Four first-year students at Appalachian State University have been named recipients of the Dr. Willie C. Fleming Scholarship, a merit-based award designed to support students from underrepresented populations. Among them is intended accounting major Charles Johnson III of Parkton.
Johnson said becoming a Mountaineer has been a dream of his since attending a Duke TIP (Talent Identification Program) summer event at App State when he was in middle school. Through the program, he lived on campus for three weeks while taking advanced math courses — providing him a taste of the college experience and inspiring him to pursue a future career as an accountant, he said.
The Fleming Scholarship will allow him to advance his career goals while bonding with his community, said Johnson, who is majoring in accounting.
Johnson graduated from the North Carolina School of Science and Mathematics in Raleigh, where he was involved in track and field, bowling, marching band and the drum line. He was a member of the school’s Math, Robotics and Beta clubs.
Read the full article to learn about the other three recipients: R.J. Johnson Jr., of Franklinton; Victoria Smith, of Raleigh; and Khaden Watson, of Charlotte.
In this video, the scholars share details about their App State Experience and the opportunities afforded them through the Fleming Scholars program. Video by Jawoin Williams, App State University Housing coordinator. Show transcript
About the Dr. Willie C. Fleming Scholarship
The Dr. Willie C. Fleming Scholarship is designed to support students from underrepresented populations, with selection based on their desire to promote cultural diversity. In addition to covering full in-state tuition and fees, the renewable scholarship provides mentorship by alumni, the opportunity to participate in inclusivity-focused events, and networking and team building within each cohort of recipients. It was established to honor Dr. Willie C. Fleming ’80 ’84, who founded the Appalachian Gospel Choir and the Black Student Association, was a founding member of the Black Faculty and Staff Association and was also instrumental in bringing black Greek life to the university. Learn more
About Scholarships at Appalachian
Appalachian State University offers students the opportunity to receive a world-class education at an affordable rate through various need- and merit-based scholarships. The university sets aside more than $4 million annually for scholarships, with scholarship opportunities available to incoming, current and transfer students. Appalachian’s Office of University Scholarships assists students in learning about and applying for these university scholarship opportunities and also shares information about non-Appalachian scholarships. Learn more at scholarships.appstate.edu.
About Appalachian State University
As the premier public undergraduate institution in the state of North Carolina, Appalachian State University prepares students to lead purposeful lives as global citizens who understand and engage their responsibilities in creating a sustainable future for all. The Appalachian Experience promotes a spirit of inclusion that brings people together in inspiring ways to acquire and create knowledge, to grow holistically, to act with passion and determination, and to embrace diversity and difference. Located in the Blue Ridge Mountains, Appalachian is one of 17 campuses in the University of North Carolina System. Appalachian enrolls more than 20,000 students, has a low student-to-faculty ratio and offers more than 150 undergraduate and graduate majors.
Charles Johnson III, a 2021–22 Fleming Scholar from Parkton, receives his Fleming Scholars pin from Judge Gary Henderson ’92 ’94 during the Dr. Willie C. Fleming Scholarship Reception held Oct. 29 on Appalachian State University’s campus.
Photo by Chase Reynolds