Greetings to the Chancellor

Wendy Floyd Murphy

University of North Carolina System Board of Governors Chair

Good morning. It is my honor to bring greetings on behalf of the UNC Board of Governors as we celebrate the installation of Dr. Heather Norris, the eighth chancellor of Appalachian State University.

Since its founding in 1899 as Watauga Academy, App State has become a thriving public institution that honors North Carolina’s rural mountain heritage through teaching, research and service. The mission of the original school — to provide access to education for those in the most isolated regions of Western North Carolina — is still at the heartbeat of this institution more than 125 years later.

Today, the university is an economic driver for the region and offers strong undergraduate degrees — including in business, communications and health sciences — that prepare students for fulfilling careers. Even closer to my heart is this university’s role in educating future teachers who will help K–12 students learn to read and write, to think critically and to master math and science. App State, which in 1929 was known as Appalachian State Teachers College, continues to be one of the largest undergraduate teaching schools in North Carolina and maintains strong partnerships with K–12 schools across the state.

It will play a critical part in educating a new generation — one of the most important tasks before us as our young people face the challenges of an increasingly technological world.

This university requires a leader who understands that task, who believes in the overall mission and who can think strategically about App State’s future within the UNC System.

I can think of no better person for the job than Chancellor Norris. She has spent nearly all of her 30-year career in rural Appalachia, and she understands the mountain pride that brings strength to those who live here. Her background in finance makes her a pragmatic and savvy leader in an era where the chancellor’s job is about balancing affordability for students against sustainability for the institution. The chancellor also understands the workings of App State, inside and out, arriving here as a professor in 2003, rising through the ranks of the faculty and administration and serving this university in many different roles.

Chancellor Norris, you are an excellent champion for our students and for this institution as it continues to grow in service to the region and the state. Congratulations to you, and to the university, as you begin a new and exciting chapter.

Go Mountaineers!

Mark E. Ricks ʼ89

Appalachian State University Board of Trustees Chair

My name is Mark Ricks, and I have the privilege and the pleasure of serving as chair of the Board of Trustees for App State.

I’d like to begin by expressing my thanks to UNC System President Peter Hans, Chair Murphy, Gov. Byers and the entire Board of Governors for their leadership and for choosing the best person we could hope for as our university’s next chancellor.

This is an exciting time for App State. With the best faculty and staff in the nation, we’re in an excellent position to lead innovation for the western part of the state, drive economic development that will help with hurricane recovery, and improve economic well-being and quality of life for people in our region for decades to come.

Through 10 months as interim chancellor, and for the last seven months since her permanent appointment to the role, Dr. Norris has led the university with the best interests of our students, faculty and staff at the forefront of every decision. She has made significant progress in rebuilding relationships with our community leaders and led us through one of the worst natural disasters in the history of the institution. Her business acumen and passion for student success — two things I noticed about her when I first met her — will continue to serve our university well in the future.

Chancellor, congratulations! The trustees are excited to join you in App State’s next chapter.

David Jackson ʼ00

President and CEO of Boone Area Chamber of Commerce

President Hans, Chair Murphy, Gov. Byers, Chair Ricks, Chancellor Norris and distinguished guests, I am honored to bring greetings, heartfelt congratulations and continued encouragement on behalf of the Board of Directors, staff and membership of the Boone Area Chamber of Commerce and the Greater High Country region.

Chancellor, the leadership you’ve displayed throughout your career has been nothing short of inspirational to so many. Last year, in the midst of some of the most important discussions regarding campus and community operations, I remember four words you shared that foretold how you intended to lead as we all approached critical next steps. You said, “This is my home.” Those words brought your vision for such a critical moment immediately to the forefront. You’ve always seen Appalachian State University and the area that surrounds this beautiful campus as one community.

It’s that notion that will be among the most influential foundations of your time as chancellor: To lead with a sense of place and purpose extending well beyond Rivers Street, and to encourage the innovation that will help our region continue to heal, while also ensuring our future workforce and the spirit of entrepreneurship you’ve helped influence since your first day on campus are ready to meet the needs of Western North Carolina. Your leadership and actions have shown a profound respect for the people and history rooted in our Appalachia culture, and some of your best work has come from gathering others to show how campus and community can unite and ensure those values of hard work, tenacity and love for place live on for generations.

As you walk forward today, know this community is eager to walk with you. We’ve enjoyed the benefit of harmony over this past year. We’ve become stronger thanks to the black and gold roots planted here for well over a century. The university continues to serve as a magnet for connecting people to this special place. I am proud to represent a fortunate group of alumni who have found a home in these mountains after graduation — and others have stayed and opened businesses that provide the unique charm and vibrance that have become an essential part of our region’s calling card.

