In addition to working in virtual classrooms as part of their coursework, 56 CoE students recently participated in mock parent-teacher conferences at Austin Peay's Nursing Simulation Center. The growing center has now collaborated with every academic college on campus to provide workforce-ready training opportunities.

Through this fellowship, Harmening will receive $5,000 to create new artwork and additional funding to present a free artist lecture at 6:30 p.m. on April 8 at the Frist Art Museum in Nashville.  

The scholarship will support sophomores, juniors, and seniors of any major. Applicants must demonstrate leadership and service through campus and community involvement, maintain a minimum 3.0 GPA, and be enrolled full-time. Recipients may receive the award for multiple years but must reapply annually.

Students in Professor Barry Gresham's COMM 4110 class, along with Department of Communication graduate assistants, recently live-produced start-to-finish broadcasts of a Govs Hockey doubleheader.

Ten students from APSU's Department of Earth and Environmental Sciences traveled to Big Ridge State Park in late September to compete against teams from Middle Tennessee State University, Tennessee Tech, the University of Tennessee at Knoxville, and the University of Tennessee at Martin. They returned with both trophies for the second straight year.

Dr. Jamie Botsch, assistant professor in the Department of Biology, will present on Lake Mývatn (which translates to midge lake) in northern Iceland, where tiny midges have a surprising effect on both the water and the land.

Austin Peay State University has announced six inductees into the APSU Governors Military Hall of Fame Class of 2026, to be honored during a reception and induction dinner on Friday, Nov. 6, in the Morgan University Center Ballroom.

Austin Peay State University has received a generous gift from The Ivy Endowment Circle to establish the Glistine Green Jones Scholarship Endowment. The endowment honors Glistine Green Jones' legacy of mentorship, service, and leadership within Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority, Incorporated® Kappa Rho Chapter.

Austin Peay State University's Zone 3 Press, with support from the Center of Excellence for the Creative Arts, will host Newbery Honor-winning Lipan Apache author Darcie Little Badger for a free public reading and book signing at 7 p.m. on Nov. 5 in Art + Design Room 120.

Nearly 150 Austin Peay State University students took on the roles of families experiencing financial hardship during an immersive poverty simulation on Oct. 5, exploring how limited resources can affect access to housing, transportation, healthcare, and more.

The exhibition will run from Oct. 30 to Jan. 7 at the Customs House, along with a Nov. 7 reception. It features the work of exemplary APSU students alongside faculty, showcasing the range, development, and skill within the Department of Art + Design.

Under the direction of Dr. Zack Barnes, the Center for Literacy will serve as a hub for K-12 educators, teacher candidates, and researchers committed to improving student outcomes through proven instructional strategies.

Keira Scott was one of nine students selected nationwide for the National Science Foundation's Research Experiences for Undergraduates (REU) program, where she researched biodegradable alternatives to petroleum-based plastics.

The Department of Music, with support from the Center of Excellence for the Creative Arts, will present the Flute Choir Day Concert at 2 p.m. on Oct. 31 in the George and Sharon Mabry Concert Hall, featuring Dr. Beomjae Kim, the APSU Flute Choir, and participants from around the state.

The Austin Peay State University National Alumni Association has named 12 new members to its board of directors, strengthening its mission to expand alumni chapter engagement as the university looks ahead to its centennial.

Austin Peay State University's Department of Art + Design, with support from the Center of Excellence for the Creative Arts, will host composer, filmmaker, and visual artist David Stout for a free public lecture, "At Home in the Uncanny Valley: The Play and Promise of a Latent Space," at 6 p.m. on Oct. 28 in the Sara & Mike Gotcher Theatre.

Dr. John W. Steinberg, an Austin Peay State University professor of history and one of the world's leading authorities on Russian military history, is spending the 2026-27 academic year teaching cadets at the United States Military Academy at West Point as the Charles Boal Ewing Chair in Military History.

