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A scene from Appalachian's 2017 Veterans Day ceremony. Photo by Marie Freeman

The Appalachian Community has strong military connections and support for student veterans

By Linda Coutant
Posted Nov. 9, 2018 at 8:46 a.m.

BOONE, N.C. — Each November, America celebrates Veterans Day. Who within the Appalachian Community are veterans?

Nearly 300 Appalachian State University students self-identify as veterans — representing active duty, reserve/guard, separated from military and retirees. Appalachian’s ROTC program, which celebrates its 50th anniversary in 2019, enrolls 127 students. Appalachian alumni include top-ranking officers and personnel at all levels across the military branches.

Here are a few examples of the Appalachian Community’s connection with the military:

Students

Former U.S. Marine Becca Ryan says she’s glad she chose Appalachian
Former U.S. Marine Becca Ryan says she’s glad she chose Appalachian
Nov. 7, 2018

The global studies major recommends Appalachian to other veterans, based on her personal experience and Appalachian’s national recognition as a Military Friendly® School.

Read the story
Military couple pursues degrees together in Beaver College of Health Sciences
Military couple pursues degrees together in Beaver College of Health Sciences
Nov. 8, 2018

Dylan Harris and Alexandra Stivers, both Navy veterans, are majoring in the health sciences: Harris in nutrition and foods, and Stivers in nursing.

Read the story
Appalachian’s ROTC program
Appalachian’s ROTC program

Meet some of the women and men studying military science and leadership through the Mountain Battalion. Established in 1969, the program provides students with training to develop self-discipline, physical stamina and poise, as well as the organizational and motivational skills that contribute to success in any career.

Watch the video

Alumni

Lt. Gen. Robert Ashley ’84
Lt. Gen. Robert Ashley ’84
Oct. 11, 2018

Lt. Gen. Robert Ashley ’84 has earned a rank attained by less than half of 1 percent of Army officers. He became the 21st director of the Defense Intelligence Agency (DIA) in October 2017 and received the Distinguished Alumni Award from Appalachian’s Alumni Association in September.

Read the story
Maj. Gen. Edward M. Reeder Jr. ’81
Maj. Gen. Edward M. Reeder Jr. ’81
July 23, 2013

A retired two-star major general with the U.S. Army, Maj. Gen. Edward M. Reeder Jr. '81 was commissioned as an Army officer through Appalachian’s ROTC program. He served 34 years in the military, deploying to more than 30 countries. Appalachian’s Alumni Association presented him with its Distinguished Alumni Award in 2013.

Read the story

About Appalachian State University

As a premier public institution, Appalachian State University prepares students to lead purposeful lives. App State is one of 17 campuses in the University of North Carolina System, with a national reputation for innovative teaching and opening access to a high-quality, affordable education for all. The university enrolls more than 21,000 students, has a low student-to-faculty ratio and offers more than 150 undergraduate and 80 graduate majors at its Boone and Hickory campuses and through App State Online. Learn more at https://www.appstate.edu.

A Military Friendly® School since 2010

Since 2010, Victory Media, the premier media entity for military personnel transitioning into civilian life, has awarded Appalachian the designation of Military Friendly® School.

The designation places Appalachian in the top 15 percent of colleges, universities and trade schools in the country that are doing the most to embrace military students, and to dedicate resources to ensure their success in the classroom and after graduation.

For the 2018–19 academic year, Appalachian made Victory Media’s Top 10 list for Military Friendly® Schools, ranking No. 9 among large public universities.

