We are proud to welcome the biggest, brightest and most diverse first-year class ever to our campus and anticipate an extraordinary fall semester.

I hear repeatedly from visitors to our campus how thoughtful, respectful and engaged our students are, and we are thankful for the opportunity to prepare them for successful and sustainable post-college years. We are also appreciative of the trust you put in our staff and faculty, and we do our utmost to keep our students safe and well while they are in our care.

Just last week we celebrated our annual Safety Week, a series of events designed to educate our students on the myriad of resources available on campus and in the community to ensure their personal safety, health and wellness.

During the week, we host the annual, community-wide Walk for Awareness, a silent walk through the campus to commemorate lives lost to violence, and hold a day-long safety festival on Sanford Mall. At the festival, various university departments, clubs and community partners present events, displays and workshops to share resources beneficial to students’ well-being.

As one of our strategic initiatives, in 2015 the university created the Department of Wellness and Prevention Services to help students navigate their university years safely and successfully through education and training.

Wellness and Prevention Services takes a proactive approach to safety by promoting health awareness and active lifestyles with a holistic model that encompasses eight dimensions: emotional, environmental, financial, intellectual, occupational, physical, social and spiritual.

To that end, this summer Appalachian joined The Jed Foundation Campus Program (The Campus Program), which is designed to help colleges and universities assess and enhance mental health, substance abuse and suicide prevention programming. Participating schools make a four-year commitment to work with The Campus Program to evaluate and identify opportunities to augment these activities on campus.

Additionally, Wellness and Prevention Services, led by Dr. Alex F. Howard, offers educational programs on topics such as nutrition, sexual health, drugs, alcohol, tobacco, stress and sleep. The goal is to provide evidence-based wellness and prevention training and education to the greatest number of faculty, staff and students, Howard said.

Our splendid fall leaf season is fast approaching and Homecoming is scheduled for Saturday, Oct. 22. Please consider this a personal invitation to visit our campus sometime this fall and celebrate the young people, faculty and staff who make this such a grand community.

Sincerely,

Sheri N. Everts
Chancellor

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.

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• 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.

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• 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.

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