Appalachian senior Malik Hargrave studies actuarial science while taking advantage of leadership opportunities on campus.

Appreciative of his professors' support as an enlisted National Guard specialist, Keller presents them each with a Patriot Award from the United States Department of Defense.

Now a graduate student at the University of Notre Dame, this Honors College student reflects on his Appalachian Experience.

Political science major Razan Farhan Alaqil has been the Saudi youth representative to the United Nations. Two events in fall semester of her junior year put her on the world stage.

Freeman-Thibault was able to come out as gay as an undergraduate student because “Appalachian gave me the courage … to be myself,” she says.

Applying to Appalachian State University seemed “a smart choice” to Abraham Howell of Charlotte. Now a psychology major, he says he’s glad he did.

Exercise science major Sarah Miner of Charlotte has a passion for creating equity in health care — and a career plan to make it happen.

By the time she arrived on campus, ready to begin her college journey, Appalachian freshman Guin Thi had exceeded the hopes and dreams of her family. Now she is realizing her own dream, learning more about a profession that has intrigued her since childhood: architectural design.

Sarah Mbiki is an advocate for the role academic and professional student clubs play in the Appalachian State University experience. The senior computer science major credits her experience in the Women in Computer Science club for providing her with support and mentorship opportunities as she completes a challenging major and prepares for work in a field that is traditionally male-dominated.

When Fidel Leal, described by a Cuban music critic as “one of the most advanced and important Cuban pianists of his generation to storm into the first decade of this century” saw the bottom line on the cost of a music education at the New England Conservatory in Boston, he was crestfallen. Completely out of his price range, he returned to Cuba, his dream of earning a master’s in music in America unfulfilled.

Ray Christian, a storyteller and instructor at Appalachian State University, compartmentalizes his life of 55 years into three disparate segments: an impoverished childhood in a Richmond, Virginia, ghetto, 20 years serving his country in the U.S. Army, and the past two decades “doing nothing but going to school.”

Her professional trajectory has been informed, in large part, by the bedrock principles that shaped her life.

Alumnus Kemal Atkins’ family put education first. He has made a career of helping students find a place in higher education.

According to Branch, a successful attorney who serves on the university’s Board of Trustees, “I took advantage of everything Appalachian had to offer.”

Nearly 25 percent of Appalachian students are first generation college students. Many successful Appalachian faculty and staff were, too. Read how they charted a new course for themselves and their families.

A young African student wanted to study in the U.S. His parents and siblings were supportive - they’re all professionals with university degrees. The young student had friends in the U.S. and a dream to follow. There was just one problem...

From an undergraduate, to University of Oxford, to The University of Texas at Austin, Appalachian shaped the way Salvador Salinas ’03 engaged with the world through his liberal arts education.

Connor Burleson is a 2014 graduate of Appalachian’s Scholars with Diverse Abilities Program (SDAP), a person-centered, innovative program that provides students with intellectual disabilities access to a two-year college education with full access to all university programs and services.

With maintained success and national recognition for his community service work, Appalachian basketball junior forward Michael Obacha and his shoe drive have continued to provide shoes to the youth of his native country, Nigeria.

Derrick C. Jones ‘79 says that he is “first, last, and always an educator.”

This horticultural specialist keeps campus beautiful and safe year-round.

For Environmental Service Technician Marty Watkins, work is about more than just a job – it’s about family.

Administrative Assistant Debbie Bauer: mother, wife, gardener, student and leader.

Music major Carys Kunze has covered a lot of ground. It’s all possible, she said, because of her Chancellor’s Scholarship, The Honors College and “amazing support from the faculty.”

A father of two, transfer student Brian Pham completes this education after an early life in refugee camps following the conflict in Vietnam.

Business graduate and single mother

“I knew that Appalachian was where I wanted to be. I could feel it. Everyone was friendly, and it felt like home.”

"I am inspired to hear our students' challenges and how they face them with so much dignity and respect for each other. I am inspired every day to serve and mentor our first-generation college students."

First-generation college student Dr. Harry L. Williams ’86 ’88 ’95 receives a 2013 Distinguished Alumni award from the Appalachian Alumni Association.

With the collected experiences of his colorful career, it's likely that Barnes will stretch the canvas of his next career in Appalachian’s Ombuds Office.

Appalachian State University junior Meredith Ballard was born with a severe visual impairment that has worsened progressively.

ACCESS Scholar

“ACCESS has helped me in so many ways. It not only pushes me to achieve academic success, but also fosters a sense of family among program members.”

Teaching Fellow

“When I first arrived in Boone and stepped onto the Appalachian campus, I knew that I would do anything and everything possible to come to school here. It reminded me of how I am to people -- warm and welcoming.”

As soon as you meet Appalachian State University’s Jordan Lancaster, you know he has lots of layers besides his clothes.

“I love the diversity that we have in the choir, the compliments we get from our classmates, faculty, families and friends. I am glad that we reach out – not only to our campus, but also to our community, our state and beyond.”

Department of Biology

“The greatest duty of any civilized society is to help discover and develop the unique talent that each child brings to the table. Being a part of this and making a positive difference in the lives of students…is a great honor."

A native of China, Gu determines to what extent local streams are harmed by pollutants and other change.

“I treasure the educational experiences that students can have in college because of what we learn about ourselves and others.”

Dr. Hongwei “Chris” Yang, an assistant professor in the Department of Communication at Appalachian State University, is an expert in advertising using the Internet, mobile devices and social media.

During his tenure at Appalachian, Dr. Willie Fleming ’80 ’84 made a difference in the lives of African American students. Now a scholarship bears his name.