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  • Adverse Weather Update: Feb. 2, 2026
    All classes before noon on Monday, Feb. 2, are canceled. Condition 2 (Suspended Operations) is extended for non-faculty employees in Boone and Hickory until Monday, Feb. 2, at noon. Beginning at noon on Monday, Feb. 2, class instruction will take place online. Condition 1 (Reduced Operations) will take effect in Boone and Hickory beginning at noon on Monday, Feb. 2, until 7 a.m. Tuesday, Feb. 3. Read full message

Featured stories

App State honored as 2025 Large Business of the Year by Boone Area Chamber of Commerce
App State honored as 2025 Large Business of the Year by Boone Area Chamber of Commerce

The award recognizes App State’s leadership and impact in the High Country

Jan. 22, 2026

App State has been named Watauga County’s 2025 Large Business of the Year by the Boone Area Chamber of Commerce. The award recognizes the university for a milestone year that included the installation of Chancellor Heather Norris, its designation as a Research 2 institution and its continued contributions to the local economy.

  • How App State makes and communicates weather-related operations decisions
    How App State makes and communicates weather-related operations decisions
    Jan. 20, 2026

    Representatives from across Appalachian State University work together to make decisions about in-person classes and campus operations when bad weather is on the way.

  • App State’s Civic Literacy Initiative empowers students for active citizenship and dialogue across differences
    App State’s Civic Literacy Initiative empowers students for active citizenship and dialogue across differences
    Jan. 30, 2026

    App State’s comprehensive, nonpartisan Civic Literacy Initiative — now in its second year — aims to foster a civically engaged and informed university community. Launched in fall 2024, the program’s key focus areas are dialogue across differences, voter participation and free speech and expression.

  • App State alumni lead the nation in earning teaching’s top credential for 10th year in a row
    App State alumni lead the nation in earning teaching’s top credential for 10th year in a row

    University provides professional development support for regional teachers

    Jan. 29, 2026

    For the 10th consecutive year, App State leads the nation for its number of alumni who are National Board Certified Teachers, with 2,461 alumni having earned the national credential to date.

  • App State’s Doctor of Nursing Practice program accepting applications — priority deadline is Feb. 1
    App State’s Doctor of Nursing Practice program accepting applications — priority deadline is Feb. 1

    The hybrid program will welcome its first students this fall

    Jan. 22, 2026

    App State is accepting applications for its new Doctor of Nursing Practice-Family Nurse Practitioner program. The part-time, hybrid program is designed for registered nurses with a bachelor’s degree in nursing and at least one year of work experience. Prospective students are encouraged to apply by the priority deadline, Feb. 1.

  • App State music, theatre and dance teams collaborate to present 'Once Upon a Mattress'
    App State music, theatre and dance teams collaborate to present 'Once Upon a Mattress'

    The spring musical comedy is a coproduction of App State’s Department of Theatre and Dance and Hayes School of Music

    Jan. 14, 2026

    App State’s Department of Theatre and Dance and Hayes School of Music are collaborating to bring the musical comedy “Once Upon a Mattress” — based on the fairy tale “The Princess and the Pea” — to life for university and regional audiences. Five performances are scheduled to take place April 15–19 in Valborg Theatre on the Boone campus.

  • 1,500 App State graduates begin their next chapter
    1,500 App State graduates begin their next chapter

    Freiman and Sywassink awarded honorary doctorates for support of App State

    Dec. 18, 2025

    At its three Fall 2025 Commencement ceremonies, held Dec. 12, App State conferred degrees upon more than 1,500 Mountaineer graduates. University supporters Barbara Freiman and G.A. Sywassink were awarded honorary doctorates, and Dr. Charlie Chen was recognized with the Board of Governors Excellence in Teaching Award.

In 2025, App State celebrates its 8th chancellor amid record enrollment, research growth and campus advancements
In 2025, App State celebrates its 8th chancellor amid record enrollment, research growth and campus advancements
Dec. 19, 2025

App State reflects on its 126th year in higher education — one marked by new leadership under Chancellor Heather Norris, as well as record enrollment, upgrades to campus infrastructure, advances in research and innovation, a continued focus on regional resilience, campus and community arts engagement, and student-athlete success.

