Appalachian State University News

James Merrill, center, shakes hands with Wake County School Board members including Kevin Hill, left, after Merrill was named as the new Wake County Schools superintendent during a board meeting Tuesday, June, 18, 2013, at the Wake County Public School System Central Services Building in Cary.

"I was honored to have been asked by Governor Holshouser to serve in his cabinet when he was elected in 1972.

Now that accumulated student loan debt stands at approximately $1 trillion, it's time to take stock of what students have been learning over the years.

The Senate Commerce Committee endorsed a bill that backers say will spur construction by eliminating the 2012 codes in favor of 2009 standards, which are 30-percent lower than today's energy-use benchmarks.

The 81st annual Coronation Ball of the Rhododendron Royal Brigade of Guards was June 8 at the Grove Park Inn, honoring 20 young women.

Richard and Lois White of Burlington, North Carolina, announce the engagement of their daughter, Laura Catherine White, to Conrad Ellray Sierra, son of Fernando Sierra and Sherrie Sierra, of Kernersville, North Carolina.

The Gastonia Debutante Club announces the debutantes to be presented at the 2013 Debutante Ball.

A consultant's analysis painted a complex picture of Boone's housing market, but no clear solutions to affordability and workforce housing challenges were presented at a town of Boone meeting June 11. RKG Associates, a New Hampshire-based consulting firm, presented the findings of its housing analysis to the Boone Town Council, Planning Commission ... (more)

Caleb Andrew Carter thought Monday would be just a normal graduation day, and he was already nervous about crossing the stage to receive his Heritage High diploma.

Tom Caldwell and Millie Propst of Lincolnton announce the engagement of their daughter, Kayda Elizabeth Caldwell of Lincolnton to Garrett Edwin Carmichael of Vale.

The 2013 Class of Rhododendron Society inductees are Ronald R. Beane of Caldwell County, Gail Lentz Ford of Watauga County and Garrett D. Hinshaw of Catawba County.

The Lineup Friday, June 21 11 to 11:45 a.m. - The Mountain Laurels 12:30 to 1:15 p.m. - Sole Schaefer 1:45 to 2:15 p.m. - Eliza Eason 2:30 to 3:30 p.m. - Lisa Baldwin & Dave Haney 4 to 5:15 p.m. - Melissa Reaves 5:45 to 6:45 p.m. - Toshi Reagon 7:15 to 8:45 p.m. - Rising Appalachia 9:30 to 11 p.m. - Meshell Ndegeocello Saturday, June 22 11 a.m. to ... (more)

Eric Reichard is this month's featured artist at Hands Gallery in downtown Boone.

Established and aspiring artists alike have a new sanctuary in Watauga County, with the official opening of the Blue Ridge ArtSpace.

The Rhinehart Rare Books and Special Collection Room at Appalachian State University's Belk Library and Information Commons is open to the public from 1 to 4 p.m. Wednesdays through July 31. Marjon Ames, an assistant professor of history at North Carolina Wesleyan College, will be available from 1 to 4 p.m. to show visitors some of the books in the ... (more)

The Triangle is home to several highly regarded institutions of higher education, including the big three - Duke University, N.C. State and UNC-Chapel Hill .

Ryder Jones has taken a Giant leap forward. Jones has agreed to join the San Francisco Giants, rather than attending Stanford University, where he signed last fall.

Joseph Bathanti, the poet laureate of North Carolina, teaches creative writing at Appalachian State University in Boone, N.C. His most recent collection is Sonnets of the Cross .

Jazz vocalist, Wendy Jones is a featured performer at the Summer Jazz Festival in Waynesville that starts June 29 at the Classic Wineseller.

The Community Foundation of Western North Carolina recently approved scholarships totaling $284,250 to 99 students from Western North Carolina.