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Mountaineer students gather in front of Belfast City Hall in Belfast — the capital of Northern Ireland, which is part of the United Kingdom — during the App State summer 2024 study abroad program “Human Rights and Peacebuilding in Ireland and Northern Ireland.” The study abroad program was co-led by Dr. Jessica Martell, professor in App State’s Department of Interdisciplinary Studies and coordinator of the global studies degree program, and Dr. Belinda Walzer, associate professor in App State’s Department o
The 2026-27 Appalachian Scholarship Application Portal (ASAP) opened today, December 1, 2025, and closes Saturday, February 7, 2026.

2026-27 Appalachian Scholarship Application Portal (ASAP) open December 1 through February 7
Dec 1, 2025

BOONE, N.C. — The 2026-27 Appalachian Scholarship Application Portal (ASAP) opened today, December 1, 2025, and closes Saturday, February 7, 2026. Through ASAP, App State students are automatically matched with the scholarships they qualify for.

University News, Students, Support
Two-time App State alumnus and former U.S. Army Special Operations Ranger Dan Blakeley ’15 ’18, who served in the 2nd Battalion, 75th Ranger Regiment, speaks at the university’s annual Veterans Day Ceremony, held Nov. 11 in the B.B. Dougherty Administration Building on App State’s Boone campus. Photo by Chase Reynolds

App State alumnus Dan Blakeley ’15 ’18 helps veterans find their voice
Nov 17, 2025

BOONE, N.C. — Appalachian State University held its annual Veterans Day Ceremony on Tuesday, Nov. 11, to honor the men and women who have served in the United States armed forces. This year’s ceremony featured remarks from alumnus and former U.S.

University News, Alumni

126 years strong: Founders Day honors App State’s enduring legacy as a higher education leader
Oct 22, 2025

BOONE, N.C. — On Oct. 2, Appalachian State University held its eighth annual Founders Day, commemorating the university’s 126th year as a leader and innovator in higher education. The annual event honors the university’s founders — B.B., D.D.

Alumni, Events, University News
Appalachian State University Police Officer Cashae Cook ’14. Cook has been named Woman of the Year for 2025 by the North Carolina Law Enforcement Women’s Association. Photo by Chase Reynolds

App State Police Officer Cashae Cook earns NC’s highest award for women in law enforcement
Oct 17, 2025

BOONE, N.C. — Appalachian State University Police Officer Cashae Cook ’14 has been named Woman of the Year by the North Carolina Law Enforcement Women’s Association (NCLEWA).

Alumni, University News
App State Chancellor Heather Norris, left, with Dr. Rahman Tashakkori, the Lowe’s Distinguished Professor of Computer Science in App State’s Department of Computer Science, at the university’s 2025 Research and Creative Activity at Appalachian event, held Sept. 19 on the Boone campus. Tashakkori is the recipient of the 2025 Chancellor’s Award for Excellence in Research, Scholarship and Creative Activity. Photo by Chase Reynolds

App State spotlights achievements in research, scholarship and creative activities
Oct 10, 2025

BOONE, N.C. — This year’s Research and Creative Activity at Appalachian (RECAPP) event — Appalachian State University’s annual showcase of faculty research and creative endeavors — featured keynote addresses from App State faculty members Dr.

Faculty & Staff, Grants & Research, University News
U.S. News & World Report, The Princeton Review, Forbes magazine, The Wall Street Journal, Washington Monthly magazine and Money.com have named App State among the nation’s top schools for 2025–26, recognizing the university for its academics, innovation, value, benefits for student veterans and more. This aerial image of App State’s Boone campus, taken Sept. 18, shows the beginnings of fall color dotting campus trees. Photo by Wes Craig and Chase Reynolds

High-quality academics, innovation and value secure App State’s spot among America’s top schools for 2025–26
Oct 6, 2025

BOONE, N.C. — Appalachian State University has earned a national reputation as one of the top higher education institutions in the Southeast and the country — a position affirmed by the latest rankings of six notable publications, including U.S.

Awards & Honors, University News
Joe Dancy and Jenna Shaw stand in front of their flooded and mud-filled home in Swannanoa after Hurricane Helene. Photo by Jesse Barber

App State and regional artists channel Helene’s impact into creative works of hope and healing
Oct 1, 2025

BOONE, N.C. — Hurricane Helene is often remembered for scenes of destruction — but at Appalachian State University and in the surrounding community, artists have found beauty, hope and healing in the brokenness, channeling the storm’s impact into creative works.

Arts & Cultural, Alumni, Faculty & Staff, University News
In the wake of Hurricane Helene, App State students rallied to help their High Country neighbors — from daring rescues and digging out trapped residents to volunteering with storm cleanup and repairs. Above, students volunteer with cleanup at an area river outfitter during a Day of Service on Oct. 19, 2024. That day, around 175 students collectively completed over 500 hours of community service at 15 organizations and locations across the High Country. Photo by Kyla Willoughby

App State Reflects: One Year After Helene
Sep 22, 2025

When Hurricane Helene damaged and disrupted Western North Carolina in September 2024, it also revealed the incredible strength of our communities.

University News
The App State hellbender team surveys the New River near Boone. Pictured, from left to right, are biology graduate students Brent Kinser, Aidan Hedges and Hutch Whitman, App State alumna and lab technician Emily Gillikin '24 and recent App State graduate Hunter Comeford. Photo by Chase Reynolds

App State advances community-driven research for recovery and resilience
Sep 22, 2025

BOONE, N.C. — Hurricane Helene’s cascading effects swept through Western North Carolina’s communities, landscapes and institutions.

Grants & Research, Outreach & Community Engagement, University News