Appalachian State University has recently garnered significant national attention, receiving recognition from five prominent publications: U.S. News & World Report, The Princeton Review, Forbes, Washington Monthly, and Money.com. These outlets have placed App State among leading higher education institutions across the Southeast and the country.
U.S. News & World Report, in its 2027 “Best Colleges” rankings for regional universities in the South, ranked App State No. 3 for veterans, No. 2 among Top Public Schools, and No. 1 for Best Value Schools for In-State Students. The Princeton Review, in its online profile of the university, highlighted student praise describing App State as an “exceedingly affordable” school, noting its strong sense of community, expert faculty, and a supportive environment where students feel genuinely supported in their success. These distinctions emphasize the university’s commitment to academic rigor, educational value, support for students—including military-affiliated students—and programs designed to foster student success.
In recent campus events, App State hosted the Boone Area Chamber of Commerce’s Spirit of Boone event yesterday, which served as the chamber’s Annual Membership Gathering. At this event on the Boone campus, App State Executive Vice Chancellor and Chief Operating Officer J.J. Brown delivered remarks on behalf of the university. Several individuals from the App State Community and university supporters were honored with Community Awards during the gathering. North Carolina Gov. Josh Stein and First Lady Anna Stein also received recognition, specifically the chamber’s Sue W. Wilmoth Award for Advancement of Tourism. This award honored their advocacy for mountain communities and the businesses reliant on visitors. App State Trustee and SkyLine/SkyBest CEO Kimberly Shepherd was also in attendance, representing her organization's 75 years of dedicated service to the High Country and its tradition of employing App State graduates, reflecting a strong regional commitment.
Furthering its commitment to student development, App State also held the inaugural Student Success and Leadership Banquet yesterday evening. This event celebrated the individuals and programs that empower students to learn, lead, and thrive. The inaugural Provost Award for Student Success and Leadership was presented to the Office of the Dean of Students, with Dean of Students Judy Haas accepting the honor for the office. This award acknowledges the office’s ongoing dedication to student success, well-being, and development.
Earlier this week, the Hayes School of Music celebrated a significant milestone: 25 years of the Mariam Cannon Hayes Endowment. A special concert was hosted on the Boone campus to mark the occasion. Mrs. Hayes’ transformative gift has been instrumental in shaping the Hayes School of Music, 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 supported musicians in their academic and future professional careers.
In App State Athletics, junior distance runner Katie Johnson was recently named to the All-Sun Belt Community Service Team. This honor recognizes Sun Belt Conference student-athletes who demonstrate exceptional dedication to community service. Johnson completed 48 service hours during the 2025–26 academic year, notably taking a leadership role with Run Your City Boone, a student-athlete-led program that connects local youth with running, mentorship, and App State student-athletes. Her example reflects a broader culture of service among Mountaineer student-athletes, who collectively contributed 2,062 volunteer hours last academic year to support various local organizations.
As cooler temperatures settle across the High Country, fall serves as a reminder of the beauty and energy of App State’s Boone campus. It is also a season for reflection on the strength of the community. This weekend marks two years since Hurricane Helene impacted Western North Carolina. While recovery efforts continue throughout the region, the community has demonstrated remarkable resilience, and App State remains dedicated to fostering a stronger future through research, partnerships, and service.
Chancellor Dr. Heather Norris expressed immense pride in the accomplishments of Mountaineers, whose hard work, talent, and spirit of service continue to elevate Appalachian State University daily.
