Rainbow Kitten Surprise
Middleton leads App State
Boone-based Rainbow Kitten Surprise makes top 24 in VH1 Instagram music video contest.
see PAGE 3
The Daily Gamer
Early on, App State football is looking to junior defensive back Doug Middleton for leadership on and off the field.
The Daily Gamer, which provides Appalachian students with the latest news, reviews and opinions on the happenings of the gaming industry.
see PAGE 6
TheAppalachianOnline.com
The Appalachian 09.09.14
Appalachian State University’s student news source since 1934
Vol. 89, No. 5
STUDENT YOSEF CLUB DRAWS FIRST BLOOD SYC collects 40 units of blood in its first blood drive ever
by Nicole Caporaso News Reporter
A
blood drive was hosted Monday by the Student Yosef Club, an organization that supports Appalachian State University’s
Morgan Cook
student athletes and aims to increase Mountaineer spirit. The event was from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. in Linville Falls of Plemmons Student Union. Kenneth Taylor, a team leader from the Community Blood Center of the Carolinas, said
the 10 staff members ended up with 40 units of blood from about 50 blood drive participants. “It’s important to give blood because it’s one of the few things we can’t manufacture, we can’t get it from another
country,” Taylor said. “We can only give this life saving blood from ourselves to other people to save their lives.” Ginny Thompson, the athletics development assistant for the Student Yosef Club, said this was the club’s first blood drive, but it will not be its last. “The Student Yosef Club decided to host this event in order to increase SYC memberships, as well as increase the impact the SYC has on campus life,” Thompson said. “We would like to help with a cause much greater than our own.” Thompson planned the event along with Billy Singvongsay, an SYC intern and Matt Riley, the account executive of Appalachian IMG Sports Network. Thompson said the goal set in mind for how many participants they would like to donate blood was 50. “We were so humbled to see our goal reached by the students here at App,” she said. “It is yet another example of how wonderful the Appalachian family is.” Nathan Koconis, a senior psychology major, said he heard about the blood drive
Recording studio added to Belk Library by Nicole Caporaso News Reporter
Belk Library and Information Commons’ newest addition is an audio recording room that allows Appalachian State University students to have access to a soundproof room to create music and audio in. According to library.appstate.edu, the equipment includes two microphones, a mini keyboard, double-screen computer monitors, a multi-track mixer, audio interface, headphones and connections for instruments and microphones. The software available in the room includes Adobe Audition, GarageBand, Logic Pro X and Pro Tools 11. The room opened Aug. 28 in the lower level of the library. Wil Cummings, a library technology support analyst, said he estimates that including the soundproofing of the room, the room roughly cost the university $10,000 to $12,000. “The purpose of the room is to offer music and audio creation for all users, not just music majors or people that are focusing on this,” Cummings said. “It’s an open resource for people who might want to try it or might want to go play.” Cummings said the library’s digital media studio has had several requests for this room. The digital media stu-
ASU Student hit by car
Missing student investigation underway by Carl Blankenship News Reporter
Rachel Krauza A new recording studio has been installed on the lower level floor of Belk Library and Information Commons.
dio is located on the third floor of the library. “We couldn’t offer this on the third floor because it’s a quiet floor, so we put it on the first floor and did sound proofing to allow people with instruments to record it,” Cummings said. “The room allows for comfortably about three peo-
ple, depending on the instrument too.” The room’s hours of operation are 10 a.m. to 11 p.m. Monday through Thursday and 10 a.m. to 9 p.m. on Friday, according to the library’s website. Students can reserve a time slot using the library’s Book At Study Room page at www.library.appstate.edu.
Winkler mixed-use property approved
by Laney Ruckstuhl News Editor
An Appalachian State University student was struck by a vehicle Saturday just after 1 a.m. on Blowing Rock Road, according to Boone police. The student was identified as Charles Oliver Simmons, a junior international business major. Police said in a press release Monday that Simmons ran into the roadway and was struck by the vehicle, suffering serious injuries. The accident occurred just south of where the road intersects with Rivers Street, near the location of Parthenon. Simmons was transported to Johnson City Medical Center on Saturday. No charges have been filed and the incident is under investigation.
and figured he might as well participate. “It makes me feel good to go and give blood because it makes me feel like I did something worthwhile today,” he said. “Having an unusual blood type, I know that if I give blood it means I can probably end up saving someone’s life.” Koconis said he is either O+ or A/B+ and that within about a week the Community Blood Center of the Carolinas will inform of what type he has. Lauren Sigmon, a junior elementary education major, said it was her third time giving blood. “I don’t see the point in not giving blood because it helps save people’s lives, and if you have the time you might as well just go ahead, rather than waste your time doing something else,” Sigmon said. Thompson said although people donate blood for different reasons, the donations that are made are vital for helping others. “Despite all our medical advances, there is no good manmade substitute for human blood, this is why donations are so vital,” she said.
Rachel Krauza by Carl Blankenship News Reporter
On Sept. 4, the Boone Board of Adjustment approved a Special Use Permit to build a mixed-use project where the now defunct Library Pub and Restaurant cur-
rently stands. The permit was applied for by John Winkler of local property developer The Winkler Organization. According to the presentation at the
SEE WINKLER PAGE 2
Last night, an Appalachian State University press release announced that the State Bureau of Investigation and other agencies are now classifying Anna Smith “as a missing and possibly endangered person.” According to the press release, “Anna is possibly carrying a bright blue LL Bean backpack that contained a blue ENO hammock. Anna was possibly last seen wearing a red or orange top and black leggings. Anna typically carries a red purse as well.” Chancellor Sheri N. Everts also sent out an official statement in an email Monday, addressing the issue and concerns surrounding Smith’s disappearance. “Anna’s safe return is first and foremost on our minds at Appalachian,” Everts said in the email. “As Chancellor, the safety and well-being of our students is my top priority. University Police, other law enforcement agencies and First Responders have participated in the search and I thank them for their critical support.” The email also said the most recent information regarding the search can be found at appstate.edu/missingstudent. Everts asked that everyone remains alert and on the look out for Smith. According to the most recent press release, authorities are now using means including “interviews, forensic examination of records, surveillance video analysis” and more. On Sept. 6, officers and First Responders searched wooded campus areas for clues. Smith has been missing since Sept. 2 and was first reported missing to the police on Sept. 4. “Smith is 18 years old, has short
SEE SMITH PAGE 2