BOONE, N.C. — A first-year student at Appalachian State University has been named the newest recipient of the Jerri Kent Heltzer and Harry Heltzer Endowed Scholarship for the 2023–24 academic year. Nathanael Cox, a native of Boone who is majoring in history, joins a group of three students who received the scholarship last year.

The scholarship — which covers approximately 75% of the students’ tuition and is renewable annually — honors longtime friends of the university, Elizabeth “Jerri” Kent Heltzer and Harry Heltzer, and provides assistance to students who demonstrate financial need.

Established in 2021 from funds bequeathed to the university by the estate of Jerri and Harry — who passed away in 2021 and 2005, respectively — the scholarship is a capstone of the couple’s long-standing investment in the App State Community.

“Jerri and Harry’s generosity has opened doors for countless students to pursue an App State Education,” said Jane Barghothi, App State’s vice chancellor of university advancement. “This scholarship continues in perpetuity their legacy of support for current and future Mountaineers.”

The Heltzer Scholarship is one of App State’s signature scholarships, a prestigious and highly competitive group of scholarship programs that offer significant levels of tuition coverage.

For more than 30 years, Jerri and Harry were engaged community members who made regular contributions to the university.

Among their most significant gifts, Jerri and Harry provided funding for the establishment of the Heltzer Honors Program for International Education, a program offering financial assistance to Honors College students seeking to study abroad.

Jerri and Harry’s involvement with App State began when the couple relocated to Jerri’s hometown of Lenoir in 1976 following Harry’s retirement from 3M, where he served as chief executive officer.

Jerri, who held a degree in business administration from the Women’s College, now known as UNC Greensboro, was recognized by App State with an honorary degree from the university in 2010 in appreciation of her service and contributions.

The Heltzers were members of App State’s 1899 Legacy Society — designated for those who have included the university in their estate plans — and the B.B. Dougherty Society.

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First-year Scholarships

Appalachian's highly competitive First-year Scholarships consist of merit-based and need-based opportunities and provide varying awards ranging from partial to full institutional costs. Explore the variety of scholarships that are available.

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4 App State students named inaugural recipients of new scholarship

Jerri Kent Heltzer and Harry Heltzer Endowed Scholarship Fund supports students with financial need

Oct. 4, 2022

Four App State students have been named the inaugural recipients of a new scholarship established in memory of Jerri Kent Heltzer and Harry Heltzer, longtime friends of the university. This renewable scholarship will cover approximately 75% of the students’ tuition.

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History of the Honors College

Appalachian State University has offered honors courses for over 50 years. In the late 1960s, several departments hired new faculty members with innovative ideas regarding student learning. Some of these new faculty members began advocating for an honors program, including Dr. Tom McGowan and Dr. Tom McLaughlin in the English department. The first departmental honors program (in English) was founded in 1970.

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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 University Advancement

Appalachian State University’s Division of University Advancement supports and encourages the university’s mission by engaging alumni, friends and the greater community. University Advancement staff help connect these constituents with Appalachian through one-on-one contact and special programming, thereby securing the resources necessary to create the best possible learning environment for Appalachian students and to positively impact the community, region and state. The division incorporates the offices of Alumni Affairs, Development and the Appalachian State University Foundation Inc. Learn more at http://give.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.