Topic: Alumni

Displaying 1 - 18 of 480

App State Oral History Program preserves the past and present through storytelling
Special Collections Research Center houses oral histories, university archives, historical exhibits and more
Nov. 18, 2024
App State’s Oral History Program conducts and curates oral history interviews, which are housed in the university’s Special Collections Research Center. The interviews range in date from the mid-1960s to the present day, with a focus on university and regional history.
Excellence in Teaching: A Q&A with App State’s Dr. Brooke Christian
Nov. 11, 2024
In this Q&A, Dr. Brooke Christian, App State’s winner of the 2024 UNC Board of Governors Excellence in Teaching Award, shares her love for teaching, her passion for chemistry, her research and more. The award is given annually to one outstanding faculty member at each UNC System school.
App State alum donates $1 million to Disaster Relief Fund
Dr. Lee Barnes ’90 catalyzes support for students, faculty and staff impacted by Hurricane Helene
Nov. 7, 2024
Appalachian State University alumnus Dr. Lee Barnes ’90 donated $1 million to the App State Disaster Relief Fund, providing immediate resources for students, faculty and staff in need.
Luke Combs, Eric Church help raise millions for WNC with concert [alumni featured]
Business North Carolina
Oct. 27, 2024
App State alumni and country music stars Luke Combs and Eric Church ’00 hosted a Hurricane Helene relief concert at Bank of America Stadium in Charlotte on Oct. 26. The night of music raised more than $24.5 million in support of Western North Carolina, with more than 82,000 fans in attendance at the event. Church graduated from App State in 2000 with a degree in marketing, and Combs attended the university from 2008 to 2012.
When you are both a journalist and a firefighter, which comes first when a hurricane hits? [alumni featured]
The Charlotte Observer
Oct. 22, 2024
App State alumnus Moss Brennan '21 talks about the challenges he faced as both a journalist and a first responder in Watauga County during Hurricane Helene. Brennan is the editor of the Watauga Democrat and volunteers with the Deep Gap Fire Department and Watauga County Rescue Squad. He graduated from App State with a degree in journalism in 2021.
North Carolina Photographer Points His Lens Toward Hope Amidst The Devastation Of His Home State [alumni featured]
Southern Living
Oct. 9, 2024
App State alumnus Jesse Barber ’22 ’24, a documentary photographer and Western North Carolina native, brought a unique perspective to his photo coverage of Hurricane Helene, with an aim to capture hope amidst the devastation of his home state. Barber graduated from App State with a bachelor’s degree in documentary studies and a master’s degree in Appalachian studies.
Climbing the ladder: How an App State graduate turned his internship into his career [alumni featured]
The Appalachian
Sep. 18, 2024
App State alumnus Dylan Reed '24, who graduated last spring with a degree in construction management, speaks with App State’s student newspaper about how his intern experience with New Atlantic Contracting led to a job as an on-site project engineer. Reed was an intern for the company during the construction of App State’s Holmes Drive Parking Deck.
Dr. Brooke Christian awarded National Science Foundation grant to study biomolecule stabilization
Sep. 12, 2024
Dr. Brooke Christian, App State associate professor of chemistry, has received a $306,783 Research in Undergraduate Institutions Award from the National Science Foundation to support her research on biomolecule stabilization, which has important applications in numerous areas — from pharmaceuticals to the food industry. These awards support faculty at predominantly undergraduate institutions in research that engages them in their professional field, builds capacity for research at their home institution and supports the integration of research and undergraduate education.
At App State’s Camp Jean Rankin, youth practice speech skills in fun, interactive settings
Aug. 29, 2024
Ten adolescents and teens from across the Southeast and Midwest attended App State’s second annual Camp Jean Rankin this summer, which provides unique opportunities for youth who stutter to learn fluency and self-empowerment skills and to enjoy High Country activities.
Celebrating Eric Foxx's 35 Years at WBIR [alumni featured]