Austin Peay State University has received a gift from Sharon A. Dunn ('73), a College of Business graduate, to establish the KY Tri-County College of Business Scholarship Endowment, giving first preference to students from Todd, Christian, and Trigg counties in Kentucky.

The Department of Physics, Engineering and Astronomy has announced two free Public Observatory Nights this fall at the Coleman Tractor APSU Farm Powered by Kubota, with sessions on Oct. 17 and Dec. 19 open to stargazers of all ages.

The Department of Theatre & Dance, with support from the Center of Excellence for the Creative Arts, will present the musical "Ride the Cyclone" Oct. 22-25 in the Mike and Sara Gotcher Theatre, with Texas-based nonprofit Moxxy Forensic Investigations on-site to share its work identifying the unidentified.

Humphreys County native Brad Withrow began his journey at Austin Peay State University (APSU) in 1984, balancing coursework, part-time jobs and campus life. Then a car accident left his accounting professor, Dr. Wesley Fortner Jr., paralyzed, and the experience taught Withrow a leadership lesson that guides him to this day.

Austin Peay State University's dual enrollment program has set a new record with 1,442 students registered in Fall 2026, giving high school, homeschooled, and middle college students across Clarksville and neighboring counties a head start on college credit.

Austin Peay State University's Professional and Workforce Development Center is offering a new auto body collision estimating course taught by 42-year industry veteran Malcolm Pritchett, with classes running Oct. 20 through Nov. 6 at the Austin Peay Center at Fort Campbell.

Austin Peay State University's Department of Theatre & Dance, with support from the Center of Excellence for the Creative Arts, will host the groundbreaking theatrical dance troupe Urban Bush Women for a free public studio performance and masterclass from 10 a.m. to noon on Oct. 14 in the Memorial Health Building's dance studios.

A gift from the estate of the late William "Bill" Harold Maki, a longtime Clarksville graphic artist who spent more than 35 years at Gate 3 Printers, has established the William Harold Maki Graphic Arts Scholarship Endowment at Austin Peay State University to support students pursuing graphic arts disciplines.

Austin Peay State University's Department of Art + Design, with support from the Center of Excellence for the Creative Arts, will host sculptor and ceramicist Dr. Sharif Bey, winner of the inaugural Spector Craft Prize, for a free public lecture at 6 p.m. on Oct. 15 in Heydel Hall.

The Center of Excellence for the Creative Arts recently awarded Transformative Student Experience Grants to six College of Arts and Letters students, funding summer experiences that ranged from vocal training in Italy to off-Broadway debuts in New York.

The New Gallery at Austin Peay State University and the Center of Excellence for the Creative Arts will welcome Nashville-based multidisciplinary artist Danielle Myers as the gallery's second artist-in-residence from Oct. 6-21, with free public events including workshops, an installation, and the opening of her exhibition "America, the Beautiful" on Oct. 20.

Austin Peay State University's College of STEM will host Science on Tap at 5:30 p.m. on Tuesday, Oct. 6, at Strawberry Alley Ale Works, where biology professor Dr. Mollie Cashner will explore the caterpillars, pollinators, and backyard predators hiding in everyday gardens.

Austin Peay State University's chapter of the Honor Society of Phi Kappa Phi will return to the university's G.H.O.S.T. trick-or-treating event on Sunday, Oct. 25, with "Candy for the Mind," a literacy initiative that gives children free books instead of candy.

Austin Peay State University's Department of Art + Design, with support from the Center of Excellence for the Creative Arts, will host animator and former DreamWorks director Tim Johnson -- whose films include "Antz," "Over the Hedge," and "Home" -- for a free public Zoom lecture, "Your Left Brain is a Nag," at 4 p.m. on Oct. 7 in Heydel Hall.

Austin Peay State University alumna Tammy Cunningham ('86) has established the Tom Cunningham Family Endowment in honor of her late husband, Tom Cunningham ('85), providing scholarships for business majors who graduated from Montgomery County high schools.

