Last Updated on May 18, 2025 11:06 am
Friday, May 16, 2025
As we celebrate more than 4,200 new Appalachian State University graduates who can now proudly claim alumni status, I invite you to watch this wonderful video that captures the joy and excitement of their accomplishments. We wish all of our graduates the best of luck in their future endeavors, hope our returning students have begun to find ways to revitalize and rejuvenate over the summer, and are looking forward to seeing our newest students at Orientation sessions beginning in June!
Yesterday, Gov. Josh Stein signed House Budget Technical Corrections (HB 74) into law. Separate and apart from the biennial budget, the bill’s provisions include $9 million earmarked for key capital projects taking place on our campus:
- $5 million for the renovation of Edwin Duncan Hall. Built in 1965, the nearly 98,000-square-foot facility is being completely gutted as part of the renovation, which is well underway. On track for completion in fall 2025, the newly adapted space will serve current and future programming needs — including more technologically advanced classrooms and STEM (science, technology, engineering and math) laboratories.
- $2.5 million for the addition and renovation project at Peacock Hall. Built in 1990, Peacock Hall houses App State’s Walker College of Business, which has the highest full-time undergraduate enrollment of any business school in the UNC System. The addition to the building will allow for new classrooms, common areas, special use areas for campus events and a learning lab, providing students with leading-edge academic experiences. The addition is anticipated to open for the fall 2026 semester.
- $1.5 million to complete the full renovation of Wey Hall. Built in 1976, Wey Hall has, until now, never been renovated. Wey Hall is home to the Department of Art, which offers more than 100 course sections to approximately 1,400 students. The building’s classrooms are also used by University College for General Education and First Year Seminar courses. The project will be completed this summer, and the facility will be ready for occupation for the upcoming fall semester.
In times of rising construction costs and new challenges brought on by Hurricane Helene, we cannot thank our champions in the legislature and Gov. Stein enough for ensuring these projects can stay on track thanks to the provisions in this bill.
On Monday, I welcomed the Governor’s Advisory Committee on Western North Carolina Recovery as they convened on our Boone campus for their May meeting. We were pleased to host this group, which advises the Governor and the Governor’s Recovery Office for Western North Carolina (GROW NC) on strategies to address the needs of communities affected by Hurricane Helene. The committee is co-chaired by App State alumnus Sen. Kevin Corbin and also includes North Carolina Sen. and Distinguished Alumni Award recipient Ralph Hise. We are proud of and thankful to our many alumni — especially those in the state legislature — who have taken leadership roles in these crucial recovery efforts throughout our region. Their tireless work and commitment to the recovery, revitalization and resilience of Western North Carolina, the High Country and Appalachian State University is admirable, and we remain committed to bringing expertise, research and resources to assist and support their efforts.
That afternoon, we hosted the UNC System’s eighth annual Behavioral Health Convening, which included professionals of various disciplines — from research and education, to service providers. Mental health and wellness — along with cross-campus support during serious incidents — are long-standing, critical issues for higher education. The combined knowledge and expertise of those in attendance at the conference was evidence of the devotion the state and the UNC System continues to dedicate to the well-being of the people we serve. The work they engage in every day, and the work they commenced at this conference, is immeasurably significant. I appreciate this group of state and System leaders for engaging with App State during this convening. The evening’s keynote speaker was App State alumnus and Boone Area Chamber of Commerce Chief Executive Officer David Jackson, an outstanding partner and valued friend of Appalachian State University, who shared an important message on remaining resilient through even the toughest of times.
At this week’s UNC Board of Governors meeting, the board voted to approve three new members and reappoint one member to Appalachian State University’s Board of Trustees. The board reappointed Joseph Jeffries “Jeff” Chesson and appointed Jamie Schaefer, Wayne Sumner and William Warren to four-year terms, beginning July 1.
App State’s incoming student body president, Nicole Tran, a senior political science major from Charlotte, assumed a one-year term on the board in May.
- Jeff Chesson, a 2024 recipient of App State’s Distinguished Alumni Award, earned a Bachelor of Science in business administration with a concentration in real estate from App State 1977. In the same year, he earned his North Carolina real estate and insurance licenses and began working in his family’s real estate business. In addition to his service on the Board of Trustees as chair of the Athletics committee, Jeff’s community involvement includes serving as a member of the charter committee of the Rotary Club of Greater Wilson and the Greenfield School board of directors, and volunteering for 35 years at Sugar Mountain Ski Patrol.
- Jamie Schaefer, a recipient of App State’s 2013 Honorary Alumni Award for her service to the university, is a retired co-owner and operator of Westglow Resort and Spa in Blowing Rock. Prior to Westglow, Jamie was a successful real estate broker, property manager and interior designer in Florida. For more than a decade, she and her wife, Bonnie, have been key supporters and members of the Founders Society of An Appalachian Summer, and her involvement with our arts community also includes collaborating with the design committee of the Schaefer Center for the Performing Arts, serving on the advisory board of An Appalachian Summer and her continued involvement in programming for the Schaefer Spotlight Series.
- Wayne Sumner, a 1975 App State graduate, is the founder and chairman of the board of Jackson Sumner & Associates. Wayne entered the insurance industry in 1975, after graduating with a Bachelor of Science in business administration. He served as president of the North Carolina Surplus Lines Association three times, earning him a lifetime achievement award from the association in 2015. In 2013, App State opened the Wayne L. Sumner Broadcast Studio, the new home of the WASU radio station, named in his honor. Wayne has served on the App State Yosef Advisory Board, as well as on the advisory council for App State’s Department of Communications.
- William Warren, a 1987 graduate with a degree in communications, began his career in pharmaceuticals where he was a territory manager, district manager and is currently the South Carolina territory business manager for Procter & Gamble. William serves on the board of the Downtown Church, the Columbia Humane Society, and the Columbia Fitness, Fellowship and Faith organization. He and his wife, Dr. Nori Warren, created the first endowed scholarship for App State’s recently formed veterinary technology program. The Warrens’ generosity toward App State has included gifts to the App State Sustainability and Energy Management’s Mountaineer Food Hub, the Department of Geography and Planning, a memorial endowment, Laps for Apps and The Appalachian Fund. They are also members of the Yosef Club.
I look forward to continuing to work with Jeff and to Jamie, Wayne and William joining the board in July.
If you’re in the Boone area this weekend, join us for some App State Baseball, as our team concludes its regular season with the final two games in a three-game series against Georgia State tonight at 6 p.m. and with tomorrow’s season finale at 1 p.m. at Smith Stadium. Today is Youth Day, and all children ages 12 and under will receive free admission. One win from this series will take us to next week's Sun Belt Tournament in Montgomery, Alabama, so let’s support the Mountaineers this weekend in the most beautiful stadium in college baseball!
Heather Norris
Chancellor
