A $300,000 commitment for the renovation of Wey Hall from Luke Walling, founder of Temprano Techvestors, will provide funding for upgrades to the building’s labs and studio spaces and the establishment of the Cathy P. Walling Student Art Gallery, in honor of Walling’s mother, Cathy P. Walling ’78. This artist’s rendering displays a conceptual design for the gallery. Graphic courtesy of LS3P Associates
BOONE, N.C. — Appalachian State University has received a $300,000 commitment from Luke Walling, entrepreneur and founder of Temprano Techvestors in Newton, for the renovation of Wey Hall — the first major private donation made in support of this project.
The gift will provide funding for upgrades to labs and studio spaces in Wey Hall, which houses App State’s Department of Art. It will also honor the memory of Walling’s mother, Cathy P. Walling ’78, through the establishment of the Cathy P. Walling Student Art Gallery — the first dedicated student exhibition space in the art program’s history.
“Thanks to Mr. Walling’s investment, students will have an opportunity to gain experience not only in submitting and displaying their work in a professional environment, but also in visual arts management,” said Amy Johnson, professor in and chair of App State’s Department of Art.
She added, “His gift will enrich the student experience for all those learning in Wey Hall and help ensure the development of key skills and abilities that are transferable to any profession, as well as everyday life — including giving and responding to constructive criticism, understanding one’s physical and social environment and engaging in creative problem-solving. We are so excited to apply this gift in what will be a beautifully renovated, state-of-the art academic facility.”
An artist’s conceptual rendering of the student art gallery that is planned as part of Wey Hall’s renovation. The space will be named the Cathy P. Walling Student Art Gallery, in honor of the late Cathy P. Walling — a Class of 1978 App State graduate who was a lifelong painter and clay artist. Graphic courtesy of LS3P Associates
Honoring a legacy of passion for the arts
This gift builds upon Walling’s previous contributions to the Department of Art in memory of his mother, a lifelong painter and clay artist who passed away in 2014.
Walling’s support for the department includes The Cathy P. Walling Visiting Artist Endowment, which has brought visitors such as artist and filmmaker Joel Tauber, visual and performing artist Ed Woodham and printmaker Andy Rubin to App State’s Boone campus.
“Art opens minds by developing critical thinking and creative thought — an essential for everyone, not just artists,” said Walling. “My mother taught me this.”
Walling cites the Department of Art as the place where his mother learned the value of art, in what was then a newly constructed Wey Hall in the 1970s.
“Investment in this facility is critical to continuing this great work for another half century,” said Walling.
App State’s Department of Art offers more than 100 course sections to approximately 1,400 students. In addition to the new gallery and lab and studio space upgrades, the Wey Hall renovations — slated for completion in summer 2025 — include improvements to the building’s fire suppression, plumbing, elevators, electrical, heating/cooling and ventilation systems.
The university has received $19 million in additional funding support for the renovations through allocations from the North Carolina General Assembly.
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About the Department of Art
One of seven departments housed in the College of Fine and Applied Arts, the Department of Art at Appalachian State University prepares students to explore art, identity, expression and creative problem-solving while challenging them to go beyond their previous limits by discovering new connections to culture. The department offers degrees in art and visual culture, art education, graphic design, studio art, photography and graphic communications management, with minors in art history, studio art, photography and graphic communications management. Learn more at https://art.appstate.edu.
About the College of Fine and Applied Arts
Appalachian State University’s College of Fine and Applied Arts is a dynamic and innovative group of seven academic departments, bringing together a variety of perspectives, experiences and real-world education to provide unique opportunities for student success. The college has more than 3,500 undergraduate and graduate majors. Its departments are Applied Design, Art, Communication, Military Science and Leadership, Sustainable Development, Sustainable Technology and the Built Environment, and Theatre and Dance. Learn more at https://cfaa.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.