Austin Peay State University alumnus Larry Carroll ('76) has made a gift to establish the Carroll Entrepreneurship Center, a university-wide hub based at The Press in downtown Clarksville that will support new venture creation for students and entrepreneurs throughout the region.

Freshman sports communication major Van Drugmand is representing the Govs in the 2026-27 eNASCAR College iRacing Series and will make his next appearance in the Peachtree Pursuit on Sept. 30.

Austin Peay State University's Govs Gaming esports club returned to CDE Lightband's F2CON this month for the Tennessee Valley Invitational, facing established programs from Middle Tennessee State University and Murray State University in a Super Smash Bros. Ultimate tournament that drew more than 2,200 livestream viewers.

Austin Peay State University will honor six distinguished graduates -- Jeffrey Bibb, Tamira Samuel, Josh Hinckley, Amanda Martinez, Jay Albertia Jr. and Kyle Luther -- at the Governors Circle Alumni Awards on Friday, Oct. 2, in the Morgan University Center, with recognition on the field during the Homecoming football game the following day.

Austin Peay State University's Department of Music will host "Music Student for a Day" from 8 a.m. to 3 p.m. on Wednesday, Oct. 14, giving prospective high school musicians the chance to sit in on college classes and ensemble rehearsals, take a trial lesson with faculty, and learn about auditions and music scholarships.

Austin Peay has joined the Tennessee Technology Advancement Consortium, a Launch Tennessee network that helps university research reach the marketplace. With a new commercialization counselor and statewide partners, APSU faculty now have a clearer path from discovery to real-world use.

Austin Peay State University will host the 2026 Domino's Run for Govs 5K and Valerie Hunter-Kelly Run/Walk for the Govs 1K on Saturday, Oct. 10, at the Pace Alumni Center on Emerald Hill, with registration fees directly supporting APSU Foundation scholarships.

Austin Peay State University's Department of Music, with support from the Center of Excellence for the Creative Arts, will present the Saxophone Day Concert at 3 p.m. on Sept. 27 in the George and Sharon Mabry Concert Hall, featuring Dr. Lucas Hopkins, the APSU Saxophone Studio, and high school participants from around the state.

Thanks to a grant from the Maynard Family Fund of Excellence, 10 APSU students can earn $1,500 scholarships for a Summer 2027 study abroad trip to Berlin, featuring behind-the-scenes visits to German security agencies.

A gift from the estate of the late Dr. Bonnie Karrigan ('71), who taught English at Fort Campbell High School for over 40 years and served as an adjunct professor at Austin Peay State University, has established the Bonnie Karrigan Memorial Endowed Fund of Excellence to support the Department of Languages and Literature.

The Austin Peay State University Board of Trustees has approved the naming of the Linda and Leon Hogg Sound Booth, recognizing a gift from alumnus William Brian Hogg that will fund a major equipment upgrade for the live audio production program.

Senior political science major Bridget Harper spent the summer in Washington, D.C., as one of only 12 students selected to intern with the Global Language Network through The Washington Center, building connections with diplomats as she works toward her goal of becoming a U.S. ambassador to South Korea.

Austin Peay State University's Zone 3 Press, with support from the Center of Excellence for the Creative Arts, will host award-winning author Destiny O. Birdsong for a free public reading and book signing at 7 p.m. on Sept. 24 in Art + Design Room 120.

Austin Peay has set a new all-time enrollment record for the second consecutive year, with 11,338 students registered for Fall 2026. The growth is led by the university's largest incoming freshman class since 2018, with 1,918 first-time students, and by the highest proportion of military-affiliated students in Austin Peay's history. Active-duty service members, veterans, and military family members represent 35% of the student body.

