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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
Attendees at the 2025 Research and Creative Activity at Appalachian (RECAPP) event enjoyed connecting with researchers and learning about the many research and creative projects at App State. This year’s RECAPP event will be held Sept. 18 in the Broyhill Music Center on App State’s Boone campus. Photo by Chase Reynolds
App State logo in white and gold on a black background.

App State marks fall 2026 with historic online, graduate, transfer and first-gen student enrollment
Sep 4, 2026

BOONE, N.C. — Appalachian State University opened its 2026–27 academic year with 21,308 Mountaineer students enrolled at the university for fall 2026 — including the largest online, graduate transfer and first-generation student populations in the university’s history.

University News, Students
App State’s Team Sunergy and its solar racing vehicle, Autumn, cross the finish line on day eight of the 2026 Electrek American Solar Challenge in Amarillo, Texas, completing the cross-country road race. Photo by Kyla Willoughby
Students in App State’s Summer Ventures Aquatic Ecology research course examine aquatic samples under microscopes during a laboratory session. Photo submitted

Summer Ventures at App State immerses NC high schoolers in hands-on science and math research
Aug 4, 2026

BOONE, N.C. — For four weeks each summer, high school students from across North Carolina step into the role of researchers at Appalachian State University through Summer Ventures in Science and Mathematics.

Faculty & Staff, Outreach & Community Engagement, University News
A group of people standing in a desert setting beside a sign reading "Desert Ecology." The group is holding flags featuring the Appalachian State and UNC Asheville logos.

App State biology students explore desert ecology across the Southwest through immersive field course
Jul 27, 2026

BOONE, N.C. — In May, Appalachian State University biology students — joined by students from the University of North Carolina Asheville — traveled more than 5,000 miles across the American Southwest as part of an immersive Desert Ecology field course.

Faculty & Staff, Students, University News
App State’s Division of Academic Affairs recognized Dr. Dave McEvoy, chair of the Department of Economics, left, and Dr. Tracie McLemore Salinas, chair of the Department of Mathematical Sciences, as the recipients of this year’s Departmental Leadership Awards. McEvoy and Salinas received their awards on July 16, during the university’s Chancellor’s Chair Summer Institute, which was held on the Boone campus. Photo by Chase Reynolds

App State Departmental Leadership Awards: McEvoy, Salinas honored for impact on academic community
Jul 20, 2026

BOONE, N.C. — Appalachian State University faculty Dr. Dave McEvoy and Dr. Tracie McLemore Salinas have been honored as the recipients of this year's Departmental Leadership Awards, recognized for their service to and lasting impact on the university's academic community.

Awards & Honors, Faculty & Staff, University News
Dr. Donna Lillian (left) and Maxine Cooper McCall ’60 ’65 (right)
Dr. Harvey R. Durham sits at his desk in the 1985–86 academic year, when he served as chief academic officer at App State. Photo courtesy of Appalachian State University Historical Photographs Collection

Dr. Harvey R. Durham remembered for decades of leadership at App State
May 25, 2026

BOONE, N.C. — Dr. Harvey R. Durham, a former acting chancellor and provost at Appalachian State University, died on Friday, May 15, at the age of 88.

Faculty & Staff, University News