We are all hopeful for what’s to come as you lead our beloved university through many years ahead. It’s great to be a Mountaineer. Congratulations and thank you, on behalf of the Boone Area Chamber of Commerce, for leading with this community as a top priority.

Brandon Adcock ʼ06

App State Alumni Association

Good morning. My name is Brandon Adcock, and I am a 2006 graduate of Appalachian State University.

I stand here today, excited for the next chapter in Appalachian’s history. I am excited to watch it unfold, excited to be a part of it and excited that it will come under the leadership of our new chancellor. Twenty years ago, I stood on this very stage as a student — a student who was about to graduate and take on the world. Like today, I was honored to be asked to give remarks. But as a 22-year-old who hadn’t really lived a life yet, what words of wisdom did I have to offer my fellow graduating students? What profound thing did I have to say?  The reality was that I didn’t. However, what I did have was a wonderful assistant dean who was kind enough to work with me, like so many other faculty and staff had over the years, to learn and rise to the occasion. Chancellor Norris was that assistant dean who took an interest in me as a student, who helped me succeed, like she has done with countless other students. She helped me to articulate how special Appalachian was to me and how it had prepared me and my fellow students for the unknown, For the future that we would conquer. So, I am humbled to bring remarks 20 years later, for what assuredly will be her best chapter yet.

A lot has happened in the last 20 years. The university has grown. We’ve put up new buildings. We beat Michigan. We moved to the Sun Belt. We won some bowl games and have driven academic excellence and elevated the stature of the university. As for me, I put on a few pounds and earned some gray hair. But I’ve lived a life, seen the world and started a family. And over those 20 years, every day I have been a very proud alumnus. Those 20 years gave me an appreciation for how truly special this place is to its students, the region and the state. I learned how lucky I was to have my most formative years spent up on this mountain. It is here, on this campus, from this faculty, in this town, that I learned the skills to be a good citizen, a leader, a husband and a father.  

The uniqueness of this university cannot be underscored enough. Those who know, know. Those who don’t come to learn once they make their first trip up here. It takes a unique leader to preserve a rich legacy, a unique way of doing things, but also to elevate the future and lay a foundation that carries an institution forward, far past their time of leading. All the while, never forgetting its true purpose: the students, and creating the leaders, spouses and parents of tomorrow. When I was a student, Chancellor Peacock had a saying, “Students first, quality in all.” While simple, this is really the Appalachian way.

One year ago, this state was rocked by Hurricane Helene. A once-in-a-lifetime catastrophe for the region. During times of crisis, real leaders rise to the needs of the people around them. We all saw this from you, Chancellor Norris. You prioritized students, brought people together and leveraged the university to support the town, region and state. What more could we ask for?

So, as you officially take the reins of this university, I have one simple ask: Continue to be yourself. Continue to be the same person who has improved the lives of everyone around them, who helped students, like me, achieve their dreams. Continue to be the leader who preserves our legacy, the spirit of the Appalachian Family, while paving the way for where we need to go. No easy task, but I know you will.

Thank you.

Dr. Jim Westerman

App State Faculty Senate Chair

Good morning. As chair of our Faculty Senate, I am here to tell you that we are excited about this new beginning, this new era for Appalachian and the possibilities that it brings. 

App State has always been an overachiever. We represent the spirit of our region.  Resilient. Tenacious. Full of aspirations and ambitions. But everyone knows — as a jewel in the crown of one of the best public higher education systems in the nation — we at App, we “walk the talk.” And so does our new chancellor. Heather Norris represents innovation, a dedication to the advancement of knowledge, a caring for our community, a compassion for our staff and a dedication to building bright futures for our students.

To be, rather than to seem. It’s more than a slogan around here.    

This is who we are. This is who Chancellor Norris is.

However, we all know that nobody can accomplish such great things on their own. Innovating, adapting and thriving in this changing environment — it takes a team. And I can say from the faculty standpoint, we are 100% behind you, Chancellor Norris. You are the right person for the job. Congratulations. We look forward to your leadership, and Go App!

Samantha Williams

App State Staff Senate Chair

Good morning. My name is Samantha Williams, and I bring greetings on behalf of the Staff Senate at Appalachian State University.

It is a true honor to stand before you today to celebrate the installation of Dr. Heather Norris as the eighth chancellor of Appalachian State University.

I had the privilege of serving as a staff member in the Walker College of Business during Dr. Norris’ tenure as dean, and I can say with confidence that her leadership was transformative. She led with clarity, compassion and a deep commitment to excellence.