The College of Business and Legends Bank will bring Mark Blaze, president and CEO of the Greater Nashville Technology Council, and Janet Wilson, vice president for urban development for the Clarksville-Montgomery County Economic Development Council, to campus this fall for the Legends of Business speaker series.

AEP has announced four new hires and five promotions as the team prepares for the university's centennial in 2027 and its accompanying Centennial Campaign.

Austin Peay State University's Department of Music, with support from the Center of Excellence for the Creative Arts, will present "Songs, Stories, & Sundaes" -- a free public event featuring musical performances, ice cream sundaes, and stories about working in music therapy -- at 2 p.m. on Sept. 13.

The College of Business has presented its 2026 A.J. Taylor Awards to Dr. Al Tilooby for excellence in teaching and Dr. Matthew Farrell for excellence in research, recognizing outstanding classroom innovation and scholarly work.

The Austin Peay State University Board of Trustees will host its quarterly meetings on Friday, Sept. 11, at the O'Malley Family Welcome Center, beginning with committee sessions at 8:45 a.m. followed by a full board meeting.

CMCCHF has awarded $106,481 to the Austin Peay State University Foundation, funding sexual assault prevention efforts, nursing camps for middle and high school students, and health literacy initiatives in rural communities.

Austin Peay State University’s Department of Art + Design, with support from the Center of Excellence for the Creative Arts, is hosting Professor Emeritus Susan Bryant for an exhibition on the Mann Wall of Legacy, located on the second floor of the Art + Design Building.

Four Austin Peay State University students spent a week at the Southeastern School of Banking this summer through the College of Business' Banking on Govs program, an all-expenses-paid partnership with F&M Bank and the Tennessee Bankers Association now in its third year.

Austin Peay State University's Department of Art + Design, with support from the Center of Excellence for the Creative Arts, is presenting Boston-based multimedia artist Rebecca Morrison's digital work through Oct. 2 to open the 2026-27 season of its gallery for new media art.

Austin Peay's Science on Tap kicks off its fall season on Sept. 1 at Strawberry Alley Ale Works. Dr. Amanda Stadermann will present "Moon Joy," exploring lunar exploration, NASA's Artemis program, and what moon rocks reveal about Earth's history.

During the university's fourth annual Peayple in the Community day of service, volunteers packaged 40,000 meals, built 200 water filters, and supported nonprofits across Clarksville and the surrounding area.

Austin Peay State University has launched a new Honors College, bringing the institution's high-impact learning programs together to strengthen recruitment, support, preparation, and celebration of high-achieving students.

Discover elite strength, recovery, and mental performance strategies at Austin Peay State University's inaugural Health and Performance Summit on Saturday, Oct. 17. Learn from professional sports, Olympic and military experts. Early-bird registration is extended through Sept. 8. Register today!

Austin Peay State University is inviting community nonprofits, schools, and organizations to register for its 81st Annual Homecoming Parade, which begins at 11 a.m. on Saturday, Oct. 3, on College Street.

The Felix G. Woodward Library has received a $99,999 grant from the Institute of Museum & Library Services to preserve, digitize, and expand access to thousands of historically significant items connected to Austin Peay, Middle Tennessee, and Fort Campbell.

National college basketball outlet Mid-Major Madness recently spotlighted Austin Peay State University men's basketball head coach Corey Gipson and the deeper meaning behind his signature sideline military uniform.

Montgomery County Juvenile Court and Austin Peay State University have launched a scholarship initiative for graduates of the 20/10 Mentorship Program, with 26 initial donors pledging more than $110,000 to fund four endowed scholarships for justice-involved youth pursuing higher education.

The Department of Art + Design, with support from the Center of Excellence for the Creative Arts, will display Spark: Faculty Triennial Exhibition 2026 from Aug. 25 through Oct. 2 in The New Gallery, featuring work from 27 faculty artists alongside a series of gallery talks and a documentary screening.

