Last Updated on September 26, 2026 10:45 am
Friday, September 25, 2026
Recently, five notable publications — U.S. News & World Report, The Princeton Review, Forbes, Washington Monthly and Money.com — recognized Appalachian State University among the leading higher education institutions in the Southeast and across the country. In its 2027 “Best Colleges” rankings for regional universities in the South, U.S. News ranked App State No. 3 for veterans, No. 2 among Top Public Schools and No. 1 for Best Value Schools for In-State Students. And in its online profile of the university, The Princeton Review highlighted student praise describing App State as an “exceedingly affordable” school with “a strong sense of community,” along with expert faculty and a supportive environment where “everyone legitimately wants to see you succeed.” These distinctions underscore our commitment to academic rigor, educational value, support for our students, including military-affiliated students, and programs that foster student success. Learn more about these latest accolades in this Appalachian Today story.
As cooler temperatures settle across the High Country, fall offers one of the best times to experience the beauty and energy of App State’s Boone campus. It’s also a season that invites us to reflect on the strength of the place we call home. This weekend marks two years since Hurricane Helene impacted Western North Carolina. While recovery continues across the region, our community has shown remarkable resilience, and App State remains committed to helping build a stronger future through research, partnerships and service. Learn more about App State’s ongoing role in the region’s recovery.
Yesterday, App State was honored to host the Boone Area Chamber of Commerce’s Spirit of Boone event — the chamber’s Annual Membership Gathering — at our Boone campus. At the event, App State Executive Vice Chancellor and Chief Operating Officer J.J. Brown brought remarks on behalf of the university, and several members of the App State Community and university supporters were honored with Community Awards, including:
- Judith Phoenix, who received the Ben Suttle Special Services Award, which recognizes the spirit of volunteerism in the community and is presented by App State. Retiring after working five decades as a social worker, Judith’s volunteer efforts include serving as Board Chair for the Blue Ridge Women in Agriculture and as a member of the Town of Boone Cultural Resources Advisory Board. She has also served as an adjunct faculty member at the university.
- Missy Harrill ’93, who received the Baker-Jones Woman of the Year honor, which recognizes chamber members who exemplify the qualities of leadership, mentorship and community involvement. President and founder of Foscoe Companies, Missy is an App State alumna and serves as vice chair of the university’s Foundation Board.
- Dr. Lynn Gibbard, who received the everGREEN Award in recognition of her efforts in helping military veterans pursue farming careers through Frontline to Farm, an App State initiative she co-founded and continues to support as a consultant. Dr. Gibbard is a professor of communication studies in the Department of Communication and a U.S. Fulbright Scholar.
- Tasha Rountree ’08, who received the Elizabeth Young Award for Community Leadership, which recognizes an individual or organization whose leadership has been pivotal to maintaining the health and vibrancy of our community. An App State alumna, Tasha serves as Director of Community Relations and Economic Development at Blue Ridge Energy.
Additionally, North Carolina Gov. Josh Stein and First Lady Anna Stein were recognized with the chamber’s Sue W. Wilmoth Award for Advancement of Tourism, honoring their advocacy for our mountain communities and the businesses that depend on visitors. Also in attendance was App State Trustee and SkyLine/SkyBest CEO Kimberly Shepherd, whose organization’s 75 years of dedicated service to the High Country and strong tradition of employing App State graduates reflect its commitment to the region. Congratulations to all Community Awards recipients for their meaningful contributions to our region and the communities we are proud to call home. You can read more about the awards recipients in this chamber release.
We also held the inaugural Student Success and Leadership Banquet yesterday evening, celebrating the people and programs that help our students learn, lead and thrive. We presented the inaugural Provost Award for Student Success and Leadership to the Office of the Dean of Students, with Dean of Students Judy Haas accepting the honor on behalf of the office. The award recognizes the office’s enduring commitment to the success, well-being and development of our students, and I am pleased to congratulate Judy and her colleagues on this well-deserved recognition. Watch this video to hear Mountaineer students share, in their own words, what success means to them.
Our vibrant musical traditions were on full display earlier this week as the Hayes School of Music celebrated 25 years of the Mariam Cannon Hayes Endowment, hosting a special concert at our Boone campus. Mrs. Hayes’ transformational gift has helped shape the Hayes School of Music as we know it today, creating opportunities for generations of Mountaineer musicians. Through scholarships, performance materials, conference travel, performance opportunities across North Carolina and masterclasses with world-class artists, the endowment has enriched the student experience and helped our musicians thrive both on campus and in their future careers. We are grateful for Mrs. Hayes’ generosity and the lasting impact of her vision.
In App State Athletics, App State junior distance runner Katie Johnson was recently named to the All-Sun Belt Community Service Team — an honor recognizing Sun Belt Conference student-athletes who demonstrate exceptional dedication to community service. Johnson completed 48 service hours during the 2025–26 academic year, including a leadership role with Run Your City Boone, a student-athlete-led program connecting local youth with running, mentorship and App State student-athletes. Her example reflects a broader culture of service among Mountaineer student-athletes, who contributed 2,062 volunteer hours last academic year to support local organizations.
I am immensely proud of the accomplishments of our Mountaineers, whose hard work, talent and spirit of service continue to elevate Appalachian State University every day.
Heather Norris
Chancellor
