Message from Interim Chancellor Heather Norris
This fall, we witnessed firsthand the impacts of many first responders and military service members who answered the call in the wake of Hurricane Helene. Tomorrow, at App State’s home football game versus Old Dominion, we will celebrate them, as well as our nation’s veterans, at our annual Heroes Day game.
The brave men and women who volunteer for active duty, reserve and the National Guard service do so knowing the sacrifices required of them and their families. They have willingly stood in harm's way for our nation’s freedoms, and thousands of service members from North Carolina and many other states responded to the needs of our area this fall.
The courage and commitment of first responders — firefighters, medics, rescue squads and law enforcement officers — was evident most recently to all of us in Western North Carolina as they rushed to our aid amid dangerous conditions, even as the status of their own homes and families was unknown. We are so grateful for their dedication and selfless service.
These rescue efforts included App State’s own Reserve Officers’ Training Corps members, many of whom were activated for the state response, and many of whom also worked on cleanup efforts on our Boone campus. They will be recognized on the field tomorrow for the many services they provide to the university and to our nation.
We are also proud to recognize two alumni at tomorrow's game: Staff Sergeant Tim McHugh and Retired Colonel Edna W. Cummings.
- Staff Sgt. McHugh, a former Airborne Infantry Squad Leader, is a 2011 graduate who was deployed to Iraq and Afghanistan and served as a paratrooper and noncommissioned officer in the U.S. Army’s 82nd Airborne Division, where he led an airborne infantry squad in combat, earning a Purple Heart and Army Commendation Medal for Valor. An attorney in Richmond, Virginia, he now actively supports veterans through his pro bono legal practice, which is focused on systemic educational benefits issues.
- Col. Cummings, who was inducted into the U.S. Army Women's Foundation Hall of Fame in 2020, is the first African American female graduate of App State’s ROTC program, graduating in 1978. Tonight, she will be recognized by our ROTC program as a distinguished alumna for her significant accomplishments and contributions and service to the university and the nation.
Just before Helene disrupted operations on our campus, six national publications, including U.S. News & World Report, The Princeton Review and Forbes magazine, published rankings that placed Appalachian State University among the best schools in the Southeast — and the nation — for the 2024–25 academic year. We earned placement on these lists for excellence in several areas, including academics, innovation, value, benefits for student veterans and programs to enhance the first-year experience.
These latest accolades reflect the commitment and dedicated efforts of our faculty and staff in fostering student success through comprehensive support, including helping students graduate on time. Our reputation for educational excellence, which has endured for 125 years, is a testament to the transformative power of an App State education — to improve the lives and communities of our state, nation, and world. You can read more about our recent accolades, including being named among the top three Southern regional universities for our excellent and innovative educational experience, in this news story.
Additionally, last week, App State Athletics was recognized with the Student-Athlete Graduation Success Rate Award by the Sun Belt Conference at its Fall Meeting. App State was one of four schools to exceed a 90% graduation success rate during the 2023–24 academic year.
Congratulations are also in order for the App State men’s and women’s cross country teams, both of which won Sun Belt championships earlier today! The men’s team clinched the title for the second consecutive year and the fourth time since joining the Sun Belt. The women are Sun Belt champions for the first time since 2018 and the third time since joining the conference. Congrats to all of the champion student-athletes, Director of Track & Field/Cross Country Damion McLean, men’s distance coach Brad Herbster and women’s distance coach Annie Richards.
We recognize all of our student-athletes, their coaches, Director of Athletics Doug Gillin and the App State Athletics staff for their hard work and dedication to student success.
I’d also like to encourage our App State Community to come out next Friday, Nov. 8, for a free concert by Black Violin at the Schaefer Center for the Performing Arts. This event offers a meaningful opportunity to celebrate our unity and the strength of our Western North Carolina communities.
Our resilience as a university community — coming together from near and far — continues to inspire me. Thank you.
Heather Norris
Interim Chancellor
Many of our ROTC Cadets were activated for the state response to Hurricane Helene, jumping into action to help our neighbors and our campus. This weekend we celebrate all military service members, our veterans and our first responders for their selfless service. Thank you to Chase Reynolds in University Communications for capturing this photo.
Our university leadership team has continued to visit fall athletics practices to connect with our student-athletes. Shown from left to right are members of the women’s tennis team, led by head coach Hannah Fetters and assistant coach Cedric Rupa; the 2024 Sun Belt Conference Champion men’s and women’s cross country teams; and App State’s softball team, led by head coach Whitney Jones. Thank you to all of our student-athletes, their coaches and staff for continuing to excel in the classroom and on the field. Thank you to Chase Reynolds and Kyla Willoughby in University Communications for these photos.
