It was an honor to recognize the winners of this year’s Appalachian State University Awards of Distinction, all of whom — 29 faculty, staff and students — have demonstrated exceptional Mountaineer merit through their contributions to our university and the App State Community. Their achievements in leadership, teaching, research and service inspire us to aim high in all we do as Mountaineers — a collective momentum that is making a lasting difference here at our university and in communities across the state, nation and world. In this photo, I am joined by the recipients of the 2026 W.H. Plemmons Leadership Medallion. From left to right are Dr. Christopher Hogan; Dr. Rahman Tashakkori; App State senior Asher Fazal; Pam Walker; App State seniors Nicole Tran, Ben Tugwell and Reagan Petto; and Dr. Kevin Eller. Thank you to Chase Reynolds and Kyla Willoughby in University Communications for capturing the moments that made the event so meaningful.
Message from Chancellor Heather Norris: May 1, 2026
With the arrival of May, it is a season of both transition and reflection. Our campuses in Boone and Hickory are alive with the focused energy of Mountaineer students as they navigate final exams, with many preparing to take part in Spring Commencement next week. Also, today is National College Decision Day, and we are so excited for those who have officially committed to joining the Appalachian State University Community this fall — whether in Boone, Hickory or online. To mark the occasion, we’ve created a special welcome video to celebrate your commitment and offer a glimpse of all that lies ahead at App State.
On Tuesday, we presented the annual Appalachian State University Awards of Distinction, recognizing 29 faculty, staff and students for their exemplary contributions to our university and the broader community — through teaching, research, leadership, service and more. Their dedication enriches our campus, and their achievements serve to inspire their fellow Mountaineers. It was an honor to celebrate these recipients and thank them for the significant impact they have made across our campus, region and state.
Recently, the university received an honor of its own — a recognition for our commitment to those who power our university. App State has been named a Family Forward NC Certified Employer by the North Carolina Early Childhood Foundation. As the largest certified employer in Western North Carolina, this designation affirms that our greatest strength is our people. By prioritizing research-based, family-friendly policies — including health benefits, child care supports and workplace flexibility — we continue to foster an environment where every member of the App State Community has the support they need to flourish.
Earlier today, we marked a significant milestone in the history of the App State Tennis program with the dedication of the Jim and Elaine Jones Outdoor Tennis Complex at our Appalachian 105 Sports Complex. The naming honors the extraordinary legacy of the late Jim Jones — a professor emeritus and former chair of the Department of Accounting in the Walker College of Business — and his wife, Elaine Jones ’61, an alumna who served as a leader in local education. Jim’s 36-year career at Appalachian State included serving as athletics director and leading our Tennis program to more than 200 victories, and he was inducted into the App State Athletics Hall of Fame in 1986. Jim was also a founding member of the Yosef Club, which provides life-changing scholarship opportunities for our student-athletes, and he and Elaine supported App State Tennis athletes through their contributions to the Jim Jones Scholarship Endowment. Their decades of service and philanthropy reflect a deep-seated belief in the potential of every Mountaineer to succeed — on the field, in the classroom and in the community — and this complex stands as a permanent tribute to their lifelong commitment to supporting Appalachian State.
The spirit of our community is also being felt well beyond the High Country, through the 2026 Mountaineer Spring Tour that kicked off earlier this week. So far, the tour has made stops in Atlanta and Charlotte, with six additional destinations scheduled through June 4. Coordinated by the Mountaineers Athletic Fund and the Office of Alumni Engagement, this tour allows us to reconnect with alumni chapters and share the latest university updates with our most passionate supporters across the region.
The creative works of student and regional artists will be on display in downtown Boone this evening, with the Turchin Center for the Visual Arts hosting a reception during the First Friday Art Crawl. This free event offers a wonderful opportunity to engage with the arts through a student-made pop-up market, student dance performances, a poetry reading by retired Appalachian State University professor Joseph Bathanti, as well as the Turchin Center’s contemporary art exhibitions.
As we enter the final days of the semester, I encourage our students to stay focused and finish strong — you have worked hard to reach this point, and your persistence reflects Mountaineer determination. To our faculty and staff, thank you for the care and commitment you bring to educating, mentoring and supporting our students every day. Together, we’ll conclude this semester as we began it — supporting one another and working toward shared success.
Heather Norris
Chancellor
Clockwise, from top left: It was fun to join the 2026 Mountaineer Spring Tour at its stop in Charlotte on Thursday and engage with both App State alumni and Mountaineers fans — Queen City was abuzz with the Black and Gold spirit!; At this afternoon’s dedication of the Jim and Elaine Jones Outdoor Tennis Complex, I joined App State Athletics Director Doug Gillin in honoring Elaine Jones '61 and her late husband and their legacy of care and commitment for App State and the success of our students; This evening’s First Friday Art Crawl at the Turchin Center for the Visual Arts brings opportunities to experience contemporary art exhibitions, meet local artists and enjoy downtown Boone’s vibrant atmosphere; As a Family Forward NC Certified Employer, App State is committed to supporting the health and well-being of our employees and their families. Health Promotion for Faculty and Staff is just one of the many programs, policies and practices in place at the university to create a workplace where Mountaineers can thrive both personally and professionally. Thank you to University Communications Photographers Chase Reynolds and Kyla Willoughby for these images.
