This year's Awards of Distinction honorees represent a wide variety of divisions, departments and academic programs at App State, and their outstanding accomplishments — in service, leadership, teaching, research, scholarship and creative activities — have made a difference in the university and local communities, the region and the state. The honorees were recognized at the 2025 Awards of Distinction ceremony. View past honorees.
UNC Board of Governors Excellence in Teaching Award
The UNC Board of Governors Excellence in Teaching Award was established in 1994 to underscore the importance of teaching and to encourage, identify, recognize, reward and support good teaching within the UNC System. Every year, one faculty member from each of the System’s 17 constituent institutions is selected for the award, which comes with a $12,500 cash prize. To be eligible for the award, nominees must have taught at their System institution for a minimum of seven years, demonstrated excellence in, and commitment to, teaching, and actively teach in the academic year in which they are selected.
Appalachian State University Excellence in Teaching Award
The Appalachian State University Excellence in Teaching Award is conferred annually as part of the University of North Carolina Board of Governors Excellence in Teaching Awards. The award, which comes with a $1,500 cash prize, recognizes an App State faculty member for their innovative teaching methods in the classroom, making a difference in the way students learn. This university-level award is open to all App State faculty who have taught a minimum of five years at the university, have demonstrated excellence in, and commitment to, teaching, and are actively teaching in the academic year in which they are selected.
Appalachian State University School/College Awards
As part of the annual Board of Governors Excellence in Teaching Awards, the Appalachian State University School/College Awards recognize App State faculty members for their innovative teaching methods in the classroom, making a difference in the way students learn. These campus-based awards come with a $1,000 cash prize.
W. H. Plemmons Leadership Medallion
The W.H. Plemmons Leadership Medallion is named in honor of Appalachian State University’s second president, Dr. William H. Plemmons, who served from 1955 to 1969. Established in 1996 by App State’s Board of Trustees, the award recognizes the time, energy, skills and commitment of students, faculty, student affairs educators and staff who excel in providing leadership that enriches the quality of student life and advances the education of students at App State. Each year, award nominations from university students, faculty and staff are reviewed, and recipient recommendations are made to the Board of Trustees.
Practitioner-in-Residence, Department of Sustainable Technology and the Built Environment
Chancellor's Award for Excellence in Research, Scholarship and Creative Activity
The Chancellor's and Provost's Awards for Excellence in Research, Scholarship and Creative Activity honor App State faculty members for superior achievement in their fields. A committee of faculty members from each academic college and University Libraries selects the recipients, who are nominated by chairs, deans or other faculty, or are self-nominated. Two awards are conferred per year — the Chancellor's Award and the Provost's Award, which celebrate the research, scholarship and creative endeavors of faculty and staff.
Lowe’s Distinguished Professor of Computer Science, Department of Computer Science
Provost's Award for Excellence in Research, Scholarship and Creative Activity
The Chancellor's and Provost’s Awards for Excellence in Research, Scholarship and Creative Activity honor App State faculty members for superior achievement in their fields. A committee of faculty members from each academic college and University Libraries selects the recipients, who are nominated by chairs, deans or other faculty, or are self-nominated. Two awards are conferred per year — the Chancellor's Award and the Provost's Award, which celebrate the research, scholarship and creative endeavors of faculty and staff.
Wayne D. Duncan Faculty Enrichment and Teaching Fellowship
The Wayne D. Duncan Appalachian State University Faculty Enrichment and Teaching Fellowship is conferred to a full-time App State faculty member in recognition of their innovative and successful teaching in the university’s General Education program — an interdisciplinary curriculum that prepares students to think critically and creatively, communicate effectively, make local to global connections and understand the responsibilities of community membership. Established by First Citizens Bank in honor of Wayne D. Duncan, the fellowship may be used for travel, equipment or other approved purposes for the enhancement of the faculty member’s teaching and/or scholarship or creative activity. Duncan has served as past chairman of App State’s Board of Trustees and University Foundation Board of Directors and is now an emeritus member of the latter.
Harvey R. Durham Outstanding Freshman Advocate Award
Now in its 20th year, the Harvey R. Durham Outstanding Freshman Advocate Award is conferred to a full-time Appalachian State University employee who has contributed significantly to improving the first-year experience at App State. To qualify for the Durham Award, candidates must have three or more years of service working closely with first-year students. Award recipients exhibit extraordinary personal commitment to first-year students through programs and academic instruction designed to broaden the first-year experience. Durham, who retired from App State in 2004 after 39 years of service to the university, served as an assistant professor of mathematics, as well as in various administration and leadership roles — including vice chancellor for academic affairs, provost, executive vice chancellor and acting chancellor.
Associate Vice Provost, Honors College
Professor, Department of Mathematical Sciences
Staff Excellence Award
The Staff Excellence Award honors App State staff members for their hard work and dedication to both their colleagues and the university, and for their service to the citizens of North Carolina. The annual award, conferred by App State's Office of Human Resources, is presented in five categories: Innovation, Human Relations, Leadership, Engagement, and Student Success. Each of these categories support one or more of App State’s strategic priorities, as well as the UNC System’s institutional goals. Nominees must be permanent staff employees of App State.
Associate Director of Advising, Beaver College of Health Sciences Office of Advising and Academic Support
Director of Outreach and Education, Appalachian Institute for Health and Wellness
Student Employee Supervisor of the Year Award
Established in 2020 and conferred by App State’s Career Development Center, the Student Employee Supervisor of the Year Award recognizes the outstanding leadership of student employee supervisors across the university. Each year, nominations are gathered from active App State student employees, and these nominations are evaluated based on the following criteria: how the supervisors create positive and inclusive work environments for student employees; how they model career readiness competencies in the workplace; and how they help students identify and develop transferable skills through their part-time, on-campus employment.
Coordinator of Academic Services and Student Success, Student Learning Center, Hickory campus
Ronny L. Brooks Leadership Award
First conferred in the 2008–09 academic year, the Ronny L. Brooks Leadership Award recognizes Appalachian State University students who have distinguished themselves through the exemplary leadership they consistently provide to their student peers, as well as to App State programs and organizations. Any App State faculty or staff member can nominate a student for this award, which is named in honor of Ronny L. Brooks. Serving as dean of men prior to 1971 and later as dean of students from 1971 to 1985, Brooks was a strong supporter of out-of-class learning to foster student development. He actively engaged in encouraging students to serve in leadership opportunities and worked to develop a better learning environment for App State students for more than 20 years.
