Faculty of Distinction

Today’s most pressing concerns can’t be addressed through any one discipline, this religious studies professor says. Dr. Davis Hankins encourages undergraduates to take advantage of Appalachian’s interdisciplinary opportunities.

Teaching and research go hand in hand. A scholar of indigenous representation and politics in Latin America, Dr. Timothy J. Smith is dedicated to both.

Appalachian State University professor Rev. Dr. Chris May puts service first in teaching and daily practice. Hunger issues are a priority.

Ann Pegelow Kaplan has crafted her own interdisciplinary background, blending data with creative expression. She uses written and visual tools to inspire students’ curiosity and creative thinking.

Dr. Ok-Youn Yu is using on-farm biomass resources to produce energy for greenhouses, increasing winter yields of fresh produce and farmers’ profits.

Appalachian State University’s Dr. Karen Caldwell promotes expressive arts therapy in developing marriage and family counselors.

Dr. Michael Mayfield, vice provost for undergraduate education at Appalachian State University, never meant to be a teacher. According to his wife he “fell into it by accident.” It’s true: at his first conference presentation as a graduate student, he actually fell from the stage. He tells folks, she said, the humbling experience of climbing back up and carrying on resonated and he’s been on stage as an educator ever since.

Geophysicist Dr. Scott Marshall studies earthquakes from space, because satellite data can help map fault lines.

As a Fulbright Scholar, Appalachian’s Dr. Vachel Miller influenced the training of future educators at Ethiopia’s Bahir Dar University (BDU).

What’s the difference between a tourist and a traveler? If you ask Joseph Gonzalez, he might tell you it comes down to the sort of bus you’re riding in.

The first chapter of Jennifer Snodgrass’ book “Contemporary Musicianship” is about Billy Joel. Why? Because she noticed her 8 a.m. music theory class students were sleepy. She used the piano man to wake them up.

For Scott Ludwig, the “moment a student discovers something about their artistic abilities is the most rewarding. It keeps me coming back to the classroom.” In turn, he’s rewarded his students by making the printmaking process safer.