The 2011 Martha Guy Summer Institue welcomes its latest class to campus this week. Two dozen rising high school seniors will spend the next two weeks immersed in a college environment, then leave for a week in Washington, DC and New York City. The program has been successful in not only introducing high school students to a higher education atmosphere, but broadening the knowledge base for the University. 

One specific example is reported in the latest issue of Appalachian Today, the official magazine of Appalachian State. It recounts a dinner last year at the Chancellor's house for that class of Martha Guy students. Henry Nagle, son of Andrew Nagle '87, was seated beside Chancellor Kenneth Peacock. The two found a subject of interest to both - sustainability. [PDF, page 11].

Henry, having just learned about Appalachian’s emphasis on sustainability, invited Chancellor peacock to see the Ab Emblem manufacturing facility, where his father was leading efforts to have solar panels installed on the 60,000-square-foot building’s roof. ...

“Chancellor Peacock accepted Henry’s invitation and came to Weaverville while the panels were being installed,” Andrew said. “it was a hot august day, but the Chancellor climbed up a scaffold onto the roof and saw the process first-hand. We all had a good time.” ...

The Nagles’ connection to Appalachian will continue and be strengthened though the experience. Andrew
reports that Henry had a great time as a Martha Guy Summer Institute participant. “Henry just fell in love with Appalachian,” Andrew said. “The Martha Guy program is fantastic. it made me proud as an alumnus and a father that the university offers such a program, where kids who know they have interest in business can come and meet people such as the chancellor and dean and be encouraged by them.

"The experience sold Henry on Appalachian completely. He applied as soon as the application period opened, with no prompting from me. it was his decision. We were all thrilled when he received word he had been accepted,” Andrew said.

Henry Nagle will start classes at Appalachian in August 2011.

In related news, Appalachian Today has a story on the zero-energy home design competition now active on campus. [PDF, page 21]

The 2010 Martha Guy Summer Institute opened last week, welcoming 23 rising high school seniors to the campus of Appalachian State. While living on campus the students have, among other activities, attended "Discovery Series" sessions taught by Walker College professors, toured campus, enjoyed local sightseeing, engaged in various business-oriented workshops and visited Lowe's Motor Speedway. The group leaves Saturday for the annual visit to Washington, D.C. and New York City.

Now exclusively online is the 2009 issue of Walker College of Business magazine. It includes dozens of articles spotlighting students, faculty, faculty and staff of the Walker College of Business.

You can download the magazine as a PDF, or read it online.

The feature article describes the goals and accomplishments of student Sarah Green. The senior has completed more than one study abroad trip. Her experiences overseas - as well as on campus - are helping her define her career goals, and make them compatible with her personal motto - "Be the change you wish to see in the world."

In the spring of 2009, Sarah attended the Harlan Boyles Distinguished CEO lecture on campus. It would further change her life.

Jim Morgan, CEO of Krispy Kreme Doughnuts, delivered a speech to a crowd of more than 500 students and faculty. The message was personal for Sarah. Morgan talked about his own passion for his career, and Sarah wanted that passion. She remembers Morgan saying that if you have a job you're not passionate about, then you are doing someone else's dream job or fulfilling someone else’s dreams for you.

Sarah had been offered a job with the accounting firm in Washington, D.C., and the offer was still on the table. She knew the easy choice was to accept the high-paying job, but over the next few days, she kept thinking about Morgan's words. She knew it might be seen as irresponsible, especially given the current economic downturn, to decline the job, but she didn't want to live someone else’s dream. She wanted to be passionate about her work.

In his speech, Morgan alluded to the idea that one can only really have influence if they're doing what they love. Was she going to be the change she wished to see in the world at the accounting job? A week later, Sarah declined the job.

The complete article can be found on page 8.