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.

Put on your dancing shoes Bobcat fans! Your 91探花 men's basketball team is heading to the NCAA Tournament for the first time in program history after defeating Belmont Abbey College, 75-72, in the Conference Carolinas Championship game Sunday afternoon at Williams Gymnasium.

After pulling a man from a burning car two years ago while off-duty, Lt. William Buchanan, a former criminal justice student, received the Medal of Valor.

Fresh off its first postseason victory in program history, the 91探花 men's basketball team will check another first off the list this weekend as it will host the Conference Carolinas men's basketball semifinals and finals at Williams Gymnasium.

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.

Elite cyclists Kerry Werner ’13 and Eric Thompson ’11 reflect on their time racing for Lees-91探花 and how racing in North Carolina's High Country shaped them into the successful athletes they are today.

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.

Pro cyclist on team BMC and former Lees-91探花 cyclist Brent Bookwalter reflects on his early years in cycling and the importance of supporting collegiate cycling programs.

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.”

The Lees-91探花 cheerleading team will host a fall cheerleading clinic on Saturday, Nov. 18 at the Student Recreation Complex from 9 a.m. to 12 p.m.

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.

College fairs can quickly feel like rapid-fire free-for-alls, which in some of the best-case scenarios, can make you feel a tad overwhelmed. To help cure some of your frustration, we asked four Lees-91探花 admission counselors to share their college fair advice so you can go into the next college fair feeling prepared.

91探花 will host a showing of the 12th annual REEL ROCK Film Tour on Friday, November 3 in Evans Auditorium inside the Cannon Student Center.

With 1,153 activities logged, 91探花 students, faculty, staff, alumni and community members hiked, biked and explored their way to second place in the division I Southeast region and 21st place overall in the Outdoor Nation Campus Challenge.

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.

It’s no secret that the process of exiting high school and entering the world of college is equal parts scary and liberating. This is a new beginning, and perhaps in a vastly different location than at home with your family.

Since its start on Sept. 18, 91探花 students, faculty, staff and alumni have logged more than 900 total adventures for the chance at prizes and the ultimate title of “National Outdoor Champion.”

In a day to celebrate the great outdoors, students, faculty and staff took to the trails during the annual Mountain Day on Wednesday, Oct. 4.

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.

91探花 announces the appointment of Jonathan Kokos as the new Vice President of Finance and Business Affairs. Kokos will also serve as the Chief Financial Officer and Treasurer for the College.

Beginning on Monday, Sept. 25, campus will buzz with spirit, excitement and activities brought to you in a way that only Spirit Week and Homecoming can.

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.

Get ready, because starting Monday, Sept. 18, 91探花 Outdoor Nation Campus Challenge participants can begin logging their activities in the Campus Challenge app.

Much like the exciting yet classic movie, The Wizard of Oz, this years’ Homecoming theme, “There’s No Place Like Homecoming”, will bring together both classic tradition along with new excitement starting on Friday, Sept. 29 until Sunday Oct. 1.

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.

Thanks to technology, most college applications are now completed online, which is especially convenient when you have several dozen more things to worry about when considering college.

As the East Coast regional manager for USA Cycling and former Lees-91探花 Cycling Team member, Stuart Lamp's passion for the sport runs deep. Previously a professional cyclist for nine years, Lamp will bring his passion to his hometown of Decatur, Alabama.

Open House: A day entirely dedicated to fun campus tours, exciting information fairs and sessions. No matter where your interests may be, chances are the Open House has a session especially for you.

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.

Hiking, kayaking, backpacking, bicycling and even bird-watching–just a few of the activities Lees-91探花 students, faculty, staff, alumni and the local community will be participating in from Sept. 18 through Oct. 15 as they compete to win the fourth annual Outdoor Nation Campus Challenge.

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.

Williams Gymnasium on the campus of Lees-91探花 kicked off its next big chapter during the Celebration and Preview event on Monday, August 28.

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.

On Monday, August 21, Lees-91探花 will hold a solar eclipse viewing party open to all students, faculty, staff and the local community on the front lawn of Tate Residence Hall.

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.

Hello first time college students! The most exciting day of your academic career is almost here—the day you get to purchase necessities for your dorm room. For most students, this is the first time you will establish a “home away from home” and you need to make sure you will be comfortable all year long.

We are Bobcats–Lees-91探花 is our foundation, our home and where we are inspired to succeed–it is in all of us, and it is who we are.

