BOONE, N.C. — Appalachian State University Interim Chancellor Heather Norris and U.S. Army Sgt. Maj. George Sankey honored veterans and military families during the university’s annual Veterans Day Ceremony, held Nov. 11 in the B.B. Dougherty Administration Building on the Boone campus.
App State Army Reserve Officers’ Training Corps Cadet Anna Hoffman — a senior management major from Statesville who serves in the North Carolina National Guard — welcomed a crowd of veterans, faculty, staff, students and guests before turning the ceremony over to Norris.
App State Army Reserve Officers’ Training Corps Cadet Anna Hoffman, a senior management major from Statesville and a member of the North Carolina National Guard, left, emceed App State’s 2024 Veterans Day Ceremony, held Nov. 11 on the Boone campus. The ceremony included remarks from App State Interim Chancellor Heather Norris, right, and U.S. Army Sgt. Maj. George Sankey, center. Photo by Chase Reynolds
“Our tradition of commemorating this day ensures we honor those who have served and recognize their valor and their sacrifices,” said Norris, whose parents and extended family members served in the military. “While this day has been set aside — nationally — to recognize veterans and their families, please know that at Appalachian State University, you have our respect and our thanks every day.”
Norris continued, “From a young age, I admired the ideal of ‘serving something greater than oneself’ and cherished the values of loyalty, commitment, sacrifice and honor — these are values that I continue to hold today.”
She then thanked and recognized App State ROTC members and veterans who exemplified these values during recent recovery efforts in the aftermath of Hurricane Helene, which devastated much of the High Country. Many of them volunteered to provide support to their neighbors and friends while managing the impacts the storm had in their own lives.
Willson Hooks, a junior music performance major from Raleigh, performed the national anthem on the trumpet for the crowd of veterans, students, faculty and staff at App State’s annual Veterans Day Ceremony, held Nov. 11 on the Boone campus. Photo by Kyla Willoughby
Sankey, whose career enabled him to serve in the 75th Ranger Regiment and the U.S. Army Special Operations Command during multiple deployments to the Middle East, spoke at the event, with a message focused on the importance of celebrating veterans, recognizing their value in society and learning from them.
“We live in an incredible nation,” Sankey said. “Being a veteran is a great honor, but it means more when folks like you come together, recognize the importance of our society and be a part of a bigger cause for American values and the things that we believe in.”
This video provides a glimpse of App State’s 2024 Veterans Day Ceremony, during which Interim App State Chancellor Heather Norris and U.S. Army Sgt. Maj. George Sankey bring greetings and a message honoring those who have served our nation.
App State’s ROTC opened the ceremony by presenting the colors as Willson Hooks, a junior music performance major from Raleigh, performed the national anthem on the trumpet.
App State has 261 student veterans enrolled and employs 118 staff and faculty veterans. Additionally, 1,029 military dependents and spouses attend the university, along with 113 active-duty service members. App State is recognized by veteran organizations and news publications for its efforts to support the military community:
- For 15 consecutive years, App State has earned Military Friendly® School designations in recognition of the university’s efforts to help military-affiliated students thrive on campus and in the surrounding community.
- Over the last four years, U.S. News & World Report has ranked App State as the No. 2 Best College for Veterans among Southern universities.
- App State was ranked in Military Times’ 2024 “Best for Vets: Colleges” list, recognized for its services and programs specific to military students — for the seventh consecutive year.
The App State Army Reserve Officers’ Training Corps color guard moves into place for the playing of the national anthem at the university’s 2024 Veterans Day Ceremony, held Nov. 11 on the Boone campus. Cadet Chloe Lemos, a junior criminal justice major from Charlotte, center, led the team for the presentation of the colors during the ceremony. Photo by Chase Reynolds
The Major General Edward M. Reeder Jr. Student Veteran Resource Center, which opened on Veterans Day in 2016, is one of the ways App State supports its military students and community. The center provides mentoring, tutoring, personalized career counseling and other programs and services for the university’s military-affiliated students.
Veterans Day concluded App State’s Heroes Week, hosted by Student Veteran Services, which began Friday, Nov. 1.
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The university also received a top 10 Military Spouse Friendly School designation
About Appalachian’s Student Veteran Services
Student Veteran Services at Appalachian State University is dedicated to helping the university’s military-affiliated students thrive on campus and in the Boone community. The unit does so by connecting student veterans and military-affiliated students with services and resources that are commensurate with their needs, capabilities and contributions. These resources and services include the Major General Edward M. Reeder Jr. Student Veteran Resource Center, priority registration, scholarship opportunities, a Student Veteran Association and others. Learn more at https://militarystudents.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.
The university also received a top 10 Military Spouse Friendly School designation
