On March 6, 2024, Appalachian State University alumnus Bob Hatley '72 invited the Walker College Network to 'Back APP' by supporting the Building Leaders fundraising initiative.
The challenge: If 25 individuals support the Walker College of Business on iBackAPP Day, he would give $25,000 to support the fund, which will address key challenges through a Peacock Hall building addition, the Walker College Dean's Club, faculty professorships and student scholarships.
"The Walker College of Business was instrumental in my success in business and beyond. My time and education at Appalachian State created a path for me that has led to success and lifelong learning."
"The Walker College of Business was instrumental in my success in business and beyond," said Hatley. "My time and education at Appalachian State created a path for me that has led to success and lifelong learning."
Hatley is retired President and CEO of the Raleigh-based Paragon Bank.
In a 2017 article, A Mountaineer Impact, Hatley advises other Mountaineers to get back to campus: "The longer you go without going up there, the fewer your ties are," Hatley said. "What you have are memories but not current times. Once you start going back up there, it feeds on itself, and you want to keep going. It's all about the relationships you start building in the mountains, and then you want to help the University."
About the Building Leaders fundraising initiative
Appalachian State University is embarking on a renovation of and addition to Peacock Hall — home to the students, faculty and staff of the Walker College of Business. This marks the first large-scale refresh of these spaces in more than 30 years. There are extensive opportunities for how we can make changes that support our innovative teaching, learning and research practices. The university received $25 million in legislative funding to support the project as part of the FY 2021–22 biennial budget bill, signed into law by Gov. Roy Cooper on Nov. 18, 2021. As part of the FY 2023–24 biennial budget bill, the state allocated an additional $15 million in support of the project. Gifts of any amount will benefit current and future Mountaineers who will live out their academic journeys in Peacock (formerly Raley) Hall. Learn more online, https://business.appstate.edu/give/building-leaders.
App State Alumnus Bob Hatley
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