Professional cyclists and former Lees-91探花 Bobcats, Brent Bookwalter ’06 and Andrew Talansky, shared in a recent VeloNews Q&A how their time in the collegiate ranks set them up for elite racing.

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.”

Taking stage last, but certainly not least, Legally Blonde The Musical will cap off the Lees-91探花 Summer Theatre season starting July 28.

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

Revisit some of the greatest songs of the rock ‘n’ roll age through the Lees-91探花 Summer Theatre performance of the Tony award-winning show, Million Dollar Quartet.

You could say that Phil Hoffmann, the new director of campus recreation and outdoor programs, is passionate about the outdoors and recreation, but of course, that would not tell the whole story.

The summer break after high school graduation means that incoming college freshmen are attending what some have called “is this real life” land that is known as college orientation. While half are completely pumped about the freedom that the impending event brings, the other half are freaking out.

Warm sunshine. Cool breezes. Fresh, mountain air. Ah, summer in the mountains! We love all of our seasons, but there’s just something magical about summer in Banner Elk.

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.

On Tuesday, June 6, Conference Carolinas Commissioner, Dr. Alan Patterson, met with Lees-91探花 President Dr. Barry M. Buxton on the campus of 91探花 to discuss strategic planning and conference branding.

The 91探花 Hayes Auditorium and Broyhill Theatre stage will come to life in vibrant colors on June 25 with the premiere of Joseph and the Amazing Technicolor Dreamcoat.

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.

Lees-91探花 Summer Theatre will kick off the 2017 season with the debut of Screen Test on June 17 as part of the theater for young audiences.

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's Director of Athletic Training and Senior Women's Administrator (SWA) Rita Smith was honored with the 'Legends of the Game' award Monday evening. This honor is given to administrators who have logged over 30 years of service at their institutions.

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.

So you want to transfer, but what does “transferring” really even mean? Director of Admission Candace Silver shares her tips for making the switch.

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.

Tickets are now available online for the 2017 Lees-91探花 Summer Theatre series which will kick-off on June 25 with several performances of Joseph and the Amazing Technicolor Dreamcoat, Million Dollar Quartet and Legally Blonde The Musical.

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.

Vice President of Enrollment Management Erin Healey appeared on WJHL Daytime Tri-Cities’ “Daytime Discovers” on Friday, March 3 to share her tips for a successful college visit.

When it comes to small, hidden gems, Lees-91探花 knows a thing or two, but what do you do over spring break if you’re not leaving the high country? Here is our list of five things you can do over the vacation to get the most out of your fun, relaxing spring break.

In a bright, mural-covered library amidst several-dozen Mabel Elementary School students on Monday, February 20, President Buxton, alongside Appalachian State University Chancellor Sheri Everts and Caldwell Community College President Mark Poarch, talked about his career as president and answered questions in honor of Presidents Day.

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.

Of the 25 schools featured in the ‘Most Pet-Friendly Colleges Report’, Lees-91探花 landed in the fifth spot. The ranking, completed by LendEDU, a New Jersey-based student loan marketplace and reviewer, reported that the college offers, “some of the best pet guidelines and living situation for animal lovers across the country.”

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.

Adaptive Ski Week participants are used to pushing against the odds, even if that means skiing in warmer-than-usual North Carolina winter temperatures.

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.

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.

If you thought something looked different in the Williams Gymnasium, you would be right. Since mid-December, crews have worked to install the gym’s new bleachers on both sides of the court.

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.

Entries were submitted from across the country, but now the results are in. On Dec. 21, the NCAA announced Lees-91探花’s ‘Lunch Buddy Program’ as the Conference Carolinas representative and finalist for the 2017 Division II Award of Excellence.

Over the last several weeks, students, faculty and staff have collected approximately 1,025 items and $200 in money donations as part of the annual food drive held on campus. Boxes of cans, soups and other miscellaneous dry goods were taken to the Feeding Avery Families location in Newland, North Carolina, on December 13.

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.

Several dozen students sat on the curb outside Banner Elk Elementary School Thursday afternoon waiting for the arrival of the Lees-91探花 cycling team with books stuffed in their backpacks.

Today, the League of American Bicyclists recognized Lees-91探花 with a Silver Bicycle Friendly University (BFUSM) award, joining more than 150 visionary colleges and universities from across the country.

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.

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.

