Appalachian
State University has been selected as an Institution of Excellence
in the First College Year by the Policy Center on the First Year
of College, which is funded by The Pew Charitable Trusts and The
Atlantic Philanthropies.
This award’s process will result in the publication of a book
tentatively titled “Portraits of First-Year Excellence in American
Colleges and Universities.”
Out of 130 nominees, Appalachian State is one of only 13 institutions
selected for this honor, according to the award announcement release.
“Appalachian was chosen for this honor because of its strong
commitment to student learning, its emphasis on the freshman year
experience and its strong record of attracting high-quality students
and graduating them on time,” Vice Chancellor for Student Development
Dr. Gregory S. Blimling said Monday.
The Policy Center, after giving the award to Appalachian State,
conducted a two-day intensive site visit to the campus in the fall
of 2002, Assistant Director of Freshman Learning Communities Nikki
T. Crees said Monday.
From the visit, the Policy Center left with a much greater depth
of understanding and appreciation for the history, substance and
future of the Appalachian State University first-year initiatives,
according to a letter from Executive Director of the Policy Center
John N. Gardner.
At this time, the site visits have been concluded for the 13 chosen
schools, and the next six months will be dedicated to compiling
the necessary information on those schools for the upcoming book,
Crees said.
“This campus believes that we are responsible for teaching
those who come in our door,” Director of Freshman Learning
Communities Joni W. Petschauer said Friday. “It’s teaching
not only academic discipline, but also teaching people how to live
in the context of other people … and that takes everybody.”
Freshman marketing major Jacqueline M. O’Neal said she understands
the due worth of this honor, as well as the importance of having
intense comprehensive first-year programs.
“College is college, but at Appalachian State, I think the
sense of community is different,” O’Neal said Monday.
“The sense of family is better here; you can say hello to everybody
as you walk by them.”
O’Neal participated in Appalachian State’s Freshman Seminar,
in which she had Chancellor Francis T. Borkowski as her teacher.
“I felt pretty welcome. Chancellor Borkowski is very down-to-earth
and that helped. I didn’t feel lost at anytime,” said
O’Neal, who has seen many of her friends feel lost on their
respective college campuses upon entering. “Phase One and Phase
Two Orientation helped out a lot.”
