Chancellor's Messages

  • Friday, December 6, 2024

    Thank you, Chair Ricks.

    I’d like to begin by thanking Trustee Schaefer for hosting us for a fabulous reception last night. It was a lovely evening with wonderful people in a magical setting. A great way to end a semester and begin a holiday season! 

    My report today will focus on App State’s enduring resilience, as evidenced by our Mountain Strong recovery from Hurricane Helene, as well as our successes in teaching, research, fundraising and athletics.

  • Thursday, November 21, 2024

    Good morning, and welcome!

    Today we're commemorating the 125th anniversary of our university expanding access to education in Northwestern North Carolina. And, we will welcome nine new members into the university’s esteemed Bell Ringers Society. Typically, we would hold this event on Founders Plaza. However, a couple of months ago, Mother Nature changed our plans and I think Mother Nature is a little chilly out there today too. Thanks to the hard work of many on our campus, we are fortunate to be able to gather today for this rescheduled event!

  • Friday, October 18, 2024

    When we began this week, we took a big step forward on our long and varied road to recovery. I commend our many students, who were unsure of what it would be like to return to the classroom and to campus, and our faculty and staff, who were uncertain of what needs would arise that they would be called on to meet and who, together, bravely took that important step forward.

  • Thursday, October 17, 2024

    Yesterday, we welcomed our university community back to a campus that is open and ready to serve, thanks to hundreds of staff, faculty and students who have worked and volunteered hundreds of hours since Hurricane Helene hit our area.

  • Wednesday, October 16, 2024

    Interim Chancellor Heather Norris shares a message of support for students, faculty and staff as fall 2024 classes resume following Hurricane Helene.

  • Friday, October 11, 2024

    Today at 5 p.m., we will reopen the university, after being closed for more than two weeks. This is a significant event in our 125-year history, marking just how devastating the effects of Hurricane Helene have been on our community.

    We witnessed amazing acts of kindness and humanity during this time. Members of our community rescued others from rising and rapidly moving water. When landslides and downed trees blocked access, those who were able dug and chainsawed their way through to get others to safety. They walked, boated and rode horses and mules to deliver supplies to family, neighbors, friends and strangers.

  • Tuesday, October 8, 2024

    This morning, my leadership team joined me as we engaged in conversation with leaders from Watauga County, the Town of Boone and the Boone Chamber regarding the timing of our resumption of classes.

    During this meeting, together with the County, Town and Chamber, we determined that we can, with the improving infrastructure, thoughtfully, responsibly and respectfully resume classes after Fall Break, on Wednesday, Oct. 16.

  • Friday, October 4, 2024

    On Wednesday, we shared with students, faculty and staff that classes remain canceled on the App State Boone and Hickory campuses and Adverse Weather Condition 3 (Closure) remains in effect through 5 p.m. Friday, Oct. 11.

    With Fall Break Oct. 14-15, classes will resume no earlier than Oct. 16. The modality and locations will be determined based on conditions and infrastructure.

  • Tuesday, October 1, 2024

    I know there are many who are not yet able to read this message, and that many are still actively working to get in contact with their loved ones in the area. Please know we are working to fully leverage every resource available to the university to assist our campus and surrounding community. Please help share this information with those who don’t have electronic connectivity.

    As we continue to assess the damage to our campus, we are keenly aware that our partners in the county are still in active response mode. Throughout our entire area, there is widespread lack of power and water, along with significant transportation and communication issues. Some of our students, faculty and staff have lost everything. We are so grateful to the emergency responders, volunteers and utility providers, and so many others, for their incredible work.

  • Saturday, September 28, 2024

    My heart is with the entire Western North Carolina community and beyond as we begin to assess and respond to the devastating flooding and storm damage that have impacted our region, including our sister institutions in the mountains.

    Since early in the week, App State staff have been working around the clock to prepare for, and then respond to, Hurricane Helene. The level of devastation it has brought to our region is massive. Some of our staff members have significant damage to their homes, and some haven’t seen their families since the storm began — yet, they are focused on serving others. We are operating with a smaller than usual essential staffing team, because some — despite wanting to be here — cannot get here to help.

  • Friday, September 20, 2024

    Thank you, Chair Ricks.

    My report today will focus on the key theme of student success.

    Yesterday we held Foundation Board and Board of Visitors meetings on campus. In my discussions with these boards, members have expressed a strong desire to be more actively engaged. I appreciate these volunteers and the added energy — in concert with the work of the Board of Trustees — they are bringing in support of our university’s mission.

  • Thursday, August 29, 2024

    Watch a livestream of the State of the University Address meeting here on Thursday, Aug. 29 at 3 p.m.

  • Friday, August 16, 2024

    Interim Chancellor Heather Norris shares a welcome message to students, faculty and staff on the first day of classes for the 2024-25 academic year.

  • Wednesday, July 10, 2024

    Dear Faculty, Staff and Students,

    On May 23, 2024, the UNC System Board of Governors voted to repeal Policy 300.8.5 in the UNC Policy Manual — which was called the Policy on Diversity and Inclusion Within the University of North Carolina — and replace it with a new policy, titled Equality Within the University of North Carolina.

  • Monday, April 22, 2024

    Dear Faculty, Staff and Students,

    It is my pleasure to announce that Dr. Neva J. Specht has agreed to accept the position of acting provost while I serve in the position of interim chancellor.

    Dr. Specht is a well-known and widely respected member of the Academic Affairs leadership team, who was appointed to the position of senior vice provost of faculty policies, development and training in the Academic Affairs division in October 2021.

  • Friday, April 19, 2024

    Dear Students, Faculty, Staff, Alumni and Friends,

    I’d like to take a moment to introduce myself to those of you who don’t yet know me.

    For more than 20 years, I’ve dedicated my career to Appalachian State University. I came here because I was impressed by Appalachian’s stated mission of educational access, and when I visited, I saw it to be true. Over my time here, the faculty and staff dedication to student success, which has characterized the institution for 125 years, continues to be strong to this day.

    I joined the faculty of the Walker College of Business in 2003, and my home department remains the Department of Finance, Banking and Insurance. I served the college as assistant, associate and senior associate dean, as well as acting and interim dean and then dean, before becoming App State’s provost. I served as interim provost during some of the most challenging times in university history, as we worked to provide the best possible educational experience for our students, and keep faculty and staff employed during the COVID-19 pandemic, and in 2021, I was appointed to the role of provost and executive vice chancellor.