Good morning, and welcome!

Today we're commemorating the 125th anniversary of our university expanding access to education in Northwestern North Carolina. And, we will welcome nine new members into the university’s esteemed Bell Ringers Society. Typically, we would hold this event on Founders Plaza. However, a couple of months ago, Mother Nature changed our plans and I think Mother Nature is a little chilly out there today too. Thanks to the hard work of many on our campus, we are fortunate to be able to gather today for this rescheduled event!

Yesterday, we welcomed our university community back to a campus that is open and ready to serve, thanks to hundreds of staff, faculty and students who have worked and volunteered hundreds of hours since Hurricane Helene hit our area.

Today at 5 p.m., we will reopen the university, after being closed for more than two weeks. This is a significant event in our 125-year history, marking just how devastating the effects of Hurricane Helene have been on our community.

We witnessed amazing acts of kindness and humanity during this time. Members of our community rescued others from rising and rapidly moving water. When landslides and downed trees blocked access, those who were able dug and chainsawed their way through to get others to safety. They walked, boated and rode horses and mules to deliver supplies to family, neighbors, friends and strangers.

On Wednesday, we shared with students, faculty and staff that classes remain canceled on the App State Boone and Hickory campuses and Adverse Weather Condition 3 (Closure) remains in effect through 5 p.m. Friday, Oct. 11.

With Fall Break Oct. 14-15, classes will resume no earlier than Oct. 16. The modality and locations will be determined based on conditions and infrastructure.

My heart is with the entire Western North Carolina community and beyond as we begin to assess and respond to the devastating flooding and storm damage that have impacted our region, including our sister institutions in the mountains.

Since early in the week, App State staff have been working around the clock to prepare for, and then respond to, Hurricane Helene. The level of devastation it has brought to our region is massive. Some of our staff members have significant damage to their homes, and some haven’t seen their families since the storm began — yet, they are focused on serving others. We are operating with a smaller than usual essential staffing team, because some — despite wanting to be here — cannot get here to help.

Watch a livestream of the State of the University Address meeting here on Thursday, Aug. 29 at 3 p.m.

Dear Faculty, Staff and Students,

On May 23, 2024, the UNC System Board of Governors voted to repeal Policy 300.8.5 in the UNC Policy Manual — which was called the Policy on Diversity and Inclusion Within the University of North Carolina — and replace it with a new policy, titled Equality Within the University of North Carolina.

Dear Students, Faculty, Staff, Alumni and Friends,

I’d like to take a moment to introduce myself to those of you who don’t yet know me.

For more than 20 years, I’ve dedicated my career to Appalachian State University. I came here because I was impressed by Appalachian’s stated mission of educational access, and when I visited, I saw it to be true. Over my time here, the faculty and staff dedication to student success, which has characterized the institution for 125 years, continues to be strong to this day.

I joined the faculty of the Walker College of Business in 2003, and my home department remains the Department of Finance, Banking and Insurance. I served the college as assistant, associate and senior associate dean, as well as acting and interim dean and then dean, before becoming App State’s provost. I served as interim provost during some of the most challenging times in university history, as we worked to provide the best possible educational experience for our students, and keep faculty and staff employed during the COVID-19 pandemic, and in 2021, I was appointed to the role of provost and executive vice chancellor.