When considering which of the many deserving faculty members to spotlight this month, I imagined instead the 154 new faculty who are quickly approaching the middle of their first semester with us. The contributions they and their colleagues are making and the exponential impact they have on our students is extraordinary. I want to thank and honor all of them for their commitment to higher education and to share some of the initiatives we have in place to support them:

• an annual raise process for EHRA faculty and non-faculty employees that marks the third year in a row for merit pay increases for faculty
• internal funding for 14 new tenure-track faculty lines
• creation of the new Center for Academic Excellence to strengthen professional development opportunities
• the Chancellor’s Academic Leadership Development Program, initiated last spring, which graduated its inaugural class of nine participants and has a class of 14 more individuals underway in 2016-17
• the imminent creation of an Innovation Scholars Program, which will provide support for faculty and staff engaged in innovation within their discipline. Innovations could be related to teaching, research, service, community engagement, economic development or any combination thereof.

Messages

• Message from Chancellor Everts

  Monday, April 15, 2024

  Dear Members of the App State Community,

  Earlier today, I informed UNC System President Peter Hans of my decision to step down from the office of Chancellor of Appalachian State University, effective this Friday, April 19.

  Over the last few months, I have been experiencing significant health challenges, and I must now focus on my personal health and wellbeing.

  I am incredibly proud of the growth and development of the university over the last ten years, and I look forward to seeing the development of the Innovation District and the Hickory Campus, in particular, and the many ways the region will continue to thrive with the benefit of these important state resources. I thank the faculty for the incredible contributions they have made through their teaching, research and service over the last decade, and our staff, who are the heart and soul of the institution. Most of all, I am incredibly proud of our students, past and present, who bring our university to life, give us purpose, and make real and powerful differences in communities around the world.

  I have been honored and humbled to serve as your Chancellor, and I wish you all the very best.

  Learn more
• Remarks from the December 8, 2023 Meeting of the Board of Trustees

  Friday, December 8, 2023

  Thank you, Chair Ricks, and good afternoon, everyone!

  With one week until December Commencement, we’re looking ahead to App’s 125th birthday, as we reflect on an incredible 124th year.

  But before I begin my remarks today, I would like to acknowledge the passing of Chancellor Kenneth E. Peacock in October.

  As Chancellor of our university for 10 years, from 2004 to 2014, Ken established the university as a leader in undergraduate research, grew our academic enterprise significantly in the areas of health care, establishing the College of Health Sciences, opened a new building for the Reich College of Education, led significant growth in the nexus of energy, the environment and economics, and moved our athletics programs to the Sun Belt Conference and the Football Bowl Subdivision, all while growing enrollment and solidifying our reputation as a national leader in undergraduate education.

  Learn more
• Remarks from the March 15, 2024 Meeting of the Board of Trustees

  Friday, March 15, 2024

  Thank you, Chair Ricks, and good afternoon, everyone!

  After some lovely spring weather in Boone and Hickory last week, our students and faculty are on Spring Break, earning some much-needed recharging time so they can finish the semester strong.

  I just returned from Pensacola, Florida, and the 2024 Sun Belt Conference Basketball Tournament — Trustee Chesson and Trustee Wyatt, it was good to see you there — thank you for joining us! We had a great turnout in Pensacola, as Mountaineers showed up in force to support our men’s and women’s basketball teams during the Sun Belt Conference Tournament. Both teams fought hard, and they will definitely be back next year! I’d like to thank everyone who traveled to support our teams and Coach Kerns and Coach Elderkin. A huge thanks to our Hayes School of Music Basketball Band — they were amazing — who brought their heartfelt support, passion and tremendous talent, adding to a great fan experience on the road.

  Learn more