Former Appalachian State University Chancellor John E. Thomas outside Appalachian State University’s John E. Thomas Hall. Photo by Mike Rominger
BOONE, N.C. — John E. Thomas, who served as Appalachian State University’s chancellor from 1979–93, died Thursday, Sept. 2, at the age of 90.
“Words cannot adequately express the profound impact the passing of Dr. John Thomas has on the Appalachian Community,” said App State Chancellor Sheri Everts. “He was the embodiment of what it means to be a Mountaineer: kind, service-oriented and community-focused.
“His legacy of innovation — and his strong belief that teaching and research work hand in hand — will be upheld on our campus for centuries to come. He will forever occupy a special place in my heart and in the heart of our campus community.”
As a former chancellor, Thomas is remembered for recruiting a first-rate faculty — believing that strong, effective teaching should be supported by research and community service. John E. Thomas Hall on App State’s campus is named in his honor.
Chancellor Emeritus John E. Thomas served as Appalachian State University’s Homecoming Grand Marshal in 2019. Photo by Marie Freeman
Former Appalachian State University Chancellor John E. Thomas smiles during a university history panel discussion held in Plemmons Student Union as part of the 2019 Founders Day celebration. With him are former Provost and Acting Chancellor Harvey R. Durham, foreground, and history professor Dr. Andrea Burns, who moderated the discussion of what App State was like in the 1970s and 1980s. Photo by Marie Freeman
Former Appalachian State University Chancellor Francis T. Borkowski, left, gives App State Chancellor Emeritus John E. Thomas a copy of the latest edition of The Appalachian Faculty Emeriti during the university’s 100th anniversary celebration in 1999. The 400-page publication is dedicated to Thomas. Photo courtesy of the Appalachian State University Historical Photographs Collection
Appalachian State University Chancellor Sheri Everts shares a laugh with former App State Chancellor John E. Thomas in the Founders Bell Pavilion during Founders Day, held Sept. 5, 2019. In a message to campus, Everts said he was her "trusted mentor and dear friend. I will always treasure the time I spent with him." Photo by Chase Reynolds
Under his leadership, App State:
- Established the university’s first doctoral program, in educational leadership.
- Formalized international exchange programs in a dozen countries including China, Russia, Mexico and Costa Rica.
- Introduced An Appalachian Summer Festival — an annual celebration of the performing and visual arts.
- Initiated the public transportation system now known as the AppalCART.
- Built AppalNet, originally an eight-channel campus cable system, and a campuswide audio, video and data system.
- Grew enrollment from 10,179 in 1979–80 to 12,092 in 1992–93.
Thomas joined the staff of App State in 1974 as vice chancellor for academic affairs. He held a bachelor’s degree in electrical engineering from the University of Kansas, and a Juris Doctor in law.
Appalachian State University Chancellor Emeritus John E. Thomas rings the Founders Bell at App State’s Founders Day Ceremony in 2019. Photo by Marie Freeman
John E. Thomas, chancellor at Appalachian State University from 1979–93, boards the AppalCART, which was started as a shuttle service for students during his tenure in 1980. Photo courtesy of the Appalachian State University Historical Photographs Collection
John E. Thomas, who served as chancellor at Appalachian State University from 1979–93, is pictured sitting at his desk in the B. B. Dougherty Administration Building on App State’s campus. Photo courtesy of the Appalachian State University Historical Photographs Collection
John E. Thomas, chancellor at Appalachian State University from 1979–93, is pictured standing in a conference room beside a television set displaying a program broadcast through the university’s KU-Band satellite uplink. Photo courtesy of the Appalachian State University Historical Photographs Collection
He served in the Navy ROTC at the University of Kansas and in the Marine Corps during the Korean War. Prior to coming to App State, Thomas worked seven years as an engineer at NASA and served as a faculty member at East Texas State University, now known as Texas A&M University-Commerce.
After retiring as chancellor in 1993, he returned in 1994 to teach for the next decade in the Department of Management in App State’s Walker College of Business.
Thomas is survived by his wife, Jan Thomas, and his children — Christa Cooper; Brandon Thomas ’92 ’98; and Dr. Scott Thomas ’96, who is a lecturer and lab manager at App State. Thomas was preceded in death by his son John L. Thomas.
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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, 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.