Her approach was always collaborative, thoughtful and people-centered. Under her leadership, staff have felt empowered, heard and valued. And in that way, it was acknowledged that the success of our students and faculty was deeply connected to the strength and support of our staff.

And when our campus faced the challenges brought on by Hurricane Helene, then-Interim Chancellor Norris’ leadership truly shined. 

In the face of uncertainty and disruption, she remained calm, decisive and deeply compassionate. She prioritized safety, ensured clear communication and worked tirelessly to support students, faculty and staff alike. Her steady hand during that time demonstrated what authentic leadership looks like — not just in moments of celebration but in times of crisis as well.

I also want to highlight her unwavering support of the Staff Senate. Chancellor Norris listens, she engages and she acts. She acknowledges the importance of staff voices in shaping the future of our university, and she fosters a culture of respect. This is one of the many reasons why we are so proud to have her lead our university.

Chancellor Norris’ leadership has been marked by a rare combination of strategic vision and genuine care.  Watching her journey from dean, to provost, and now chancellor has been nothing short of inspiring. She brings with her a deep understanding of Appalachian’s mission, a passion for student success and a commitment to building a university where everyone can thrive.

Chancellor Norris, your installation today marks the beginning of a new chapter for App State, one that I know will be defined by integrity, innovation and heart. On behalf of the many staff members whose lives and careers you’ve touched, thank you. We’re excited to walk alongside you as you lead Appalachian into its future.

Congratulations, Chancellor Norris.

Abby Silvers

App State Graduate Student Government Association President

Good morning. My name is Abby Silvers, and I have the honor of serving as president of the Graduate Student Government Association. It is my role to represent Appalachian State University’s graduate students, and it is a true privilege to take part in celebrating this historic occasion.

Chancellor Norris, your leadership has already made a lasting impression, not only through significant milestones but also through quiet, powerful moments. Around this time last year, when a hurricane disrupted our campus and community, I remember seeing you while I was volunteering on campus. Not behind a podium, not behind a desk, but in Central Dining Hall — shoulder to shoulder with students, faculty, staff and community members, offering support during a time of great need. At that time, even as the interim chancellor, your presence spoke volumes, showing us that we have a leader who leads with empathy, intentionality and purpose

A quote that continues to resonate with me comes from Maya Angelou: “I’ve learned that people will forget what you said, people will forget what you did, but people will never forget how you made them feel.” I left our conversation that day with a deep sense of reassurance — not just for myself but for our entire community. In the midst of crisis and uncertainty, your presence wasn’t just seen, it was felt. And in that moment, it became clear: Leadership isn’t just about titles or decisions; it’s about showing up with compassion when it matters most.

As graduate students, we are scholars, educators, leaders and lifelong learners. Chancellor Norris, we are inspired by your vision for the future, and we’re eager to be part of it. Under your leadership, we look forward to continued growth, expanded opportunities and a shared commitment to supporting the excellence that is our Mountaineer family.

Chancellor Norris, congratulations!

Nicole Tran

App State Student Government Association President

Good morning, Mountaineers! My name is Nicole Tran. I serve as the student body president.

There’s a word that gets tossed around a lot about App State — the students, faculty and administration. “Grit.”

In the Oxford Dictionary, grit means: courage and resolve; strength of character. In my three years as a student at App State, I can confidently say that the rumors are true: We are filled with grit. And I believe that a lot of it stems from Chancellor Norris. Her investment in our university, the Boone community and, most importantly, her investment in us, the students.

Chancellor Norris has shown us that leadership is not about standing in front; it’s about standing beside. She has embraced the challenges that face higher education — from ensuring accessibility and affordability, to fostering innovation and sustainability. 

But beyond the policies and progress, she has made a conscious choice to see us not just as students or faculty or staff but as people with dreams, challenges and limitless potential.

What sets Chancellor Norris apart is her belief that grit is not just about perseverance, it’s about purpose. 

Under her leadership, we’ve seen initiatives that expand research opportunities and strengthen our connection to the community that makes Boone feel like home. She’s not afraid to dream big for our university, and she inspires us to do the same.

Today, as we celebrate her official installation as chancellor, we are also celebrating what this means for the future of Appalachian State University. It means a future where innovation meets tradition, where students are not just prepared for careers but for lives full of meaning and impact. 

It means a future where every Mountaineer knows their voice matters, their ideas matter and their journey matters.

Chancellor Norris, on behalf of the student body, thank you for believing in us. 

Thank you for leading with integrity, compassion and vision. And thank you for showing us that grit is more than a word — it’s the spirit that defines who we are and who we will become.

Congratulations, Chancellor Norris!