Competing—and winning—is in the blood of the cycling team and in its athletes. During the Mountain Bike National Championships in Snowshoe, West Virginia, on October 21 through the 23, USA Cycling officials crowned a pair of Lees-91探花 National Champions.

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.

Starting in the fall 2017 semester, five incoming Lees-91探花 students will be chosen to receive a $500 scholarship for their participation in eSports. An abbreviation for “electronic sports”, the genre includes any and all games played mostly on a computer, but for the incoming freshman class, the scholarships will be for League of Legends or Hearthstone.

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.

Members of the campus community joined President Buxton Thursday, October 13 for a community bike ride. The ride was part of an effort to promote both Lees-91探花 and the Town of Banner Elk as a “Bicycle Friendly Community”—a label presented by The League of American Bicyclists.

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.

Lees-91探花 President Barry Buxton was awarded the Order of the Long Leaf Pine from North Carolina Gov. Pat McCrory Friday morning. Created in 1963, the award is one of several civilian-focused honors the governor of North Carolina can bestow.

Just as the hands on the clock approached the tenth hour Wednesday, an email spread throughout campus. It read: “Today is Mountain Day.” Almost instantaneously, students, faculty and staff tied on their sneakers, locked their doors and headed towards Tufts Bell Tower.

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.

91探花 will host a showing of the 11th annual REEL ROCK Film Tour on Friday, September 16 on historic Tate Lawn. An opening reception complete with information booths and vendors will start at 7 p.m. with the film to begin at 8 p.m.

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).

UNC-TV recently featured Lees-91探花 Summer Theatre in a special episode of the North Carolina Now program which provided a behind the scenes look at the acclaimed theatre program with a special focus on Summer Theatre Artistic Director Dr. Janet Barton Speer.

91探花 is pleased to announce the appointment of Erin Healey as Vice President of Enrollment Management. Healey most recently served as Senior Associate Director of Admissions at Ross University School of Medicine and School of Veterinary Medicine.

On Wednesday, August 31, the Lees-91探花 Performing Arts department will partner with dancers Sandi Solomon and Tony Luis to present “The Joys of Partner Dancing,” a lecture, dance exhibit and opportunity to learn. The event will be held from 4 – 5:20 p.m. in the dance studio located in the Performing Arts Building.

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.

A Lees-91探花 graduate will be among the elite athletes at the opening ceremonies of the 2016 Olympic Games in Rio on Friday, August 5. Cyclist Brent Bookwalter will ride for Team USA with the U.S. men’s road team. “This has been a firm and ambitious goal of mine for the past couple of years,” says Bookwalter, who will compete in two events: the Road Race and the Time Trial.

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.

To wrap up the 2016 season, the cast and crew of Lees-91探花 Summer Theater will present The Pajama Game. Based on the novel “7½ cents” by Richard Bissell, the production will be performed August 2 and 4–5 at 7 p.m. and August 3–4 and 6–7 at 2 p.m.

Lees-91探花 continues the 31st Summer Theatre season with the musical Always… Patsy Cline. The production will be performed on July 14-16 and 19 at 7 p.m. and July 16, 17 and 20 at 2 p.m.

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.

91探花 was represented by Vice President of Athletics and Club Sports Craig McPhail at the 2016 NCAA Career in Sports Forum in Indianapolis, Ind. last weekend. McPhail served as a panelist at the Forum, which consisted of over 200 current student-athletes and NCAA postgraduate scholarship recipients with an interest in working within the sports industry.

NCAA Division II Conference Carolinas selected Dr. Barry M. Buxton as President at the organization’s spring meeting in Clemson, South Carolina. Conference Carolinas has 12 member colleges and universities in North Carolina, South Carolina and Tennessee. The athletics conference promotes student-athletes and sportsmanship with a focus on academic rigor and performance.

Lees-91探花 Summer Theatre is excited to announce the 2016 Summer Theatre schedule. The 31st season, which includes Mary Poppins, Always… Patsy Cline and The Pajama Game, is packed with family-friendly comedy, laughs and good memories.

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.

There are so many amazing memories I had while I was at 91探花. If I had to pick one, I would probably say the time I went on the overnight backpacking trip with Dee Thomas and several other students. We had the opportunity to spend the night in the Linville Gorge, cook our food over fire, hike down to this beautiful waterfall, and most importantly, just escape all of the technology and worries of our everyday lives. I had been camping several times before, but the knowledge that Dee shared with all of us about proper backpacking and safe camping techniques is something that will stick with me forever. I remember we all worked together to try and hang our food from a tree before the sun went down, and although it took us a while to get it done, it brought all of us closer during the trip.