Appalachian’s services for veterans
Admissions and Academics
  • Veteran and military orientation.
  • Transfer credit.
  • Priority registration.
  • Grant opportunities.
  • Scholarships.
  • Student veteran library resources.
  • Honor cords at graduation.
University support
  • Coordinator of Student Veteran Services Eric Gormly.
  • The Major General Edward M. Reeder Jr. Student Veteran Resource Center in Plemmons Student Union, which opened on Veterans Day, 2016.
  • A Student Veteran Services website detailing how Appalachian guides the transition from service to education, and through graduation and beyond.
  • A Military Affairs Committee, which advises university administration on policies, practices and environments.
Clubs and Organizations
  • Student Veterans Association.
  • National Society of Pershing Rifles, Company M-4.
  • Military Science and Leadership (ROTC).
  • National Society of Scabbard and Blade – F Company, 17th Regiment.
Learn more
Jehanne Dubrow on claiming a space for the military spouse in literature
Jehanne Dubrow on claiming a space for the military spouse in literature
June 1, 2018

Poet Jehanne Dubrow's work conjures up provocative and sensual imagery that frequently pushes against long-held notions of the role and contributions of the military spouse.

Listen to the podcast episode
Supporting Appalachian’s veterans
Supporting Appalachian’s veterans
Nov. 9, 2017

The Student Veteran Resource Center in Plemmons Student Union provides key services and important connections.

Read the story
Appalachian State University marks Veterans Day with grand opening of Student Veteran Resource Center
Appalachian State University marks Veterans Day with grand opening of Student Veteran Resource Center
Nov. 11, 2016

The center is named for Maj. Gen. Edward M. Reeder Jr., a 1981 Appalachian graduate.

Read the story
Appalachian honors military service at Veterans Day Ceremony
Appalachian honors military service at Veterans Day Ceremony
Nov. 12, 2018

Army Capt. Joseph Callaghan, a training officer and instructor with Appalachian’s Department of Military Science and Leadership (ROTC), thanked all veterans at the annual ceremony held on Appalachian’s campus at the Veterans Memorial

Read the story

What do you think?

Share your feedback on this story.

A Military Friendly® School since 2010

Since 2010, Victory Media, the premier media entity for military personnel transitioning into civilian life, has awarded Appalachian the designation of Military Friendly® School.

The designation places Appalachian in the top 15 percent of colleges, universities and trade schools in the country that are doing the most to embrace military students, and to dedicate resources to ensure their success in the classroom and after graduation.

For the 2018–19 academic year, Appalachian made Victory Media’s Top 10 list for Military Friendly® Schools, ranking No. 9 among large public universities.

Appalachian’s services for veterans
Admissions and Academics
  • Veteran and military orientation.
  • Transfer credit.
  • Priority registration.
  • Grant opportunities.
  • Scholarships.
  • Student veteran library resources.
  • Honor cords at graduation.
University support
  • Coordinator of Student Veteran Services Eric Gormly.
  • The Major General Edward M. Reeder Jr. Student Veteran Resource Center in Plemmons Student Union, which opened on Veterans Day, 2016.
  • A Student Veteran Services website detailing how Appalachian guides the transition from service to education, and through graduation and beyond.
  • A Military Affairs Committee, which advises university administration on policies, practices and environments.
Clubs and Organizations
  • Student Veterans Association.
  • National Society of Pershing Rifles, Company M-4.
  • Military Science and Leadership (ROTC).
  • National Society of Scabbard and Blade – F Company, 17th Regiment.
Learn more

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Appalachian Today is an online publication of Appalachian State University. This website consolidates university news, feature stories, events, photo galleries, videos and podcasts.

If you cannot find what you're looking for here, please refer to the following sources:

  • Podcasts may be found at Appalachian State University Podcasts
  • Stories and press releases published prior to Jan. 1, 2015 may be found in University Communications Records at the Special Collections Research Center.
  • A university-wide Google Calendar may be found at Events at Appalachian

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Archives

Appalachian Today is an online publication of Appalachian State University. This website consolidates university news, feature stories, events, photo galleries, videos and podcasts.

If you cannot find what you're looking for here, please refer to the following sources:

  • Podcasts may be found at Appalachian State University Podcasts
  • Stories and press releases published prior to Jan. 1, 2015 may be found in University Communications Records at the Special Collections Research Center.
  • A university-wide Google Calendar may be found at Events at Appalachian
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