Appalachian State University

Appalachian State University is a public research university located in Boone, North Carolina. A member of the University of North Carolina System, it serves undergraduate and graduate students across a wide range of academic programs. The institution began as a teacher training school and has grown into a comprehensive university offering degrees in fields such as business, education, health sciences, arts and sciences, and engineering. Appalachian State University is known for its strong emphasis on sustainability, community engagement, and regional development in the Appalachian Mountains. Its mountain setting and combination of academic programs, residential campus life, and Division I athletics attract students seeking a mid-sized public university experience.

Appalachian State University was founded in 1899 in Boone, North Carolina, as Watauga Academy, established by Blanford B. Dougherty and his brother Dauphin D. Dougherty to prepare teachers for northwestern North Carolina. In 1903, the institution received state support and became the Appalachian Training School for Teachers, with Blanford B. Dougherty serving as its first president. It later evolved into Appalachian State Normal School and then Appalachian State Teachers College, reflecting an expanding academic mission. In 1967, the school became Appalachian State University, marking its transition to a comprehensive university. It joined the University of North Carolina System in 1972. Over the following decades, Appalachian State University expanded its graduate programs, research activity, and campus facilities. Today, Appalachian State University serves students across multiple campuses and continues to build on its origins in teacher education while offering diverse academic disciplines.