Cutting the ribbon on Wey Hall was a tremendous highlight for the week and represents the dedication to serving our university and constituents by our state lawmakers, including N.C. Rep. Ray Pickett (pictured to my right) and former N.C. Rep. Jeffery Elmore (to my left). Also joining us to commemorate this important milestone were, from left to right: Beth and John Muter — CEO and President of Muter Construction; College of Fine and Applied Arts Interim Dean Shanshan Lou; Dr. James Douthit; Executive Vice Chancellor and Provost Neva J. Specht; Luke Walling; Executive Vice Chancellor and Chief Operating Officer J.J. Brown; Brenda Wey and Buddie Wey-Wetli; Department of Art Chair Amy Johnson; and Wey Hall Renovation Project Manager Randy Jones. Thanks to Chase Reynolds for capturing the moment the ribbon was cut, as well as other photos of the building you can view on the App State’s Future website.
Message from Chancellor Heather Norris: September 12, 2025
On Tuesday, we crossed a significant milestone with an official reopening ceremony for Herbert W. Wey Hall after a comprehensive renovation — the first for the building. Wey Hall houses the Department of Art, which offers more than 100 course sections to approximately 1,400 students, and the building’s classrooms are also used by University College for General Education and First Year Seminar courses.
Built in 1976, the building was dedicated by former North Carolina Gov. Jim Hunt in 1979 to commemorate Chancellor Herbert W. Wey’s accomplishments. Completing the first renovation of the facility since it was built in 1976 — nearly 50 years later — is meaningful, and continues to pay tribute to our state’s and our university’s history.
Chancellor Wey was known as an educational innovator who, during 10 years of leading the university, established many important initiatives that have become mainstays for Appalachian State University, including founding our College of Business — now the largest undergraduate business school in the state — and creating the Appalachian State University Foundation Inc., a vital part of our continued growth that has led to countless opportunities for students to earn App State degrees. Perhaps most importantly, Chancellor Wey encouraged new methods of teaching and learning, advancing the spirit of innovation and resilience of our founders, which continues to define our institution to this day. We were honored that Brenda Wey and Buddie Wey-Wetli, Chancellor Wey’s daughters, joined us to share in this special celebration and continued appreciation of his legacy.
We cannot thank our legislators enough for allocating the financial support needed to make this beautiful renovation possible. It’s important to note that this extraordinary renovation was made possible because of more than $20 million in allocated funding support through the State of North Carolina budget. State leaders — including Ralph Hise, Senate Deputy President Pro Tempore; Ray Pickett, Chair of the House Committee on Higher Education; and App State alumnus and former North Carolina Representative Jeffrey Elmore, as well as many others — worked hard to secure three separate funding allocations for the project, ensuring we could make all renovations and open the building in time for this academic year. If not for their efforts, we would not be celebrating this incredible step forward.
The first major private donation for the Wey Hall renovation project, generously donated by Luke Walling, established the Cathy P. Walling Student Art Gallery — the first dedicated student exhibition space in the art program’s history, which is named in honor of Luke’s mother, a Class of 1978 alumna. This gift continues an important legacy — and love for art and education.
Groundbreaking learning takes place, lifetime memories are made and lasting friendships are formed in the spaces dedicated to teaching, learning, research and creative activities on our campus. Beautiful, well-equipped facilities that support teaching and learning signify the value we place in the work that takes place in them. They also signify the dedication of the many, many individuals who design, build, renovate and maintain them.
I want to thank all of the individual workers — especially the App State Planning, Design and Construction team — for overcoming many challenges with this project, including a devastating hurricane, so that we could reopen the building in time for classes this semester. While finishing their punch lists, they were also helping our faculty and staff move in. We applaud your dedication and your steadfast attention to safety.
This building will continue to advance the legacy of Chancellor Wey, the legacy of students and alumni and the legacy of so many others who believe in the power of education and its ability to change lives and the world for the better.
After a fantastic Family Weekend, it’s been a week of connecting with students, faculty and staff, and I’ve enjoyed spending time with you in meetings — as well as during less formal opportunities for camaraderie — this week.
- On Wednesday, I began the first of several “Lunch and Conversation” events I’ll be hosting with student leaders throughout the academic year, by hosting our Student Ambassadors at the Appalachian House. I also met with members of Staff Senate leadership on Wednesday, and Faculty Senate leadership on Thursday.
- Our conversations included a variety of topics, including the ways we can increase service to our communities; shaping curricula, pacing of courses and delivery models to meet students’ needs for increased flexibility; creative approaches to more efficiently using our campus facilities; and increasing participation in our campus strategic and master planning processes.
These were future-thinking, engaging and positive conversations, and I came away energized about the innovative ways our faculty, staff and students are considering our future and how we can shape it to meet the needs of our state and region.
As we move into the next phase of our university’s advancement, I look forward to continuing to hear your ideas — and your dreams — for the future of Appalachian State University.
Heather Norris
Chancellor
The week included several opportunities to recognize and talk with members of our university community who elevate the App State Experience for all who attend and visit our campuses. I spent time with (clockwise, from top left): App State’s Student Ambassadors, the first of several groups of student leaders I’ll be hosting for “Lunch and Conversation” events this academic year; the dedicated team of leaders and workers involved in the first renovation of Wey Hall; Staff Senate leaders who are dedicated to supporting our university and greater community; and Faculty Senate leaders who are envisioning an exciting future for the university. Thanks to Chase Reynolds and Kyla Willoughby in University Communications for these photos.
