Skip to main content

Appalachian Today

News and events at Appalachian State University
  • Subscribe
  • For the media
  • Contact
  • Events
  • In the News
  • Research & Creativity
  • Awards
  • Experts
  • All Posts
  • Topics
  • Accolades
  • Alumni
  • Arts and Humanities
  • Athletics
  • Awards and Honors
  • Community Engagement
  • Events
  • Faculty and Staff
  • Gifts and Grants
  • Global
  • Health and Wellness
  • Publications
  • Research and Creativity
  • Safety
  • Scholarships
  • Students
  • Sustainability
☰ Menu
  • Events
  • In the News
  • Research & Creativity
  • Awards
  • Experts
  • All Posts
  • Topics
  • Subscribe
  • For the media
  • Contact

App State names 10 Plemmons Leadership Scholarship recipients

By Jan Todd
Posted July 24, 2019 at 2:27 p.m.

BOONE, N.C. — Ten incoming first-year students at Appalachian State University have been named W.H. Plemmons Leadership Scholars. These scholarship recipients will participate in a four-year, in-depth experience aimed at creating successful leaders.

The scholarship program was developed in 1994 to honor Appalachian’s second president, Dr. William H. Plemmons, who was committed to providing students with out-of-class experiences that would complement their learning in class.

Each will receive a four-year scholarship in the amount of $2,000 per year, plus specialized leadership opportunities, seminars, retreats, outdoor leadership experiences, special classes and financial support for participation in leadership conferences.

Plemmons Leadership Scholars are selected based on their strong academic records and their demonstration of leadership and innovation in their high schools or communities.

The 2019–20 Plemmons Leadership Scholarship recipients:

View larger image

Madeline “Maddy” Babb, of Clover, South Carolina, is a recipient of Appalachian State University’s Plemmons Leadership Scholarship. Photo submitted

Madeline “Maddy” Babb

Clover, South Carolina

A graduate of the South Carolina Governor’s School for Science and Mathematics, Babb was president of the Acts of Random Kindness and weightlifting clubs, and a member of the track and field team. She plans to major in nursing at Appalachian.

View larger image

Brianna Bello, of Winterville, is a recipient of Appalachian State University’s Plemmons Leadership Scholarship. Photo submitted

Brianna Bello

Winterville, North Carolina

Bello is a graduate of D.H. Conley High School, where she was the swim team captain and the art historian for school’s chapter of the National Art Honor Society. She plans to major in political science with a concentration in international and comparative politics.

View larger image

Alexander Brodie, of Hillsborough, is a recipient of Appalachian State University’s Plemmons Leadership Scholarship. Photo submitted

Alexander Brodie

Hillsborough, North Carolina

Brodie is a graduate of Middle College High School at Durham Technical Community College. He was a youth liaison for the advisory board of Made in Durham, a community organization that facilitates conversations about racial equity and advocates for at-risk local youth. He plans to major in sustainable development with a concentration in environmental studies.

View larger image

Gray Fandel, of Mint Hill, is a recipient of Appalachian State University’s Plemmons Leadership Scholarship. Photo submitted

Gray Fandel

Mint Hill, North Carolina

Fandel is a graduate of Independence High School, where he was on the varsity swim team. He is an Eagle Scout and describes himself as an avid activist for human rights and the environment. Fandel plans to major in theatre education.

View larger image

Cody Hill, of Swannanoa, is a recipient of Appalachian State University’s Plemmons Leadership Scholarship. Photo submitted

Cody Hill

Swannanoa, North Carolina

Hill is a graduate of Charles D. Owen High School, where he headed the Student Empowerment Commission Club, was a member of the school’s book club and completed a 22-day Outward Bound course. Hill plans to major in chemistry.

View larger image

Preston Hilliard, of Asheville, is a recipient of Appalachian State University’s Plemmons Leadership Scholarship. Photo submitted

Preston Hilliard

Asheville, North Carolina

Hilliard is a graduate of the School of Inquiry and Life Sciences in Asheville, where she was president of the International Thespian Society, a leader on the speech and debate team and the publicist for Girl Up, a United Nations Foundation club for empowering young women leaders to defend gender equality. Hilliard plans to major in communication studies.

View larger image

Nyasia Jackson, of Maxton, is a recipient of Appalachian State University’s Plemmons Leadership Scholarship. Photo submitted

Nyasia Jackson

Maxton, North Carolina

Jackson is a graduate of Purnell Swett High School, where she was named all-conference in volleyball. Jackson is a certified nursing assistant and plans to major in nursing.

View larger image

Jay Mullinax, of Mills River, is a recipient of Appalachian State University’s Plemmons Leadership Scholarship. Photo submitted

Jay Mullinax

Mills River, North Carolina

Mullinax is a graduate of Hendersonville High School, where he earned first place in the state mock trial team competition. He plans to major in pre-professional legal studies.