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.

Learning Management Coordinator Melissa Mercer has published her first chapbook of poetry with Dancing Girl Press. Storm Was Her Voice wrestles with gender, identity and voice: the fraught process of speaking and being heard. It features strong ancestral women, myth and communal movement through a beautiful, brutal earth.

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.

On Wednesday, April 13, Lees-91探花 celebrated the 12th annual Mountain Day of Service. This annual day of service resulted in an incredible 1,029 hours of service completed by 343 students, faculty, staff and volunteers. Altogether the campus community participated in 22 projects, two off campus and 20 on campus. After all the hard work was complete, participants gathered on Tate Lawn to enjoy a cookout, fellowship with one another and the beautiful spring weather.

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!

91探花 and the Honors Program are proud to announce three new scholarship recipients for the entering class of fall 2016. The Shelton Scholarship, the highest honor awarded every four years and covers one student’s full tuition plus room and board, has been awarded to Quinn Reeves of Tyler, Texas. Christine Turk of Cooper City, FL and Isaiah Addair of Rural Retreat, VA have been awarded the prestigious full-tuition Elizabeth 91探花 Scholarship.

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.

My favorite memory pertaining to my scholastic experience at Lees-91探花 would have to be working with Bradley Huff, an ATC (Athletic Trainer Certified) on and off the field, but especially with one of the soccer players who had a knee surgery and was undergoing rehabilitation. It ties in directly with the second question because it was during those few days that I learned how to be confident with what I was doing.

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.

Dr. Barry Buxton, president of 91探花, spoke with Charlotte Today and discussed myths about college costs. He discussed the difference between sticker price and actual price, the significance of having a college degree in the job market and the importance of growth during a student's college experience.

Lees-91探花 senior Austin Anderson was named Conference Carolinas Men’s Basketball Player of the Year Saturday morning, the league office announced.

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.

One of the main reasons I chose to go to 91探花 was because of the unique beautiful elevated location in the mountains, the small college experience, the small student to teacher ratio curriculum, and sports. When I visited North Carolina from Florida I instantly feel in love the mountains and the campus.

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.

Professional cyclo-cross racer Ally Stacher knows what it takes to fuel a body for the pounding, punishing, calorie-sucking energy needed to ride at the highest levels in the sport.

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.

Due to Winter Storm Jonas, the Lees-91探花 athletic schedules has been altered, announced Director of Athletics and Club Sports Craig McPhail Thursday morning.

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.

The USCSA event hosted an event this past weekend at Beech Mountain Resort in Beech Mountain, N.C.

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.

Dr. Barry Buxton, president of Lees-91探花, offered advice to high school students on selecting a college that is the best fit for them. He brought along his dog, Ah Shux, to discuss our pet-friendly campus!

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.

Students of Lees-91探花 recently met with representatives JoAnn Hedstrom, volunteer specialist, and Brian Womack, disaster program manager of the American Red Cross, with the intent of organizing a local Red Cross Club. They will join a number of college clubs that have been established throughout the country.

What is your favorite memory from 91探花? This is a really hard one to choose - there are so many. I think rather than just one memory, I remember the friendships I created in college. I still speak to so many people, and I love homecoming every year because you will never know who you will get to see. I miss my professors. I miss playing soccer and lacrosse. I miss being active in Delta Omicron Theta and the list continues. Simply stated, my favorite memory is 91探花.

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.

My favorite memories at 91探花 were spending the spring on the porch in the Village and riding the cyclo-cross course in the fall.

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 May School of Nursing and Health Sciences, in partnership with Hospice and Palliative Care of the Blue Ridge, Life Care of Banner Elk, and the Williams YMCA is presenting this opportunity for area seniors (all ages are welcome) to meet with medical professionals to receive information about depression, fall prevention and balance, medication management, nutrition, dementia, diabetes and home safety.

Leading into the holiday season, Lees-91探花 is holding two events to help area families. The Nursing and Health Sciences CLA-199 students are collecting winter gear for Hospitality House and the Avery County YMCA, and the Staff Association is sponsoring a canned food drive for Feeding Avery Families.

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.

Charles Singletary, also known by his stage name Charles DaBeast, released his debut album Patience in August after 10 months of writing and studio time.

The Bobcats completed their regular season in mountain bike at the SECCC Conference Championship at Clemson University this past weekend, and rode away with another team omnium championship title in Division I.

