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Frank Scholars Program will support 12 full-time App State students each year

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The late Hughlene Bostian Frank ’68, left, and her late husband, William “Bill” Frank, were longtime friends and supporters of Appalachian State University. Their estate recently provided funding for approximately 75% tuition for 12 full-time App State students from North Carolina’s Piedmont region, where the Franks lived. Photo by Marie Freeman

“Hughlene and Bill were beloved friends of the university and have left a lasting legacy that reflects how important App State was to them throughout their lives. Their gift speaks to the value the couple placed on education and to their deep and abiding love for App State and the young people who are drawn here.”

App State Chancellor Sheri Everts

“The couple’s lives were marked by their passions — education, community and creating opportunities.”

App State Vice Chancellor for University Advancement Jane Barghothi

By Jeffrey Swaim
Posted Oct. 25, 2021 at 1:29 p.m.

BOONE, N.C. — Twelve full-time Appalachian State University students from the state’s Piedmont region are beneficiaries of the Frank Scholars Program, funded by the late Hughlene Bostian Frank ’68 and William “Bill” Frank, who were longtime friends and supporters of App State.

“Hughlene and Bill were beloved friends of the university and have left a lasting legacy that reflects how important App State was to them throughout their lives. Their gift speaks to the value the couple placed on education and to their deep and abiding love for App State and the young people who are drawn here.”

App State Chancellor Sheri Everts

In their estate plans, Hughlene and Bill made a provision for a significant scholarship for App State students. Their gift will provide scholarships for students who are graduates of a high school located in Guilford County — the Franks’ home county.

“Hughlene and Bill were beloved friends of the university and have left a lasting legacy that reflects how important App State was to them throughout their lives,” said Chancellor Sheri Everts. “Their gift speaks to the value the couple placed on education and to their deep and abiding love for App State and the young people who are drawn here.”

“The couple’s lives were marked by their passions — education, community and creating opportunities.”

App State Vice Chancellor for University Advancement Jane Barghothi

The inaugural group of Frank Scholars includes 12 students. The scholarship, which covers approximately 75% of the students’ tuition, is renewable annually.

“The couple’s lives were marked by their passions — education, community and creating opportunities,” said App State Vice Chancellor for University Advancement Jane Barghothi.

Giving back to a beloved institution

During Hughlene’s senior year at the university, in 1968, Appalachian State Teachers College became Appalachian State University, and she was extremely proud to be a member of the university’s first graduating class.

Over her lifetime, she served the university as a member of the Board of Trustees, the Appalachian State University Foundation Board and the Beaver College of Health Sciences Advisory Council.

She was a 2013 recipient of the Alumni Association’s Outstanding Service Award. In her video interview for the award, Hughlene said, “I wanted to be somebody, and I feel like that’s what Appalachian gave me the opportunity to be.”

She also encouraged others to give back to the university: “You do it because you care,” she shared. “I want Appalachian students to be able to go anywhere in life they dream of going.”

Bill was aligned with his wife’s love for the university. Together, the couple served on the College of Arts and Sciences Advancement Council for a combined 39 years. They also established the university’s first nursing scholarship for nontraditional students, in the RN to BSN degree program.

In 2004, the Franks established the lead endowment for the university’s annual fall and spring Hughlene Bostian Frank Visiting Writers Series. They were also supportive of the following at App State:

  • A wide variety of scholarships.
  • The College of Arts and Sciences — in which Hughlene studied mathematics.
  • Athletics.
  • University Libraries.
  • The Turchin Center for Visual Arts.
  • An Appalachian Summer Festival.

What do you think?

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2021–22 Bill and Hughlene Frank Scholars

The following students — all from North Carolina’s Piedmont region — are beneficiaries of the Frank Scholars Program, funded by the late Hughlene Bostian Frank ’68 and William “Bill” Frank, who were longtime friends and supporters of Appalachian State University. The scholarship, which covers approximately 75% of the students’ tuition, is renewable annually.