Special Greetings

Charlie King ʼ74 ʼ75

Past Interim President of James Madison University

Thank you, Kathryn, for that introduction and warm welcome. They say there is no place like home, and Appalachian State University was my home for some of the best years of my young life. Now, many years later, I stand before you as an alumnus, a retired vice president, a former college president and an example of the power of higher education and the difference this university can make in a young person’s life.

As a first-generation college student and North Carolina native, my time at App State set me up for success as I earned both a bachelor’s and a master’s degree here. App State then, as it is now, was a rural university with a strong student focus. It is no surprise that throughout the course of my career, I found myself at another rural university with a strong student focus.

I served at James Madison University for more than 25 years and most recently had the honor of being called back to serve as their interim president. During my presidency, I got to know Chancellor Heather Norris, who was also serving as interim chancellor over my alma mater.

Chancellor Norris started at JMU, earning her degree in finance and then eventually found her way moving south to Boone. Her educational background and work experience, in particular at App State as a professor, dean of the College of Business and provost and executive vice president, has prepared her well to be the next chancellor at this institution.

Chancellor Norris and I share a background in business, a focus on the intentional growth of our institutions and a commitment to cultivating a strong student body, ready to make a difference in their own communities.

During our respective tenures, we’ve led recently named R2 institutions, during a time when the ROI of higher education is being questioned. I think it’s safe to say that all of us here today can agree on this: We understand the deep value that higher education provides us and the opportunities for a path of great success, whether you are a Duke or a Mountaineer.

Chancellor Norris and I also served on the Sun Belt Conference board together, at a time when college athletics is experiencing significant challenges and changes. While App State and JMU share a friendly rivalry, it pleases me to see the athletic success of both institutions. While you all beat us last fall, it was certainly a highlight of my time as JMU president to watch the Dukes win their first bowl game.

JMU and App State are very similar, almost mirror images of one another. Both began in the early 1900s — App State went from the Watauga Academy in 1903 to the Appalachian Training School, and in 1908, JMU was established as the State Normal and Industrial School for Women. From the early start, both institutions grew into nationally recognized, comprehensive universities. It is also interesting to point out the few numbers of chancellors and presidents at each of the institutions, which I believe reflects just how special these institutions are by the long-standing leadership at the very top.

App State and JMU are exceptional educational institutions, very popular in their home states, and they both have that same welcoming feeling among their faculty and staff, which attracts the same high caliber of students.

Without a doubt, the long-standing culture that has been developed over time on this campus will be further elevated by Chancellor Norris.

Chancellor Norris has served at this university for many years and will continue to leave a lasting, positive impact, despite the challenges a college president faces in their job. She is committed to this community, this university and the faculty and students. I was not surprised to hear of her confirmation as chancellor, and I am incredibly proud to celebrate her success. As a JMU alumna and an established, long-serving leader of App State, she will continue to lead this university forward.

To those in attendance, being a college president is no easy task. Heather, I would like to offer up some advice based on my 47 years of experience in working in higher education and my time as president at JMU.

You will receive lots of advice from the faculty, staff, students, parents, board members, community members, legislators and even some with no connections to this university. Some of that advice will be worth considering, and I emphasize some.

My advice to you is to trust your years of professional training and experience as a senior leader to guide your decision-making. I have found that it is most helpful to draw on those experiences, follow your instincts and you will get it right nine out of 10 times. To put it simply, trust your gut.

Now, for all of the members of the Appalachian family, here is my advice for you.

Being a college chancellor is no easy job. The hard work is already done, and you have made an outstanding decision on hiring one of your own.

I encourage you to give Chancellor Norris your support, respond with positive intentions and give her your understanding when she’s having to make many hard decisions that will come her way.

I firmly believe if you do these things, the Appalachian family, the UNC System and the state of North Carolina will be the beneficiaries of her leadership and your support.

Heather, congratulations on this appointment as chancellor. You represent both James Madison University and Appalachian State University with great honor. I am proud to know you and look forward to all the great things you will bring to an institution in which we all hold in high regard.

Thank you for this wonderful opportunity to return to my alma mater and speak at this special installation ceremony. Best wishes to Chancellor Norris and the entire Appalachian family!

Peter Hans

President of the University of North Carolina System

What a magnificent day to be in High County! I bring you warm greetings on behalf of your fellow public universities across the great state of North Carolina. 

In my role with the 17 institutions of the University of North Carolina, I am, of course, obligated to love all our public universities equally, and I do! From the Blue Ridge to Cape Fear, our state is home to extraordinary schools doing excellent work on behalf of the people of North Carolina. 

