Topic: Awards and Honors

Displaying 19 - 36 of 726

20 recruits graduate from App State Police Academy, became sworn NC police officers
The recruits are the 7th class to complete the academy as part of App State’s Police Officer Development Program
Sep. 1, 2024
The seventh class of App State’s Appalachian Police Academy comprises 20 graduates who are now sworn North Carolina police officers working with the App State Police Department while they complete their degrees at App State. To date, the academy has trained nearly 140 sworn police officers.
Jewel Davis appointed chair of 2026 Caldecott Award Selection Committee
Aug. 28, 2024
Jewel Davis, an education librarian and professor in University Libraries at App State, has been appointed to serve as chair of the 2026 Randolph Caldecott Award Selection Committee. The Caldecott Medal, established in 1937 and presented annually by the American Library Association, is one of the oldest and most highly regarded awards for children's book illustration in the United States. As committee chair, Davis will lead 14 distinguished librarians from across the nation in evaluating and selecting the most outstanding picture books published in 2025.
App State honors Dr. Gail Donaldson, Dr. Cathy Marcum with inaugural Departmental Leadership Awards
Aug. 15, 2024
App State has honored Dr. Gail Donaldson and Dr. Cathy Marcum with Departmental Leadership Awards for their exemplary contributions to App State’s academic community. Chair Donaldson received the Distinguished Leadership Award, and Chair Marcum received the Emerging Leader Award.
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.
App State’s student solar vehicle team races to podium finish in cross-country challenge
Team Sunergy also earned the Spirit of the Event Award
Aug. 6, 2024
App State’s solar vehicle team, Team Sunergy, secured second place in its class in the 2024 Electrek American Solar Challenge and also took home the Spirit of the Event Award. The team’s car, ROSE, completed 1,562 miles over the eight-day, cross-country road race.
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.
App State professor John Whitehead honored with prestigious economics award
July 9, 2024
Dr. John Whitehead, an economics professor at Appalachian State University, has received the AERE Fellows Award, the highest honor in environmental and resource economics. Recognized for his pioneering work in valuation methods, Whitehead joins an elite group of scholars advancing the field.
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.
App State student-athletes achieve 3.0+ GPA for 12 straight years
May 21, 2024
This spring, App State student-athletes achieved a significant milestone as they marked the 12th straight year — or 24 consecutive semesters — of earning a cumulative grade-point average above 3.0. The Mountaineers ended the spring semester with a 3.20 cumulative GPA for all student-athletes.
Over 4,000 App State grads set to innovate, embrace new challenges and better their communities
May 16, 2024
Thousands of graduates, each with their own unique stories, crossed the stage at Appalachian State University’s Spring 2024 Commencement ceremonies on May 10 and 11, equipped with degrees that empower them to better their lives, North Carolina communities and the world beyond.
Dr. Melanie Honeycutt named 2024 NC Technology Director of the Year [alumni featured]
NC Department of Public Instruction
May 6, 2024
Dr. Melanie Honeycutt of Burke County Public Schools was named the 2024 North Carolina Technology Director of the Year. She has been an educator for 32 years and has served as Burke County Public Schools’ chief information officer since 2013. Honeycutt is a two-time alumna of App State, where she earned a master’s degree in library science in 1999 and a doctorate in educational leadership in 2013.
Gracie Bullington named App State Student Teacher of the Year
May 3, 2024
Gracie Bullington was named the 2023-24 App State Student Teacher of the Year. She will be considered for the state level award this fall. Bullington graduated from App State in 2023 with a bachelor’s degree in history/social studies education, and she is currently working toward a master’s degree in history with a concentration in teaching. Eight other student teachers were named finalists for the App State Student Teacher of the Year Award. They were: Adam Caliri, Carmen Cerrito, Madison Goodwin, Nadine Jallal, Caroline Jenkins, Bryson May, Rylie Spencer and Julienne Swaringen.
App State honors 27 students, faculty and staff at 2nd annual Awards of Distinction ceremony
Mountaineers were recognized for excellence in leadership, teaching, service and more
April 30, 2024
App State held its second annual Awards of Distinction ceremony April 25 on the Boone campus, honoring 27 students, faculty and staff for their commitment to excellence in serving the university and its community members.
App State earns 15th consecutive Military Friendly School designation, ranked a top 10 school for 2024–25
The university also received a top 10 Military Spouse Friendly School designation
March 27, 2024
Appalachian State University has been designated a 2024–25 Military Friendly® School by VIQTORY, marking the 15th consecutive year the university has received the honor. App State once again received a top 10 ranking from the organization.
Fortune ranks App State 7th in nation for 2025 ‘Best Master’s in Data Science’
University’s applied data analytics program also recognized among the most affordable in the nation
March 7, 2024
App State has been ranked 7th in the nation by Fortune magazine in its list of “Best Master’s in Data Science" programs for 2025. The university was recognized for its Master of Science in applied data analytics program, offered by the Walker College of Business.
Appalachian Today: Episode 4
March 4, 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: the Feb. 22 topping out ceremony for App State’s Holmes Convocation Center Parking Deck; App State’s recognition of “Best Master’s in Data Science Programs for 2024,” with Fortune magazine ranking App State No. 11 in the nation for its M.S. in applied data analytics program; App State’s second annual Mobilize the Mountains Day of Service on Feb. 24, during which dozens of student and faculty volunteers contributed over 111 hours of community service; a $100,000 donation to App State from the Mebane Foundation to fund the expansion of reading assistance services for K–3 students in Watauga and Catawba counties; App State professor Joseph Bathanti’s induction into the N.C. Literary Hall of Fame; and Keith Werner’s appointment as App State chief information officer, effective March 18.

Find more App State podcasts and subscribe at podcasts.appstate.edu.
App State professor Joseph Bathanti named to North Carolina Literary Hall of Fame
March 1, 2024
Former North Carolina Poet Laureate and Appalachian State University professor Joseph Bathanti has been named to the North Carolina Literary Hall of Fame — an honor reserved for five of the state’s most accomplished writers. Bathanti is the author of over 20 books spanning multiple genres including poetry, fiction, nonfiction and personal essays. He will be inducted into the hall during a special ceremony on Oct. 6.