Alumni

App State faculty and staff recipients of the Walker College of Business’ 2026 Sywassink Awards for Excellence. Pictured, from left to right, are Dr. Abhijit Ramalingam, Dr. Brandy Hadley, Scott Jensen, Dr. Harry Davis, Dr. Matt Crump, Cele Burt and Dr. Jonathan Bitting. Not pictured is Dr. Robin Romanus. Photo by Sabrina Cheves

App State honors 8 faculty and staff with Sywassink Awards for Excellence
Aug 4, 2026

New to this year’s awards — the Sywassink Legacy of Excellence Award BOONE, N.C. — Eight faculty and staff members in Appalachian State Uni...

Doug Johnson, center,with two fellow awardees at the 2026 Alumni Gala. Photo by Kyla Willoughby

Doug Johnson ’77 honored as 2026 Walker College Alumnus
Jul 27, 2026

Nine alumni from the university’s academic colleges, as well as the Honors College, Williams School of Graduate Studies and University Libraries, we...

App State’s Alumni Association recognized four Mountaineers at the university’s 2026 Alumni Awards Gala, held July 11 on the Boone campus. Pictured with App State Chancellor Heather Norris, center, from left to right, are Young Alumni Award recipient Kendall Lamm ’14, Honorary Alumni Award recipient Shawn Poole, Outstanding Service Award recipient Donna Fiori ’80 and Distinguished Alumni Award recipient Dr. M. Lee Barnes ’90.

4 App State alumni honored for exemplary leadership, service and achievements
Jul 16, 2026

9 alumni awardees from App State’s colleges also recognizedBy Brian Miller and Courtney RobertsBOONE, N.C. — Appalachian State University’s Alum...

Dr. Brandy Hadley

In the News: Hadley weighs in as inflation pressures spread beyond gas prices
Jun 24, 2026

An article in The Conversation entitled "It’s not just high gas prices – inflation is now spreading through the US economy," explains that rising ...

Christopher W. Taylor ’09 ’11, practitioner-in-residence in the Walker College of Business’ Department of Computer Information Systems, who is leading the Western North Carolina Cyber Resilience Initiative.

App State Chancellor’s Innovation Scholars aim to boost Western NC cybersecurity, trades workforce
Jun 24, 2026

BOONE, N.C. — Two Appalachian State University projects designed to strengthen Western North Carolina’s building trades workforce and cyber defens...

Chris Taylor holds the inaugural Hickory Innovation Award in front of a banner with repeating App State Hickory logo

Chris Taylor earns inaugural Hickory Innovation Award for advancing cybersecurity education at App State
May 28, 2026

Chris Taylor ’09 ’11, a senior lecturer in Appalachian State University’s Department of Computer Information Systems (CIS), has earned the unive...

App State honored more than 4,300 Mountaineer graduates — the largest graduating class in university history — during its seven Spring 2026 Commencement ceremonies, held May 7–9 in Holmes Convocation Center on the Boone campus. Pictured, App State Chancellor Heather Norris addresses the Class of 2026.

A record 4,300+ App State graduates are ready for what’s next
May 13, 2026

graduates — the largest graduating class in university history — during its Spring 2026 Commencement, with seven ceremonies held May 7–9 at Holm...

Jade Zonato

Jade Zonato '26 — Internship insight and global perspectives
May 8, 2026

A Spring 2026 graduate of the Walker College of Business, Jade Zonato leaves App State with a global mindset shaped by hands‑on experience.An Intern...

Alan Sonato‑Ruiz ’26

Alan Sonato‑Ruiz ’26 — Choosing progress over pace
May 8, 2026

Alan Sonato‑Ruiz is a first-generation student at Appalachian State University, completing both a BSBA with majors in Computer Information...

Francisca M. Campos ’26

Francisca M. Campos ’26 — Saying yes to opportunity and leadership
May 7, 2026

Francisca Campos arrived at Appalachian State University with a promise to herself: say “yes” to opportunity, even when it felt uncomfortable. A f...