College of Fine and Applied Arts

Yonatan Strauch, graduate student in Appropriate Technology, has won a $9,900 grant from the Sustainable Agriculture Research and Education Program to fund his research titled “Testing Technologies for Affordable Bioshelters.” Strauch and other students will build and test solar greenhouses that incorporate experimental bubble-foam insulation. They have also received first-round funding ($10,000) from the U.S. EPA P3 program to support this research.

News Release August 28, 2006

 

The 81^st Annual IGAEA Conference at Cal Poly features

Two C-GAIT Professors from Appalachian

 

Dr. John R. Craft and Mr. Milos Krsmanovic participated at the 81^st Annual International Graphic Arts Education Association (IGAEA) Conference hosted by the Graphic Communication Department at California Polytechnic State University in San Luis Obispo, California. Both teach courses in the Thomas W. Reese Center for Graphic Arts and Imaging Technology.

Dr. Craft’s presentation titled “Bridgeonomics: Managing Your Digital Assets” and Mr. Krsmanovic presentation titled “Teaching Students Color Blending and Matching” were held on August 2, 2006.

Dr. Craft received two President’s Awards for serving as chair for the 2006 edition of the Graphic Arts Merit Badge Pamphlet published by the Boy Scouts of America and as International Regional Vice Presidents Liaison for the IGAEA Board of Directors.

The 82^nd Annual IGAEA Conference is scheduled for July 22-25, 2007 in the School of Print Media at Rochester Institute of Technology.

 

Three of the U.S. Army’s newest officers were commissioned as second lieutenants Aug. 5 during ceremonies at Appalachian State University. They are, from left, Philip J. Hardwick from Eden, Brandon M. Jackson from Pittsboro and Ashley R. Perdue from Hickory.

All three are criminal justice majors who completed their degree requirements this summer. Hardwick will join the Army’s Corps of Engineers, Jackson will join the aviation branch and Perdue will become a member of the military police.

“These young men have been bestowed a special trust by the leaders of this great country,” said Lt. Col. Douglas G. Jett, chairman of the Department of Military Science and Leadership. “They will carry the heavy burden of keeping this country free, and leading and caring for the best and brightest soldiers in the world. I am very proud of their accomplishments.”

(Appalachian photo by Jane Nicholson)

 Dan “Vallie” Hill

Appalachian State University is excited to announce that selected students graduating from the Kellar Radio Farm System Institute each year will have the opportunity to apply for a loan of up to $50,000 as seed money for investment in radio broadcast ownership.

The Institute is a 10-day summer program, scheduled to start in the summer of 2007 and designed to attract, train and create opportunity for talented students that have a passion to work and excel in the radio broadcast industry. Those attending the program will juniors and seniors with a communication major or minor. Future plans call for regional and eventually national acceptance of communication students. 

The loan program is another innovative aspect of the farm system and is the only program of its kind anywhere. 

The funds for the institute and the loan are provided through the Kellar Family Foundation, who, under the leadership of president Art Kellar, retired broadcaster and former owner of a group of radio stations, has committed $500,000 to start the radio farm system at Appalachian. The institute will be led by top radio consultant Dan “Vallie” Hill of Vallie- Richards Consulting. 

Each student, as part of the loan program, will be required to complete a business plan to apply for the funding.  All students who complete the institute will be eligible, and they have up to 10 years following graduation from the institute to apply for the $50,000. 

Through the business plan, the applicant must indicate how the money will be used, indicate other sources of capital that will be combined with the $50,000 and name additional investors or banks. Managerial and/or directorial responsibility must be demonstrated. Applicants cannot use the funds for a stock purchase or to buy employment into a company. 

“The radio farm system is being created to coach, train and prepare top students to get better training than they can anywhere else so they can enter the industry and excel as the next generation of  air talent, account executives, programmers, continuity directors, production, news, sports, in all areas,” said Hill, who also manages WASU FM, Appalachian’s radio station. “The opportunity the entrepreneurial-minded students have to also become the future owners and leaders in our business is nothing less than absolutely outstanding. I am proud of both Appalachian State University and the Kellar Family Foundation for making this possible. There’s nothing like this anywhere in the country or in the world as far as I know. We’re going to do everything possible to set these students, these young broadcasters, up for success and be the radio farm system talent resource for radio stations and broadcast groups.”  

A great deal of positive response from the broadcast industry has been received since the University announced the Institute. 

“The reaction from the broadcast industry to our initial announcement of the farm system last month has been impressive with dozens of calls and emails from folks in the industry that want to participate and contribute,” Vallie commented.  “I’m excited to be a part of this and welcome all the professionals who have a heart for investing in the future of our industry to be involved.” 

To volunteer to be a speaker in a session(s) or to contribute financially to the institute, please contact Dan Vallie at (828) 262-7621 or valliehill@appstate.edu or Dr. Glenda Treadaway, Department of Communication chair, at (828) 262-2221 or treadwaygj@appstate.edu. Visit http://www.asucom.appstate.edu/ for updates or to learn more about Appalachian State University.

The Printing Industry of the Carolinas, Inc. (PICA) Foundation has again donated $5,000 toward student scholarships and education at Appalachian State University.

PICA is a trade association representing the printing and graphic communications industry in North and South Carolina. Since 1930, PICA has provided a variety of programs, products and services designed to meet the changing needs of printing and graphics professionals.

The funds will be used for student scholarships in the university’s Graphic Arts and Imaging Technology (GAIT) program within the Department of Technology and also support the 2007 Appalachian State University Graphics Camp/Summer Seminar program.

“The PICA Foundation is very pleased to provide scholarship support to the students of the GAIT program,” said Jeff Stoudt, interim executive director of PICA. “ASU GAIT graduates are in high demand in the printing industry and are certainly worthy of this financial support.”

The PICA Foundation was formed as a charitable organization, the funds of which are used to promote education in the printing industry for North and South Carolina. The Foundation Scholarships provide support for students choosing a career in the graphic arts industry, and are the backbone of the Association’s educational activities.

“We are grateful for the support of the PICA Foundation for our Graphic Arts and Imaging Technology program,” said Dr. Sidney Connor, chair of the Department of Technology. “We pride ourselves on our strong industry partnerships and the relevant education given to our students. This donation is a vote of confidence for us and affirmation of our program providing qualified graduates for the printing industries.”

Additional scholarship funds for GAIT students are raised each year through the Appalachian State University Thomas W. Reese Graphic Arts & Imaging Technology Golf Classic. This year’s tournament will be held Thursday, Sept. 21, at Lake Hickory Country Club, Conover, N.C.

For more information, contact the GAIT program at (828) 262-3110.