Skip to main content

Appalachian Today

News and events at Appalachian State University
  • Subscribe
  • For the media
  • Contact
  • Events
  • Webcams
  • Podcasts
  • In the News
  • Research & Arts
  • Awards
  • Experts
  • All News
  • Topics
  • Accolades
  • Alumni
  • Arts and Humanities
  • Athletics
  • Awards and Honors
  • Community Engagement
  • Diversity
  • Events
  • Faculty and Staff
  • Gifts and Grants
  • Global
  • Health and Wellness
  • Publications
  • Research and Creative Works
  • Safety
  • Scholarships
  • Students
  • Sustainability
☰ Menu
  • Events
  • Webcams
  • Podcasts
  • In the News
  • Research & Arts
  • Awards
  • Experts
  • All News
  • Topics
  • Subscribe
  • For the media
  • Contact

Alumnus Ron Woods donates scholarships to support 5 students at App State Hickory campus

View larger image

App State alumnus Ron Woods, a Class of 1968 App State graduate and Hickory native, has donated five scholarships to support students at the App State Hickory campus. Jude Blochaviak, a first-year student from Taylorsville intending to major in computer information systems, center, represented the five recipients of the Ron Woods Scholarship during a recognition at halftime of the inaugural Hickory Hoops Classic game, held Dec. 21 at Catawba Valley Community College’s Tarlton Complex in Hickory. Blochaviak was joined on court by App State Senior Associate Vice Chancellor of Development Will Sears, right, and Dr. Amy Wood, executive director of corporate and community engagement at App State’s Hickory campus. Photo by Chase Reynolds

“Scholarships like these remove financial barriers for our students and help us continue to fulfill our mission of increasing access to an App State education.”

Jane Barghothi, App State vice chancellor of university advancement

By Megan Bruffy
Posted Dec. 22, 2023 at 2:50 p.m.

HICKORY, N.C. — Appalachian State University alumnus Ron Woods, a Class of 1968 App State graduate and Hickory native, has funded scholarships for five students at the university’s Hickory campus, who were selected for their academic achievements.

“Scholarships like these remove financial barriers for our students and help us continue to fulfill our mission of increasing access to an App State education.”

Jane Barghothi, App State vice chancellor of university advancement

The recipients were recognized during halftime of the App State men’s basketball game on Dec. 21, held at Catawba Valley Community College’s Tarlton Complex in Hickory as part of the university’s inaugural Hickory Hoops Classic.

The recipients will begin classes at the Hickory campus in January and will each receive a one-time scholarship of $1,000. The students are:

  • Jude Blochaviak, a first-year student from Taylorsville intending to major in computer information systems.
  • Peyton Martin, a first-year student from Hudson intending to major in health care management.
  • Martin Mason, a transfer student and junior from Hickory intending to major in professional studies.
  • Collin Stanford, a transfer student and junior from Gerton intending to major in anthropology.
  • Sierra Williams, a transfer student and sophomore from Hickory intending to major in criminal justice.

“Scholarships like these remove financial barriers for our students and help us continue to fulfill our mission of increasing access to an App State education,” said Jane Barghothi, App State’s vice chancellor of university advancement. “We are grateful to Ron for his generous investment in our students.”

Supporting students in Catawba Valley and beyond

Woods, who now lives in Houston, Texas, grew up in the Catawba Valley. He graduated from Hickory High School and Lenoir-Rhyne University and earned a master’s degree in economics and business from App State. He also completed post-graduate studies at UNC–Chapel Hill before becoming a Certified Public Accountant and embarking on a successful career in accounting.

In addition to donating these five scholarships, he has also worked with App State on what he described as his legacy project — the establishment of the Ron N. Woods Endowment for Business Innovations and Creative Business Solutions.

This endowment, which aims to expand entrepreneurial opportunities in Catawba County and Western North Carolina, will provide financial resources in perpetuity for App State’s Transportation Insight Center for Entrepreneurship. Housed within the Walker College of Business, the Center for Entrepreneurship is committed to uplifting new business concepts and promoting creative thinking by providing mentorship and other crucial resources for budding entrepreneurs.

What do you think?

Share your feedback on this story.

Give to Appalachian State University
Give to Appalachian State University

No matter the size, every gift makes a difference

Each year, App State addresses critical needs across the university. These needs are as diverse as providing scholarships so that students can attend App State, to making sure our faculty and classrooms are empowered to graduate 21st-century professionals. Every gift to the university has the power to ensure the App State Experience for our students and make a difference.