View larger image

Tori Rodriguez, of Morganton, is a recipient of Appalachian State University’s Plemmons Leadership Scholarship. Photo submitted

Tori Rodriguez

Morganton, North Carolina

Rodriguez holds an associate degree from Burke Middle College, where she served as a parliamentarian in the school’s Student Government Association. She plans to major in communication with a concentration in public relations.

View larger image

Lakin Stevens, of High Point, is a recipient of Appalachian State University’s Plemmons Leadership Scholarship. Photo submitted

Lakin Stevens

High Point, North Carolina

Stevens is a graduate of High Point Central High School, where she was a Youth Advisory Council member for Keep America Beautiful and served as a “breakfast buddy” for an elementary student needing help outside of traditional classroom time. She also attended the North Carolina Governor’s School for its French program. Stevens plans to major in psychology with a concentration in social science.

What do you think?

Share your feedback on this story.

Appalachian awards 11 students Plemmons Scholarships for 2017-2018
Appalachian awards 11 students Plemmons Scholarships for 2017-2018
Aug. 2, 2017

Eleven first-year students at Appalachian State University have been awarded Plemmons Leadership Scholarships. Plemmons Scholars have shown outstanding leadership in either their high schools or communities.

Read the story

About Scholarships at App State

Appalachian State University offers students the opportunity to receive a world-class education at an affordable rate, with an average of $25 million awarded to incoming, current and transfer students each year based on need, as well as academic and athletic achievement. On average, about $4.9 million in outside aid is awarded to App State students annually. App State’s Office of Student Financial Aid and University Scholarships assists students in learning about and applying for these university scholarship opportunities and also shares information about non-App State scholarships. Learn more at https://scholarships.appstate.edu.

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, cost-effective education. 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.

Share

Topics

  • Awards and Honors
  • Gifts and Grants
  • Scholarships
  • Students

What do you think?

Share your feedback on this story.

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.
  • Events may be found in the University Calendar

Share

Topics

  • Awards and Honors
  • Gifts and Grants
  • Scholarships
  • Students

Other Recent Posts

  • Builders Insurance Group commits $500K to modernize App State Brantley Risk and Insurance Center
    Builders Insurance Group commits $500K to modernize App State Brantley Risk and Insurance Center
  • App State names 10 Chancellor’s Scholars for 2026–27
    App State names 10 Chancellor’s Scholars for 2026–27
  • Forrest Gilliam ’08 among App State Mountaineers working to rebuild Western NC 2 years after Helene
    Forrest Gilliam ’08 among App State Mountaineers working to rebuild Western NC 2 years after Helene
  • App State researchers partner to strengthen Western NC resilience 2 years post-Helene
    App State researchers partner to strengthen Western NC resilience 2 years post-Helene
  • Duncan Hall reopens at App State after $32 million transformation
    Duncan Hall reopens at App State after $32 million transformation
  • US News ranks App State No. 1 Best Value School for In-State Students in the South
    US News ranks App State No. 1 Best Value School for In-State Students in the South
  • NC universities ranked by free-speech advocacy group [faculty and staff featured]
    NC universities ranked by free-speech advocacy group [faculty and staff featured]
    Carolina Public Press
  • Leading with purpose, serving with impact: Founders Day honors 127 years of App State
    Leading with purpose, serving with impact: Founders Day honors 127 years of App State
  • App State spotlights research and creative activity driving innovation and community impact
    App State spotlights research and creative activity driving innovation and community impact
  • Second life, stronger start: App State and E2D provide 200 refurbished laptops to first-year students
    Second life, stronger start: App State and E2D provide 200 refurbished laptops to first-year students
  • App State marks fall 2026 with historic online, graduate, transfer and first-gen student enrollment
    App State marks fall 2026 with historic online, graduate, transfer and first-gen student enrollment
  • Nepal’s Hydropower Industry Was Booming. Now 900 Workers Are Missing. [faculty featured]
    Nepal’s Hydropower Industry Was Booming. Now 900 Workers Are Missing. [faculty featured]
    The New York Times

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.
  • Events may be found in the University Calendar
  • Events
  • In the News
  • Research & Creativity
  • Awards
  • Experts
  • All Posts
  • Topics
  • Subscribe
  • For the media
  • COVID updates
  • Contact

App State

Copyright 2026 Appalachian State University. All rights reserved.

University Communications
ASU Box 32153
Boone, NC 28608
828-262-6156
[email protected]

Abouts

Disclaimer | EO Policy | Accessibility | Website manager: montaldipa (beltmr) .. | Website Feedback

Facebook Twitter YouTube Instagram LinkedIn Snapchat