BOONE, N.C. — When Hurricane Helene hit Western North Carolina, Appalachian State University alumnus Dr. Lee Barnes ’90 knew a number of students, faculty and staff would have to contend with significant financial barriers as they worked to recover from the storm’s devastating effects. He was eager to help.

Just a few days after the hurricane, Barnes made an unsolicited gift of $1 million to the App State Disaster Relief Fund, providing immediate resources for Mountaineers in need.

“This generous contribution from Dr. Barnes exemplifies the spirit of our App State Community: Mountaineers who are dedicated to lifting one another up, in both good and bad times, and strengthening the heart of this institution, which is its people — students, faculty and staff,” said App State Interim Chancellor Heather Norris. “We greatly appreciate his support, which has made a difference in the lives of many Mountaineers.”

Barnes said it was important to him to meet the most urgent needs quickly, and he knew that the App State Disaster Relief Fund would get funds directly into the hands of affected Mountaineers.

“It was an honor to give back to Appalachian State and to help the students, faculty and staff at a time when they needed it the most,” said Barnes, who serves as president of Durham-based M.M. Fowler Inc.

Barnes continued, “This gift was not a business building, not a sports facility and not a scholarship — this was funding for clothes, gas for cars, food and housing for the App Nation. This was real, this was now, and I am thankful that I was able to provide that support to fellow Mountaineers.”

Barnes’ gift also catalyzed additional support for the App State Disaster Relief Fund, said Will Sears, App State’s interim vice chancellor of university advancement.

“Lee stepped up for Appalachian in a big way — through his contribution and his willingness to share his story, which inspired others to give as well,” Sears said.

Contributions raised and distributed through the App State Disaster Relief Fund totaled $3.9 million. Through the university's Disaster Relief Hub, over 5,400 students, faculty and staff received bridge grants to help with transportation and housing needs and replacement of essential items, including household appliances, laptop computers, clothing and basic necessities.

The hub, which operated from Oct. 1 until Oct. 18 inside the university’s Plemmons Student Union, offered in-person and virtual resources and support for faculty, staff and students, staffed with representatives from areas across the university, including the App State Disaster Relief Fund, Counseling and Psychological Services, Case Management, Emergency Management, Financial Aid, Off-Campus Student Services, the Student Legal Clinic and faculty members with insurance expertise.

A lifelong Mountaineer

Barnes’ gift reflects his long-standing engagement with and support for Appalachian, Sears said.

During Barnes’ days as a student, he was an App State cheerleader and worked as an assistant strength and conditioning coach while earning a bachelor’s degree in business administration. As an alumnus, he served on the App State Board of Trustees for nearly a decade. He continues to serve public higher education in North Carolina as a member of the University of North Carolina System Board of Governors.

His philanthropy to the university began in 1990 with his senior class gift, shortly followed by a contribution to the “Buy a Brick” campaign for the construction of the building that is home to the Walker College of Business, now Peacock Hall. In the years since, he has established or contributed to funds for areas across the university, including the Walker College of Business, App State Academy at Middle Fork, AppKIDS and the Marching Mountaineers, as well as to App State Athletics — with notable support for the cheerleading program.

In 2016, the Walker College named the Lee Barnes, PhD Graduate Programs and Research Suite in Peacock Hall in recognition of Barnes’ passion for research and his support of both the college and university.

“Dr. Barnes’ long history of support has strengthened the university’s ability to help hundreds of students succeed,” said Norris. “I can’t express how important Dr. Barnes’ gift to the Disaster Relief Fund has been to our ability to help our students, staff and faculty during a time of extreme crisis.”

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App State Disaster Relief Fund

Mountaineers are hurting from the impacts of Hurricane Helene. Students, faculty and staff are experiencing significant losses and challenges. Many have lost their homes and their transportation. While the full impacts are still unknown, we know of many who need help, and many who have offered to support them. If you would like to help, please use the link below, and thank you for supporting our Mountaineers in need.

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Over $4 million raised and distributed by App State Disaster Relief Fund

Oct. 11, 2024

In the aftermath of Hurricane Helene, thousands of individuals across the state, nation and world reached out to support Mountaineers. The App State Disaster Relief Fund raised and distributed over $4 million in bridge funding for thousands of students, faculty and staff at Appalachian State University as they navigated significant losses and challenges from the storm.

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Students impacted by hurricane will receive extra scholarship support

NC resident students with family incomes below $80,000 will receive an average of $850 in additional grant aid

Oct. 30, 2024

The UNC System announced that the North Carolina State Education Assistance Authority is awarding additional financial aid to eligible students at Appalachian State University. The grant will help to offset some of the unexpected costs from Hurricane Helene.

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Hurricane Helene’s impacts on the App State Boone campus

Oct. 2, 2024

App State shares images and video footage of the impacts its Boone campus has sustained due to flooding and storm damage caused by Hurricane Helene. The university is assessing and responding to damages while remaining focused on the safety and well-being of the campus community.

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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.