But among those of you who know me well, it’s no secret that I am rather fond of this beautiful and fiercely proud campus. There is something special in the air at Appalachian State, something true and good in the soul of this place, and it’s a joy to be a part of it.

I’m thrilled to be here today as we celebrate the start of a new and promising era for this university and give our wholehearted support to a leader who has already proven her mettle through a time of historical trial for this place. She met that moment with steadiness, compassion and her ever-present quiet resolve.

We often reveal our truest selves in times of deepest stress, and Chancellor Norris showed a toughness and generosity of spirit that speaks to the very best of Appalachian State. I believe all of North Carolina has looked to this university and the west with love and admiration in the aftermath of the storm — I know I certainly have. 

And I can assure you that all of North Carolina is looking to the future of this great university with excitement and appreciation. Let’s enjoy this day of celebration and renewal. You have certainly earned it.

I asked Dr. Norris to serve as interim chancellor during a period of transition that became a healing and unifying moment. I nominated (and the board approved) Dr. Norris to serve as permanent chancellor because I’m 100% confident she has the proven experience, deep knowledge, savvy and heart to lead us for years to come. I’m honored to stand by her side.

It’s now my pleasure to ask the Honorable Rebecca Eggers-Gryder to administer the oath of office. I’d like to call to the stage Dr. Norris’ husband, Rob, and daughter, Emma.

Dr. Norris, would you please join your family and Judge Eggers-Gryder at the podium?

University emblems are symbolic objects representing the legal and chartered authority of an institution’s highest office in its most formal ceremonies.

The mace is a particularly emblematic artifact, serving as a symbol of authority just as it did during the Middle Ages, when a macebearer accompanied an official taking office or opening court.

Appalachian State University’s mace symbolizes the university’s mountain heritage. Its design, as a walking stick, and the physical materials of which it is crafted, are appropriate to the natural environment of the area. At the top of the mace is a soaring red-tailed hawk, symbolizing the empowerment of education.

The talons of the hawk are grasping two quartz crystals, one representing the global nature of the university and its educational programs, and the other — a reproduction of Grandfather Mountain, the highest peak on the eastern escarpment of the Blue Ridge Mountains.

The medallion and chain of command represent the trust and authority invested in the chancellor by the institution’s governing body. In academic regalia, the use of medallions is traced to the Middle Ages. Placing the medallion and chain of command on the chancellor’s shoulders signifies the transfer of authority and responsibility for the institution to the newly installed chancellor.

At this time, I invite C. Philip Byers, representing the University of North Carolina System Board of Governors, to place the medallion and chain of command upon the shoulders of Chancellor Heather Hulburt Norris.

Provost and Executive Vice Chancellor Neva J. Specht, will you please present the mace to Chancellor Norris?

Ladies and gentlemen, may I present to you Appalachian State University’s eighth chancellor, Dr. Heather Hulburt Norris!

Remarks from Chancellor Norris

Inaugural Address

Wow. Thank you all so much, and thank you to each of you, members of the platform party, for your kind words. I am humbled — and deeply grateful to all of you here today — and to everyone who is part of what has affectionately been known for many years as the “Appalachian Family.” Thank you for helping celebrate this moment in the history of Appalachian State University. I am so fortunate to be a part of this amazing community.

I’ve been at this university for 22 years, and I promise I’ll keep these remarks under 22 minutes — one minute for each year I’ve been at App State!

• To UNC System President Peter Hans, Board of Governors Chair Wendy Murphy and the full Board of Governors, please know I am so grateful for your trust in me. I recognize the responsibility you have placed in me, and I am working every day to be the leader this great institution and our communities deserve.

Thank you, also:

• to our government leaders, from the High Country and Catawba Valley, to Raleigh, to Washington, D.C., who recognize the importance of App State to our region and who recognize the potential App State has to further bolster the economic prosperity and vibrancy of the communities across our region;
• to Board of Trustees Chair Ricks, Vice Chair Sofield and the entire Board of Trustees, who have supported and worked alongside me — and my leadership team — ever strengthening our public service mission;
• to the members of my leadership team, who provide counsel, thoughtful direction and unwavering support to our university and the communities we serve;
• to the community leaders in the High Country and the Catawba Valley, who are helping shape the vision for App State’s future;
• to the more than 150,000 alumni of App State living, working and contributing in communities across the state, nation and world with Mountaineer pride;
• to our faculty, who dedicate their lives to the pursuit of knowledge and advancing purposeful research and creative endeavors, while teaching and mentoring our students; and our staff, whose contributions each day and at every level ensure a positive, meaningful community in which our students can succeed;
• and of course, to our students. You represent our future, and we remain dedicated to ensuring the experiences you have and the degrees you earn here will hold a lifetime of value for you.