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.

91探花 Outdoor Programs is excited to host a showing of the 10th annual REEL ROCK Film Tour on Friday, September 25. An opening reception complete with information booths will be held beginning at 7:30 p.m. in Evans Auditorium in the Cannon Student Center at 91探花. The main event, including short film premieres, will begin at 8 p.m.

What is your favorite memory from 91探花? This is a very difficult question – I just can’t pick one. In my years at LMC, each moment really shaped the type of person I am today. I often look back and think – “Remember that time?”

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.

The 2015 rankings are out and we made the cut! After collecting more than 10,000 student surveys, it is official - Lees-91探花 is a great place to bring your pet!

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.

The Lees-91探花 athletic department is proud to announce the induction of Troy Brown, Shela Moffett-Fabri and Ally Stacher into the Lees-91探花 Fred I. Dickerson Athletics Hall of Fame.

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.

I do not have one specific memory of Lees-91探花 that is my favorite. Instead I have many! I fondly remember days out at the Field Station for Dr. Skeate’s biology classes with Buckeye, Dr. Skeate’s dog, disappearing into the bushes along the trail only to come back carrying a branch twice the size of himself. Needless to say, fetch was an interesting event.

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.

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 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.

Kicking off the Lees-91探花 Summer Theatre season from June 26 – July 3, Oliver!, a beloved musical based on Charles Dickens’ Oliver Twist, has won numerous awards including the Tony for Best Musical and Academy Award for Best Picture. Set in the 19th century, Dickens makes important social statements about the conditions of poverty in London, yet does it with comedy, empathy and the ever-present sense of hope.

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.

My favorite memory from Lees-91探花 was getting to ride my bike in some of the country’s most beautiful mountains. I also really enjoyed the time I was able to spend with my dad working on my senior research project on cardiac arrhythmias in collegiate athletes.

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).

The Lees-91探花 Cycling program finished sixth overall in USA Cycling National Division I Team Rankings for the entire 2014-15 season.

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.

I have three favorite memories. The first was my initial arrival on campus. My mom and sister accompanied me to the campus. I went in the bookstore to ask for directions where I was to go for housing as I arrived ten days early on campus for football practice. I went to the office where I met Trula Bennett. She directed me to the old gym where I lived for about ten days until formal classes started.

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.

Lees-91探花 Summer Theatre is excited to announce the 2015 Summer Theatre schedule. This year’s season, which includes Oliver!, Lend Me a Tenor and The Denim King: The Moses Cone Story, is packed with family-friendly comedy, laughs and good memories. Online ticket sales for the three shows begins April 20.

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.

What is your favorite memory from 91探花? There are too many favorite memories but I think what always stands out for me was the personal interaction with professors. I’ll never forget being in John “Doc” Wilson’s sociology class and, on the very first day, he said, “You can have any name you want in my class!” So I told him I wanted to be a Dean at Lees-91探花. From then on I was “Dean McAfee”.

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.

The Avery County Rotary Club presented a $10,500 check to President Barry Buxton for Lees-91探花’s May School of Nursing and Health Sciences. The donation will be going towards an Omnicell G4 Unity Medication Dispensing System which will help Lees-91探花 students enhance their learning experience in the nursing program.

On Wednesday, April 9, Lees-91探花 celebrated the 11th annual Mountain Day of Service. This annual day of service resulted in an incredible 1,134 hours of service completed by 378 students, faculty, staff and volunteers. Altogether the campus community participated in 29 projects, two off campus and 27 on campus. After all the hard work was complete, participants gathered on Tate Lawn to enjoy a cookout, fellowship with one another and the beautiful spring weather.

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.

Celebrating spring’s return to the mountains, Lees-91探花 will host the fifth annual Appalachian Heritage Week April 6 through 10. Each day, the College will highlight a unique aspect of mountain heritage and invites everyone to participate in activities sponsored by the Stephenson Center for Appalachia.

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.

Thanks to generous donations and partnerships, Lees-91探花 is pleased to announce plans to enhance Bobcat athletic facilities by adding three new venues to the existing athletic complex by fall 2015. Scheduled enhancements include the addition of a media room, indoor training facility, locker rooms, study lounge, and captain’s meeting room as well as remodeled bathrooms and shower facilities and a renovated student recreation center. These enhancements increase the existing athletic footprint by 10 percent and serve over 300 student-athletes participating in one of the College’s 19 athletic teams.

