Message from Interim Chancellor Heather Norris
As we conclude the semester, we celebrate a significant milestone for our students and our graduates. Today, Appalachian State University proudly welcomes more than 1,500 graduates to a network of more than 150,000 Mountaineer alumni. These graduates have enriched our academic community, and they now continue a legacy of 125 years of academic excellence, service and innovation.
I offer you, your families, loved ones and all who helped you along this journey a special congratulations for displaying such dedicated persistence during a time with so many unknowns — from a worldwide pandemic to a natural disaster. As all of you look back on your journeys, I hope you will take pride in the challenges you’ve overcome, treasure the friendships you’ve forged and cultivate the knowledge you’ve acquired from this fine institution. As you move forward into your next chapter, you can be confident your App State education has prepared you to meet the challenges and opportunities that await you with compassion, integrity and determination.
On occasion, Appalachian State University honors individuals who have made significant contributions to our university by conferring upon them honorary degrees. Today was such an occasion, as I had the honor of conferring an honorary Doctor of Humane Letters upon John Blackburn, who has served the state of North Carolina, the High Country and Appalachian State University extensively and with distinction.
John’s contributions have ensured quality medical care, recreation, education and overall quality of life have been vastly improved, particularly for those who live in the rural areas of Avery and Watauga counties. His service to our university includes volunteering for Appalachian State University’s Foundation Board, Appalachian’s Board of Trustees (for which he served as Chair from 2008 to 2009), the UNC System Board of Governors and the North Carolina State Board of Education. His generosity has also extended to several areas of Appalachian State, including the Appalachian Fund, Walker College of Business, App State Athletics and arts education. The John M. Blackburn Distinguished Professorship in Theatre was named in honor of his leadership and support for the university.
John’s dedication to improving quality of life and educational systems are extraordinary, and he has been a cherished member of the Appalachian State University Family for many years, dedicating himself and his efforts to the success of our students. On a personal note, it has been my honor to call John my friend. He is indeed a friend to so many, and those of us who can say that are so very fortunate. Thank you, John, for being a valued friend to all of us here at Appalachian State University, and congratulations on your honorary doctorate.
Every path to a degree and graduation is different. As we celebrate this Commencement, we’re sharing the stories of six graduates, each of whom has a different story, background and degree:
- Sophie Baine, of Charlotte, graduated from the College of Fine and Applied Arts with a Bachelor of Science in public relations.
- Vee Bui, of Hickory, graduated from the Beaver College of Health Sciences with a Bachelor of Science in communication sciences and disorders.
- Jackson Payne, of Dallas, graduated from the College of Arts and Sciences with a Bachelor of Science in history/social studies education.
- Tim Scapin ’20, of Clyde, earned a Doctor of Education in educational leadership from the Reich College of Education. Tim earned his second degree from App State today — he also earned a Master of Arts in media, technology and learning design from App State in 2020.
- Jackie Siverly, of Hickory, graduated from the Hayes School of Music with a Bachelor of Arts in instrumental music education.
- Cody Zimmerman, of Hickory, graduated from the Walker College of Business with a Bachelor of Science in Business Administration in both general management and sales.
This week was also filled with other outstanding opportunities and news for Appalachian State.
On Monday, Coach Dowell Loggains joined our football program as our new head football coach — the 23rd in the program’s history — as the valuable offseason begins. On behalf of the university, I welcome Coach Loggains and his family to the High Country, The Rock and the greatest fans in college football.
On Tuesday morning, university leaders joined several community leaders from Boone, Blowing Rock and Watauga County for an informal gathering. We appreciate our civic, government and community leaders, and these opportunities to come together are extremely valuable as we continue to move forward in recovery from the recent storm and prepare for a shared future of continued growth and success within the High Country.
On Tuesday night, Armanti Edwards, 2009 graduate and record-setting and title-winning quarterback for the Mountaineers from 2006 to 2009, was inducted into the College Football Hall of Fame. Armanti was the first player to win the Walter Payton Award — given to the most outstanding offensive player in the Football Championship Subdivision — twice. He joins Dexter Coakley as only the second player in App State history to be inducted in the Hall of Fame. His memorable victories include two FCS national titles and the historic 34–32 upset of No. 5 Michigan to open the 2007 season in Ann Arbor. He is a Mountaineer legend, and we congratulate him on this honor.
On Wednesday, our Alumni Affairs team hosted a lovely "Cheers for 'Neers" reception, and I was honored to toast the graduating Class of 2024. To our newest alumni, we welcome you to the Alumni Association, and please know this team is a teriffic resource to all of our alumni.
As we close out 2024 and the fall semester, I offer a special thanks to our faculty, staff, students and newest graduates for your diligence and for the selfless sacrifices you have made throughout this semester in particular. I wish you and your loved ones a joyful and peaceful holiday season and a very happy new year.
Heather Norris
Interim Chancellor
We celebrated more than 1,500 App State graduates during today’s Fall 2024 Commencement ceremonies — each with different stories, backgrounds and degrees. Pictured clockwise, from top left, are: Vee Bui, who earned a bachelor’s degree in communication sciences and disorders; Jackie Siverly, who received a bachelor’s degree in music education; Jackson Payne, who graduated with a bachelor’s degree in history/social studies education; Sophie Baine, who graduated with a bachelor’s degree in public relations; Tim Scapin ’20, who earned a doctorate degree in educational leadership; and Cody Zimmerman, who received a bachelor’s degree in both general management and sales. Thank you to Chase Reynolds in University Communications for these photos, and thank you, Tim, for submitting your photo.
From left to right: It’s been a week of celebrations at App State — from welcoming the Mountaineers’ new head football coach, Dowell Loggains (Dowell is pictured at his welcome reception with his wife, Beth, App State Director of Athletics Doug Gillin and me); to presenting an honorary Doctor of Humane Letters to longtime university friend and supporter John Blackburn during this evening’s Fall 2024 Commencement ceremony (John is pictured with App State Board of Trustees Chair Mark E. Ricks '89, UNC System Board of Governors member C. Philip Byers '85 and me); to honoring one of App State’s greatest football players, quarterback Armanti Edwards ’09, as he was inducted into the College Football Hall of Fame. Thank you to Chase Reynolds in University Communications and Lucas Peltier with the National Football Foundation for these photos.
