Last week, students from App State and universities across the region took part in the 2026 Kellar Media Career Academy, hosted at our Boone campus. They gained valuable industry insights during a behind-the-scenes tour of the WBTV News station in Charlotte, led by App State alumnus and WBTV News anchor John Carter ’79 (far right). They were accompanied by Dave Blanks (fourth from right), student media director and advisor for App State’s student-run radio station, 90.5 WASU-FM, housed in the College of Fine and Applied Arts. Thank you to Kyla Willoughby in University Communications for capturing this photo.
Message from Chancellor Heather Norris: June 19, 2026
Across our campuses, Appalachian State University staff members are working diligently this summer to sustain daily operations and ensure our university runs seamlessly. From our dedicated facilities and dining teams to our information technology, campus safety, admissions and event coordination professionals, these individuals play a vital role in supporting the entire App State Community. Their hard work supports the many camps, conferences and events that take place each summer and strengthens the App State Experience year-round for our students, faculty and visitors. On behalf of the university, I want to express my sincere gratitude to our staff for their steadfast commitment and for the essential contributions they make to campus life each and every day.
This dedication to enhancing the student experience is also reflected in summer academic programming at App State. Last week, the College of Fine and Applied Arts hosted the Kellar Media Career Academy on the Boone campus. Supported by the National Radio Talent System, this intensive, six-day program provides college students and recent graduates — including electronic media/broadcasting majors at App State — opportunities to connect with broadcasting industry professionals from around the country. Participants utilized the state-of-the-art facilities in the college’s Beasley Media Complex, including video production studios and the student-run radio station, WASU-FM, to engage in hands-on training that spanned the media landscape, covering everything from digital content creation to sports talk programming. This invaluable preparation yields tangible outcomes, as 70% of academy participants secure their first job in media following graduation.
Our campus facilities also serve as vibrant hubs for entertainment and regional connection. Yesterday evening, the Holmes Convocation Center featured a high-energy performance by triple-platinum country-pop star Niko Moon, marking his only North Carolina stop of the year. Hosted by App State Athletics, the concert brought the community together with opening performances by local Boone band Midlife Trip and App State alumnus Adam Church. The Athletics department will bring more world-class entertainment to the High Country next month, when multi-platinum country singer and songwriter Jon Pardi headlines a concert at Kidd Brewer Stadium on July 25.
And App State student-athletes continue to achieve historic milestones on the national stage, representing the university with Black and Gold pride. Pole vaulter Matthew Gray, a senior mathematics major from Bryson City, capped an extraordinary season last week with a fifth-place finish at the NCAA Outdoor Track and Field Championships at Hayward Field in Eugene, Oregon. By clearing 5.60 meters (18 feet, 4.5 inches), Matthew earned first-team All-America recognition, marking back-to-back years that a Mountaineer pole vaulter has achieved All-America honors. He has joined elite company as only the third top five NCAA finisher in the history of the App State Men's Track and Field program. In this brief video, Matthew shares his view on what it takes to consistently raise the bar.
I wish you all a wonderful weekend and a productive week ahead — with a special wish to our Mountaineer fathers for a Happy Father’s Day!
Heather Norris
Chancellor
From left to right: Our campus operations run seamlessly during the summer terms — and year-round — thanks to dedicated App State staff members such as Campus Dining Supervisor Santiago Villarreal, left, who serves as a vital allergy resource for our campus community in Central Dining Hall’s Sanford Commons; multi-platinum country-pop artist Niko Moon delivered a high-energy performance for the High Country community yesterday evening in Holmes Convocation Center; and Mountaineers pole vaulter Matthew Gray clears the bar during a standout performance in the recent NCAA Outdoor Track and Field Championships, earning first-team All-America honors. Thank you to Kyla Willoughby in University Communications and App State Athletics Photographer Jon Pearl for these photos.
