BOONE, N.C. — Four first-year students at Appalachian State University have been named Dr. Willie C. Fleming Scholars, awarded full tuition for up to eight semesters.
The Fleming Scholarship program, designed to support students from underrepresented populations, was established to honor Dr. Willie C. Fleming ’80 ’84, Appalachian’s chief diversity officer.
Fleming Scholars are selected based on their desire to promote cultural diversity. In addition to covering full in-state tuition and fees, the scholarship provides mentorship by alumni, the opportunity to participate in inclusivity-focused events, and networking and team building within each cohort of recipients.
Fleming said academic excellence is also a key qualifier for the applicants, and as members of the Appalachian Community, they are called on to speak publicly and assume the responsibility of leadership, scholarship and community involvement.
“We are so pleased to welcome this remarkable group of students to Appalachian,” he said. “The mentorship they receive from our alumni during their time here will be an important part of their Appalachian Experience. These relationships have profound and enduring impact on both the students and the mentors.”
In the 1980s, Fleming served as Appalachian’s director of minority affairs, which is known today as director of multicultural student development. He founded the Appalachian Gospel Choir and the Black Student Association and is a founding member of the Black Faculty and Staff Association. Fleming was also instrumental in bringing black Greek life to the university.
The 2019–20 Dr. Willie C. Fleming Scholarship recipients:
Maya Renter, of Smithfield, South Carolina, is one of four students selected as Appalachian State University's 2019–20 Fleming Scholars. Photo submitted
Smithfield, South Carolina
Sarah Spencer, of Edenton, is one of four students selected as Appalachian State University's 2019–20 Fleming Scholars. Photo submitted
Edenton, North Carolina
Jaden Tuitt, of Charlotte, is one of four students selected as Appalachian State University's 2019–20 Fleming Scholars. Photo submitted
Charlotte, North Carolina
Jenna Woods, of Raleigh, is one of four students selected as Appalachian State University's 2019–20 Fleming Scholars. Photo submitted
Raleigh, North Carolina
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About the Dr. Willie C. Fleming Scholarship
The Dr. Willie C. Fleming Scholarship is designed to support students from underrepresented populations, with selection based on their desire to promote cultural diversity. In addition to covering full in-state tuition and fees, the renewable scholarship provides mentorship by alumni, the opportunity to participate in inclusivity-focused events, and networking and team building within each cohort of recipients. It was established to honor Dr. Willie C. Fleming ’80 ’84, who founded the Appalachian Gospel Choir and the Black Student Association, was a founding member of the Black Faculty and Staff Association and was also instrumental in bringing black Greek life to the university. Learn more at https://scholarships.appstate.edu.
About Scholarships at Appalachian
Appalachian State University offers students the opportunity to receive a world-class education at an affordable rate through various need- and merit-based scholarships. The university sets aside more than $4 million annually for scholarships, with scholarship opportunities available to incoming, current and transfer students. Appalachian’s Office of University Scholarships assists students in learning about and applying for these university scholarship opportunities and also shares information about non-Appalachian scholarships. Learn more at https://scholarships.appstate.edu.
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.
