Last Updated on November 12, 2024 2:46 pm
BOONE, N.C. — When Hurricane Helene hit Western North Carolina, Appalachian State University alumnus Dr. Lee Barnes ’90 knew a number of students, faculty and staff would have to contend with significant financial barriers as they worked to recover from the storm’s devastating effects. He was eager to help.
Just a few days after the hurricane, Barnes made an unsolicited gift of $1 million to the App State Disaster Relief Fund, providing immediate resources for Mountaineers in need.
“This generous contribution from Dr. Barnes exemplifies the spirit of our App State Community: Mountaineers who are dedicated to lifting one another up, in both good and bad times, and strengthening the heart of this institution, which is its people — students, faculty and staff,” said App State Interim Chancellor Heather Norris. “We greatly appreciate his support, which has made a difference in the lives of many Mountaineers.”
Barnes said it was important to him to meet the most urgent needs quickly, and he knew that the App State Disaster Relief Fund would get funds directly into the hands of affected Mountaineers.
“It was an honor to give back to Appalachian State and to help the students, faculty and staff at a time when they needed it the most,” said Barnes, who serves as president of Durham-based M.M. Fowler Inc.
Barnes continued, “This gift was not a business building, not a sports facility and not a scholarship — this was funding for clothes, gas for cars, food and housing for the App Nation. This was real, this was now, and I am thankful that I was able to provide that support to fellow Mountaineers.”
Barnes’ gift also catalyzed additional support for the App State Disaster Relief Fund, said Will Sears, App State’s interim vice chancellor of university advancement.
“Lee stepped up for Appalachian in a big way — through his contribution and his willingness to share his story, which inspired others to give as well,” Sears said.
Contributions raised and distributed through the App State Disaster Relief Fund totaled $3.9 million. Through the university's Disaster Relief Hub, over 5,400 students, faculty and staff received bridge grants to help with transportation and housing needs and replacement of essential items, including household appliances, laptop computers, clothing and basic necessities.
The hub, which operated from Oct. 1 until Oct. 18 inside the university’s Plemmons Student Union, offered in-person and virtual resources and support for faculty, staff and students, staffed with representatives from areas across the university, including the App State Disaster Relief Fund, Counseling and Psychological Services, Case Management, Emergency Management, Financial Aid, Off-Campus Student Services, the Student Legal Clinic and faculty members with insurance expertise.
A lifelong Mountaineer
Barnes’ gift reflects his long-standing engagement with and support for Appalachian, Sears said.
During Barnes’ days as a student, he was an App State cheerleader and worked as an assistant strength and conditioning coach while earning a bachelor’s degree in business administration. As an alumnus, he served on the App State Board of Trustees for nearly a decade. He continues to serve public higher education in North Carolina as a member of the University of North Carolina System Board of Governors.
His philanthropy to the university began in 1990 with his senior class gift, shortly followed by a contribution to the “Buy a Brick” campaign for the construction of the building that is home to the Walker College of Business, now Peacock Hall. In the years since, he has established or contributed to funds for areas across the university, including the Walker College of Business, App State Academy at Middle Fork, AppKIDS and the Marching Mountaineers, as well as to App State Athletics — with notable support for the cheerleading program.
In 2016, the Walker College named the Lee Barnes, PhD Graduate Programs and Research Suite in Peacock Hall in recognition of Barnes’ passion for research and his support of both the college and university.
“Dr. Barnes’ long history of support has strengthened the university’s ability to help hundreds of students succeed,” said Norris. “I can’t express how important Dr. Barnes’ gift to the Disaster Relief Fund has been to our ability to help our students, staff and faculty during a time of extreme crisis.”
