Appalachian Today

App State awards degrees to over 4,200 graduates ready to shape the future

NC Gov. Stein speaks at commencement ceremony to honor Mountaineer resilience

May 13, 2025

More than 4,200 Mountaineer graduates, along with family, friends, faculty and staff, celebrated Spring 2025 Commencement at App State during six ceremonies held May 9–10 on the Boone campus. Special guest N.C. Gov. Josh Stein congratulated graduates on their achievements and their resiliency in the wake of Hurricane Helene.

Dr. Christine Ogilvie Hendren appointed vice chancellor of research and innovation at App State
June 27, 2025
Dr. Christine Ogilvie Hendren has been appointed vice chancellor of research and innovation at Appalachian State University, announced Chancellor Heather Norris on Friday, June 27. The appointment is effective July 1.
App State researchers uncover hidden history at Fort Defiance
June 23, 2025
Ground-penetrating radar and App State interdisciplinary detective work have revealed 105 graves of enslaved people at Fort Defiance, adding new layers of history to the Lenoir-area landmark and confirming generations of family stories.
App State awarded $367,088 National Science Foundation grant for telescope upgrades at Dark Sky Observatory
The research facility provides faculty, students with state-of-the-art tools
June 6, 2025
A $367,088 National Science Foundation grant is funding major upgrades to the 32-inch telescope at App State’s Dark Sky Observatory. The upgrades will provide faculty and student researchers with an enhanced view, and a deeper understanding, of the cosmos.
App State nutrition students empower Watauga’s young athletes to use food as fuel for athletic performance
43 middle school student-athletes from 6 schools participated
June 5, 2025
Over 40 local middle school student-athletes took part in App State’s Fuel Your Game Watauga program this spring, learning how proper nutrition can boost athletic performance. App State nutrition graduate students engaged the students in discussions on food groups and shared nutritional facts.
App State’s New River Light and Power awards scholarships to 7 Watauga County students
June 4, 2025
Appalachian State University’s New River Light and Power (NRLP) has named the 2025 recipients of two NRLP scholarship programs that support students pursuing higher education and careers in the energy industry. The seven awardees are all Watauga High School graduates.
20 App State ROTC cadets commissioned to serve as Army second lieutenants
May 29, 2025
App State honored 20 future military leaders during a commissioning ceremony held May 8 on the Boone campus, during which the Mountaineer Battalion members and App State graduates took the Oath of Office and received the gold bars signifying their rank as second lieutenants in the U.S. Army.

Dr. Heather Hulburt Norris named chancellor of Appalachian State University

Norris assumes role with more than 2 decades of academic leadership, vision and expertise

Feb. 27, 2025

Dr. Heather Hulburt Norris has been named App State’s next chancellor, effective March 1. University of North Carolina System President Peter Hans made the announcement upon election by the UNC Board of Governors of the 17-campus University of North Carolina System on Feb. 27.

Events

Jun
28
Amos Lee
An Appalachian Summer
Saturday, June 28, 2025
7:30 p.m.
Philadelphia-born singer-songwriter Amos Lee released his gold-selling self-titled first album in 2005 and has been known for his association with a long list of collaborators and touring partners, from Paul Simon and Bob Dylan to Zac Brown Band and Willie Nelson. The force behind such acclaimed albums as “Mission Bell” and “Mountains of Sorrow, Rivers of Song,” Lee’s recent years have been wildly productive.
Jun
28
Evening at DSO
Dark Sky Observatory
Saturday, June 28, 2025
9 - 11 p.m.
Join us for our next Evening at DSO event to see different objects in the night sky including Mars, nebulae, star clusters and galaxies. Tickets are required. The session will begin with a short PowerPoint about the activities and the objects that will be observed. If the event is clouded/rained-out at the last minute, we will have indoor activities including a PowerPoint slide show, discussion, and a facility tour.
Jun
29
14th Annual Rosen-Schaffel Competition Winner’s Recital
An Appalachian Summer
Sunday, June 29, 2025
3 - 4 p.m.
The winner of the 14th Annual Rosen-Schaffel Competition for Young and Emerging Artists will perform a full recital of the works they performed during the competition held earlier that morning.
Jul
3
ARTtalk: “Threading Communities,” Kelsey Merreck Wagner
An Appalachian Summer
Thursday, July 3, 2025
5 p.m.
Introducing Kelsey Merreck Wagner’s artist’s residency at the Jim Thompson Farm in the Pak Thong Chai District, Nakhon Ratchasima Province, Thailand in 2024. Wagner will discuss a selection of the exhibiting artists in “Threading: Contemporary Art of Thailand,” on view at the Turchin Center.
Jul
3
Celebrating Our Country and Community through Music
An Appalachian Summer
Thursday, July 3, 2025
7:30 p.m.
Bring the whole family to an inspiring musical event! Faculty from the Hayes School of Music and young musicians from Cannon Music Camp’s 57th season present an interactive concert for all ages. Celebrating Country and Community through Music kicks off the lead-up to the U.S. Semiquincentennial, marking 250 years since the Declaration of Independence. Enjoy familiar tunes performed by soloists, chamber groups, singers, bands, and keyboardists, concluding with a thrilling full-orchestra finale.
Jul
6
Ranky Tanky with Ms. Lisa Fischer
An Appalachian Summer
Sunday, July 6, 2025
7:30 p.m.
Ranky Tanky (a Gullah phrase for “get funky”), whose jazz-influenced arrangements of traditional Gullah music NPR calls “lively, soulful honey to the ears” joins forces with Grammy winner Lisa Fischer, who the Minneapolis Star Tribune says brings “soul, jazz, rock, gospel, folk, pop, and classical … [and] cuts loose with funk and fierceness and rocks with abandon.”

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App State earns R2 designation for high research activity and doctorate production

University’s commitment to applied research benefits students, communities and industries

Feb. 13, 2025

App State has earned a Research 2 designation through the Carnegie Classification system for high research activity and doctorate production. App State’s research expenditures in fiscal year 2023 were more than $8.4 million and, in 2022–23, the university awarded 20 doctoral degrees.

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