Events

  • February Fizzy First Friday – Spring Exhibition Celebration
    Feb
    6
    February Fizzy First Friday – Spring Exhibition Celebration

    Turchin Center for the Visual Arts

    Friday, Feb. 6, 2026
    4 - 8 p.m.

    Kick off your weekend with art, friends and fun at Fizzy First Friday and Spring Exhibition Celebration — free and open to everyone. With the opening of two exhibitions, activities will include two ARTtalks, drop-in artmaking, the 23rd Appalachian Mountain Photography Competition Awards and a DJ set featuring Ty Murray/DJ Soularia. Mingle with talented artists, explore contemporary art including the opening of new exhibitions and catch up with friends, old and new.

  • Margo Price
    Feb
    14
    Margo Price

    Schaefer Center for the Performing Arts

    Saturday, Feb. 14, 2026
    7:30 p.m.

    For nearly a decade, Margo Price has created a lane where independent-minded, insurgent country music can exist and thrive alongside the mainstream. Now she’s back with an exquisite, timeless album that reconnects with her roots. At its core, Hard Headed Woman is about that furious instinct to never waver — especially when our values and future are so clearly on the line. It’s country music as only Price can make it: free of rules, cherishing tradition, hard headed but with a delicate beating heart.

  • Ailey II: The Next Generation of Dance
    Feb
    20
    Ailey II: The Next Generation of Dance

    Schaefer Center for the Performing Arts

    Friday, Feb. 20, 2026
    7:30 p.m.

    For over 50 years, Ailey II – The Next Generation of Dance – has merged the spirit and energy of the country’s finest early-career dance talent with the passion and creative vision of today’s most outstanding and emerging choreographers. Founded by Alvin Ailey in 1974, this universally renowned company embodies his pioneering mission to establish an extended cultural community that provides dance performances, training, and community programs for all people.

  • “The Secret WWII Concentration Camp Diary of Odd Nansen” with Timothy Boyce
    Feb
    25
    “The Secret WWII Concentration Camp Diary of Odd Nansen” with Timothy Boyce

    Center for Judaic, Holocaust and Peace Studies

    Wednesday, Feb. 25, 2026
    7 - 8:30 p.m.

    Hailed by The New Yorker as “among the most compelling documents to come out of the war,” From Day to Day is a World War II concentration camp diary — one of only a handful ever translated into English — secretly written by Odd Nansen, a Norwegian. This inspiring diary brilliantly illuminates Nansen’s daily struggle, not only to survive, but to preserve his sanity and maintain his humanity. Timothy Boyce practiced law for many years, most recently serving as the Managing Partner of the Charlotte, NC office of Dechert LLP, a global law firm.

  • Kira Rockwell
    Feb
    25
    Kira Rockwell

    Hughlene Bostian Frank Visiting Writers Series, Department of Theatre and Dance, College of Fine and Applied Arts

    Wednesday, Feb. 25, 2026
    7 p.m.

    Kira Rockwell is an Atlanta-based playwright and educator, originally from the heart of Texas. She is an Artist Fellow in Dramatic Writing with the Mass Cultural Council, a recipient of the Judith Royer Excellence in Playwriting Award, second-place recipient of the Paula Vogel Playwriting Award from the Kennedy Center, three-time finalist for the O’Neill NPC, runner-up for the Princess Grace Award, and more.

  • Boone Docs Film Festival
    Feb
    27
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    28
    Boone Docs Film Festival

    Celebrating Life in Appalachia

    Feb. 27 - 28, 2026

    The fifth annual Boone Docs Film Festival, a showcase for short documentaries celebrating the people who live and work in Appalachia, returns in late February to Boone. All festival events will take place at the Appalachian Theatre of the High Country, located at 559 West King Street in Boone. Additionally, each of the film screenings will include discussions with participants in the films and/or the filmmakers.

