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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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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 the premier public undergraduate institution in the Southeast, 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 nearly 21,000 students, has a low student-to-faculty ratio and offers more than 150 undergraduate and graduate majors.