College of Fine and Applied Arts

Dr. Paul Gaskill (left), HLES Department chair, and Dr. Charles Dumke, program coordinator for Exercise Science, received a plaque designating the ES program as the recipient of the Dean’s Award for Excellence in Graduate Education.

The graduate degree program in Exercise Science in the Department of Health, Leisure and Exercise Science at Appalachian is this year’s recipient of the Dean’s Award for Excellence in Graduate Education.

The Dean’s Award recognizes one graduate program at the University for superb performance each academic year. It is selected by a campus-wide committee recommended by the deans.

“Exercise Science was the first to win this award when it was created,” said Dr. Edelma Huntley, dean of the Cratis D. Williams Graduate School. “It is very fitting that the program has won again. It shows sustained excellence, and they join a very small group having won this award twice since it began in 1992-93.”

Programs are judged by regional, national, and international involvement of outstanding graduate faculty in the program; awards won by the program;  awards won by students in the program; student presentations at regional and national meetings; publications with graduate students as sole or first authors; successful general recruiting efforts and/or successful recruiting efforts to achieve a diverse student population; external funding for faculty or student research;  support from the department or deans for student travel; and outcome information.

The Exercise Science program prepares qualified professionals for employment in athletics programs, exercise/fitness centers, hospital wellness programs, corporate fitness programs, rehabilitation centers, and allied health areas focusing on exercise physiology, biomechanics, physical therapy, medicine, chiropractic medicine and research.

The Master of Science program offers three concentrations: research, clinical/cardiopulmonary rehabilitation and strength and conditioning.

The program has seen an impressive number of regional and national presentations by its students. In addition, its faculty has received a record number of externally funded research project dollars, enabling graduate and undergraduate students to gain hands-on experience in applied research. This research has allowed faculty to be more cutting edge in the classroom as well.

“This award reflects the hard work and diligence of the entire Exercise Science faculty,” said Dr. Paul Gaskill, chair of the Department of Health, Leisure and Exercise Science. “Through the additional efforts of graduate program director Dr. Chuck Dumke and Exercise Science program director Dr. Harold O’Bryant, one of the finest Exercise Science graduate degree programs in the country has been developed.  Given the number of outstanding graduate programs here at Appalachian State University, it is a true honor to be chosen for this award.”

Graduates of the Exercise Science program have seen great success, attending top-notch institutions for terminal degrees, establishing their own businesses and working in the field.

For more information about the Master of Science in Exercise Science degree or any HLES program, visit www.hles.appstate.edu.

What do England, The Beatles and popular culture have to do with the study of mass communication?

“Everything,” answers one Appalachian State University Department of Communication lecturer.

“The Beatles, through mass communication avenues of television, sound recordings, radio and print, have had an influence on much of what we consumers have seen, heard and read since World War II,” Heather Paige Preston said. “Just look at current advertising campaigns, fashion, and newspaper headlines.”

Preston and 11 students traveled to London and Liverpool, England, June 11 to study the effect of the Beatles on popular culture through mass communication. Offered through Appalachian’s Office of International Programs, COM 3531/41: England, The Beatles & Pop Culture allowed students to experience how mass communication creates popular culture on an international scale.

During their three-week stay, students learned about the impact the Beatles have had on popular culture by doing what comes naturally.

“College students are a hot demographic for anything pop culture-related,” Preston said. “They are avid consumers of the culture we all share. And they’re at an age where they’re open to learning, and can appreciate the history behind what, to them, is new and exciting.”

Students learned about British history and cultural differences by studying print and electronic media and by visiting the British Museum, Madame Tussaud’s, the Cabinet War Rooms, the British Library, and the Tate Modern in London, and a number of Beatles-related sites in Liverpool, including the Cavern Club and the childhood homes of John Lennon and Paul McCartney.

 And no Beatles-oriented trip to England would be complete without a stop at the location of Abbey Road studios.

 “The class loved visiting Abbey Road,” Preston said. “I think they were surprised to not only be there, but to also find so many people from other countries making the same pilgrimage.”

 Although only recording artists and staff are allowed in the studios, class members were allowed to take photographs of each other on the steps of the building made famous by, and which gets its name from, the Beatles’ album Abbey Road.  “Most everyone took the opportunity to get pictures of themselves crossing the walk just like the Beatles,” Preston said in reference to the iconic status of the 1969 L.P. cover.

“I suppose it’s a testament to the validity of the course’s premise,” Preston said. “Why else would people with different socio-economic backgrounds and culture from around the world want to get a picture of themselves in London crossing Abbey Road?”

Preston stresses that the academic validity of the course also comes through the students’ synthesis of information found in the course readings and films. “The class isn’t just a tour of London and Liverpool,” Preston said.

Because of the breadth of information presented, each student agreed to attend pre-departure viewings and discussions held during spring semester.

“I tried to give the class a basic understanding of the effect of World War II on British culture so that each person can understand the impact of The Beatles in both an English and American context,” Preston said.

The result was that students met approximately seven times in the spring to view films ranging from “1940s House” to “The Beatles’ First U.S. Visit.” They also watched The Beatles’ first appearance on the “Ed Sullivan Show” in its entirety.

 “Tessie O’Shea, Frank Gorshin and the Anacin ad got a big laugh,” Preston said. “But I think the students appreciated being transported through time, even it was only for an hour and in black and white.”

 Students also learned about the practical side of international travel and tourism. Each person was given a course packet that detailed the types of documents, typical clothing, luggage, and attitudes needed to travel internationally in an age of high security.

Class participants received a primer on British culture, including tips on dining customs, public transportation, clothing, and the differences between American English and the language used in the United Kingdom.

“I wanted the students to develop an appreciation, and expectation, of cultural differences,” Preston said.

London and Liverpool are the ideal cities to visit, because English is the official language, both have a strong Beatles connection, and both are home to many nationalities that have influenced its culture, Preston said.

“Experiencing both the blatant and subtle differences from place to place is what makes any travel fun and educational,” Preston said, “whether you’re visiting Lima, Ohio, or Lima, Peru.”

Or London and Liverpool, England.

Through its diversified series of courses the Department of Communication prepares students for successful careers in interpersonal and public communication, electronic media, advertising, journalism, and public relations. The Department is part of the College of Fine and Applied Arts. Its courses reflect the art and skills of excellent communication.

For more information about England, The Beatles & Pop Culture short-term study abroad course, contact Heather Paige Preston at (828) 262-2449.