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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

Dr. Francis T. Borkowski, App State’s chancellor from 1993 to 2003, died Jan. 19 at the age of 88. Under his leadership, the university strengthened academic and student success programs, expanded global education and helped establish the area as a cultural tourism destination.