By Dr. Sheri N. Everts
Chancellor, Appalachian State University

BOONE – Appalachian State University’s national reputation as a leader in sustainability was evident to me before I arrived on campus in July 2014.

Here, I found a community where the grassroots work of students, faculty and staff had created a culture that considers whether our actions are sustainable economically, environmentally, and equitably in relationship to our planet’s co-inhabitants. At Appalachian, sustainability is not a trend but a tradition, one which has led to a deep and broad commitment reflected in our academics, operations and community engagement.

Our campus’ commitment to creating just and sustainable societies is a guiding principle for our future, and it provides an opportunity for meaningful leadership – and partnership – with academic institutions within North Carolina and across the nation.

This July, our campus hosted the fourth Appalachian Energy Summit. The summit’s ultimate goal is to save the state $1 billion in avoided utility costs by 2020. To date, cumulative savings total $499 million, and the initiative is on track to hit $2 billion by 2025. Appalachian’s leadership of the energy summit allows hundreds of academics and other professionals from the state and region to identify additional ways to reduce the UNC system’s energy consumption, to transform and stimulate the North Carolina economy, and to offer opportunities for students to present research and ultimately become leaders for a sustainable future.

Appalachian’s work on developing net-zero-energy homes in the 2012 Solar Decathlon and 2014 Solar Decathlon Europe highlighted the intersection of classroom and hands-on learning, and brought recognition to our alternative energy research. This year, a team of students sought to raise public awareness of sustainable transportation technologies and find new solutions through their participation in the American Solar Challenge’s Formula Sun Grand Prix. These are only two examples of the research and development, creativity, innovation and entrepreneurship taking place on our campus. Our students, faculty and staff are making a difference, locally and globally, now and for generations ahead.

Currently, Appalachian ranks second in the nation in the Sustainability Tracking, Assessment & Rating System (STARS) for colleges and universities by the Association for the Advancement of Sustainability in Higher Education. Appalachian’s academic portfolio is ranked third nationally, based on integration of sustainability into our classrooms as well as our research.

Known for a long history of community and civic engagement, we develop in our students a deep commitment to our High Country neighbors and the programs that contribute to the well-being of our region. Our Appalachian and the Community Together (ACT) program helps fuel students’ passion for community service and service-learning, and over the past decade, has generated nearly $22 million of value for the High Country community.

Appalachian’s long-recognized, strong foundation of teaching and research combines with our pioneering spirit to create a special place committed to making real and powerful differences locally and globally. Our faculty expertise and research in sustainability crosses all disciplines. I am inspired by the ways this community embraces the challenges and complexities of our great academic endeavor. We are moving together toward our ultimate goal—a brighter future that enhances the lives of the extended communities in which we work and live—Boone, the state of North Carolina, and far beyond.