Appalachian State Teachers College President William H. Plemmons (1955-1969) speaks with students in front of the second Administration Building, built in 1924. From the Appalachian State University Historical Photos Collection.

Appalachian State University celebrates 125 years of education leadership in 2024. A thriving institution, App State honors its founding commitment to educational access and excellence and its rural mountain heritage through teaching, research and service.

The Desire to Educate

Appalachian State University began as Watauga Academy, founded in 1899 by Dr. B.B. Dougherty, his brother, D.D. Dougherty, and D.D.’s wife, Lillie Shull Dougherty. They shared the dream of helping children in North Carolina’s “lost provinces” discover educational opportunity to match the splendor of the mountains in which they lived.

This tiny academy quickly evolved into a school preparing quality teachers to serve our state and beyond. Building on this strong foundation, App State grew into a destination of choice for high-achieving, intellectually curious students — from across the state, nation and world — who want to make a lasting difference in their communities.

By ensuring a sound foundation in terms of the university’s physical infrastructure and the goals and strategic initiatives that empower human potential, App State provides the highest quality setting in which students can grow and learn how to navigate life successfully.

The Early Years

Known as one of North Carolina’s greatest educators, B.B. Dougherty led the institution for 56 years — from its humble beginnings as Watauga Academy to the Appalachian Training School for Teachers, the two-year Appalachian State Normal School and later the four-year Appalachian State Teachers College. The pioneering spirit necessary to overcome the area’s isolation and hardships quickly characterized the institution, giving App State its special niche in higher education.

Growing into a University

Dr. William H. Plemmons (1955–69) presided over App State’s transformation from a single-purpose teachers college into a multipurpose regional university. Yet, the precious features that set App State apart — quality teacher training and a commitment to community spirit, faculty collegiality and a beautiful mountain setting — remained secure under his leadership.

Known as the builder president, Plemmons oversaw 25 construction projects and strengthened the App State spirit through enhanced activities for students and alumni, creating an interconnected community called the Appalachian Family. App State’s Plemmons Student Union, located in the heart of campus, is named in his honor.

Enrollment exceeded 2,400 by 1958, only to double within 10 years. Full-time faculty grew to more than 300 and became more diverse. During Plemmons’ tenure, App State also began offering master’s-level programs.

Nationally Recognized for Innovation

The university became part of the University of North Carolina System in 1971 under the leadership of Dr. Herbert W. Wey (1969–79). He introduced innovations that earned App State national recognition as an institution of change, all while enrollment doubled to about 9,500.

Under his leadership, App State implemented the student teacher program, College of Business, continuing education program and Watauga Residential College, a small residential college within the greater university. It also secured the New York Loft and App House in Washington, D.C., for off-campus scholarly activities. To ensure the university’s continued innovation and success, Wey created the Appalachian State University Foundation Inc. to solicit support from individuals, corporations and businesses.

Wey was a prolific writer and researcher. Peers referred to him as the “educational innovator” for encouraging faculty to develop and practice new theories of teaching and learning.

A Leader in Technology and International Education

Dr. John E. Thomas (1979–93) recruited a first-rate faculty, believing that strong, effective teaching should be supported by research and community service. With a focus on improving campus technology and blending it into teaching, Thomas also developed App State’s leadership in distance learning, which expanded in the late 1990s and early 2000s to include a formal partnership with 10 regional community colleges. Under Thomas’ leadership, App State developed exchange programs in a dozen countries, including China, Germany and Costa Rica. Boone’s Rivers Street, from Blowing Rock Road to Burrell Street, is also known as the Chancellor John Thomas Thruway — an honorary designation bestowed by the North Carolina Board of Transportation.

The focus on international education continued with Dr. Francis T. Borkowski (1993–2003), who entered his chancellorship with a vision to create a distinctive learning environment sensitive to rapid world changes, such as technology and globalization, yet rooted in mountain values and App State’s tradition of teaching, scholarship and service. The university celebrated its 100th anniversary under Borkowski’s leadership and experienced growth in campus infrastructure, including the construction of the Holmes Convocation Center, McKinney Alumni Center and Rivers Street Parking Deck. Also, App State broke ground on the approximately $47 million Belk Library and Information Commons, which was completed in 2005.

In May 2003, University of North Carolina System President Molly Broad appointed Dr. Harvey R. Durham as acting chancellor after 24 years of service as the university’s chief academic officer and 14 years prior as professor, department chair and associate vice chancellor. Dr. Durham served as acting chancellor for the 2003–04 school year.

The results of these leaders’ progressive changes garnered recognition for App State in U.S. News & World Report and other publications as a top comprehensive university. The university’s emphasis on international education led the American Council on Education to recognize App State as a model institution for international studies, while programs such as Freshman Seminar, now called First Year Seminar, freshman learning communities and the Summer Reading Program prompted TIME magazine to name App State a “College of the Year” in 2001.

A Destination of Choice

Under the leadership of Dr. Kenneth E. Peacock (2004–14), App State became a destination of choice for students, whom Peacock pledged to serve first — “students first, quality in all.” Peacock served as both a professor in and dean of the Walker College of Business before his time as chancellor. The college is housed in Peacock Hall, named in his honor.

In addition to small classes and challenging academics, App State became known for its undergraduate research, internationalized curriculum, service-learning and sustainability, both in academic programs and campus practices. The university grew significantly in the areas of health care and the nexus of energy, the environment and economics, with the establishment of the Beaver College of Health Sciences and the annual Appalachian Energy Summit. App State received increased national attention for its academics, as well as its three national NCAA football championships in 2005, 2006 and 2007, and began its transition into the NCAA Division I Sun Belt Conference in March 2013, when Peacock and the App State Board of Trustees accepted an invitation to join the conference.

Expanding Educational Access

Under the leadership of Dr. Sheri Everts (2014–24), App State distinguished itself as a premier public undergraduate institution. During her tenure, enrollment grew to more than 21,000, and she secured more than $550 million for capital projects for the university, representing one of the largest infrastructure investments in the entire UNC System. State-of-the art residence halls, academic facilities and athletics facilities have changed the face of the university in the last decade. In 2022, the university broke ground on the first phase of its Innovation District, which is expected to have a lasting and powerful impact on the region — and beyond.

In addition, the opening of the App State Hickory campus in 2023 expanded educational access in Western North Carolina, and the university launched new, innovative academic programs, such as the four-year veterinary technology degree program. In 2018, Everts led the charge in opening the App State Academy at Middle Fork, which serves approximately 300 K–5 students with research-based practices, state-of-the-art literacy instruction and exemplary classroom instruction and administration.

App State continues to be a national leader in sustainability, in part by hosting the Appalachian Energy Summit — a platform through which UNC System campuses and state agencies have worked together to avoid $1.96 billion in energy costs.

Advancing App State’s Future

App State is advancing into its next 125 years under the guidance of Interim Chancellor Heather Hulburt Norris, who assumed her new role on April 19, 2024. Appointed by UNC President Peter Hans, Norris brings more than two decades of academic leadership, vision and expertise to the interim chancellor role and is committed to advancing the university’s founding mission of access to higher education and excellence.

Visit chancellor.appstate.edu to learn more about Interim Chancellor Norris.

Visit appstate.edu to learn more about the university.