Appalachian State University is a master's level comprehensive university -- the sixth largest institution in the University of North Carolina system. Appalachian (locally pronounced app-uh-latch-an) is located in Boone, in the scenic mountains of northwestern North Carolina. Appalachian State has been ranked among the top 15 southern colleges and universities since the U.S. News and World Report's "America's Best Colleges Guide" began publication in 1986.
Appalachian State University began as Watauga Academy in 1899, evolved into the Appalachian Training School for Teachers, Appalachian State Teacher's College, and finally Appalachian State University in 1967.
A true college town, Boone supports a population of 14,900, compared to a total A.S.U. enrollment of 14,050 students (2002-2003). The campus encompasses 340 acres, including a main campus of 250 acres.
The University offers 95 undergraduate and 81 graduate majors. Appalachian has managed to grow while maintaining the atmosphere of a small college -- it has a 17:1 student/faculty ratio, most classes are taught by professors, and most courses are taught in traditional classrooms.
Although its foundations are in education, Appalachian has also gained acclaim for its colleges of music and business (especially the risk and insurance program), as well as its programs in geography and planning.
Appalachian's sports teams are nicknamed the Mountaineers, and the university operates 20 intercollegiate athletics programs.
Learn about Appalachian at its web site, http://www.appstate.edu, and find out more about Mountaineer athletics at http://www.goasu.com.