What a joy it is to be with you, looking ahead to a glorious fall weekend in the most beautiful place on Earth. How many people get to say — and feel, with full sincerity — that there’s nowhere in the world they’d rather be? My gratitude for that has only grown in my 22 years here.

I get to live in a community and work at a place where each person — no matter their role — truly cares about being part of an environment that values excellence and wants to help each and every person succeed.  It’s really a dream come true.

Appalachian State University — this once small teachers academy in the ”Lost Province” of Western North Carolina, which welcomed 53 students in its very first class — is now a major research institution and an economic engine for our region, at a time when many universities are contending with public skepticism about their value, declining enrollment and daunting funding challenges. 

We’re a cultural center, a sports powerhouse and the most beautiful place in America to go to school. We’re a proud home to brilliant faculty in more than 150 undergraduate programs and over 80 graduate programs, serving nearly 22,000 students from every single county in North Carolina and almost all 50 states in the nation.  

While we are no longer a “lost province,” we are — still true to our founding — the finest place to become a teacher, producing more National Board Certified Teachers than any other university in the country. We are still focused on opening access to a college education for anyone who is willing to step forward and diligently apply themselves. And we are still a community that cares about the success of each and every student, faculty and staff member.

We’ve grown into a major university, and we have retained these founding values, sustaining the Mountaineer spirit that defines us. That’s a spirit with deep strands of community, kinship, unshakable self-reliance and resilience, and with long-lasting attachments to this place that is our home. It’s said that once you come to App State, you never really leave. A piece of it stays with you forever.

After all, Mountaineers look out for one another; Mountaineers show up; Mountaineers are the kind of people you want to have around when the weather turns for the worse and the creeks start to rise. 

I have never seen a stronger display of that Mountaineer spirit than this time last year, when the creeks all over these mountains started to rise like we’ve never seen before, and our very mountains came sliding down around us, putting our neighbors in peril and calling this university into service.

I will never, ever forget our crews and volunteers fighting back rising water and onslaughts of mud, working around the clock to restore power for thousands of homes in the area, preparing hot meals for our community and doing whatever it took to help neighbors, loved ones, colleagues and strangers — sorting and distributing supplies, packing cars, trucks, boats, ATVs — even riding horses and mules — chainsawing through devastation, and slowly, surely, steadily, digging out, rebuilding and restoring our beloved mountain homes and our very livelihoods.

And I will never, ever forget the outpouring of support from our alumni, who offered everything from helicopter pilot services, pallets of tools, trucks full of generators, bottled water, and food and clothing for our entire community. Nor will I ever forget how nearly 5,000 Mountaineers — and honorary Mountaineers — from 48 states and seven countries donated more than $4 million. We distributed every single penny of that money to students, faculty and staff who had lost clothing, books, computers, cars and homes.

Like many others in the first hours and days of the storm, I was separated from my own family, not knowing their fate. And like many others, I relied on help to forge new pathways through a familiar yet barely recognizable landscape, to check on them — once I knew that our campus was stable and secure.

I am so very thankful my family is here with me today. And I am so grateful to those who helped me reach them in the aftermath of the storm.

I very much believe that moments of trial are also moments of revelation — when things get tough, that’s when you find out who you really are. And the people of this region have seen clearly in the year since Helene that we — for all of our growth and our embrace of change and innovation at Appalachian State — we remain deeply rooted in our public service calling to this region, our state, our communities and one another. This is our home, the place we serve first and foremost. 

That spirit of mutual devotion is something I’ve admired from my earliest days on this campus, back in 2003, when I arrived as an assistant professor in the Walker College of Business. Even among the most competitive finance students, I could tell that there’s something different at App State.

There’s a grit and determination to the culture here, a sincerity in the commitment people feel to one another, a depth to the connections that Mountaineers build. I’ve felt that “family togetherness” of App State as a blessing every moment of my time here. 

When I first arrived here as a faculty member, I never imagined doing anything else but being in the classroom with my students — something I’d dreamed of doing since my childhood, and something I cherished and loved. Then, a couple of years later, someone saw something in me that I hadn’t yet seen in myself, offering me an opportunity to serve in a new role as an assistant dean. It took me a little time — I didn’t even know what assistant deans did back then — but I finally said yes, and it opened up an unimagined trajectory that’s brought me in front of you today. That opportunity opened my eyes to new ways to support students, with academic advising, scholarships and recruitment of amazing faculty. And it also taught me that saying yes meant I could continue to do more to serve.

