Backgrounder Forchheimer 1

Appalachian State University

287 River St.
Boone North Carolina, 28607

BACKGROUNDER

Feb. 20, 2017 MEDIA RELATIONS CONTACT:

Sierra Forchheimer
772-563-7080
forchheimersm@appstate.edu

APPALACHIAN POPULAR PROGRAMING SOCIETY FROM THE BEGINNING

BOONE, N.C. The mission statement of Appalachian Popular Programming

Society (APPS) states that it is a university-funded organization that exists to plan and

provide diverse educational, enriching, and entertaining events for the community and

student body of Appalachian State.

History of APPS

Apps was founded in 1985 to help retain students who were currently enrolled at

Appalachian State and attract new students to attend the school through diverse, quality

events and create a night life seen for the town of Boone.

(-MORE-)

Before APPS, Blowing Rock was the closest concert venue and in the 1970s and

beyond the road to Blowing Rock from Boone was a one-way windy road that was not
Backgrounder Forchheimer 2

safe for students to be traveling back and forth from late at night. APPS originally had 6

different councils Films, Special Events, Recreation and Tournaments, Concerts, Stage

Shows and Club Shows.

After the firs year, APPS dropped the recreation and tournaments council and let

the student recreation center become in charge of those events. In 1995, APPS founded

the Council for Cultural Awareness (CCA) as the sixth programming council in efforts for

Black/African American students oriented programing. Then in 1996, APPS founded the

Appalachian Heritage Council to celebrate the cultural and musical richness of the

Appalachian Mountain Region. In 2013 CAA was then given the new name of Council

for Cultural Awareness (CASE) to now focus on programming for all underrepresented

students.

APPS Now

As of 2016, APPS is consistent of seven different councils.

Appalachian Heritage- keeps the history, traditions, spirit and music of Appalachia

alive.

Club Shows- Which features local and regional up-and-coming bands and performers.

Concerts- Brings the top-headlining nation acts to Appalachian State.

Cultural Awareness and Student Engagement- Strives to increase awareness of diverse

identities through multicultural programming.

(-MORE-)

Films- Books various types of movies along with two film series throughout each

semester.
Backgrounder Forchheimer 3

Special Events- Plans and implements a series of home-grown acitivies, live

performances, and make-and-take events

Stage Shows- Bringing the top regional and rising acts to Appalachian State University.

With the fall of 2017 right around the corner, more changes are being made to continue to

accurately represent the student body at Appalachian State.

###