Nevaeh Knox, a first-year finance and banking major from Charlotte, left in foreground, moves into App State’s Newland Hall, assisted by her family. Knox’s grandmother, Ida Blakeney, center, grew up in Boone, and shared her love of the area with her, Knox said. Photo by Chase Reynolds
Mary Smith, a first-year student from Marion, center, is pictured with her Mountaineer alumnus father, David Smith ’93, left, and her mother, Greta Smith. Mary Smith is majoring in communication sciences and disorders and hopes to become a speech therapist. Photo by Chase Reynolds
Appalachian State University wrestling team seniors Mike Burchell, from Madison, Connecticut, left, and Cody Bond, from Madison County, Georgia, helped new incoming students move into their residence halls during the fall 2021 move-in week. Burchell is majoring in management, and Bond is a health and physical education, K–12 major. Photo by Chase Reynolds
First-year student Emily Milano, from Huntersville, pictured at left in front, is joined by her family as she moves into Laurel Creek Hall — Appalachian State University’s newest residence hall. Milano, who is majoring in communication, journalism, plans to decorate her Mountaineer home with a travel poster, marking all the places she has visited. Photo by Chase Reynolds
Emma Wille, a first-year psychology major from Jacksonville, left, said she brought “everything” when moving into her new Mountaineer home at Appalachian State University. She is pictured with her parents. Photo by Chase Reynolds
Thomas Sims, a first-year marketing major from High Point, pushes a cart laden with storage racks, bedding, a rug and other items as he settles into his room in Appalachian State University’s Raven Rocks Residence Hall. Photo by Chase Reynolds
With her mom and dad helping, a student moves her belongings into Mountain Laurel Hall, a residence hall exclusively for App State transfer students. Approximately 20% of the hall’s residents are continuing transfer students who will provide guidance and mentorship to new transfer students. Photo by Chase Reynolds
Appalachian State University junior and transfer student April Michelle Farley, a languages, literatures and cultures major from Gastonia, right, moves into Mountain Laurel Hall — with her father, Byron Farley, by her side. Mountain Laurel Hall is exclusively for App State transfer students. Photo by Chase Reynolds
Resident assistants Gracie Brown, left, and Sarah Wallace are pictured on-site at Appalachian State University’s Eggers Hall, ready to welcome incoming students. Brown, a sophomore from Wake Forest majoring in communication studies, said she served as a camp counselor for several years and looks forward to applying her “people skills” to her position as an RA. Wallace, a sophomore from Raleigh, is majoring in social work with a minor in Spanish. Photo by Chase Reynolds
Sorindra Birjah, a first-year graphic design major from Charlotte, second from right, is joined by his family as he prepares to move into Laurel Creek Hall on Appalachian State University’s campus. Photo by Chase Reynolds
BOONE, N.C. — A caravan of cars, vans and trailers flowed into Boone beginning Monday, Aug. 9, carrying new Mountaineers, their families — and loads and loads of stuff.
“I brought everything,” said Emma Wille, a first-year psychology major from Jacksonville.
“Absolutely everything,” her father chimed in.
Outside each Appalachian State University residence hall, student volunteers were on hand to provide pushcarts and assist families in loading minifridges, suitcases, guitars, computers, snacks, bedding, décor and more.
Resident assistants (RAs) welcomed new students as they moved in, ready to help them adjust to campus life. “It can be a little stressful, trying to figure out how to do everything, so I am here for guidance,” said sophomore Sarah Wallace, an Eggers Hall RA from Raleigh.
Wallace, who is majoring in social work with a minor in Spanish, advised incoming students to “put yourself out there.” She added, “Don’t be afraid to go around and meet people. Attend as many events as you can.”
On the night they moved in, students attended a residence hall meeting to review hall and campus information and connect with others on their floor. Welcome to App events — designed as an extension of summer orientation for first-year and transfer students — provided additional opportunities for students to meet one another and acclimate to campus.
In total, 6,200 students moved into residence halls, including approximately:
- 800 early arrivals, including the Marching Mountaineers, some student-athletes and other groups.
- 4,200 new students who arrived Aug. 9–12, including first-year students and new transfer students.
- 1,200 continuing students who arrived Aug. 13–15.
Classes at App State began Monday.
What do you think?
Share your feedback on this 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.
![App State to offer AI concentration in master’s programs [faculty featured]](/_images/_posts/2025/04/ai-concentration-600x400.jpg)