Austin Peay State University honored exceptional faculty members during its annual awards ceremony on Aug. 10 in the George and Sharon Mabry Concert Hall, presenting the Socrates Award for Excellence in Teaching to five professors along with distinctions for scholarship, community service, and professional excellence.

Austin Peay State University has earned a THEC Veteran Initiatives Grant to enhance academic, mental health and well-being resources for military-affiliated students. Discover how Tennessee's leading military-serving institution continues expanding tailored support for veterans, active-duty personnel and their families statewide.

The College of Arts & Letters will host the free Govs Creative Arts Festival from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. on Saturday, Sept. 12, at the Clarksville Downtown Commons, featuring performances from The Governors Own Marching Band, Red River Breeze, Music for Mercy, and more.

Austin Peay State University's Department of Chemistry hosted its first research-focused camp for middle and high school students from July 27-31, giving eighth through 12th graders hands-on experience extracting natural compounds and exploring their potential medicinal properties in a university lab.

The Office of Community Engagement and Sustainability hosted the annual Govs Week of Service this summer, giving students, faculty, and staff opportunities to volunteer with several Clarksville nonprofits.

The Eriksson College of Education has welcomed 23 incoming teacher residents from the Clarksville-Montgomery County School System at its 2026 Grow Your Own Teacher Residency signing day, marking the start of a three-year, tuition-free, paid pathway into the teaching profession.

Austin Peay State University students and a staff member traveled to Puerto Rico this summer through the Alternative Break Trip program, assisting the nonprofit Centro Esperanza with hurricane relief efforts, grounds restoration, and groundwork for a revitalized outdoor learning facility.

Austin Peay State University raised more than $23 million during the 2026 fiscal year -- its second-highest fundraising total in 99 years and a 47% year-over-year increase -- through 7,240 gifts from 2,861 donors as the university approaches its centennial.

The Full Spectrum Learning program is launching two Mobile Sensory Carts this fall, bringing noise-reducing headphones, fidget tools, and other sensory supports to classrooms and events across campus for students with autism, ADHD, anxiety, and anyone needing extra sensory support.

Austin Peay State University's free in-house commencement photography is expected to reach a combined $425,000 in student savings after the Aug. 7 ceremony, giving thousands of graduates professional photos of their milestone at no cost.

As thousands of new Governors arrive on campus this fall, Dr. Dava Wilson and Dr. Anna Leimberg hope their unconventional journeys remind students that no path is predetermined and that success isn't about where you begin, but where you're willing to go.

APSU's Summer 2026 commencement ceremony is at 10 a.m. on Friday, Aug. 7, in the Dunn Center, and will recognize graduates from across the university's academic colleges.

APSU's Master of Speech-Language Pathology program has earned initial accreditation from the Council on Academic Accreditation in Audiology and Speech-Language Pathology, expanding the pipeline of clinicians as Tennessee faces a projected 37.6% increase in demand for speech-language pathologists by 2032.

Dr. Debra Rose Wilson, professor and Lenora C. Reuther Chair of Excellence in Austin Peay State University's School of Nursing, has been selected for induction as a Fellow of the American Academy of Nursing, one of the profession's most prestigious distinctions.

With fewer entry-level jobs available, Austin Peay State University's College of Business has responded by increasing experiential learning participation by 37%--connecting students with real organizations, AI-focused coursework, and global immersion experiences to build the skills employers value most.

The Department of Earth and Environmental Sciences has acquired a new scanning electron microscope, giving students publication-quality imaging and chemical analysis capabilities -- including the chance to study meteorites -- previously accessible only at major research institutions.

Austin Peay State University's Peer Leader Program has earned renewal of its International Peer Educator Training Program Certification from the College Reading & Learning Association at the maximum level through 2030, reflecting the program's support for thousands of new students each year.

Fourteen rising juniors and seniors at Austin Peay State University are gaining real-world experience with local employers through the second annual Summer Internship Program, conducted by the Career Success Center in partnership with Workforce Essentials.

