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.

Rock garden and lab expanded at App State after Helene cleanup
Now featuring 4 new boulders, the garden remains a key teaching tool for students
July 1, 2025
App State’s Fred Webb Jr. Outdoor Geology Lab, also known as the “Rock Garden” — a resource for geology students, researchers and K–12 school groups — has been fully restored after the damage it sustained from Hurricane Helene. The garden now features more than 50 boulders, including several new specimens.
Appalachian Energy Summit exceeds 2025 goal with $2.37 billion in statewide avoided energy costs
App State realizes over $90 million in avoided utility savings
June 30, 2025
At App State’s 14th annual Appalachian Energy Summit, N.C. State Energy Office representatives announced that, since 2002–03, the UNC System and its partners have collectively avoided $2.37 billion in energy costs, exceeding the 2025 goal of $2 billion.
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.

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

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.”
Jul
9
Tessa Lark (violin), Joshua Roman (cello), and Edgar Meyer (double bass)
An Appalachian Summer
Wednesday, July 9, 2025
7:30 p.m.
Grammy-nominated violinst Tessa Lark, acclaimed cellist Joshua Roman, and virtuoso bassist Edgar Meyer combine talents for an unparalleled evening of music.
Jul
10
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23rd Annual Martin and Doris Rosen Symposium
July 10 - 16, 2025
The 23rd Annual Martin and Doris Rosen Symposium, supported by the Claims Conference on Jewish Material Claims Against Germany, the Martin and Doris Rosen Symposium Endowment, and the local Jewish community, will be held at the Appalachian State University. This year’s theme is “Rescue during the Holocaust: The Power of Courage.” We will explore exciting and emotional stories of rescue during the Holocaust to better understand the dire situation of European Jews leading up to, during, and after the Holocaust.
Jul
11
Joan Osborne & Lisa Loeb
An Appalachian Summer
Friday, July 11, 2025
7:30 p.m.
Lisa Loeb and Joan Osborne, two unmistakable voices of the ’90s,team up for a special evening marking the 30th anniversaries of their breakthrough albums — Loeb’s “Tails” and Osborne’s “Relish.” Revisit the songs that shaped a generation, alongside new music and career-spanning fan favorites.

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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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