University News

Excited Mountaineer graduates turn their tassels, signifying their transition from students to graduates of Appalachian State University. App State honored more than 4,200 graduates during six Spring 2025 Commencement ceremonies, held May 9–10 in Holmes Convocation Center on the Boone campus. Photo by Kyla Willoughby

App State awards degrees to over 4,200 graduates ready to shape the future
May 13, 2025

BOONE, N.C. — Appalachian State University celebrated the resilience and achievements of more than 4,200 graduates during its Spring 2025 Commenceme...

Addison Pollock, of Winston-Salem, a senior biology-cellular/molecular biology major at App State, right in foreground, accepts her award from Dr. Ross Gosky, associate dean of the Williams School of Graduate Studies, at the university’s 28th Annual Celebration of Student Research and Creative Endeavors, held April 16 on the Boone campus. Pollock’s research involves the study of how cancer cells respond to oncolytic viruses. Photo by Kyla Willoughby

Student research and creative projects spotlighted at App State’s annual showcase
May 8, 2025

BOONE, N.C. — Gun violence correlated with heat waves. History uncovered with ground-penetrating radar. The benefits of chemical site cleanup for ch...

Alice Fisher (left) and Brian Zimmer (right)

April 2025 College of Arts and Sciences Staff Shout Outs
May 2, 2025

BOONE, N.C. — Awarded by the Appalachian State University Staff Senate, Staff Shout Outs recognize staff members for their positive contributions to...

App State senior Juan Pablo “J.P.” Neri stands to be recognized at App State’s 2025 Awards of Distinction ceremony, held April 24 on the Boone campus. Neri’s father, Eduardo, sits in front of him, capturing the moment with a selfie. Neri is a recipient of the 2025 W.H. Plemmons Leadership Medallion. Photo by Kyla Willoughby

App State honors 29 students, faculty and staff with 2025 Awards of Distinction
Apr 30, 2025

BOONE, N.C. — Appalachian State University held its third annual Awards of Distinction ceremony April 24, honoring 29 students, faculty and staff fo...

App State senior Devin Axtell, a biology major from Baldwin, Florida, prepares a meal for the student group participating in the spring 2025 Restoration and Exploration at the Coast Alternative Service Experience at Cape Romain National Wildlife Refuge in South Carolina. Axtell was one of two peer leaders on the trip. Photo by Kyla Willoughby

App State students help restore national wildlife refuge as part of Alternative Service Experience
Apr 30, 2025

BOONE, N.C. — Each spring break, college students from across the nation head to the beaches to enjoy a week off from school — but for many Appala...

Top Left: Dr. Beradino DiBernardi and JP Neri. Top Right: Nicole Tran. Bottom Left: Natalee Jamerson. Bottom Right: Jesus Sisniega-Serrano.

CAS students receive 2024-25 Black and Gold Leadership Awards
Apr 25, 2025

BOONE, N.C. — Appalachian State University's Club Council and Campus Activities, the governing and advocacy body for student clubs and organizations...

Dr. Neva J. Specht has been named executive vice chancellor and provost of Appalachian State University, effective May 1.

Dr. Neva J. Specht appointed App State executive vice chancellor and provost
Apr 25, 2025

BOONE, N.C. — Dr. Neva J. Specht has been appointed executive vice chancellor and provost of Appalachian State University, announced Chancellor Heat...

Top: App State senior Lex Foote, a Scholarships in STEM (S-STEM) Scholar in math from Linville, demonstrates an equation on the whiteboard. Bottom: From left to right: Dr. Rahman Tashakkori, Dr. Andrew Heckert, Dr. Mohammad Ali Javidian, Dr. Carol Babyak and Dr. Roshani Silwal. Photos by Chase Reynolds

$2 million grant funds scholarships, supports STEM education for over 50 App State students
Apr 25, 2025

BOONE, N.C. — A nearly $2 million grant awarded to Appalachian State University by the National Science Foundation (NSF) will help put educational g...

Students from App State’s College of Arts and Sciences share why they support the university on iBackAPP Day. Photos by Lauren Gibbs

12th annual iBackAPP Day of Giving draws over 3,100 App State supporters worldwide
Apr 16, 2025

BOONE, N.C. — Appalachian State University celebrated its 12th annual iBackAPP Day — the university’s annual celebration of giving and Mountaine...

Alana Baird, Dr. Clare Scott Chialvo, Dr. Jamie Levine, and Dr. Katie Mawhinney

4 CAS faculty selected to receive UNC Board of Governors Awards
Apr 3, 2025

The University of North Carolina Board of Governors has selected four faculty members in the College of Arts and Sciences (CAS) to receive 2025 Appala...