Appalachian State University

Appalachian State University International Student Insurance

Appalachian State University, located in Boone, North Carolina, was established in 1899 by brothers B. B. and D. D. Dougherty. It was founded as a training school for teachers, and it served that purpose from its inception all the way until 1967, when it expanded its reach to become a multipurpose regional university. It joined the University of North Carolina system in 1971 and now enrolls almost 20,000 students per year and counting. ASU offers more than 150 undergraduate and 40 graduate degrees. The school’s colors are black and gold, and its athletic nickname is the mountaineers.

Appalachian State University offers undergraduate and graduate programs at three off-campus centers in North Carolina. These auxiliary sites allow students to maintain families, careers, or to stay close to home while pursuing education. Programs are also available online.

On Campus

The rural setting of the Blue Ridge Mountains gives students the opportunity to participate in outdoor activities like snowboarding, skiing, tubing, rock climbing, hiking, and camping. Noteworthy aspects of the campus itself include the Carol Grotnes Belk Library & Information Commons, a five-story library with almost two million books, a regional history collection, and a Stock Car Racing Collection donated by NASCAR legend Richard “The King” Petty. It’s also home to the Turchin Center for Visual Arts, which features rotating indoor and outdoor exhibits and offers community art courses. ASU is also notable for its sustainability initiatives.

Appalachian State University Notable Alumni

Notable Appalachian State University alumni include musicians Erich Bachmann, Carlton Bost, and Byron Hill; authors Charles Frazier and Mary Ellen Snodgrass; economist Stephen J. Dubner, co-author of the book Freakonomics; and evangelist Franklin Graham, son of Billy Graham.