Walker College of Business

• In 1955, Dr. J.D. Rankin became Interim President of Appalachian State Teachers’ College.
• Later that year, Dr. William H. Plemmons became President of Appalachian State Teachers’ College, a role he held until 1969 when he was succeeded by Dr. Herbert W. Wey.  Plemmons  presided over Appalachian’s transformation from a single-purpose teachers college into a multipurpose regional university.

Appalachian State Teachers' College was authorized to grant master’s degrees. Graduate courses had been offered at Appalachian State Teachers' College since 1943.

Business Education is offered as a major.

Edith Hess, the first Business Education faculty member is hired. 

• Appalachian Normal School became a four-year, degree granting institution named Appalachian State Teachers' College. Only teaching degrees were granted.

Appalachian Training School was renamed Appalachian Normal School, but maintained a two year curriculum dedicated to teaching degrees.

Education in business was seen as a need from the very early years. 

Watauga Academy becomes a state institution and the name changed to Appalachian Training School, granting two year degrees.

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 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 Appalachian its special niche in higher education.

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.