Dr. Baker Perry, National Geographic Explorer, professor in App State’s Department of Geography and Planning and senior scholar in App State’s Research Institute for Environment, Energy and Economics, is pictured with the Khumbu Glacier, Mount Everest and Mount Nuptse in the background. Photo by Ngawang Tenzing Sherpa/National Geographic
BOONE, N.C. — Throughout its 124th year, Appalachian State University reaffirmed its status as an innovator and leader in higher education, setting historic milestones in the university’s history — from beginning Phase 1 construction of the Innovation District and opening a new campus in the Hickory region, to advancing strategies for campus sustainability and resilience. App State even welcomed the pungent debut of its rare corpse flower, Mongo, whose bloom captured the attention of audiences worldwide.
On Aug. 21, Chancellor Sheri Everts opened the App State Hickory campus, expanding higher education access in what was previously the largest North Carolina metropolitan area without a public university campus. App State experienced historic enrollment for fall 2023, with 21,253 Mountaineer students enrolling at the Boone and Hickory campuses and online. This year’s student body is the most diverse in school history, with 19% of the total population being racially and/or ethnically underrepresented students, and includes the largest first-year and online student populations to date. Everts has consistently indicated that App State’s future enrollment growth will be focused online or at on-site locations outside the Boone area.
This summer, App State kicked off Phase 1 construction at its Innovation District on the Boone campus. Phase 1 includes the Conservatory for Biodiversity Education and Research, as well as 156 units of faculty and staff housing and a zero-carbon energy system that will power the district and begin to transition the Boone campus away from steam power. The Innovation District is one of 37 capital improvement projects underway at App State, as of December. These projects total nearly $354 million — one of the largest infrastructure investments in the entire University of North Carolina System.
A recent study completed by labor analytics firm Lightcast and commissioned by App State assessed the university’s economic value to the region and state of North Carolina. The study found that, in fiscal year 2021–22, App State contributed nearly $573 million in added income to the region’s economy and $2.2 billion in added income statewide — during a time when the nation, state and region were still recovering from the effects of the global pandemic.
As a continued leader in sustainability and resilience, App State hosted the 11th annual Appalachian Energy Summit, during which Everts announced the UNC System and its partners have collectively avoided $1.75 billion in energy costs since 2002–03. App State’s proportion of these savings is $62.4 million, and the System is on track to realize the goal of $2 billion in avoided costs by 2025. And, in a strategic move to reduce carbon emissions and cut costs, App State’s Police Department is transitioning its patrol vehicle fleet to electric vehicles. The department placed its first two electric patrol vehicles — among the first for North Carolina police departments — in service this fall.
Several national publications, including U.S. News & World Report, Forbes magazine and The Wall Street Journal, named App State among the nation’s — and the Southeast’s — best higher education institutions for 2023 and 2024, recognizing the university for its academics, innovation, value, benefits for student veterans, programs to enhance the first-year experience and other aspects. App State was also recognized by VIQTORY as one of the nation’s Top 10 Military Friendly® Schools for 2023–24 and was named a 2023 “Best for Vets” school by Military Times.
This spring, App State student-athletes earned their 22nd consecutive semester of a cumulative GPA exceeding 3.0, and the Mountaineers wrestling team claimed the Southern Conference Championship title. The men’s cross-country and women’s field hockey teams won their respective conference championships this fall, and the App State football program closed out its regular season with a five-game winning streak, securing the Sun Belt Conference’s East Division title — and proceeded to clinch a 13–9 victory over Miami University in the Avocados from Mexico Cure Bowl. The Sun Belt Conference is led by Chancellor Sheri Everts, who assumed her two-year term as conference president in July.
Read on to revisit news stories that capture some of App State’s defining moments of 2023.
This year’s student body broke enrollment records for first-year, online and underrepresented students
Hickory metro area was formerly the largest in NC without a public university campus
The academic facility will be the first net-zero energy building in App State's new Innovation District
Economic impact study assesses benefits for Watauga, Ashe, Avery, Caldwell and Wilkes counties and state of North Carolina
U.S. News ranks App State as No. 1 Most Innovative School and No. 2 Top Public School in the South
National Geographic CEO Jill Tiefenthaler shares international project updates with summit attendees
6 additional App State faculty to receive campus-based awards
Peacock, App State’s 7th leader, died Oct. 6
Each car estimated to save more than $16K, nearly 35 metric tons of carbon emissions over 5 years
Solar vehicle team clocks fastest lap time, completes most laps in multi-occupant category — and wins competition's Teamwork Award
Mobile science lab celebrates 5 years on the road
Dr. Brian Raichle joins Dr. Baker Perry and Sherpa team for weather station maintenance in Nepal
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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, 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.
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