Appalachian Today

Congratulations Dr. Heather Hulburt Norris, Chancellor

Feb. 27, 2025

On Feb. 27, 2025, the UNC Board of Governors elected Dr. Heather Hulburt Norris as the next leader of Appalachian State University. Norris has served as interim chancellor since April 2024. Her career has been characterized by her strong, collaborative leadership and service to both App State and the greater community, and she brings more than two decades of academic leadership, vision and expertise to her role as chancellor.

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.
myFutureNC recognizes App State as a Champion for Attainment for work to ease transfer student pathways
Feb. 26, 2025
App State’s Aspire Appalachian program for transfer students has earned recognition as a 2025 myFutureNC Champion for Attainment for its dedication to expanding access, success and completion for adult learners across North Carolina.
Transferring to a UNC System university is quicker with streamlined process
Feb. 25, 2025
A new UNC System policy, to be implemented by spring 2026, will help create a streamlined process that shortens a transfer student’s wait period for transcript review — ensuring accelerated access for students seeking to transfer to UNC System schools.
App State reports record spring 2025 enrollment, strong retention rate despite Helene impacts
Feb. 11, 2025
Despite the impacts of Hurricane Helene in fall 2024, App State has experienced a 2.2% increase in spring 2025 enrollment numbers compared with spring 2024. The university’s retention of first-year students from the fall to spring semester is 94.4%, a five-year high.
App State New River Light and Power scholarship supports aspiring lineworkers in Watauga County
2025 application deadline is April 10
Feb. 10, 2025
App State’s New River Light has partnered with Caldwell Community College and Technical Institute to establish the NRLP Lineworker Scholarship, which supports graduating seniors from Watauga High School and Watauga Innovation Academy who take part in the college’s Electrical Lineworker Institute.
How to pay for college and minimize student debt
3 App State alums explain how they graduated debt free
Feb. 10, 2025
In this feature, App State alumni share examples of the many ways to pay for college. Nearly 70% of App State students receive financial aid during their time in school, including scholarships, grants, loans, work-study programs and tuition assistance.

Spring Family Weekend

March 28 – 30, 2025
Family Engagement

App State Family Weekend promotes the engagement of Mountaineer families through unique programming opportunities in the High Country. Paired with a sporting event and community events, Family Weekend provides families with a chance to experience Boone through the eyes of a student.

Events

Mar
5
Brian Harnetty: Re-Animating the Sound Archive
Music Humanities Series
Wednesday, March 5, 2025
6 - 7 p.m.
Over the past two decades, Brian Harnetty has located historical recordings that document spoken words and musical performance in archives across Appalachia and the Midwest, including the Berea Appalachian Sound Archives (Berea, Kentucky), the Little Cities of Black Diamonds Archive (Shawnee, Ohio), and the Thomas Merton Collection (Louisville, Kentucky). In this talk, Harnetty will discuss strategies by which people in the present relate to recorded sounds that document the past.
Mar
6
iBackAPP 2025
Thursday, March 6, 2025
Mark you calendars for iBackAPP Day! On this special day of giving — and of celebrating everything App State — we invite all Mountaineers to show support by making a gift of any amount, wearing black and gold, and sharing your App State pride on social media using #iBackAPP. You can also join the fun on our campuses by attending celebrations in Boone and in Hickory, or at one of our alumni chapter events being held around the country!
Mar
6
Brian Harnetty: Words and Silences
High Country Humanities
Thursday, March 6, 2025
8 - 9 p.m.
The event will begin with Brian Harnetty in conversation with App State Faculty members Dr. Jacob Kopcienski (Hayes School of Music) and Dr. Cuong Mai (Philosophy and Religion) about Thomas Merton’s life and work, and Harnetty’s composition process. After Harnetty performs “Words and Silences” (~45 minutes), the panel will answer questions and discuss the performance with the audience.
Mar
21
Todd M. Campbell: “Risk and Reward: The Transformative Power of YES in Business and Life”
Boyles Distinguished Lecture
Friday, March 21, 2025
11 a.m.
Appalachian State Univesity's Walker College of Business will host the 66th Boyles Distinguished Lecture featuring Todd M. Campbell '87, President and Chief Executive Officer of Builders Insurance Group. The lecture is open to the public with no cost to attend.
Mar
28
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30
Spring Family Weekend
Family Engagement
March 28 - 30, 2025
App State Family Weekend promotes the engagement of Mountaineer families through unique programming opportunities in the High Country. Paired with a sporting event and community events, Family Weekend provides families with a chance to experience Boone through the eyes of a student.
May
9
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10
Spring 2025 Commencement
May 9 - 10, 2025
Commencement is the ultimate celebration of one of the most significant accomplishments of our students' lifetimes. We are proud to honor your achievement.

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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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