Appalachian State University’s College of Fine and Applied Arts gathered this fall for its 4th Annual Celebration of Excellence, a tradition that honors the creativity, scholarship, and service of its faculty, staff, and students. More than an awards ceremony, the event reflected the college’s vibrant spirit, showcasing achievements across departments and reinforcing its mission to inspire innovation, collaboration, and community impact.
Honoring Outstanding Award Recipients
- Outstanding Advisor: IlaSahai Prouty, Art Department
- Outstanding Scholarship/Creative Activity: Dr. Matthew Ogwu, Sustainable Development Department
- Outstanding Service: Dr. Rebecca Witter, Sustainable Development Department
- Outstanding Staff: Matt Tyson, Department of Theatre and Dance
- Outstanding Teaching: Dr. Mira Waits, Art Department
These honorees exemplify the college’s dedication to excellence in mentorship, scholarship, service, and teaching.
Pictured left to right (facing): Interim Dean, Dr. Shanshan Lou, Matt Tyson, Dr. Mira Waits, and Dr. Rebecca Witter
Junior Faculty Innovation Grant
The Junior Faculty Innovation Grant continues to spotlight groundbreaking work by early-career faculty, fueling projects that bridge research, creativity, and community impact. In 2023, Dr. Matt Ogwu of Sustainable Development partnered with the Lumbee Tribe of North Carolina to honor Indigenous knowledge while advancing soil science, creating a Lumbee Research Advisory Council, strengthening community partnerships, and generating pilot data for a joint NSF/NEH proposal. In 2024, Dr. Sohad Abu-Elzait of Sustainable Technology and the Built Environment developed a mobile solar-powered water purification system inspired by Hurricane Helene, showcasing a prototype with student collaborators and earning national recognition for its potential to provide clean water in disaster-relief contexts. Together, these projects illustrate how the grant empowers faculty to pursue bold ideas that advance scholarship while serving communities.
Dr. Sohad Abu-Elzait, 2024 Jr. Faculty Innovation Grant Recipient
Together, these projects illustrate how the Junior Faculty Innovation Grant empowers faculty to pursue bold ideas that advance scholarship while serving communities.
Department Highlights
Applied Design students exhibited at High Point Market’s CrossSection Exhibition and partnered with the Broyhill Family Foundation to design benches for the Broyhill Walking Park. Senior Emmy Saltzman earned the Bish Creative Point-of-Purchase Scholarship, while senior Colvin Harvey won a SIT Furniture Design Award for his “SPLIT Chair.” Faculty achievements included Dr. Anthony Wilson’s induction into the Bell Ringers Society and Professor Richard Elaver’s Fulbright U.S. Scholar grant.
Art celebrated the 50th anniversary of its Graphic Design program with a three-day “Wey Back” event. Studio Art BFA student Alissa Goble gained national recognition at SNAG’s EXPOSED! exhibition in New York City, while the department marked the successful return to Wey Hall, now thriving as a hub of creativity.
Communication students attended conferences in New York, Washington, D.C., and Los Angeles, networking with leaders at CNN and Paramount Pictures and earning national College Media Association awards. Faculty highlights included Dr. Lynn Gregory’s Fulbright in Austria, Dr. Jean De Hart’s Lloyd Rohler Career Teaching Award, Dr. Frank Aycock’s new book Beyond the Screen, and Dr. Volha Kananovich’s Linda Shockley Award for Excellence in Teaching.
Interim Dean, Shanshan Lou shares departmental highlights
ROTC earned national distinction as one of the top eight ROTC programs in the country, receiving the General Douglas MacArthur Award. Cadets demonstrated professionalism through Color Guard duties, Veteran’s Day events in Washington, D.C., and a demanding Fall Field Training Exercise. The program also celebrated the promotion of Zack Jones to Lieutenant Colonel.
Sustainable Development partnered with AgSouth Farm Credit and Public Health colleagues to build wheelchair-accessible garden beds and hosted the 4th annual Frontline to Farm training, guiding 30 military veterans through sustainable agriculture coursework, farm tours, and community-building events.
Sustainable Technology and the Built Environment (STBE) celebrated Bradley DelVecchio’s first-place win in the Three Minute Thesis Competition, Sarah Johnson’s Voyager Scholarship, and record-breaking participation in the CDRET Career Fair, which connected 611 students with 129 employers.
Theatre and Dance celebrated Dr. Ray Miller’s Outstanding Researcher Award from the National Dance Education Organization, faculty presentations at the North Carolina Comprehensive Arts Education Conference, and the 50th anniversary of the Spring Appalachian Dance Ensemble, which honored the legacy of Associate Professor Susan Lutz.
A Celebration of Community and Creativity
The Celebration of Excellence continues to serve as a powerful reminder of the college’s mission: to inspire creativity, foster collaboration, and champion the transformative power of the arts and applied practices. By spotlighting the extraordinary contributions of its members, the College of Fine and Applied Arts reinforces its role as a vibrant hub of innovation and dedication within Appalachian State University.
CFAA Block Logo 2025
CFAA Block Logo 2025