At App State, Manges developed and honed a passion for strengthening communities that began when she was a high school student. Several campus community members have lauded Manges’ cultural humility, saying she wholeheartedly understands the value of working alongside and learning from others.

“Annie is a student who has set herself apart by caring deeply about effecting change in an informed, educated and compassionate way, and her longtime interest in developing positive, resilient and equitable communities — coupled with her outstanding academic achievements — makes her an excellent candidate for the Plemmons Medallion,” wrote a nominator.

Some of her on-campus leadership activities included:

• Organizing and securing a speaker for the university’s 2019–20 MLK Day of Service, a signature event organized by the Office of Community-Engaged Leadership (CEL) with support from Intercultural Student Affairs, and advocating for compensation for the event’s speakers — particularly those from marginalized populations who discuss racism, classism and race/class disparities in education.
• Serving as a member of the Appalachian and the Community Together (ACT) impACT Team, through which she led efforts to educate herself and her peers on issues of racial equity and hunger and homelessness in the area. ACT is now part of the CEL Office.
• Participating in International Appalachian (INTAPP) — an on-campus student organization committed to globalizing the App State campus and local community by creating cross-cultural experiences for everyone.

As a student, Manges was a recipient of App State’s Wilson Scholarship, a merit-based scholarship program that blends academic excellence, leadership and service. She was also a member of the university’s Honors College and participated in a semesterlong study abroad in Uganda.

In her senior year, she represented the university on a national level as a 2021–22 Newman Civic Fellow — a national cohort of students, nominated by their respective chancellors, who are changemakers and public problem-solvers.

As an App State student, Buck was involved with various campus departments and organizations, “showing a great deal of depth and breadth in her commitments,” according to a nominator. “Laura is a student who is a true champion for Appalachian — who truly embodies the spirit of the Plemmons Medallion.”

Buck was one of 11 students accepted into the Plemmons Leadership Scholars Program during her first year at App State. This four-year, in-depth program aims to create successful leaders and honors those who have shown outstanding leadership in either their high schools or communities.

During her first year as a Plemmons Scholar, Buck experienced a life-threatening medical condition that resulted in extensive hospital stays and, ultimately, her withdrawal from school. She took almost a year off to recover.

Determined to finish her degree, and with the full support of her family, Buck returned to App State and resumed her involvement in the Plemmons program — even though she was no longer in the same peer group.

“Laura became the glue that created and held bonds across cohorts and throughout the program. Her sense of humor and desire to experience all parts of campus became natural connection points for her peers,” a nominator shared.

In the latter part of her undergraduate career, Buck served as student coordinator for the Plemmons Leadership Scholars Program, a position requiring demonstrated leadership and organization. Through this role, she arranged speakers for meetings, as well as social gatherings for the program, and coordinated retreats and graduation festivities for the group.

“Laura’s genuine positivity, passion for serving others and demonstrated commitment to championing the quality of an App State Experience make her a perfect fit to receive this award,” wrote a nominator. “Appalachian is a better place because of her time spent here.”

An App State employee for nearly seven years, Howard is now vice president of impact-health and wellness at Dogwood Health Trust in Asheville. While at the university, he served as director of wellness and prevention services and interim assistant vice chancellor of student affairs before assuming the latter role in a permanent capacity.

One nominator wrote that Howard is “well known, respected and loved, not only in Student Affairs, but across divisions at Appalachian State University — his dedication to this university and to the students who attend it is evident in every action he takes.”

App State’s Wellness and Prevention Services team flourished under Howard’s leadership, providing new and innovative services — such as Koru Mindfulness and the Collegiate Recovery Community — with many now being staples of the department’s programming.

From the outset of Howard’s tenure at App State, he empowered Wellness and Prevention Services staff, providing mentorship and guidance to ensure the staff members served students to the best of their ability and that the department’s programs and services were effective.

Howard encouraged collaboration between App State departments and student organizations, with one such collaboration resulting in the university’s WinterFest event, held in November 2020 during the COVID-19 pandemic. This well-attended and well-received event offered students an opportunity to celebrate the semester with in-person experiences — in a physically distanced fashion.

As an adviser for App State’s Minority Men’s Leadership Circle, Howard formed close relationships and mentored many students on campus, connecting them with resources to help them reach their goals and providing them opportunities to gain skills through internships and employment.

During his time at App State, Howard received several awards, including the university’s Diversity Advocate Award in 2017 and Faculty and Staff Mentor Award in 2017 and 2020. In 2020 the university honored Howard with a Staff Excellence Award, and in 2021 he was named one of the Boone Area Chamber of Commerce’s 4 Under 40 in the education professional category.