carolina Board of Nursing (NCBON) approved the College to begin offering a pre-licensure nursing program. As the regulating body for the practice of nursing in North Carolina, NCBON approval marks a significant milestone in the progress of pre-licensure nursing at Lees-91探花.

While Thomas Wolfe is famous for both writing and in some ways proving, “You Can’t Go Home Again,” a contemporary Appalachian author disputes the point. Kevin Keck, an adjunct instructor of rhetoric at Lees-91探花, will present a program, “Born Again: My Return to Appalachia,” that explores returning to his mountain roots at 91探花. His presentation will take place on Thursday, February 12 at 7 p.m. in Evans Auditorium in the first of this semester’s Stephenson Center for Appalachia Lecture Series. This program is free and open to the public.

From February 5 – 10, Lees-91探花 students and faculty will participate in a University of Florida-led (UF) oral history research and interview collaboration designed to preserve the cultural history of Southern Appalachian people, specifically residents of Avery County and the surrounding area.

From January 19 – 23, volunteers from 91探花 participated in the 34th Annual DSUSA Adaptive Learn to Ski event at Beech Mountain Resort. Students, staff and alumni assisted instructors and volunteers with many of the lessons for the more than 70 individuals with disabilities as they learned to ski and snowboard.

From her home in Horse Shoe, N.C., 91探花 alumna Ally Stacher ’10 is building an empire powered by sweet potato flavored bars simply named Ally’s Bar. In addition to operating a thriving energy bar business, Stacher is also a professional cyclist riding in multiple disciplines. It was her love of training married with a love of cooking that spawned this delightfully tasty treat and business venture.

91探花 will be the first institution to benefit from this new partnership. Omnicell, Inc., (NASDAQ: OMCL), today announced that Pocket Nurse, a leading provider for nursing healthcare education and medical simulation initiatives, has entered into an agreement to bring state-of-the-art medication automation solutions to the nursing education market. Pocket Nurse will develop real-world simulated education curriculums using Omnicell® automated medication dispensing systems for nursing students in healthcare education and medical simulation education programs in the USA & Canada.

The Lari beetle controls adelgids well because it is a voracious predator that feeds exclusively on woolly adelgids, according to the WRC. Lari beetles are winter feeders and can eat up to six adelgids per day before laying 200 to 400 eggs in the adelgid egg sacs. Each larva can consume 200 to 250 adelgid eggs or crawlers before they pupate in June. Once established, Lari beetles can advance up to two miles per year. Since the initial release of 300 lab-reared Lari beetles in 2003 on Hemlock Hill in Banner Elk, 10 generations of beetles have spread some 45 miles from the 91探花 Elk Valley Preserve.

(High Country Press) It may still be wintertime, but 91探花 already has great things in store for the High Country community for the upcoming summer months. The highly-anticipated 2015 lineup of the annual Lees-91探花 Summer Theatre has officially been announced, and the 2015 summer season is sure to be yet another great year of theatrical treats.