Dr. Sheri N. Everts takes the oath of office as Appalachian State University’s seventh chancellor. She was formally installed into office during ceremonies held April 17 on campus. (Photo by Marie Freeman)
BOONE—Appalachian State University’s seventh chancellor, Dr. Sheri N. Everts, was formally installed into office during ceremonies Friday, April 17, on campus.
The University of North Carolina System President Thomas W. Ross presided over the installation of Everts saying, “There is not a doubt in my mind that Sheri Everts is the right person to lead Appalachian State University today and in the years ahead.”
Ross added, “She stands firmly for academic excellence and student success. She is absolutely passionate about improving lives and communities through higher education. And after just nine months in the role, she has already demonstrated the vision, commitment, energy and dedication that will be required to be an outstanding leader for this institution.”
Everts came to Appalachian in July 2014. Prior to that she was provost and vice president for academic affairs at Illinois State University.
“A university campus is an amazing place of confluence where great leaders and ideas emerge for the betterment of society,” Everts said during her installation remarks.
“Our remarkable students, faculty and staff combined with an engaged community make this a very special place to live and to work. The passion for teaching, learning, innovation, creativity and service is palpable on this campus, and each day I am renewed by our community’s dedication to making a difference in the world,” she said. “Thank you for welcoming me as a partner in this. I am honored and humbly accept the task entrusted to me by our students, faculty, staff, the University of North Carolina system and the great state of North Carolina.”
Gov. Patrick L. McCrory, who also attended the event, took the opportunity to promote his plan to seek up to $3 billion in a state bond referendum that, if approved by the state’s voters, would be used for transportation, infrastructure and education.
“Over $500 million of those bonds will be directed to our great universities throughout North Carolina and $70 million of those bonds to be approved by the voters would be directed toward a new health facility right here at Appalachian State University,” he said.
“Now let’s make it happen,” he said of the referendum that would be held in November.
The N.C. General Assembly has already authorized up to $8 million in state funds for the university to plan the new facility.
Appalachian has been seeking state funds to construct a building to house the Donald C. Beaver College of Health Sciences, which would be located on State Farm Road in Boone adjacent to Watauga Medical Center.
Other dignitaries at the installation were U.S. Congresswoman Virginia Foxx, N.C. Rep. Nelson Dollar, and representatives from the UNC Board of Governors, Town of Boone, UNC system universities, N.C. community colleges, various regional colleges and universities, and faculty, staff and students of Appalachian.
About Appalachian State University
As the premier public undergraduate institution in the state of North Carolina, Appalachian State University prepares students to lead purposeful lives as global citizens who understand and engage their responsibilities in creating a sustainable future for all. The Appalachian Experience promotes a spirit of inclusion that brings people together in inspiring ways to acquire and create knowledge, to grow holistically, to act with passion and determination, and to embrace diversity and difference. Located in the Blue Ridge Mountains, Appalachian is one of 17 campuses in the University of North Carolina System. Appalachian enrolls more than 19,000 students, has a low student-to-faculty ratio and offers more than 150 undergraduate and graduate majors.
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