Give now
App State Hickory Campus
App State Hickory Campus

In the heart of the Catawba Valley, App State offers the appeal of a small college with the prestige of the Southeast’s premier public undergraduate institution. From the Watauga Academy of 1899 to the App State of today, the mission has remained the same: to provide access to education. This vision now extends to the Greater Hickory area.

Learn more
Scholarships at Appalachian
Scholarships at Appalachian

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

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 the Walker College of Business

The Walker College of Business at Appalachian State University delivers transformational educational experiences that prepare and inspire students to be ethical, innovative and engaged business leaders who positively impact their communities, both locally and globally. The college places emphasis on international experiences, sustainable business practices, entrepreneurial programs and real-world applications with industry. Enrolling more than 4,000 undergraduates in 11 majors, Walker College has the highest enrollment of full-time undergraduate students in the University of North Carolina System, and more than 250 graduate students are enrolled in the college’s three master’s programs. App State’s Walker College is accredited by AACSB International — the premier global accrediting body for business schools. Learn more at https://business.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.

“Scholarships like these remove financial barriers for our students and help us continue to fulfill our mission of increasing access to an App State education.”

Jane Barghothi, App State vice chancellor of university advancement

Give to Appalachian State University
Give to Appalachian State University

No matter the size, every gift makes a difference

Each year, App State addresses critical needs across the university. These needs are as diverse as providing scholarships so that students can attend App State, to making sure our faculty and classrooms are empowered to graduate 21st-century professionals. Every gift to the university has the power to ensure the App State Experience for our students and make a difference.

Give now
App State Hickory Campus
App State Hickory Campus

In the heart of the Catawba Valley, App State offers the appeal of a small college with the prestige of the Southeast’s premier public undergraduate institution. From the Watauga Academy of 1899 to the App State of today, the mission has remained the same: to provide access to education. This vision now extends to the Greater Hickory area.

Learn more
Scholarships at Appalachian
Scholarships at Appalachian

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

Share

Topics

  • Alumni
  • Athletics
  • Community Engagement
  • Events
  • Gifts and Grants
  • Scholarships
  • Students

What do you think?

Share your feedback on this story.

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

Share

Topics

  • Alumni
  • Athletics
  • Community Engagement
  • Events
  • Gifts and Grants
  • Scholarships
  • Students

Other Recent Posts

  • Student research and creative projects spotlighted at App State’s annual showcase
    Student research and creative projects spotlighted at App State’s annual showcase
  • Will Sears appointed vice chancellor of university advancement at App State
    Will Sears appointed vice chancellor of university advancement at App State
  • N.C. Governor Josh Stein to address graduates at App State commencement
    N.C. Governor Josh Stein to address graduates at App State commencement
  • App State honors 29 students, faculty and staff with 2025 Awards of Distinction
    App State honors 29 students, faculty and staff with 2025 Awards of Distinction
  • App State to offer AI concentration in master’s programs [faculty featured]
    App State to offer AI concentration in master’s programs [faculty featured]
    WFDD
  • Campus emergency siren test to be conducted May 7
    Campus emergency siren test to be conducted May 7
  • App State students help restore national wildlife refuge as part of Alternative Service Experience
    App State students help restore national wildlife refuge as part of Alternative Service Experience
  • Dr. Neva J. Specht appointed App State executive vice chancellor and provost
    Dr. Neva J. Specht appointed App State executive vice chancellor and provost
  • $2 million grant funds scholarships, supports STEM education for over 50 App State students
    $2 million grant funds scholarships, supports STEM education for over 50 App State students
  • App State named Military Friendly School for 16th consecutive year, ranked a top 10 institution for 2025–26
    App State named Military Friendly School for 16th consecutive year, ranked a top 10 institution for 2025–26
  • Explore the future of business with new AI master’s degree tracks at App State
    Explore the future of business with new AI master’s degree tracks at App State
  • 12th annual iBackAPP Day of Giving draws over 3,100 App State supporters worldwide
    12th annual iBackAPP Day of Giving draws over 3,100 App State supporters worldwide

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
  • Events
  • Videos
  • Galleries
  • In the News
  • Research & Arts
  • Awards
  • Experts
  • All News
  • Topics
  • Subscribe
  • For the media
  • COVID updates
  • Contact

App State

Copyright 2025 Appalachian State University. All rights reserved.

University Communications
ASU Box 32153
Boone, NC 28608
828-262-6156
[email protected]

Abouts

Disclaimer | EO Policy | Accessibility | Website manager: montaldipa (beltmr) .. | Website Feedback

Facebook Twitter YouTube Instagram LinkedIn Snapchat