Topic: Alumni

Displaying 1 - 18 of 507

4 Mountaineers honored with App State Alumni Awards
9 alumni awardees from App State’s colleges also recognized
July 15, 2025
App State honored four Mountaineer alumni at its 2025 Alumni Awards Gala on July 12: Kimberly Shepherd ’97, Edna Cummings ’78, Phillip Ostwalt ’83 and Bryson Stewart ’09. Additionally, nine alumni from the university’s colleges and University Libraries were recognized.
A podium finish and Teamwork Award are the latest wins for App State’s student-led solar vehicle team
Team Sunergy shifts gears to building its most advanced solar vehicle yet
July 14, 2025
App State’s student-powered solar vehicle team, Team Sunergy, has secured yet another podium finish to add to its consistent wins in the annual Electrek Formula Sun Grand Prix. This year, the team earned second place in its class and the event’s Teamwork Award. Team Sunergy is working to launch its next-generation solar vehicle.
Rock garden and lab expanded at App State after Helene cleanup
Now featuring 4 new boulders, the garden remains a key teaching tool for students
July 1, 2025
App State’s Fred Webb Jr. Outdoor Geology Lab, also known as the “Rock Garden” — a resource for geology students, researchers and K–12 school groups — has been fully restored after the damage it sustained from Hurricane Helene. The garden now features more than 50 boulders, including several new specimens.
App State researchers uncover hidden history at Fort Defiance
June 23, 2025
Ground-penetrating radar and App State interdisciplinary detective work have revealed 105 graves of enslaved people at Fort Defiance, adding new layers of history to the Lenoir-area landmark and confirming generations of family stories.
‘Dragon prince’ dinosaur may be missing link in T. rex evolution [alumni featured]
Science Magazine
June 11, 2025
App State alumnus and paleontologist Jared Voris ’16 has discovered a dinosaur closely related to — or possibly the direct ancestor of — all tyrannosaurs. Voris and his colleagues named the new species Khankhuuluu mongoliensis, after the Mongolian words for “prince” and “dragon.” Voris graduated from App State in 2016 with a bachelor’s degree in geology.
App State awarded $367,088 National Science Foundation grant for telescope upgrades at Dark Sky Observatory
The research facility provides faculty, students with state-of-the-art tools
June 6, 2025
A $367,088 National Science Foundation grant is funding major upgrades to the 32-inch telescope at App State’s Dark Sky Observatory. The upgrades will provide faculty and student researchers with an enhanced view, and a deeper understanding, of the cosmos.
Kristen S. Bonatz appointed general counsel and vice chancellor of institutional integrity at App State
May 27, 2025
Kristen S. Bonatz has been appointed general counsel and vice chancellor of institutional integrity at Appalachian State University, announced Chancellor Heather Norris. The appointment is effective May 27.
UNC System announces Presidential Scholars for 2025-26 academic year [alumni featured]
UNC System
May 21, 2025
Four recent graduates of UNC System institutions, including App State alumna Kathryn Long ’25, will serve as Presidential Scholars for the 2025–26 academic year. Long graduated from the university in 2025 with a bachelor’s degree in communication sciences and disorders. While a student at App State, she took on a range of leadership roles, serving as the student body president and ex-officio member of the university’s Board of Trustees.
Wilkes company creates new opportunities [alumni featured]
Wilkes Journal-Patriot
May 21, 2025
The Wilkes Journal-Patriot features Verenovo Energy, a North Wilkesboro-based company founded by two-time App State alumnus Brewer Logan ’15 ’20. The company plans to begin large-scale pilot production of biochar as part of its mission to create sustainable energy solutions. Logan earned both his bachelor’s and master’s degrees in cellular and molecular biology from App State in 2015 and 2020.
4 new and reappointed App State Board of Trustees members to begin new terms July 1
May 16, 2025
At its May 15 meeting, the University of North Carolina System Board of Governors reappointed Joseph Jeffries Chesson to App State’s Board of Trustees and appointed Jamie Schaefer, Wayne Sumner and William Warren as new members of the board. The trustees will begin their four-year terms July 1.
App State awards degrees to over 4,200 graduates ready to shape the future
NC Gov. Stein speaks at commencement ceremony to honor Mountaineer resilience
May 13, 2025
More than 4,200 Mountaineer graduates, along with family, friends, faculty and staff, celebrated Spring 2025 Commencement at App State during six ceremonies held May 9–10 on the Boone campus. Special guest N.C. Gov. Josh Stein congratulated graduates on their achievements and their resiliency in the wake of Hurricane Helene.
Will Sears appointed vice chancellor of university advancement at App State
May 2, 2025
William James Sears Jr. has been appointed vice chancellor of university advancement at Appalachian State University, announced Chancellor Heather Norris on Friday, May 2. The appointment is effective July 1.
N.C. Governor Josh Stein to address graduates at App State commencement
May 1, 2025
The office of Gov. Josh Stein announced that he would deliver remarks at three Western North Carolina commencement ceremonies this May, including Appalachian State University's College of Arts and Sciences ceremony at 5 p.m. on Friday, May 9.
12th annual iBackAPP Day of Giving draws over 3,100 App State supporters worldwide
Raised funds to support nearly 300 university programs
April 14, 2025
During the 12th annual iBackAPP Day of Giving, App State celebrated contributions from more than 3,100 donors spanning 45 states and six countries. Their gifts support numerous programs and initiatives across the university, elevating the App State Experience for students, faculty and staff.
App State opens Mofford and Giffin Food Hub at its Hickory campus
Funds for the food pantry were donated by local residents David Mofford ’09 and Zac Giffin
April 7, 2025
App State has opened a new food pantry — the Mofford and Giffin Food Hub — at its Hickory campus. A vital resource for Mountaineers who are experiencing food insecurity, the new pantry was made possible by a generous donation from local residents David Mofford ’09 and Zac Giffin.
Over 350 cybersecurity professionals, educators and students convene at App State Cyber Summit
March 19, 2025
More than 350 people — including cybersecurity professionals from 12 states — took part in App State’s fourth annual Cyber Summit, held Feb. 21 at the Boone campus. The event was hosted by the Walker College of Business’ Department of Computer Information Systems.
From philosophy to AI: App State alumnus Tommy Guy ’07 champions interdisciplinary learning
Guy's support benefits students and programs in the College of Arts and Sciences
March 17, 2025
Tommy Guy ’07 said the out-of-the-box thinking he learned as a Mountaineer has been fundamental to his success since graduating from the university. Now Guy — who works at Microsoft as a principal architect for Copilot AI — remains an engaged member of the App State Community, investing in students and programs across the university.
App State alum entrepreneur becomes official designer for Heisman blazer [alumni featured]
The Appalachian
March 8, 2025
App State alumnus Mitch Purgason ’15, a clothing designer and founder of his eponymous business, designed the official blazer for award recipients at last year’s Heisman Trophy ceremony for top collegiate football players. Purgason started his business while he was a student at App State. He graduated with a bachelor’s degree in management in 2015.