  • Kellen Lundy, first-year student
    Hometown: High Point
    Major: Nutrition and foods
  • Corinna Wyatt, first-year student
    Hometown: Julian
    Major: Interior design
  • Bayne Welborn, first-year student
    Hometown: Climax
    Major: Building sciences-construction management
  • Rivers Johnson, sophomore
    Hometown: Greensboro
    Major: Recreation management
  • Marianne Yingling, sophomore
    Hometown: High Point
    Major: Nursing
  • Nick Roberto, sophomore
    Hometown: Greensboro
    Major: International business
  • Mia Reece, junior
    Hometown: Greensboro
    Major: Computer information systems
  • Zoe Manlay, senior
    Hometown: Greensboro
    Major: Nursing
  • Brittany Sparks, senior
    Hometown: McLeansville
    Major: Biology-cellular/molecular biology
  • Charlotte Carr, senior
    Hometown: Greensboro
    Major: Finance and banking
  • Berenice Blanco, senior
    Hometown: Greensboro
    Major: Elementary education
  • Nate Parillo, senior
    Hometown: Jamestown
    Major: Physics
Hughlene Bostian Frank touched students’ lives through Appalachian’s Visiting Writers Series
Hughlene Bostian Frank touched students’ lives through Appalachian’s Visiting Writers Series
Aug. 27, 2019

Through Appalachian’s Visiting Writers Series, Hughlene Bostian Frank hoped to broaden students’ lives and open opportunities.

Read the story
Alumni Awards 2013: Hughlene Bostian Frank '68
Alumni Awards 2013: Hughlene Bostian Frank '68
July 23, 2013

Just days after high school graduation, Hughlene B. Frank '68 of Greensboro came to Appalachian to be the best that she could be. "That's what I was raised to be," she said. She was young and eager to learn.

Watch the video

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, 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.

“Hughlene and Bill were beloved friends of the university and have left a lasting legacy that reflects how important App State was to them throughout their lives. Their gift speaks to the value the couple placed on education and to their deep and abiding love for App State and the young people who are drawn here.”

App State Chancellor Sheri Everts

2021–22 Bill and Hughlene Frank Scholars

The following students — all from North Carolina’s Piedmont region — are beneficiaries of the Frank Scholars Program, funded by the late Hughlene Bostian Frank ’68 and William “Bill” Frank, who were longtime friends and supporters of Appalachian State University. The scholarship, which covers approximately 75% of the students’ tuition, is renewable annually.

  • Kellen Lundy, first-year student
    Hometown: High Point
    Major: Nutrition and foods
  • Corinna Wyatt, first-year student
    Hometown: Julian
    Major: Interior design
  • Bayne Welborn, first-year student
    Hometown: Climax
    Major: Building sciences-construction management
  • Rivers Johnson, sophomore
    Hometown: Greensboro
    Major: Recreation management
  • Marianne Yingling, sophomore
    Hometown: High Point
    Major: Nursing
  • Nick Roberto, sophomore
    Hometown: Greensboro
    Major: International business
  • Mia Reece, junior
    Hometown: Greensboro
    Major: Computer information systems
  • Zoe Manlay, senior
    Hometown: Greensboro
    Major: Nursing
  • Brittany Sparks, senior
    Hometown: McLeansville
    Major: Biology-cellular/molecular biology
  • Charlotte Carr, senior
    Hometown: Greensboro
    Major: Finance and banking
  • Berenice Blanco, senior
    Hometown: Greensboro
    Major: Elementary education
  • Nate Parillo, senior
    Hometown: Jamestown
    Major: Physics

“The couple’s lives were marked by their passions — education, community and creating opportunities.”

App State Vice Chancellor for University Advancement Jane Barghothi

Hughlene Bostian Frank touched students’ lives through Appalachian’s Visiting Writers Series
Hughlene Bostian Frank touched students’ lives through Appalachian’s Visiting Writers Series
Aug. 27, 2019

Through Appalachian’s Visiting Writers Series, Hughlene Bostian Frank hoped to broaden students’ lives and open opportunities.

Read the story
Alumni Awards 2013: Hughlene Bostian Frank '68
Alumni Awards 2013: Hughlene Bostian Frank '68
July 23, 2013

Just days after high school graduation, Hughlene B. Frank '68 of Greensboro came to Appalachian to be the best that she could be. "That's what I was raised to be," she said. She was young and eager to learn.

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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