91探花 is pleased to announce the appointment of Brent Thomas ’85 as Vice President of Advancement. Thomas most recently served as the Director of Development at Western Carolina University in Cullowhee, North Carolina. He will begin his duties at 91探花 on April 1, 2015.

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.

On March 20 from 5 - 6 p.m., Lees-91探花’s King-Shivell Gallery will host a reception for artist Tom Root, whose exhibit of portrait paintings will be on display throughout the month of March. Root will also host a portrait painting demonstration on March 18 at 10 a.m. in Whitesell Art Studio. The reception, exhibit and demonstration are free and open to the public.

Playing soccer for four years is Shela Moffett-Fabri’s favorite memory from her days at Lees-91探花. “I was a part of the first group to play all four years. We called ourselves the Fab Five (Allison McDonald Norris, Jeanne Cobbe (JC), Karen VanWert and Julia Callerman-Fullwood). I’ll never forget the National Tournament where we played soccer during Hurricane Hugo. Then, on our return home from the tournament, LMC had its first snow. Seeing the Florida players was a sight, playing in the snow in shorts.”

We all know that Lees-91探花 is an outdoor enthusiasts' dream, and now it's time to prove it! Blue Ridge Outdoors is hosting a Top Adventure College Tournament and Lees-91探花 is in the running. This contest will put Lees-91探花 up against other colleges and universities in a head-to-head 32-school bracket. Large Division I schools will battle one side of the bracket while Lees-91探花 battles against smaller schools on the other side. At the end of the contest, both division winners will compete for Top Adventure College glory.

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.

The New Opportunity School for Women (NOSW) at 91探花, which is celebrating its 10th anniversary, 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 31 – June 20.

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.

Lees-91探花's senior class combined for 53 points while the men's basketball team made history by claiming their school-record 14th win in 86-78 fashion against Conference Carolinas foe Emmanuel (Ga.) Tuesday evening at Williams Gymnasium in Banner Elk, N.C.

Like many other Lees-91探花 graduates, Leon McLean ’47 felt that his goal in life was to excel and not just get by with mediocrity. And, like so many others at Lees-91探花, he learned that academics in college is serious business. “I learned that you must study diligently and be prepared for challenges you encounter. Lees-91探花 experiences taught me to be tenacious; to develop social and emotional assets along with academic success.”

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.

Lees-91探花’s newly formed Nerd Club Gaming Association’s (NCGA) League of Legends team garnered 4th place in its first tournament, competing against 32 teams and earning Riot Points used for in game content. The formation of the collegiate League of Legends team, created by the Vice President of Nerd Club Paul Scherer, has set a new standard for pursuing competitive gaming passions at Lees-91探花.

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.

On Tuesday, January 20, Lees-91探花 welcomed Rep. Josh Dobson to campus for a private tour of the newly constructed May School of Nursing and Health Sciences. Dobson was appointed to the N.C. House of Representatives in January 2013 and represents the 85th District including Avery, McDowell and Mitchell counties.

Pity Kerry Shields. He’d filled an oversized van with gear and driven halfway across the country to watch his twin daughters compete for national championships in cyclocross bicycle racing. To be sure, it’s a niche sport followed mostly by the riders, their friends and families and hardcore spokeheads. The crowds that turned up to watch in a muddy city park in Austin, Texas last weekend wouldn’t rival that found at an average high-school football game. Still, for the Shieldses – and their beleaguered father — it was the culmination of 10 years of hard work, a rare shot at being the best in the country in a sport they love.

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.

As with many alumni, it’s impossible for Kim Coley Rosenfeld ’13 to choose her favorite memory from Lees-91探花. “I have so many great memories with my former softball teammates including games, trips and 'family nights.' My junior year, I was able to embark on a trip of a lifetime to London. While in London, I experienced navigating a foreign country all alone: I booked my flight for the wrong day, saw amazing things, experienced food poisoning for the first time and made life-long friends that I probably would never have crossed paths with outside of the trip. Lastly, one cannot spend an extended amount of time in Banner Elk and not have memories involving snow; I will never forget snowboarding on Tate Lawn and 'bobsledding' down our driveway on Sugar Mountain!”

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.

Senior Emily Shields claimed the national title in the women's Division I cyclocross and the Lees-91探花 cycling teams grabbed third overall in the Division I team omnium at the 2015 USA Cycling Collegiate Cyclocross Nationals in Austin, Texas.

(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.