WBIR
Aug. 14, 2024
WBIR-TV in Knoxville, Tennessee celebrates Eric Foxx on his 35th anniversary with the station. Foxx is an App State alumnus who graduated with a degree in communications in 1985. He was a running back for the App State Mountaineer football team from 1981 to 1984.
Significant gift from Jeff Mick and Liz Mick ’81 will support App State academics and athletics
Areas receiving support include the College of Arts and Sciences, Walker College of Business and men’s and women’s golf programs
Aug. 9, 2024
App State has received a significant gift from Mountaineers Jeff Mick and Liz Mick ’81 that will support the university’s online veterinary technology program, Walker College of Business and men’s and women’s golf teams.
App State recognizes 6 faculty and staff with Sywassink Awards for Excellence
Aug. 8, 2024
App State’s Walker College of Business has honored six faculty and staff members with its annual Sywassink Awards for Excellence, which recognize achievements in teaching, research, service and more. The awards are supported by a contribution from honorary App State alumnus G.A. Sywassink.
Hudson Elementary School completes Third Annual Cast Iron Project [faculty and alumni featured]
News-Topic
Aug. 5, 2024
Joe Bigley ’04, lecturer in the Department of Art at App State, is executive director of the Western NC Sculpture Center, located in the Happy Valley community of Caldwell County. The center recently collaborated with Hudson Elementary School art teacher and App State art education alumna Emilee Aldaco ’14 on a cast iron project designed by a fourth grade class.
App State receives first major private donation for Wey Hall renovation project
Funds will support space upgrades, establishment of Cathy P. Walling Student Art Gallery
Aug. 2, 2024
App State has received a $300,000 commitment for the renovation of Wey Hall from Luke Walling, founder of Temprano Techvestors. The gift will provide funding for the establishment of the Cathy P. Walling Student Art Gallery — named in memory of his mother — and for upgrades to labs and studio spaces.
NC School of Banking moves headquarters to App State to foster ‘excellence in banking education’
More than 200 financial professionals took part in the school’s 2024 program at App State
Aug. 1, 2024
The NC School of Banking has relocated its headquarters to App State, forming a strategic partnership to enrich academic and professional development opportunities for future banking leaders. More than 200 financial professionals took part in the school’s 2024 program at App State.
App State celebrates alumni excellence — 3 Mountaineers honored at 2024 Alumni Awards Gala
10 alumni from the university’s colleges also recognized
July 19, 2024
App State honored three Mountaineer alumni at its 2024 Alumni Awards Gala on July 13: App State Trustee Jeff Chesson and NC Sen. Ralph Hise each received a Distinguished Alumni Award, and Steve Wilks received the Outstanding Service Award.
Appalachian Today: Episode 5
June 5, 2024
On this episode of Appalachian Today, University Communications’ Dave Blanks provides a quick rundown of some of the latest news stories available at today.appstate.edu. Story topics include: App State’s 2024 Memorial Day commemoration, during which Mountaineer alumna and Army Reserve veteran Caitlin Langley laid an honorary wreath at the Boone campus’s Veterans Memorial; the May 9 unveiling of the Chancellor John E. Thomas sculpture, located outside John E. Thomas Hall on App State's Boone campus; Gracie Bullington ’23 honored as the 2023–24 App State Student Teacher of the Year; App State student-athletes achieving a cumulative GPA above 3.0 for the 12th straight year; and App State football season tickets selling out for three years in a row.

Find more App State podcasts and subscribe at podcasts.appstate.edu.
Wilkesboro Elementary School’s Beckie Spears named Wells Fargo North Carolina Principal of the Year [alumni featured]
WXII-TV
May 25, 2024
Beckie Spears, principal of Wilkesboro Elementary School, was named the 2024 Wells Fargo North Carolina Principal of the Year. She has been principal of Wilkesboro Elementary School since 2019, and has been in education in various roles for nearly 30 years. Spears has a bachelor’s degree in English from Meredith College and a master’s degree in school administration from App State, where she graduated in 2016.