View more events

News & Features

  • App State’s Civic Literacy Initiative empowers students for active citizenship and dialogue across differences
    App State’s Civic Literacy Initiative empowers students for active citizenship and dialogue across differences
  • App State honored as 2025 Large Business of the Year by Boone Area Chamber of Commerce
    App State honored as 2025 Large Business of the Year by Boone Area Chamber of Commerce
  • App State’s Doctor of Nursing Practice program accepting applications — priority deadline is Feb. 1
    App State’s Doctor of Nursing Practice program accepting applications — priority deadline is Feb. 1
  • App State music, theatre and dance teams collaborate to present 'Once Upon a Mattress'
    App State music, theatre and dance teams collaborate to present 'Once Upon a Mattress'
  • In 2025, App State celebrates its 8th chancellor amid record enrollment, research growth and campus advancements
    In 2025, App State celebrates its 8th chancellor amid record enrollment, research growth and campus advancements
  • App State awarded $1.1M NCInnovation grant for digital tool supporting families of children with developmental delays
    App State awarded $1.1M NCInnovation grant for digital tool supporting families of children with developmental delays
View more news and features

In the News

  • Focus On: Dr. Heather Norris
    Focus On: Dr. Heather Norris
    PBS North Carolina
  • Ranking the 25 best college football stadiums from the Big House to Death Valley
    Ranking the 25 best college football stadiums from the Big House to Death Valley
    The Athletic
  • How emergency preparedness systems operated during Helene
    How emergency preparedness systems operated during Helene
    The Appalachian
  • Norris formally installed as Appalachian State chancellor
    Norris formally installed as Appalachian State chancellor
    Watauga Democrat
  • Lights Over Linville — Brown Mountain’s Enduring Mystery [faculty featured]
    Lights Over Linville — Brown Mountain’s Enduring Mystery [faculty featured]
    The Laurel of Asheville
  • Folk Revival After Helene [faculty and alumni featured]
    Folk Revival After Helene [faculty and alumni featured]
    Oxford American
View more in the news

Research & Arts

  • In 2025, App State celebrates its 8th chancellor amid record enrollment, research growth and campus advancements
    In 2025, App State celebrates its 8th chancellor amid record enrollment, research growth and campus advancements
  • App State awarded $1.1M NCInnovation grant for digital tool supporting families of children with developmental delays
    App State awarded $1.1M NCInnovation grant for digital tool supporting families of children with developmental delays
  • Dr. Erin Peters develops virtual reality and web features for the Met's popular Egyptian exhibit
    Dr. Erin Peters develops virtual reality and web features for the Met's popular Egyptian exhibit
  • Educating generations: App State’s Lucy Brock program marks 85 years of preparing children and future educators to thrive
    Educating generations: App State’s Lucy Brock program marks 85 years of preparing children and future educators to thrive
  • App State's Office of Rural Promise fortifies student and teacher success in North Carolina
    App State's Office of Rural Promise fortifies student and teacher success in North Carolina
  • $838K grant fuels App State health research aimed at boosting Western NC resilience
    $838K grant fuels App State health research aimed at boosting Western NC resilience
View more research and arts

Awards & Honors

  • App State honored as 2025 Large Business of the Year by Boone Area Chamber of Commerce
    App State honored as 2025 Large Business of the Year by Boone Area Chamber of Commerce
  • In 2025, App State celebrates its 8th chancellor amid record enrollment, research growth and campus advancements
    In 2025, App State celebrates its 8th chancellor amid record enrollment, research growth and campus advancements
  • 1,500 App State graduates begin their next chapter
    1,500 App State graduates begin their next chapter
  • App State named among top institutions for business education in US and worldwide
    App State named among top institutions for business education in US and worldwide
  • 11 new Chancellor’s Scholars join App State’s academic community for 2025–26
    11 new Chancellor’s Scholars join App State’s academic community for 2025–26
  • App State’s Police Officer Development Program prepares 15 new officers for service
    App State’s Police Officer Development Program prepares 15 new officers for service
View more awards and honors

Experts Directory

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Are you interested in engaging a member of Appalachian's faculty or staff for a news media interview or a speaking engagement? Find expert members’ biographies, list of topics they can discuss, links to their research and more.

Search the database

Featured stories and events

High-quality academics, innovation and value secure App State’s spot among America’s top schools for 2025–26
High-quality academics, innovation and value secure App State’s spot among America’s top schools for 2025–26

US News names App State a top 5 regional university for innovation, undergraduate teaching and veterans support

Sept. 29, 2025

Six national publications — including U.S. News & World Report, The Princeton Review and Forbes magazine — have recognized App State among the best schools in the nation, and the Southeast, for 2025–26. The publications lauded the university for its academics, innovation and value, among other aspects.

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