College of Arts and Sciences

Awards & Honors

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Gwendolyn Zugarek receives Excellence in Academic Advising Award
Oct 8, 2026

BOONE, N.C. — Gwendolyn Zugarek, lecturer in the Appalachian State University Department of Sociology, is the recipient of the 2025–26 Excellence in Academic Advising Award.

Awards & Honors, College News, Faculty & Staff
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CAS Dean's Office staff recognized with shout-outs in September 2026
Oct 1, 2026

BOONE, N.C. — In September, three members of Appalachian State University's College of Arts and Sciences (CAS) Dean's Office were recognized with staff shout-outs.

Awards & Honors, College News, Faculty & Staff
U.S. News & World Report, The Princeton Review, Forbes magazine, Washington Monthly magazine and Money.com have named App State among the nation’s top schools for 2026–27, recognizing the university for its academics, value, benefits for student veterans and more. Shown is an aerial image of App State’s Boone campus in the fall. Photo by Wes Craig and Chase Reynolds

US News ranks App State No. 1 Best Value School for In-State Students in the South
Sep 25, 2026

BOONE, N.C. — Appalachian State University has earned its place among the nation’s and the Southeast’s best higher education institutions for the 2026–27 academic year, according to five notable publications, including U.S.

Awards & Honors, University News
App State Chancellor Heather Norris, center, is pictured with the 2026 members of App State’s Bell Ringers Society on Founders Day, which took place Sept. 18 at Founders Plaza on the Boone campus. Pictured with Norris, from left to right, are Richard Sparks ’76 ’78, Judy James ’69, Barbara Freiman, Elizabeth “Lizzie” Ford, Winfield Beroth ’65, Duane Reese and Dr. Harold McKinney ’70. Dr. Cathy McKinney, professor emerita in App State’s Hayes School of Music, was posthumously inducted into the society. Photo

Leading with purpose, serving with impact: Founders Day honors 127 years of App State
Sep 18, 2026

BOONE, N.C. — Celebrating 127 years of educational leadership, Appalachian State University held its ninth annual Founders Day on Sept. 18, honoring its founders — B.B. Dougherty, D.D.

Awards & Honors, Events, Students, University News
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Edited collection by Drs. Melissa Birkhofer and Paul Worley receives ASAIL Honorable Mention
Sep 9, 2026

BOONE, N.C. — Two Appalachian State University faculty members — Dr. Melissa Birkhofer, assistant professor in the Department of English, and Dr.

Awards & Honors, College News, Faculty & Staff, Grants & Research
Dr. Madeline Hinckle
Dr. Rakkiyappan Chandran