Last Updated on July 13, 2025 10:19 am
Friday, July 11, 2025
Each July, Appalachian State University welcomes alumni home for a special weekend to celebrate their accomplishments and contributions to their alma mater. Beginning this afternoon, we will hold several events over the weekend to celebrate the many alumni who helped shape this university and who continue leading the way for our current and future Mountaineers.
- Today, I will join students and donors to celebrate our incredible student scholars and their potential to change lives — and change the world — for the better, and to recognize the visionary individuals who have invested in them. Many people are surprised to learn that approximately 70% of our students rely on financial assistance to fund their educational experiences. Thanks to the generous supporters who fund scholarships for our students — who believe that an App State education can change countless lives for the better — our students become graduates who are disciplined, capable and sought-after members of the workforce, ready to lead the industries of the future and to lead meaningful lives. Thank you to all the extraordinary people who see the promise we see in our students for providing them with opportunities for their future success.
- Tomorrow afternoon, we will celebrate the 50th graduation anniversary of the Class of 1975 at the Black and Gold Reunion. During the event, these honored alumni will be inducted into the university’s Black and Gold Society and presented with a commemorative gold medallion in honor of their contributions to the university — as students and alumni. The members of the Class of 1975 join more than 13,000 living alumni who have marked 50 years or more since earning their degrees from App State. May you continue to inspire and support current and future Mountaineers through your accomplishments, service and engagement with Appalachian State University. Thank you for your devotion to your alma mater and for making all of us proud!
- Tomorrow evening, at the Alumni Awards Gala, we will celebrate Mountaineer alumni who have made enduring impacts on the university and society through their professional, philanthropic or volunteer accomplishments. This year’s recipients are Bryson Stewart ’09, to be honored as the university’s Young Alumni Award recipient; Phillip Ostwalt ’83, to be honored with the university’s Outstanding Service Award; and retired U.S. Army Col. Edna W. Cummings ’78 and App State Trustee Kimberly Miller Shepherd ’97, both of whom will be honored with App State’s Distinguished Alumni Award.These alumni have demonstrated remarkable contributions to society and are exemplary individuals who serve as shining examples to our past, present and future students — who continue to build on their legacy.During the gala, we will also recognize and present awards to nine exceptional alumni representing each App State college/school, as well as our University Libraries:
- April Lewis Moore ’01, who is being honored by the Beaver College of Health Sciences;
- Haley Hopper Gentry ’91, who is being honored by the College of Arts and Sciences;
- G. Perry “Skip” Greene Jr. ’69, who is being honored by the College of Fine and Applied Arts;
- Ann Eddy Ward ’76, who is being honored by the Hayes School of Music;
- Annette Lytle Ranft ’86, who is being honored by the Honors College;
- Elizabeth Gomersall Bumgarner ’81, who is being honored by the Reich College of Education;
- Nanci Tolbert Nance ’73, who is being honored by University Libraries;
- Kathryn “Kathy” Oszmianski Pou ’79, who is being honored by the Walker College of Business; and
- Robert R. “Skip” Harkrader III ’78 ’83, who is being honored by the Williams School of Graduate Studies.
Congratulations to everyone being recognized this weekend! It is my honor to take part in helping recognize your accomplishments.
To the more than 150,000 App State alumni across the state, nation and world — your alma mater will always be a part of who you are. We welcome you home anytime.
Heather Norris
Chancellor