Jody Alberd, a Navy veteran and assistant professor in the Department of Engineering Technology, has earned his first National Science Foundation grant as principal investigator to study how student veterans develop their engineering identity during senior capstone design projects.

Dr. John McConnell, dean of the Eriksson College of Education, has been named an Impact Academy fellow through the national nonprofit Deans for Impact, joining a cohort of 24 leaders committed to strengthening educator preparation across the country.

Austin Peay State University hosted some of Tennessee's brightest high school students this summer for the Governor's School for Computational Physics, a four-week residential program now in its 18th year that immerses rising seniors in physics, mathematics, and computational problem-solving.

Austin Peay State University librarian and assistant professor Scott Shumate has been selected for Clarivate's Academic AI Working Group, an international panel of 15 experts advising the company on artificial intelligence tools that supplement teaching and learning in higher education.

Math education major and Navy veteran Andrew Daniels recently traveled to Poland and Germany through a Gilman Scholarship to explore his family's World War II history, becoming the first student in APSU's Grow Your Own Teacher Residency to study abroad.

The Austin Peay State University Foundation has received a gift from Dr. Ernest and Joan De Wald to establish the Drs. D.W. & Ben Howard Pre-Vet Endowment, a renewable scholarship supporting APSU students pursuing pre-veterinary studies.

Dr. Barbara Tucker, Austin Peay State University's director of technical services, created The Adventures of Bibi and Beaux based on her experiences to help children process their own cancer journeys.

The Southeastern Grasslands Institute at Austin Peay State University has joined nine other conservation organizations to co-lead the U.S. Grasslands Campaign, a national effort by America's Grasslands Coalition to raise public awareness and support for one of the country's most threatened ecosystems.

The Austin Peay State University Foundation has named its board members for the 2026-27 fiscal year. The group of business and community leaders provides governance and philanthropic support for scholarships and academic programs.

Margaret Douglas, the inaugural director of the Student Success Center in Austin Peay State University's College of Business, is retiring this month, leaving behind a professional advising model she built that has become central to the college's career readiness efforts.

The Department of Sociology and Community Development has partnered with the Department of Art + Design to create a limited-edition letterpress print celebrating civic responsibility, distributing 200 copies to community partners to commemorate the nation's 250th anniversary.

Isaiah Polk, a 24-year-old juvenile probation officer with Montgomery County Juvenile Court, has been named chair of the Coalition for Juvenile Justice's Emerging Leaders Committee and appointed to the national organization's executive board.

Austin Peay State University leaders Dr. Lindsey Gilmore and Dr. Kathrine Bailey have been selected for the AASCU 2026 Emerging Leaders Program. They join a national cohort of 45 rising professionals focused on advancing higher education leadership and institutional impact.

Dr. Caitlin M. Shaw has co-authored a national study of 411 American adults, finding that most people view hazing as a public health issue -- not just a campus disciplinary matter.

Austin Peay State University radiologic technology major Ivan Lopez spent the 2025-26 academic year studying at Kyungpook National University in Daegu, South Korea, on a Gilman Scholarship, traveling across seven Asian countries and mentoring Korean students who are considering their own study abroad experiences.

The Austin Peay State University Foundation has received a $50,000 contribution from Google to support its Collaborative STEM Education Initiative, delivering hands-on workshops in coding robotics, virtual reality, 3D printing, and artificial intelligence to K-12 students across five rural Middle Tennessee counties.

The Department of Health and Human Performance will host its inaugural Health and Performance Summit on Saturday, Oct. 17, in the Health Professions Building, bringing together nationally recognized leaders in strength and conditioning, sports science, healthcare, and tactical performance.

Austin Peay State University School of Nursing faculty members Dr. Debra Rose Wilson and Dr. Leslie Binford have published an article in the American Nurse Journal examining how the gut microbiome may influence depression, reinforcing the importance of viewing patients holistically.