With each step in my career, I learned more about the sometimes complicated, challenging, fascinating and incredibly rewarding world of higher education. And nearly every day, I gained more insight into the power of adapting and innovating, with renewed appreciation for the bold, yet simple vision of our founders. Even as we grow, change and adapt, we remain true to our fundamental belief that access to education changes lives and communities for the better, ensuring each generation can gain from — and build upon — what was built before us.

That aspect of our culture has also become our signature value to the students and families seeking opportunity from this great public institution. Lots of universities talk about student success as a priority; at App State, it’s core to our identity. It shouldn’t be a surprise that a school founded to produce outstanding teachers would have a culture devoted to academic excellence and student success.

We’ve been able to center that core value and hold onto it, building on the bold vision of our founders: B.B., D.D. and Lillie Shull Dougherty. I often wonder what they would think if they were here now, to see the strong legacy they began more than 125 years ago.

Their legacy is also our legacy. With my whole heart, I am committed to honoring it — both because I love being a part of it, and because I know it matters enormously. For all of the rapid changes and increasing complexities in our society, I never lose sight of higher education’s enduring role as a place where people come to find a sense of direction, a sense of purpose and a sense of belonging. I believe to my core that our students will thrive to the exact degree that we care about their thriving, and by far the best thing about this university is that everyone who works here does more than just work here. Regardless of their job titles or duties, our faculty and staff show up for our students, knowing that student success is more than a goal we talk about. It’s the reason why we’re all here, and the reason this university continues to excel.

I think about the commitment it took for those early students to come to this place. I think about how many young people left their hometowns or their family farms for the first time to seek learning and opportunity on this campus, and what an incredible act of faith and trust that must’ve been. We’re still asking enormous faith and trust of the students we serve today, and that responsibility should sit both heavily and joyfully with all of us. I promise to honor that trust in every decision I make as chancellor, and in every action I take as a member of this community. 

Inspired by those who came before us, I am excited by the still enormous opportunities ahead of us.

As we grow through our Hickory campus and our online educational platforms, there’s a real opportunity to expand access to a high-quality, cost-effective education that builds the skills and innovations our communities need for the future.

We are offering high-demand, high ROI programs that span the broad areas of business, technology, education and health sciences at our Hickory campus, to students eager for an App State education. And we are actively developing new opportunities, including a research mentorship program for students at the nearby North Carolina School of Science and Mathematics in Morganton, seamless transfer options with community college partners and professional development and evening and weekend programs that work for students who are also holding down full-time jobs.

I’m also excited about what we’ve been able to do with our online programs, providing students at every stage of life additional flexibility to pursue and complete an App State education. Through our partnership with the UNC System’s Project Kitty Hawk affiliate, we’re offering in-demand degree programs with student support solutions that are specifically tailored to adult learners.

We began the partnership in April of last year, and enrollment in these programs already accounts for 14% of our online students — with more to come on the horizon.

As we continue to honor and fulfill our founding mission of serving and uplifting the students of Western North Carolina (and beyond), we hold in high regard the value of discovery. It is an enormous point of pride that this university has earned the distinction of being an R2 institution, nationally recognized for the breadth and quality of our research. And we’ve achieved that milestone through the incredible work of our faculty and staff, with an intensive focus on putting knowledge to work for our home state, conducting the kind of research that resonates far beyond the boundaries of our campus. We’re a driver for innovation with significant impacts here in the High Country and far beyond — with technological innovations, rural health care initiatives, educational leadership, creative endeavors and explorations that connect our past to our future. We help classroom teachers and school leaders figure out what works to keep students learning. We find new ways of keeping energy affordable, abundant and sustainable. We make crops more resilient and health care more accessible, all while contributing mightily — nearly $600 million locally and more than $2 billion statewide — to the economic development and well-being of our region and state.

Our students are working directly alongside dedicated faculty mentors, making breakthrough discoveries and developing innovations that address real-world challenges.

That spirit of applied discovery is very much in keeping with the pragmatic problem solving nature of this place. It’s also a unique strength of our culture, the Mountaineer spirit that makes this a place where botanists and computer scientists find shared interests; where physicists and astronomers cross paths and collaborate; where artists and health care professionals work side by side to address rural health challenges.

We’re nimble and adaptive, the kind of place where people are inspired to look beyond their immediate field and build great teams across disciplines. And that makes such a difference in our ability to be both thoughtful and useful in a time of great need.

It’s clear to me, as it is to everyone in the education world, that we have some urgent, fascinating and  perhaps somewhat daunting challenges ahead of us. I began my remarks talking about our instinctively humane response to Hurricane Helene, and how heartening it was to see tragedy met with compassion and resolve. As a community and as a nation, we still possess a deep reservoir of generosity and goodwill in moments of crisis. And as a person of faith, I firmly believe those instincts are core to who we can be in all of our moments, with a spirit of service to guide us.

