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According to artist Jon Hair, his sculpture “Aspire,” pictured amid a snow flurry, represents the “positive, uplifting aspects of human aspirations.” The artwork is located on Appalachian State University’s campus, near Roess Dining Hall. Photo by Marie Freeman

Voices of inspiration

A look at generations of Black Mountaineers who inspire the Appalachian Community

By Megan Bruffy
Posted Feb. 25, 2021 at 5:14 p.m.

BOONE, N.C. — Generations of Black Mountaineers — from innovators to motivators — continue to inspire the Appalachian State University Community and beyond with their hard work, vision and dedication.

A story told by App State Chief Diversity Officer Willie Fleming illustrates how Black leaders may serve as role models for underrepresented students and the broader campus community: Fleming said one of his former students visited his App State office and noticed his regalia hanging on the door. The student later told Fleming he decided — the day of his visit — that he, too, would one day earn a doctorate. Fleming said the student, who received his doctoral degree, is now chair of an academic department at an HBCU (historically Black college or university).

Read on to learn about some of App State’s most prominent and influential Black figures, including staff, alumni and a faculty member.

App State’s Dr. Tempestt Adams prepares future teachers to lead their students on a journey of exploration
App State’s Dr. Tempestt Adams prepares future teachers to lead their students on a journey of exploration
Oct. 28, 2019

Dr. Tempestt Adams in Appalachian’s career and technical education (CTE) program uses research-based techniques to develop high school instructors for classes that could directly impact their students’ college and career choices.

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Scholarship honors Dr. Willie C. Fleming, builds diversity legacy
Scholarship honors Dr. Willie C. Fleming, builds diversity legacy
Oct. 9, 2020

App State’s Dr. Willie C. Fleming Scholarship is a win-win for diversity, according to its initiator, Judge Gary Henderson ’92 ’94. Recipients, who are provided full in-state tuition and fees, mentorship and additional opportunities, benefit the Appalachian Community through their leadership efforts to promote cultural diversity.

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From mountains to skyscrapers — App State alumnus reflects on his path as an NYC artist
From mountains to skyscrapers — App State alumnus reflects on his path as an NYC artist
Oct. 29, 2020

App State alumnus Kameron Neal ’14 credits his Appalachian Experience with setting his career course as a multidisciplinary artist living and working in New York City. Here, Neal reflects on his time at App State and the opportunities that helped broaden his artistry.

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Dr. Tandrea Carter appointed App State ombudsperson — a neutral facilitator for conflict resolution
Dr. Tandrea Carter appointed App State ombudsperson — a neutral facilitator for conflict resolution
Oct. 15, 2020

Carter began her new role as ombudsperson Sept. 15. As ombudsperson, Carter provides confidential, impartial and off-the-record problem-solving and dispute resolution assistance to App State students, faculty and staff at no cost.

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App State faculty member fosters equitable experiences for underrepresented students
App State faculty member fosters equitable experiences for underrepresented students
Oct. 20, 2020

App State’s Dr. Jamie Parson is fostering access to careers in insurance for underrepresented students in the Walker College of Business through diversity and inclusion initiatives designed to give students the resources they need to be successful.

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App State’s Paul Meggett named among NC’s top 100 African American attorneys for 2nd consecutive year
App State’s Paul Meggett named among NC’s top 100 African American attorneys for 2nd consecutive year
March 1, 2021

For the second consecutive year, App State General Counsel Paul Meggett has been selected for membership in The National Black Lawyers Top 100. He is one of 13 North Carolina attorneys recognized this year for promoting diversity and equality.

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US Army Women’s Foundation honors Edna Cummings — App State alumna and military trailblazer
US Army Women’s Foundation honors Edna Cummings — App State alumna and military trailblazer
March 20, 2020

Appalachian’s first African American female ROTC graduate, Edna W. Cummings ’78, is one of the newest inductees in the U.S. Army Women’s Foundation Hall of Fame. Cummings is a retired Army colonel with a distinguished 25-year military career.

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App State announces appointment of senior director of admissions
App State announces appointment of senior director of admissions
July 10, 2020

Kimberly Holley, who comes to Appalachian from North Carolina State University, has 15 years of experience in college admissions. She has worked with students from marginalized populations while assisting organizations with improving their overall diversity enrollment.

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Renowned drummer Shirazette Tinnin ’02 shares the rhythm of her life
Renowned drummer Shirazette Tinnin ’02 shares the rhythm of her life

Q&A with an App State alumna about her journey toward a professional music career in NYC

Feb. 17, 2021

In this Q&A, App State alumna Shirazette Tinnin ’02 shares details about her life as a professional musician in New York City, some of her experiences as a Mountaineer, the trials she has encountered and the lessons she has learned along the way.

