Student Affairs

Black & Gold Leadership Awards

The purpose of the Black & Gold Leadership Awards is to recognize the outstanding leadership and achievements of Appalachian State University’s student organizations, student leaders, and club advisors. The awards ceremony was hosted by Campus Activities and Club Council, the governing and advocacy body for student clubs and organizations. This event took place on Wednesday, April 9th in the Plemmons Student Union.

Congratulations again to all our Black & Gold Leadership Award winners!  We had a wonderful time celebrating students, faculty and staff this past Wednesday!  Pictures from the event can be found HERE!!  The award winners are listed below:

Collaboration Award

• CEL Civic Literacy Team, SGA, APPS, Club Council for Part at the Polls

Community Impact Award

• Alpha Tau Omega
• Ice Hockey Club

Outstanding Educational Program

• Japanese Culture Club

Membership Development Award

• Forensic Science Club

Outside the Box Award

• Graduate Student Government Association

Appalachian Image Award

• App Builds a Home

Leaders in Action Award

• College Democrats of Appalachian State

Best New Student Organization Award

• Global Medical Brigades

Outstanding Organization Award - Club Sport

• Women's Ultimate Club

Outstanding Organization Award - FSL

• Zeta Tau Alpha

Outstanding Organization Award - General Clubs

• App State Geek Guild

Outstanding Organization Award - Department Affiliated Org

• Residence Hall Association (RHA)

Student Organization of the Year

• Gamma Iota Sigma

Unsung Champion Award

• Zac Moreno (Appalachian Popular Programming Society)

Rising Star Award

• Jesus Sisniega-Serrano (Latin Hispanic Alliance)

Outstanding Achievement Award

• Mia Acosta-Nicholson (Latin Hispanic Alliance)
• Kaylee Taylor (Kappa Alpha Pi, Pre-Law and Government Fraternity)

Commitment to Justice Award

• Nicole Tran (Student Government Association)

Spirit of Service Award

• Shane Johnson (National Residence Hall Honorary)

Dr. Jim Street Award for Outstanding Presidential Leadership

• Ethan Wittig (Student Builders Association)

Outstanding Advisor Award

• Danni Capps (Hospitality & Tourism Management)
• Kayla Engel (Residence Hall Association)

Gregory S. Blimling Award for Outstanding Graduate Student

• Natalee Jamerson, Campus Activities
• Kaleigh Del Greco, Community-Engaged Leadership

Bobby L. Dunnigan Outstanding Service Award

• Megan Taylor, University Recreation
• Megan Gilmore, Plemmons Student Union

Ronny L. Brooks Leadership Award

• Jake Jenson
• Margaret-Ann Littauer
• Kam Smith
• Jaden Hatcher
• Kaylee Greene

W.H. Plemmons Leadership Medallion

• JP Neri
• Kathryn Long
• Amarah Din
• Savannah Raley
• Misty Mayfield - staff
• Dr. Rita Joyner - faculty
• Dr. Heather Jo Mashburn - SA educator

Additional Information to Share

We have a lot going on over the next month or so!  Please read below for some of those events:

• 4/22/25, 11:00am-3:00pm: Earth Day Expo, Sanford Mall
• 4/24/25, 9am-5:00pm: Holocaust Remembrance Day-A commemoration of Yom HaShoah with a public reading of the names of the Jews murdered during the Holocaust, Square between Belk Library and the Campus Store (PSU)
• 4/25/25, 10:00am: Making Connections in Work and Life-A training that will give practical tips on how to deepen relationships you already have and new ones!
• 4/25/25, 2:00pm-3:00pm: Using Educational Perks, Belk Library & Info Commons, Broyhill Conference Room
• 4/27/25, 2:00pm-3:30pm: Appalachian Symphony Orchestra Family Pops Concert: “Spirit of Adventure”, Schaefer Center for the Performing Arts. (Free)
• 5/9-5/10/25, Various Times: App State Commencement
• 5/16/25, 2:00pm-5:00pm: Save the Date for the Student Affairs End of Year Gathering, More details to come!

Please remember to view other important dates on our Student Affairs Professional Development and Staff Wellbeing website.

BANFF Film Festival

Banff Mountain Film Festival returns to App State for 28th year

Tickets are on sale now.

The Banff Mountain Film Festival returns to Appalachian State University at the

Schaefer Center for the Performing Arts from Thursday, March 20, through Saturday, March 22,

2025, and tickets are currently on sale and selling out quickly.

Hosted by University Recreation at Appalachian State University, the festival’s World Tour has been

making stops in Boone for 28 years, inspiring audiences with the world’s best films that highlight

mountain adventure, culture and the environment. This year, a Road Warrior will be coming to

Appalachian State University and curating films specifically for App State.

The festival was established in 1976 as a program of the Banff Centre of Arts and Creativity in

Canada, and has since become the largest international mountain film festival. This year’s World

Tour is planning screenings in more than 1,000 communities in 35 countries across the globe, and

the screenings at App State are among the biggest in North America.

Local tour hosts select their own festival programming from the best of over 400 films submitted to

Banff. App State will show three completely different film screenings each night and will also have

live music and vendors on Friday and Saturday night.

“This festival is a highly anticipated event that has been an important part of the Boone community

for over 20 years,” said Jacob Norris, App State University Recreation outdoor programs coordinator.

“I believe that our audience will continue to be inspired by the diversity, enthusiasm and energy that

each film highlights.”

Tickets for the festival are $15 for App State students and $20 for the general public. Tickets can be

purchased online at https://schaefercenter.appstate.edu/tickets, by phone at (800) 841-2787, or in

person at the Schaefer Center Box Office. Online tickets are limited to eight tickets per buyer.

Presenting partners for this year’s festival include Footsloggers Outdoor and Travel Outfitters, App

State’s Department of Geological and Environmental Sciences, VPC Builders, Appalachian Ski

Mountain, Bear Trail Studio, and Western Carolina Eye Associates.

For more information, email [email protected].