We are living in a time of profound change, with astounding advances in technology and a deeply competitive job market with career trajectories we can’t possibly map in advance — and with urgent needs in health and access to care — particularly in rural areas, as lifespans grow longer and medicine becomes more complex. 

None of these challenges brings the immediate clarity of disaster response, when it’s obvious that you need to feed your neighbors, bring supplies up the mountain, clear landslides and start to rebuild. But they all require the same spirit of compassionate resolve, the belief that we can do hard things when we do them together. That is why I believe an App State education is going to be even more important and more valuable than ever.

Our role is one of powering human potential — educating people with the right mix of skills, creativity, tenacity and patient humility to meet an unsettling world with confidence. 

It’s astounding to think how much this place has changed over my time here, yet how much its purpose remains the same. The promise of being a Mountaineer is that none of us will face that future alone. We’re all here today with a shared hope — a shared conviction — that this university can shape the world for the better, just as it has for an extraordinary 126 years. 

No one accomplishes anything by themselves. I am so fortunate:

• to have had mentors in my life show me new ways of approaching things;
• to have leaders open doors for me;
• to have students inspire me;
• to have colleagues offer the advice I needed to hear; 
• to have friends hold out a hand;
• and, most of all, to have my faith and my family — my rock and my touchstone. Thank you for your sacrifices, your support, your inspiration and your love. You remind me of my purpose, each and every day. And each and every day, you bring me great joy as we travel this amazing journey of life together. 

To my Appalachian family — as we look to our future, without a doubt, we will have more opportunities than ever to fulfill our mission of academic excellence and student success, all while leading with innovation and research that make a direct and lasting positive impact in our local communities.

There will be joyful days for all of us in this place for a very long time to come, and I am grateful to share this one with all of you.

Installation Luncheon

Good afternoon, everyone.

I know you all just heard a lot of remarks, so I won’t spend too much more time doing that today.

This morning was one of the most humbling, inspiring and moving moments in my professional career and personal life.

I feel the responsibility of 126 years, the accomplishments of each of the leaders who has served at the helm of this institution before me, the power of the knowledge base of the faculty and staff, the hopes and dreams of the generations of students who have walked through these doors, and the allegiance of more than 150,000 alumni who are currently living in and contributing to communities across the state, nation and world.

It's not unusual these days to hear people say, “Why on earth would anyone want to lead a university in this day and age?” And on some level, I can understand why people say that. It’s certainly not a job for the faint of heart. It comes with challenges, frustrations, conundrums and, at times, great adversities.

And I love nearly every minute of it. Within each challenge, frustration, conundrum and adversity, there is a gift. There is something to learn, some way to help someone, some way to change lives for the better.

This is what gets me out of bed every day, energizes me to come to work and drives me to achieve successes for this incredible, amazing, imperfectly perfect university.

We know that good things happen for Western North Carolina when more people have the chance to study and learn and achieve their dreams and when they have the opportunity to experience the vibrancy of the arts and the excitement of athletics.

The college-going rate in some of our surrounding counties lags the state average, even though we know from long experience that there’s extraordinary talent on every hilltop and in every valley of this region. We know this part of the state needs more teachers, more nurses, more scientists and more construction engineers and project managers (to name a few).

It’s our job — our charge as a proudly Appalachian institution — to show our young people, to share with every K–12 school, every community college and community organization across this region that there are good and satisfying careers right here close to home, that there are good and meaningful ways to be of service to your friends and neighbors. That’s what it means to be a rural-serving institution, a public university still deeply attuned to its core mission.

We are putting the words of our mission into action and achieving amazing results. With some of the highest retention and graduation rates in the nation, graduates with less student debt than most in the nation and a positive, resident-student return on investment for every one of our undergraduate and graduate academic programs, we are serving our state and nation by preparing knowledgeable, creative thinkers and problem solvers.

And as we look to the future, which will include developing a new strategic plan and a comprehensive fundraising campaign, we will look for every opportunity to include as broad a swath of participation: faculty, staff, students, alumni and members of the Boone and Hickory area communities.

We’ll also lean into the work of many ongoing groups, including our AI Task Force and its component parts, looking at teaching, learning, research, business practices and processes and the many ways we can use this emerging and rapidly evolving technology to enhance and support our work.

The path from our founding as a teachers college with a simple yet bold vision to our current status as an R2 research institution has been guided by a singular purpose: Preparing students to make meaningful impacts in service to their communities.

I’m looking forward to traveling this path with each of you.

Thank you, again, for being here today and for being there for Appalachian State University every day.