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Sellers joins App State’s Intercultural Student Affairs
Sellers joins App State’s Intercultural Student Affairs
July 10, 2020

Lamont A. Sellers, the former senior diversity officer at the University of South Dakota, is the new director of intercultural student affairs at Appalachian State University as of July 1.

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Explore stories on App State diversity

Diversity and inclusion at App State by the numbers, fall 2020
  • 18% racially and ethnically underrepresented students.
  • 56% growth in underrepresented students since 2014.
  • 97% growth in first-year underrepresented students since 2014.
  • 12.5% underrepresented full-time faculty.
  • 20.6% underrepresented new faculty hires.
  • 38.5% growth in underrepresented faculty since 2014.
  • 100% growth in underrepresented staff since 2014.
  • 60.4% growth in total underrepresented employees since 2014.
Hear from the chief diversity officer
Hear from the chief diversity officer

Dr. Willie Fleming, App State’s first chief diversity officer of a stand-alone office, regularly shares updates with faculty, staff and students regarding progress on the university’s diversity and inclusion initiatives.

Read more
Faces of Courage
Faces of Courage

Take a look back at App State’s Faces of Courage honorees who championed early diversity efforts at the university.

Read the story
App State alumna Bre Whitman ’20
App State alumna Bre Whitman ’20
Feb. 15, 2021

Whitman, who is Boone Police Department’s first female African American police officer, shares her perspectives on serving as team manager for the App State women’s basketball team during her time at App State — and being a role model for generations of underrepresented children. As part of the Sun Belt Conference’s Be The Change initiative, Whitman and Appalachian Police Department Officer Cashae Cook ’14 were recognized at a recent home women’s basketball game, designated as “Spread the Love/First Responders Night.”

Watch the video
App State joins national alliance to develop more diverse, inclusive STEM faculty
App State joins national alliance to develop more diverse, inclusive STEM faculty
Dec. 4, 2020

App State has joined 18 other higher education institutions across the nation in a three-year effort to develop inclusive best practices for recruiting, hiring and retaining STEM faculty, as well as ensuring all STEM faculty engage in inclusive teaching, advising and research mentoring.

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15 App State, High Country police officers now certified as implicit bias trainers
15 App State, High Country police officers now certified as implicit bias trainers
Nov. 19, 2020

A bias training event hosted and sponsored by the Appalachian Police Department certified 15 App State and High Country police officers as implicit bias trainers.

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Poised for postgraduate success — App State Fleming Scholars continue diversity advocacy
Poised for postgraduate success — App State Fleming Scholars continue diversity advocacy
Oct. 9, 2020

The first four recipients of App State’s full-tuition Dr. Willie C. Fleming Scholarship — a rising business leader, a college adviser, a graduate student hopeful and a medical professional — have graduated from App State and are poised for postgraduate success. Learn about their next steps beyond App State.

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App State welcomes 10 aspiring leaders into 2020–21 Diversity Scholars Program
App State welcomes 10 aspiring leaders into 2020–21 Diversity Scholars Program
Oct. 9, 2020

Appalachian’s Diversity Scholarship is awarded to students who have demonstrated leadership potential, academic achievement, a willingness to create positive change and a commitment to the principles of diversity.

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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.

Diversity and inclusion at App State by the numbers, fall 2020
  • 18% racially and ethnically underrepresented students.
  • 56% growth in underrepresented students since 2014.
  • 97% growth in first-year underrepresented students since 2014.
  • 12.5% underrepresented full-time faculty.
  • 20.6% underrepresented new faculty hires.
  • 38.5% growth in underrepresented faculty since 2014.
  • 100% growth in underrepresented staff since 2014.
  • 60.4% growth in total underrepresented employees since 2014.
Hear from the chief diversity officer
Hear from the chief diversity officer

Dr. Willie Fleming, App State’s first chief diversity officer of a stand-alone office, regularly shares updates with faculty, staff and students regarding progress on the university’s diversity and inclusion initiatives.

Read more
Faces of Courage
Faces of Courage

Take a look back at App State’s Faces of Courage honorees who championed early diversity efforts at the university.

Read the story
App State alumna Bre Whitman ’20
App State alumna Bre Whitman ’20
Feb. 15, 2021

Whitman, who is Boone Police Department’s first female African American police officer, shares her perspectives on serving as team manager for the App State women’s basketball team during her time at App State — and being a role model for generations of underrepresented children. As part of the Sun Belt Conference’s Be The Change initiative, Whitman and Appalachian Police Department Officer Cashae Cook ’14 were recognized at a recent home women’s basketball game, designated as “Spread the Love/First Responders Night.”

Watch the video

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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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